Airlines

Grantley Adams International airport is a full service modern facility able to accommodate the largest commercial aircraft. As of 2022, there are regular flights to Bridgetown from London (British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, TUI), Manchester (Virgin Atlantic, TUI, Aer Lingus), Bournemouth (TUI), Miami (American), New York (Jet Blue), Newark (Jet Blue, United), Boston (Jet Blue), Charlotte (American), Washington (United), Toronto (Air Canada and Westjet), Montreal (Air Canada), Frankfurt (Eurowings), Amsterdam (KLM).

Visa requirements

All visitors require a passport and proof of a return ticket. Visitors from most countries do not require a visa. For up-to-date visa and COVID requirements please consult https://www.foreign.gov.bb

Banks

Barbados is the main business hub of the Caribbean, and thus has a well-developed banking system. In Holetown 2 miles away from Glitter Bay Estates, one can find branches of the Royal Bank of Canada, the Scotia Bank, and the First Caribbean (CIBC).

Dining

The presence of many outstanding restaurants is one of the main reasons we chose to settle in Barbados! The concierge can help you with your choices, whether from family fare to fine dining on par with London or New York.

Credit Cards

All major credit cards are accepted in the major stores and restaurants.

Currency

The Barbados dollar is pegged: $1 US = $1.98Bbd. On the street, it is ‘2 for 1’. Almost all stores will accept US dollars, with your change given in Bbd.

Tipping

In restaurants, a 10-15% tip is generally expected. However, read the fine print on your bill, as in many cases this has already been added to your total.

The maid in your unit is generally given a gratuity at the end of the week. This does not take into account if she has stayed late to cook and serve a meal, in which case we would recognize the extra work, and her taxi home as buses are sparse in the evening.

Electricity

Electrical power is 110-120V, 50 Hz. This means that North Americans do not need to bring any adapters. However, the 50 Hz frequency is the British standard, which means that appliances which depend on the North American standard of 60 Hz frequency for timing purposes (such as clock radios) will not function properly.

Transportation

Car rentals are readily available. Most rental agencies will issue a temporary driver’s license. Since road traffic is on the left side just as in the U.K., most North Americans opt to not rent a car.
Barbados has frequent bus service along the coast. One can easily bus into Holetown for shopping, or even into Bridgetown.
We also have a list of high-end drivers with clean modern cars or minivans.

Health Care

The Sandy Crest medical center is 2 miles away in Holetown. This modern facility is fully staffed by US trained emergency room doctors, with X-Ray and CT scan on site.