Sarah Rand
·6 min read
Barbados is an eastern Caribbean country with plenty for travelers to do. It is located near Saint Vincent and Grenadines. The island is quite small (about 20 miles long and wide) but has a big travel appeal. From stunning landscapes to the thriving natural environment, Barbados truly is an underrated gem for tourism. This vibrant island has a lot to offer visitors and locals alike. It is known for its welcoming culture, fresh food and cultural significance.
Barbados’ most popular attractions are great for active adventurers or travelers who appreciate marine life. Since the island is quaint, travelers may want to explore as much as possible during their time there. Some of the top tourist spots are Carlisle Bay, Harrison’s Cave eco-adventure park, Mount Gay Visitor Center, The Boatyard Barbados and Bathsheba Beach. Mount Gay is one of the most popular sites and it truly provides travelers with a unique experience. This center highlights the history and significance of rum in Barbados, since it is the birthplace of the drink. It is the oldest rum distillery on the island. During the signature tour there, travelers can view the bottling facility and then sample different types of rum for around $25 per person. To add lunch and co*cktails to the experience, tourists can book tours that cost from $50 – $75 per person.
But rum is not the only reason the island has gained attention from world travelers. Barbados is commonly recognized as the birthplace of Rihanna, the superstar and entrepreneur, so fans can even explore the areas she grew up in.
Barbados is quite a popular destination, despite its small size. But with unfamiliar destinations comes unfamiliar environments and potential threats. The best way to maneuver through potential travel situations is to stay informed of the conditions abroad. We have compiled some of the most important information for travelers that are wondering if Barbados is a safe travel destination.
Best Travel Advisories
Travelers should be sure to get information on their potential travel destination from reputable sources. Safety while traveling is a top priority, especially to places that travelers have yet to visit. Travel safety does have multiple facets, so travelers should stay informed about many different factors. These platforms offer the most up to date information for travelers planning a trip to Barbados.
The U.S. Department of State has an up to date travel advisory that categorizes destinations by safety level. Barbados is considered a level one destination. This means that travelers should exercise normal precautions when traveling to and around Barbados. From the travel advisory’s webpage travelers can find more information on the country. Travel alerts, quick facts and in-depth travel information and tips for Barbados are all accessible. The Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) website has a helpful travel facts page. In the CIA’s World Factbook travelers will find travel facts, important cultural differences to note and information on local travel safety.
Travelers that are worried about securing their health safety can seek out other platforms. Some reliable resources for health safety include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The CDC’s website posts travel health notices, important medicines, preventable illnesses and the best techniques to stay healthy during travel. It is a great resource for detailed reports on the health status of Barbados. On the other hand, WHO’s website includes statistics on the country, dated health reports and travel advice.
Is Barbados Safe for Tourists and Solo Travelers?
Yes, Barbados is considered a pretty safe place to travel to. Travelers have a quite low chance of encountering dangerous crime while there. Solo travelers can comfortably travel through Barbados as well. The authorities patrol in most public places so that the level of crime stays at a minimum. Although crime in Barbados is not high, there are some opportunistic crimes that occur. For example, burglary and drug related crimes do occur occasionally. Generally, travelers can avoid being impacted by crime in Barbados if they do not become involved with dodgy activities and travel wisely. If travelers intend to partake in local nightlife, it may be smart to exercise extra precautions.
How to Stay Safe in Barbados
As long as travelers exercise a standard baseline of travel precautions, they should feel safe. While in Barbados, travelers should be sure to secure their valuables by not leaving them unattended or flaunting expensive or valuable items. This can help divert pickpockets that look for easy targets. Other safety precautions include avoiding poorly lit areas, not leaving drinks unattended, avoiding walking alone at night and being conscious of surroundings in crowded areas. Another precaution that travelers should be aware of pertains to clothing. It is actually illegal to wear any variation (color or clothing object) of camouflage in public in Barbados. This rule is in place so that no traveler or local is confused with the patrolling military. This is strictly enforced (and can come with fines, jail time or both), so travelers should be respectful of this custom.
Transportation safety is another important factor in having a comfortable and secure trip to Barbados. Transportation in Barbados is quite affordable, so many travelers depend on public transportation as a means of getting around the island. Taxis and buses are the most convenient options. For travelers using public transportation, there are some precautions to exercise. It is best that travelers using public transportation only use officially marked taxis, only go to and from reputable establishments later in the day and stay alert while in public. As long as travelers do their best to avoid dodgy environments and rides, they should be okay.
Where to Stay
There are many safe areas in Barbados that are good fits for travelers. Areas along the southern and western coasts of the island are generally considered the safest. Oistins, Speightstown and Bathsheba are the most popular areas to stay in while in Barbados. Oistins offers travelers a chill ambiance with a mix of locals and tourists. It has less crowds because its beach is not near the large resorts. Speightstown is near the highway and has more high priced accommodations. This exclusive area offers travelers a bit more privacy and peace. Families often stay in Speightstown. Bathsheba is off the beaten path, so this area offers travelers more connection with local culture. There are a few villages here that are filled with locals, which means travelers may be able to book a nice guest house. For fans of the Bajan worldwide star Rihanna, her childhood home in Bridgetown can even be booked as an Airbnb.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Barbados is between July and November. This is mainly due to the activities travelers can partake in. The Crop Over Festival is one of the most popular events in this season. Although this time period technically is during the Caribbean’s hurricane season, storms are not common for Barbados. Travelers should do research on weather trends if they are unsure they feel safe during this time. Since the weather is generally consistent throughout the year with temperatures of around 70 degrees, it is not a huge concern for travel.
People Also Ask
How safe is Barbados for travelers? Travelers do not have many things to worry about if they want to explore Barbados. Travelers should simply uphold personal safety precautions.
What are the cons of traveling to Barbados? This depends on the traveler. Generally, some travelers do not appreciate the warmest season in Barbados or the seasonally expensive cost of living.
