Barbados Travel Forum

My fiance and I are getting married in May 2011 and we are very confused as to what area we should stay in in Barbados.

We aren't into the whole all inclusive thing, we are much happier going room only/self catering. Our main priority is that we want to be somewhere with a bit of life, ie, a good selection of restaurants and bars in walking distance.

I've looked at St Lawrence Gap (I think that's right?) and I think that might be a bit more commercialised than we're after.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to which area of the island would suit us?

Many thanks!

I'm thinking about planning a trip to Barbados in 2011 for Cropover. I know that Cropover lasts for weeks and weeks, but could anyone tell me when is the best time to go? Anyone know the specific dates of Cropover for 2011?

Our family of five (adults) will be staying two weeks in Barbados this summer. My husband is a chef and yes, loves to cook at home (and on vacations). We love to explore the islands we visit having lunch along the way. But for dinner we prefer to relax, have cocktails and dinner watching the sunset from our own balcony vs going out. So. My question is: Would it be cost effective to buy the $25 permit to bring in meat, cheese, etc. or buy it on island considering the cost? I'm a pro at packing provisions as many of the islands we've stayed on have limited groceries. Ever heard of 'mystery meat?' ;-) Thank you for any suggestions!
Kay. Arizona, USA

Hello

I was hoping someone could help as at point of pulling hair out.

I have been looking to book a holiday to Barbados for 7 nights next month and am a little unsure where to stay, i am looking at both the Mango Bay hotel and Crystal Cove hotel, both look nice but both get mixed reviews on tripadvisor as beaches look quite thin/small.

I have also been looking at some of the Sandal resorts and a couple in Jamaica (Dunn's River or Grand Ocho)are on offer at the moment with quite good rooms for the same price as the barbados trip. The only problem is my wife has heard quite bad things about the attitude of the people and how they treat tourists, don't know if this is the case at these resorts.

Can someone please help or advise me on any of the above as this will have a serious dent to my savings as well as a disgruntled wife if she doesn't get her relaxing week away on a great beach.

Many thanks for any help/comments/suggestions/advice that can be given.

My teen daughter will take a summer course in Barbados for 6 weeks. I am planning to buy a cell phone to stay in touch with her. I think at last buying a phone will be cheaper than renting one. Which is the more convenient and economical solution to stay in touch with her? Which would be the best company in Barbados for this?

Hi there.Not sure if this exactly the right place to post...but here goes

A genuine question from a couple of worried parents.We are in the UK and our daughter has supposedly been offered the chance to do some work in Barbados.She does a lot of night club dancing here in the UK and she tells us that this guy has offered her and some other girls a 3 month term doing clubs.

Apparently the company will pay for their airfare and accomodation and also a salary.

Now to me this is a lot of money to pay out,so my question is are their rich night clubs that people will pay out lots of money to go into.Is this conceivably possible?

I understood that it was a poor island but maybe I'm wrong.

Can't give any info as to what club/clubs are involved.

You will understand our concern and I know of no other way than to use VT.

Many many thanks

We are planning a first time visit to Barbados in late October. We picked Barbados for the temps, and lack of hurricane activity. Would like to be right on the beach - but other than that don't have ANY idea where to stay! Not looking for fancy resorts or all inclusive - just a clean and safe place to stay. Where should we stay? Where should we stay away from? Will we need to rent a car?
thanks in advance for your help

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Barbados for the first week of March and I'm wondering approximately how much spending money would I need for 7 days there.(excluding hotel cost)
Not planning an extravagant vacation, just going to relax, hop on the bus to wherever I want to go, do some grocery shopping (not eating out in expensive restaurants), and do a little bit of shopping here and there.
Would $100.00 Barbados dollars per day be ok for that stuff???

Please advise.

Thank you for you help.

Mona.

We are leaving for Barbados in just under 2 weeks and I am torn as to wether rent a car for the whole week, a few days, etc. or just bus it? Its mostly going to be a relaxing vaca but would maybe like to go to the rum factory, see a few sites but mostly liming it with a rum punch on the beach. WE will be in Fitts Village? Any suggestions please as I have procrastinated on this decision and need to book a car as soon as possible i would imagine if we decide to go that way. Thanks

Hi all .Has anyone been in the latter part of September? Just want to make sure there will be beach weather and not constant rain! Thanks!

Most hotels are poorly set up for a family of 5 beyond suggesting adjoining standard rooms ( we prefer a 2 bedroom suite/condo ) . The 3 kids are young and could all sleep in a queen bed in a pinch . Prefer a place with beach right out front and a heated vs regular pool always a plus . We definitely do not want to be in an area with loud night life / single scene but definitely would prefer being close enough to a town for easy access to places to eat / shop . I'm guessing we want south or west side of island so the 3 kids can swim in ocean safely . We'll rent a car and want to see the sights vso also cutrious if any families have any " you gotta see X while you are there " . Memorable restaurant suggestions appreciated too .

Happy New Year. I am planning to visit barados in the summer of 2010 and I would like to get as much information as possible on what type of expense budget i need to acquire for a 1 week stay. this is to cover car ground transportation housing meals entertainment. I am looking to mix with the locals as I plan to move somewhere in the caribbean within 2 years. Thanks a bunch

Well be in Barbados(ChristChurch)Jan 3- jan 8, any 30 -40yr old couples to hang with for dinner, out at night, etc, maybe someone who knows the area, or even someone that'll also be lost?

My husband & I are going to stay in Barbados for three nights prior to boarding our cruise ship. We are in our sixty's so not looking for a lot of noisy night life. We don't care if we are in Bridgetown or a little further afield. Can anyone suggest a hotel that's mid price range, but that provides a breakfast or has dining facilities that won't break the bank?

Where can I go online to receive a full menu, prices included,of this restaurant?

Last time in Barbados was 29 years ago. Stayed at the Sand Acres. Remember St. Lawrence gap as very attractive with good variety of restaurants and hotels. I wrote an e-mail to Almond Hotels to get permission to spend the day at the Casuarina. The HO was supposed to ask the local manager. Did noy get reply. Too bad because we could go back for a vacation if we liked the place. We are Canadian seniors, respectful of others and prepared to pay for services rendered by hotel.
Any ideas of other hotels or beaches in that area? Can we take the bus from the pier? What no. please? Many thanks.

We will be in Barbados this Friday till Nov 2nd and want to rent a cell phone for local use for a week. We have our own US phones but the cost to call within BBD is extremely high. We would like to be able to make local call within BBD. Three years ago we were able to do this but I cannot seem to find the place I rented from again. I know we pick up the phone from a kisok in a mall. Any suggestions?

Your views on the Almond beach club and spa would be valued - one of the better ai resorts according to Virgin and ideal for our honeymoon destination - sept 2010. Looking at deluxe beachfront accomadation and will need to relax..uk to vegas, 4 nights there including wedding and then a long flight via miami to get here...any thoughts, tips or other hotel recommendations...
Looking forward to your replies...

Im looking to escape the wet and cold UK this Christmas and have a relaxed one in beautiful Barbados.

Is there anyone out there looking to do the same?

We are taking a cruise which stops in Barbados....any suggestions for a nice day, where we don't have to be shuffled around by tour guides etc...? Any suggestions on how to best spend our time would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Dawn

Could anyone suggest the cheapest way to get to Barbados from the UK. My daughter is going there in August but has just seen the price of flights!

Hi.We'll travel to Barbados in 2nd half of april. Could anybody suggest:

1-The beach which has the calmest water in Barbados.
2-Is this beach close to town,shopping,restaurants etc..
3-Some hotel names on this beach.

Thank you very much..

Hi. Can anybody inform me about weather conditions in Barbados in 2nd half of april? Any significant change between march and april? I checked expedia,and looks like in 2nd half of april hotel prices are quite cheaper than march. Why so? Weather conditions,or any other suggestion? (in may the prices increase again)

best regards

We are visting Barbados for the first time in December. We have a hotel on the West side of the island and are looking for suggestions for 1) great beaches to visit, secluded or not (any topless?) 2)Fine dining, love great food and wine (also love to go where the locals go)and 3)Night life, we love to go dancing but we are not in our 20's (or 30's for that matter). We have 10 days booked for some sun and fun and want to make the most of it!! What else should we do .. we are not the orgainized tour types.

My wife and I are planning to go to Barbados in Dec and January. Her (Russian) passport expires in April and is not so easy to renew quickly. We would have a return ticket on arrival.

The following places say this is OK:
UK fco site, numerous websites, barbados tourism office, barbados high commission (by phone)

The following places say min 6 months validity required;
numerous websites, virgin airlines, barbados foreign ministry website

By e-mail, the London barbados high commission said that 'ideally' 6 months is required.

So the questions are;
1. would virgin let us on the plane
2. would barbados immigration let us in for up to 28 days as is permitted to Russians without a visa. What does ' ideally' mean?

It looks that we will need to renew the passport to avoid risks to our holiday.

I am a 58 years old widower and I have been trying to find a holiday in Barbados especially in the north near Speighstown. But finding a hotel with a single room is almost impossible. Can anyone advise me how to find single accomodation, preferably a hotel with a swimming pool and near the beach.
Graham

Visiting in December,on a cruiseship.
Contemplating shore excursion with ship or do it off my own back. Could you advise me if this would be easy to arrange and maybe any tips?

Many thanks
Katy

We are leaving for Barbados next week. What is the best way to call the US from Barbados (Cheapest way that is)? My cell phone will not work over there. Also, what is the cheapest way from the airport to Bridgetown/St. Lawrence Gap area?
What is the exchange rate with US? Will they take US dollars?
Has anyone heard how the weather is supposed to be 9/23 - 10/1
I have heard no hurricaine problems in that area.
Thanks :)

Hi

I am travelling to Barbados in September. We will be going to the Maxwell beach area.
I just wanted to know if anyone thought this might be a bad idea due to Ieke and Josephine which are currently circulating. i would want to go all that way to be washed out :(

would you suggest to still go? will these be gone by then?

Thanks
Jo

I have a seven hour layover in Barbados on my way to Guyana in three weeks time. Any recommendations for good guides/travel companies who could show me some of the island while I'm there?