Go, but pay attention.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Barbados
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Taxi fraud
Taxi drivers may attempt to overcharge or deceive passengers regarding fares. Verify the price before starting your journey.
Short-changing
Vendors or service providers may intentionally provide incorrect change. Count your money carefully after every transaction.
Drug solicitation pretext
Beach vendors use aloe vera or other goods as a cover to initiate conversations about selling marijuana or cocaine. Decline these offers and avoid engaging with sellers.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Illegal drugs
Possession of marijuana and cocaine is strictly illegal and subject to stern prosecution.
Camouflage clothing ban
Wearing camouflage clothing is forbidden for non-military personnel. This restriction applies to all items, including children's clothing and hats.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Tap water safe to drink: Yes
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Chikungunya, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
Currently most visitors to Barbados are visa exempt. However, certain nationals must obtain a visa from one of the Barbadian diplomatic missions before being allowed to enter the country.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Barbados, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Barbados remains much safer than many other Caribbean islands, but in the 2020s crime is increasing.
- •Drugs are strictly illegal, sternly prosecuted, and vigorously marketed: marijuana and cocaine being the main stuff on sale.
- •Camouflage clothing is forbidden for non-military personnel in Barbados, even kiddy outfits or anglers' floppy hats that couldn't possibly be mistaken for army camo.
Staying healthy
- •Your biggest risks are road safety, safety in the sea, and alcohol especially when combined with those.
- •Climate: Beware of the sun. Barbados is only 13o degrees north of the equator and you can burn very easily even if it's cloudy and the sea breeze is keeping you cool. Temperatures often top 32o C (90…
- •Mosquitoes are more of a nuisance than a danger: it's very rare for them to carry serious tropical disease such as malaria.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Right now
In the news the last few days
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
A / B · 115V
Driving side
left
Emergency
police: 211 / ambulance: 511 / fire: 311
Cash vs. Card
The local currency is the Bajan dollar, officially denoted as "Bds$" (ISO code: BBD) but usually just as B$ on local signage (and hence in these pages). US dollars are accepted in almost all shops and restaurants. The exchange rate is fixed at 2 Bajan dollars to the US dollar, but hotels may scalp you for an extra 5% or so.
Show the receipts (9 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- gdelt-sentiment — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09