Location: Caribbean
Local Time: GMT-4
Capital City: Bridgetown
Population: 273,000
Area: 430357,021 square km, 166 square miles.
Language(s): English
Dialling Code: 1 246
Emergency: Police: 211. Fire: 311. Ambulance: 511
TV Standard: NTSC
Driving: Driving is on the left. Barbados Driving Permit requirements are available from car hire companies, Ministry of Transport and Police stations.
Electricity: 110V AC 50Hz
Currency: Barbados Dollar (BBD 1 = 100 Cents)
Notes: BBD: 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
Coins: BBD: 1. Cents: 1, 5, 10, 25
Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted but not for the payment of customs duty as cash is preferred
Opening Hours
Bank: 0800-1500 Mon-Thur, 0800-1700 Fri
Office: 0800-1600 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0800-1700 Mon-Fri, 0830-1600 Sat (supermarkets open longer)
Public Holidays
2012
Note: When holiday falls on a Sunday, the next Monday is usually taken.
Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in English. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, punctuality appreciated and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. A general ban on smoking in public places is now in place.
Tipping: If there is no service charge, tips of around 10% are discretionary
