Popular Destinations in Barbados
It is highly recommended to rent a car instead of using public transportation in Barbados. Public transportation can be scarce, especially in rural areas, and you do not want to miss the chance to explore Barbados in your own car! It is easy to find a car rental company once you have landed. Make sure you have all your travel documents with you, including a valid International Driving Permit (IDP).
Upon arrival, they will ask for your country of origin and of course your driver’s license. They may also ask for information about your length of stay or how long you plan to rent the car. To obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP), you must first fill out an application form.
Once on-site, you will notice that many people drive a motor vehicle without a driver’s license. No medical certificate is required to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP), but you must be at least 16 years old to drive. With a valid International Driving Permit (IDP), you can easily apply for a visitor’s permit.
Exploring Bridgetown
Your exploration of Barbados can start in the capital, Bridgetown. This 38 km2 city center offers a perfect blend of Bajan culture and business.
What Is the Best and Worst Time to Visit Bridgetown?
All attractions and activities in Bridgetown are open and accessible year-round. If you want to experience the most festive atmosphere of Barbados, the best time to visit is during the Crop Over Festival. This three-day festival, also known as the carnival season, attracts people from all over the world to Barbados.
What Can You Do in Bridgetown?
If you are looking for Bajan souvenirs, Bridgetown has plenty of exciting custom shops and restaurants. A visit to the Cheapside Street Market on Cheapside Road for the freshest fruit in the Caribbean is a must. At the market, you will also find stalls selling bags, hats, clothing, and other unique items.
After a day of shopping, you can relax on the Richard Haynes Boardwalk. This 1.6 km promenade between Accra Beach and Camelot offers a beautiful romantic view of the south coast.
What Makes Bridgetown So Special?
Bridgetown is not only the capital of Barbados, but its historic center was also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. If you love old architecture, a visit to the center of Bridgetown is a must.
The city hosts various festivals in Barbados throughout the year and serves as a port of call for most cruise ships. So expect crowds in this bustling part of Barbados.
How to Reach Bridgetown?
As Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados, there is ample public transportation available. Alternatively, some visitors choose to walk. But why walk or bother with public transportation when you can rent a car affordably? All you need is your own driver’s license and an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Barbados to apply for a visitor’s permit.
Harrison’s Point Lighthouse
The lighthouse at Harrison’s Point, located at the northwestern tip of Barbados, about 28.6 km north of Bridgetown, was built in the mid-1920s and is considered one of the four historic lighthouses in Barbados.
What Is the Ideal Time to Visit Harrison’s Point Lighthouse?
The best time to visit a lighthouse is during the day. Harrison’s Point Lighthouse is located in a vast, pristine area of Saint Lucy. Visitors can climb the tower and enjoy a stunning 360-degree view of the entire northwest of Barbados.
However, Husband’s Road is unpaved, and due to its narrow width, many travelers hesitate to go further. Therefore, it is advisable not to visit the lighthouse in rainy weather, especially if you are not accustomed to driving on the right side of Barbados for cars.
What Activities Are Available at the Lighthouse?
The lighthouse is open to tourists to climb to the top. For landscape photography enthusiasts, Harrison’s Point Lighthouse is an excellent location for taking photos, as well as a favorite spot for drone shots.
Is the Lighthouse Accessible by Car?
The lighthouse is about a 35-minute drive from Bridgetown and is accessible via Husband’s Road.
Animal Flower Cave
If you visit Harrison’s Point Lighthouse, a trip to Animal Flower Cave in the same parish of Saint Lucy is worthwhile.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Animal Flower Cave?
Visit Animal Flower Cave during the winter months, and you may be lucky to spot humpback whales. This is a significant reason why visitors come to this location. Guided tours of the cave are offered regularly, departing every 15 minutes, and the terrain can be slippery, so be cautious.
After the tour, you can relax at the nearby Animal Flower Cave Restaurant, which sits on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
What Activities Are Available at Animal Flower Cave?
The cave is named after the flower-like organisms that grow there. Besides being a viewpoint for humpback whales, the site has a restaurant for guests wishing to dine, as well as a playground for children.
Swimming in the cave is also possible, as large waves regularly fill the cave, providing clean water.
Is the Cave Accessible by Car?
The cave is about a 12-minute drive from the lighthouse and about a 40-minute drive from Bridgetown.
Remember to bring your International Driving Permit (IDP) and driver’s license, and check whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) at all locations in Barbados.
Paynes Bay Beach
Experience an unforgettable sunset among towering palm trees. Paynes Bay Beach is just a 12-minute drive north of Bridgetown.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Paynes Bay Beach?
It is best to visit the area during the dry winter months (January to April). Although the temperatures on the beach can be quite cool, especially late in the afternoon, the warmth of the sun will provide you with comfort.
What Activities Are Available at Paynes Bay Beach?
The beach attracts many swimmers due to the calm, crystal-clear waters. While swimming, you may even spot turtles and stingrays! Several lounge spots are available on the beach where visitors can relax, enjoy a glass of wine, and dine.
If you want to explore the area, there are nearby gift shops and farmers’ markets where locals and sometimes even celebrities are frequently seen.
Barbados Wildlife Reserve
As an animal lover, you will surely enjoy the 4-hectare mahogany-protected Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Explore this reserve and learn more about the animals.
When Is the Best Time to Visit the Barbados Wildlife Reserve?
The reserve is open during the day, seven days a week, and you can visit it year-round. The paths are paved and well-maintained, even in rainy weather.
What Activities Are Available at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve?
If you want to see the green monkeys, visit the reserve between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm when they are fed.
What Makes the Barbados Wildlife Reserve Unique?
In addition to the variety of reptiles, birds, and mammals freely roaming the reserve, the site also houses the Barbados Primate Research Center founded in 1982. It works on the protection and conservation of the green monkey.
Is the Reserve Accessible by Car?
The reserve is near the border of Saint Peter and Andrew, about 18.1 km from Bridgetown. It takes about 28 minutes to drive from Bridgetown to the reserve.
Mount Gay Distillery
Mount Gay, located in the parish of S. Lucy, is the original maker of the world-famous Barbadian Rum. Although there is a visitors’ center in Bridgetown as well, the rural distillery provides the most authentic experience.
Why Is Mount Gay Known and What Activities Are Available in the Area?
Established in 1703, Mount Gay is the world’s oldest rum distillery. Visit the distillery and learn all about the sophisticated process behind the famous Mount Gay Rum. In addition to a tasting experience, this 280-acre estate offers an abundance of heritage and rum-making methods for you to experience.
Guided tours are offered through the plantation, springhouses, fermentation and distillation houses, as well as the bonds. You can also enjoy a rum tasting featuring the distillery’s signature cocktails.
Is Mount Gay Accessible by Car?
From Bridgetown, it takes about 32 minutes to reach the Mount Gay distillery.
You can taste as much rum as you want, but remember that responsible driving is essential. Prepare for your trip to Barbados with a Barbados driving route to be able to experience all destinations and activities within your time limit. There are several driving routes for vehicles that explore every part of Barbados. Careful planning will maximize your stay on the island.
Key Traffic Rules
Prior to 2011, driving in Barbados was a greater challenge due to rough roads and lack of street lighting. Thanks to proactive government measures, driving in Barbados is now a popular activity, even among local residents.
The best driving weather in Barbados falls between January and April when the roads are not soaked from rain. However, driving in the country is doable year-round, as long as you adhere to the local traffic rules as recommended by the Barbados Licensing Authority.
Why Is Knowledge of These Rules Important?
Driving in Barbados is different from, for example, the Netherlands. Many people mistakenly think that Barbados is entirely rural, leading them to drive on the wrong side of the road. Additionally, Barbados’ drink and drive laws apply, despite rum being a popular drink.
Driving on the Left Side of the Road
A common question among foreign drivers is, “Do you drive on the left or right in Barbados?” The answer remains left. Foreign drivers accustomed to driving on the right sometimes consider taking additional training upon arrival.
Applying for a Visitor’s Permit
If you plan to drive in Barbados, you will need a local driver’s license. For this, you must have an International Driving Permit. When applying for the local driver’s license, your International Driving Permit will be required. This serves as a translation of your own driver’s license and simplifies the application process.
Upon arrival, you can apply for an International Driving Permit. Barbados offices are typically open from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 15:30. This also applies to the offices of the Barbados Licensing Authority, where you can apply for a visitor’s permit.
To avoid the hassle of physical appointments, you can apply for an International Driving Permit online through International Travel Permits (ITP) and receive confirmation within about two hours. Standard delivery takes about 7-10 working days. For expedited shipping, we offer global express delivery.
With your International Driving Permit, Barbados regularly organizes tests to obtain a visitor’s permit. You can inquire at various Licensing Authority offices on the island.
Using Driving Hand Signals
If your car does not have a signaling system, you can use Barbados driving hand signals to alert other drivers.
Always Follow Traffic Signs
When planning your route in Barbados, you will find that almost every area of the island has tourist attractions, including the central regions. There is no perfect driving route in Barbados, so you will find traffic signs everywhere.
The traffic signs in Barbados meet international standards. You can purchase the Barbados Highway Code Booklet at all Licensing Authority offices if you wish to refer to it. This is helpful for new drivers who are not used to driving on the left side of the road.
Adherence to Barbados’ Drink and Drive Laws
Driving under the influence of alcohol is not allowed in Barbados. In addition to unsafe driving conditions during rainy months, driving under the influence is a significant cause of traffic accidents.
The prescribed limits for alcohol in Barbados are as follows:
- 35 micrograms in 100 milliliters of breath
- 80 milligrams in 100 milliliters of blood
- 107 milligrams in 100 milliliters of urine
Offenders are punished with a fine of $5,000 USD or two years imprisonment for the first offense, and upon repetition, the fine can increase to $10,000 USD or five years imprisonment. Therefore, know all of Barbados’ driving rules to avoid unwanted attention while driving in Barbados.
