Airlines

Grantley Adams International airport is a full service modern facility able to accommodate the largest commercial aircraft. There are daily flights to Bridgetown from Miami (American), Atlanta (Delta), New York (American), Toronto (Air Canada and Westjet), and several cities in the U.K. (British, Virgin Atlantic). There are weekly flights from Philadelphia and Charlotte (USAir), Montreal (Air Canada), and Frankfurt (Condor).

Visa requirements

All visitors require a passport and proof of a return ticket. Visitors from the U.K., Canada and the U.S. do not require a visa.
Click here to see the list of countries that require a visa.

Banks

Barbados is the main business hub of the Caribbean, and thus has a well developed banking system. In Holetown 2 miles away from Glitter Bay Estates, one can find branches of the Royal Bank of Canada, the Scotia Bank, the Barbados National Bank, the Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago - RBTT, and the First Caribbean.

Dining

The presence of many outstanding restaurants is one of the main reasons we chose to settle in Barbados! The concierge can help you with your choices, whether from family fare to fine dining on par with London or New York.

Credit Cards

All major credit cards are accepted in the major stores and restaurants, including: Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diner's Club, EnRoute, EuroCard, BarclayCard...

Currency

The Barbados dollar is pegged: $1 US = $1.98Bbd. On the street, it is '2 for 1'. Almost all stores will accept US dollars, with your change given in Bbd.

Tipping

In restaurants, a 10-15% tip is generally expected. However, read the fine print on your bill, as in many cases this has already been added to your total.

The maid in your unit is generally given a gratuity at the end of the week. This does not take into account if she has stayed late to cook and serve a meal, in which case we would recognize the extra work, and her taxi home as buses are sparse in the evening.

Electricity

Electrical power is 110-120V, 50 Hz. This means that North Americans do not need to bring any adapters. However, the 50 Hz frequency is the British standard, which means that appliances which depend on the North American standard of 60 Hz frequency for timing purposes (such as clock radios) will not function properly. This is why we have provided battery powered alarm clocks at the Sea Turtle condominiums.

Transportation

Car rentals are readily available. All rental agencies may issue a temporary driver's license for $5 US, valid for a 2 month period. Since road traffic is on the left side just as in the U.K., most North Americans opt to not rent a car.

Barbados has frequent bus service along the coast. One can easily bus into Holetown for shopping, or even into Bridgetown.

Taxis can be booked by the concierge. We also have a list of high end drivers with clean modern cars or minivans.