Barbados is the most English like country in the Caribbean. Besides belonging to the commonwealth Barbados takes pride from their predecessors. The mailboxes are still red and a giant portrait of the Queen welcomes you in the airport. The Barbadians cultivate the tradition of horse riding which is quite uncommon in the region and it is was one of only 4 places to have scheduled concord flights with one of the last remaining planes retired in a Barbadian museum. It is also the country that rum originated from. Although Barbados has many wonderful attractions it also does carry some hazards that visitors should beware of.

Traveling info

When visiting Barbados tourists are required to have a valid passport. Some nationals are exempt from obtaining a visa and are allowed for a stay ranging from 3 up to 6 months. (List of visa and non-visa countries in sources). To drive in Barbados a temporary driving permit is required. Such a document can be obtained at either the airport, car rental or any police station. The temporary permit is valid for 3 months. The left-hand side of the road is used for driving and unlike in some Caribbean islands, most of the cars fit the road regulations and have the steering wheel on the right-hand side.

Traveling hazards

Road conditions are reasonable. Main roads are generally well paved however they can be poorly marked. It is easy to get lost on the island even for its size. It is advised to have some form of a GPS that will get you around the island. The roads are also quite narrow and local drivers including local public transport does go quite fast on the road, pedestrians also walk on the side of the roads both at day and night time so beware of your surroundings.

Environmental hazards

The biggest concern in Barbados will be mosquitoes. It is strongly advised to use repellent and take caution not to be bitten as the mosquitoes in the Caribbean are known to carry Zika or dengue fever. Centipedes are not an uncommon sight and can be very dangerous for a child or the elderly. Although it won’t kill an adult, its bite can be very painful. One notable danger of this island is the Manchineel tree. This is the most poisonous tree on earth. A single of its green fruit is enough to kill a man, and its bark will release a poisonous gas if burned that causes blindness. When raining the drips from the leaves of the trees will contain its poison and can cause burns and skin blisters. Waters are generally safe, shark attacks are virtually unheard of however it is advised to avoid swimming after dusk as these creatures are most active at that time. Stepping on sea urchins is probably the most commonly occurring danger to be known on the island.
Barbados just like all of the Caribbean experiences the cyclone season that begins in early June and ends in late November. During that time tropical cyclones may occur and significantly damage the islands infrastructure and urban areas.

Health hazards

Every visitor traveling to Barbados from a country with a risk of yellow fever must provide proof of a yellow fever vaccine upon entry. (List of risk countries in sources). There are also several other vaccines that are recommended but not required. These include routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies vaccine. There is a risk of contracting the Zika virus. Mosquitoes in Barbados carry the virus and transmit it through a bite. Visitors are advised to use mosquito repellents and install bug nets in the windows of their accommodation. While medical standards in Barbados are generally good, medical transport can take hours to reach you and bring you to a hospital, and ambulance crews are not always authorized to administer emergency treatment en route. Minor problems requiring a visit to the emergency room can involve a wait of several hours; private clinics and physicians offer speedier service. Private medical insurance is however essential as medical treatment in Barbados can be very expensive. Bear in mind that doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services Make sure to purchase health insurance to cover your medical costs as these can turn out very expensive.
In case of an emergency dial 511.

Crime

Violent crime does occur on the island however it rarely affects tourists. Tourist areas and resorts enjoy better security than the locals and areas where tourists are a rarity. Tourists wandering around in non-tourist areas are exposed to more opportunistic crime such as theft or robberies. It is advised not to attract attention by wearing flashy jewelry or exposing a lot of money. Wearing money belts also helps to prevent pickpocketing, once again leaving bags or valuables unattended is a target for opportunistic thieves. Barbadian drug laws are not as strict as some of the other Caribbean nations however possession of any amount or kind is punishable, a small amount usually results in fines rather than jail time.

Summary

Barbados is among the most popular destinations in the Caribbean also being a generally safe nation makes it a great place to visit. It’s very British culture makes it a little bit of England in the Caribbean. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://www.foreign.gov.bb/foreign-relations/travelling-to-barbados/visa-information-for-travel-to-barbados
http://www.foreign.gov.bb/documents/foreign-policy/54-june-2012-visa-list-for-barbados/file
(Vaccines)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/barbados
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291