Barbados - Getting About

PO Box 3119, St. James, Barbados, W.I.
Tel: 1 (246) 434 3434 E-mail: info@skyviews.com

Barbados - Getting About

CAR RENTALS: A temporary driver's permit costs US$ 5.00. You need to have held your licence for at least two years and the minimum age of driver is 21 years. All types of vehicle are for hire including small, soft-top mini mokes, jeeps, fully loaded saloons and family vehicles. Virtually all the car rental companies accept major credit cards; the insurance options may vary so do check. DRIVING TIPS: Remember to drive on the left. If someone flashes their headlights at you it means "you first" and a quick toot of the horn means "hello" or "thanks". Watch out for the yellow minibuses and the smaller white Route Taxis - give them an extremely wide berth and regard their rear indicators with total suspicion! PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Barbados has a cheap and extensive public transport system. All fares to any destination are BD$ 1.50 . Public transport runs from 5:00AM till Midnight. Have the exact fare ready when boarding. If you are not sure where to disembark, ask the driver when you step onto the bus. Government-owned buses are blue with yellow trim. They run all the main routes at regular intervals. If you wish to travel from the West Coast to the South Coast or vice-versa you need to catch the "by-pass" bus marked "Speightstown-Oistins". These run every half hour. Minibuses are are yellow with blue trim and are privately owned. They do not have an exact schedule, but run frequently. Route Taxis are small mini-vans and are white with a maroon stripe and run frequently, especially along the South Coast. TAXIS Taxis run 24 hours a day. They are not metered, but their fares are regulated by law. Fares tend to go up late at night. Remember to agree your fare before you start out on your journey. TOURS AND BIKES: There are many tour companies that offer whole or half-day tours, adventure tours, scenic tours, historical tours nature tours and many more. Taxi drivers offer island tours on a more informal basis. Bikes are available for rent for the more energetic and are rapidly being realised as a very enjoyable way to get to know Barbados. Ask at your hotel activities desk for details.