Getting to Barbados, and getting around Barbados
More than 20 flights land at Barbados Grantley Adams International Airport every day. Flying time to Barbados is 4 1/2 hours from New York, 3 1/2 hours from Miami, 5 hours from Toronto, and 1 1/2 hours from San Juan.
If traveling to Barbados, you must carry a valid passport. Photo IDs and birth certificates are no longer valid.
Airlines
American Airlines has dozens of connections passing through San Juan, plus daily nonstop flights to Barbados from Miami. BWIA the national airline of Trinidad and Tobago, also offers daily flights from New York and Miami.
US Airways flies daily from New York's LaGuardia. Air Canada has nonstop flights daily in the winter, and Air Jamaica offers daily flights that link Barbados to Atlanta, Baltimore, and Miami through the airline's Montego Bay hub. Air Jamaica offers nonstop flights from New York to Barbados about three days a week.
Rental Car
Be very cautious about renting a car in Barbados. Visitors continue to complain about the poor service, conditions of the cars, and being overcharged.
None of the major US car rental agencies are on this island. Driving requires a temporary permit that you can obtain for $5 if you have a valid license. All rental agencies will give out permits and will even deliver the car to your hotel.
National Car Rentals, Lower Carlton, St. James (246/426-0603)
Sunny Isle Motors, Worthing Main Road, Christ Church (246/435-7979)
P&S Car Rentals, Cave Hill, St. Michael (246/424-2052)
Stoutes Car Rentals, Kirtons, St. Philip (246/435-4456)
Taxi
Taxis aren't metered, but rates are fixed by the government; one cab can carry up to four passengers for the same fare.
Taxis are readily available and easily identifiable by the letter Z on their license plates. A typical taxi ride from the airport to Bridgetown costs $35; to Holetown along the western Gold Coast, $40; and to St. Lawrence Gap, site of many of the less expensive hotels, $30.
Feature Hotel/Resort of the Month:
Antigua's Jumby Bay
Jumby Bay was once THE resort on Antigua. Now owned by Rosewood Resorts, Jumby Bay has been returned to its original glory.
Rooms have polished teak trimmings and hand-carved mahogany four-poster beds and a few have indoor-outdoor bathrooms. It's worth the expense to treat yourself like this!
Click here to read more about Jumby Bay.