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Barbados Information Language and Currency The official language of Barbados is English and the currency is the Barbados dollar, however the U.S. dollar is widely accepted throughout the country.
Barbados was controlled by the British government as a former British colony and reflects its British heritage. Bridgetown (Barbados' main city) is much like visiting a city in England. The island features great water sports and scenery and is well worth exploring. Barbados enjoys excellent weather the year around with temperatures between 75 to 85 degrees. Being partly on the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern most island in the Caribbean, Barbados can get its fair share of rain and weather.
The ship docks about a mile from town at the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal.
Right in the cruise terminal is a shopping complex offering lots of local crafts and souvenirs.
When you exit the pier area, you enter the large building that houses the shopping mall. Traveling down one side of the mall and then up the other branch of it will deposit you outside the building in the transportation area where buses are boarded for tours and taxis are readily available.
Just outside the port gates and to the left is Pelican Village, which is made up of many quaint shops, boutiques, curios and souvenir stores and crafts.
For a more robust shopping experience head into downtown Bridgetown and the department stores, shops, boutiques and street vendors on Broad Street.
Broad Street is within easy walking distance from the port (about 15 minutes) and you will pass by a number of interesting markets and stores on the way. Broad Street is lined with stores for about 4 to 5 blocks and there is much to shop for. Barbados offers quite a bit of duty free shopping on jewelry, watches, perfumes, porcelain collectibles, designer wear, cosmetics, liquor (especially the local rum known as Mount Gay Rum) and other duty free products. There are also many boutiques selling local arts and crafts, spices, pottery, cigars and beach wear.
Of course, exploring Bridgetown is the first thing folks want to do when arriving in Barbados and it is well worth the time to get to know it.
Of special interest is a tour of the Mount Gay Rum Factory in Bridgetown and a look at St. Michael’s Cathedral that dates back to the 16th century (note however, that the current structure is not that old).
The Malibu Rum Factory is another excellent place to visit and purchase rum. It is located quite close to Bridgetown making it easy to visit. I especially like the beach and environment in and around Holetown ( Barbados' third largest city.) Holetown offers numerous little boutiques amid a wealth of hotels.
On the eastern shore of Barbados is the famed surf break named "Soupbowls" This particular break is featured on the surfing world tour and is well respected.
The break is located at Bathsheba Beach, which is home to an eclectic collection of restaurants and bars. The beach is wonderful and the view of mushroom rock is interesting.
A tour of the island will be of interest to anyone wanting to see some unusual sights. St. James Parish Church is well worth a visit, as is a stop in one of the mahogany forests you traverse on your way across the island.
Barbados offers a diverse blend of terrain and flora.
I think on of the most impressive sights on Barbados is Harrison's Cave. This underground network of caves, lakes, streams and waterfalls complete with Stalactites and Stalagmites is like taking a Disney ride through a surreal environment.
One enters the caves in a tram that descends some 170 feet below ground to experience the incredibly beautiful caves.
The tram makes two complete stops so that people can get out of the tram and inspect the terrain close up. The crystal clear water is mesmerizing as it trickles down its way through the caves.
The tram ride, which lasts about 20 to 25 minutes culminates in a cave with a large waterfall gushing from its roof and falling about 30 feet into a small lake that is about 12 feet deep. It is spectacular, to say the least. Is there anything of “Don’t Miss” quality?
Yes, I would say that a visit to Harrison's Cave (currently $16.00) on Barbados is a "Don't Miss" event. Are there any great restaurants or bars? None that stand out in my mind, how about you? Check
out the shore excursions available in Barbados.
Barbados Port Reviews
Thea Dalfino; Rental Car to A
Nature HIke Ask a Question About a Caribbean Port
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