No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n\n\n","slug":"warnings-and-insurance","title":"Warnings and insurance"},{"body":"This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Barbados set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Barbados High Commission in the UK:
\n\n1 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3N
\n\nPhone: 020 7299 7150
\nFax: 020 7323 6872
\nEmail: london@foreign.gov.bb
Your passport must be valid for the planned length of your stay.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.
\n\nYou do not need a visa to visit Barbados.
\n\nYou will be told how long you can stay when you arrive. If you want to extend your stay, you must apply and pay for an extension through the Barbados Immigration Department.
\n\nIt’s illegal to overstay or work without a work permit. The Barbados authorities could fine or detain you if you overstay.
\n\nVisitors must be able to show an onward or return ticket in order to enter the country.
\n\nAll travellers must fill in an immigration and customs form online before they arrive.
\n\nCheck the rules for travelling with children and young people to Barbados from the Barbados Immigration Department.
\n\nAll passengers aged 2 years and older must pay a departure tax of 55 Barbados dollars (27.50 US dollars). Passengers travelling outside the Caribbean region pay an additional 70 US dollars per person, and those travelling within the Caribbean pay an additional 20 US dollars per person.
\n\nMost airlines include the cost within the ticket price. Check details with your airline or tour operator.
\n\nTo enter Barbados, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Barbados guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Barbados. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Barbados, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nThere have been incidents of violent crime, including:
\n\nThere has been an increase in gang-related murders involving guns. Some incidents have taken place in populated and public areas.
\n\nTake sensible precautions to protect your personal safety:
\n\nIt is illegal to possess drugs. There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Pack your luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.
\n\nIt is illegal for anyone, including children, to wear camouflage clothing.
\n\nIn the Caribbean, attitudes towards the LGBT+ community are mostly conservative. It is uncommon for opposite or same-sex couples to show affection in public, for example, holding hands or kissing. Doing this may attract unwanted and negative attention. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nAlways take great care when swimming. Currents can be deceptively strong, including on some of the popular beaches on the south and west coasts. Some beaches do not have lifeguards or warning flags. Existing lifeguard stations are not manned 24hrs a day. Motorized water sports equipment, including jet skis, dive boats on snorkelling tours, and catamarans, may operate near to the shore. Be mindful of these as well as other swimmers who may use non-motorised, large water equipment like surfboards.
\n\nSwimming is not recommended on many of the east-coast beaches where currents are particularly strong. Follow local warnings.
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Barbados, see information on driving abroad and Barbados driving tips.
\n\nTaxis do not have meters. There are standard fares for most destinations. Agree the fare in Barbados dollars with the driver before you set off. Drivers do not always accept card payments, so carry cash with you.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nThe hurricane season normally runs from June to November. Monitor local news and check World Meteorological Organization weather reports for Barbados and the National Hurricane Center.
\n\nEarthquakes are a potential risk in Barbados, and there are occasional tremors. Follow the advice of the local authorities.
\n\nThe US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
\n\nCheck the alert level of the underwater volcano ‘Kick ‘em Jenny’, located 5 miles off the coast of Grenada. Observe any maritime exclusion zones and follow the advice of the local authorities if there is increased activity or an eruption.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nDial 511 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Barbados, including:
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nThe Barbados healthcare system is not as extensive as the UK. Queen Elizabeth Hospital can cope with many types of treatment, but serious cases may need emergency evacuation. You can call the hospital helpline to speak with a healthcare professional.
\n\nMedical treatment in Barbados can be expensive. Check private clinics’ prepayment policies, as they may not accept medical travel insurance as payment.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Barbados.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nAmbulance: 511
\n\nFire: 311
\n\nPolice: 211
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Barbados on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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