Barbados measures 34 kilometers north to south and 23 kilometers east to west. The island has 1,600 kilometers of paved roads. No point in Barbados is more than one hour from Bridgetown by car during normal traffic conditions.
The public transport system operates through privately-owned blue minibuses with yellow stripes and larger government-operated Transport Board buses painted blue and yellow. Minibuses follow fixed routes identified by route letters and numbers displayed on the front and sides. Routes radiate from Bridgetown to parishes including routes to Speightstown in the north, Bathsheba in the east, and Oistins in the south. Minibuses depart when full rather than on fixed schedules. Fares range from 2 to 3.50 Barbadian dollars depending on distance. The Transport Board operates larger buses on similar routes with published timetables at Barbados Transport Board terminals in Bridgetown including Fairchild Street and Princess Alice terminals. Transport Board buses cost 2 Barbadian dollars per ride regardless of distance.
Route taxis operate as shared taxis following the minibus routes. These vehicles carry ZR license plates. Route taxis cost the same as minibuses and use the same pickup and dropoff points along their routes. Private taxis charge metered or negotiated fares significantly higher than public transport options.
Car rental companies operate from Grantley Adams International Airport and locations in Bridgetown and major tourist areas. International driving permits or temporary Barbadian driving permits are required for visitors. Temporary permits cost 5 Barbadian dollars and can be purchased at rental agencies or police stations. Barbados follows left-hand traffic inherited from British colonial rule. The speed limit is 60 kilometers per hour on highways and 40 kilometers per hour in urban areas. Roundabouts replace most traffic signals outside Bridgetown. Major roads include Highway 1 along the western coast connecting Bridgetown to Speightstown, Highway 7 along the southern coast, and Highway 3 through the central parishes.
Bicycles and motorcycles can be rented in tourist areas. The terrain is relatively flat except in the Scotland District in the northeastern parishes where elevations reach 340 meters at Mount Hillaby. Coastal roads provide flatter cycling than inland routes through central parishes.
Walking is practical in Bridgetown, Holetown, Speightstown, and Oistins where shops and restaurants cluster within compact town centers. The Bridgetown harbor area and the Garrison Savannah historic district can be covered on foot. Beach access points along the western and southern coasts are connected by coastal roads but lack continuous pedestrian paths.
No railway or metro system exists in Barbados. The sugar cane railway that operated until 1937 was dismantled. Boat transport serves primarily recreational purposes rather than practical transport between coastal settlements.
Barbados has two seasons defined by rainfall rather than temperature. The dry season runs December through May with average rainfall below 100 millimeters per month. The wet season runs June through November with average monthly rainfall between 150 and 200 millimeters. Rainfall during the wet season typically falls in short afternoon showers rather than all-day precipitation. Temperature variation between seasons is minimal. Average daily highs range from 28 to 31 degrees Celsius year-round. Average daily lows range from 23 to 25 degrees Celsius.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs June 1 through November 30. Barbados sits at the southeastern edge of the Caribbean hurricane belt. The island experiences direct hurricane impacts less frequently than northern Caribbean islands. Historical records show major hurricanes strike Barbados approximately once every 26 years on average. Hurricane Janet in 1955 and Hurricane Allen in 1980 caused significant damage.
Peak tourist season coincides with the dry season from mid-December through mid-April. Hotel rates during this period average 30 to 50 percent higher than wet season rates. Crop Over festival runs from July through early August culminating in Kadooment Day on the first Monday in August. Hotels raise rates during Crop Over despite occurring in wet season. Independence Day on November 30 and Holetown Festival in February attract domestic travel but have smaller impact on accommodation availability than Crop Over or the December-April peak season.
Budget accommodation in Barbados starts around 80 to 100 US dollars per night for guesthouse rooms during low season. Mid-range hotels on the southern and western coasts charge 150 to 300 US dollars per night depending on season and beach proximity. Luxury resorts on the western coast near Holetown and in St. James parish charge 400 to over 1000 US dollars per night during peak season.
Meal costs vary significantly between local establishments and tourist restaurants. A cutter sandwich from a roadside vendor costs 5 to 8 Barbadian dollars. A full meal at a local restaurant serving flying fish and cou-cou or pudding and souse costs 20 to 35 Barbadian dollars. Tourist-oriented restaurants charge 40 to 80 Barbadian dollars for main courses. The Barbadian dollar maintains a fixed exchange rate of 2 Barbadian dollars to 1 US dollar established in 1975.