Last updated: 23 Oct 2025
Barbados
About
| Barbados is famed for its easy-going calypso culture, where a strong sense of history and culture fuses with a laid-back vibe. On land with music as one of its societal bedrocks, Barbados revels in a vibrant nightlife. At sea from the little-developed rugged coastline of the Atlantic eastern flank to the attractive resorts of the Caribbean shoreline, Barbados offers world-class, warm waters for diving and snorkelling. Underwater caves teem with colourful fish amidst vibrant coral reefs. Barbados’s rainbow of coral reefs offers a pristine watery home to seahorses, sponges and giant sand eels. Barbados is the birthplace of rum, and, understandably, rum is the island’s favourite tipple. A thousand rum bars offer plenty of choice while Mount Gay Rum, the oldest rum producer, on the island’s west coast offers tours - and tastings. |
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| Capital: | Bridgetown (BGI) |
| Currency: | Barbados Dollar (BBD) |
| Language: | English |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 246 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT -4 (6 hours behind South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Left |
| Best Time to go: | February to May |
| Best For: | Island Relaxation , Historical Sites |
| Plugs: | 110-115 volts AC, 50Hz. American-style two-pin plugs are in use. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services and usually in cash. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. |
| Customs: | Smart-casual attire is customary for dinner. Normal social courtesies. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | It is illegal for civilians to wear camouflage clothing. Nude sunbathing is illegal. |
| Duty Free: | The following items may be brought into Barbados by travellers over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 1L of spirits or wine. All other articles are subject to import duty, other than personal effects required during your visit. |
| Prohibited Imports: |
Prohibited imports include illegal drugs and pornography. Restricted imports include fruit, vegetables, plants and seeds, which may require a permit. |
Issuing Authorities
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 21; Apr 18, 21, 28; May 1; Jun 9; Aug 1, 4; Nov 30; Dec 1, 25-26
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 21; Apr 3, 6, 28; May 1, 25; Aug 1, 3; Nov 30; Dec 25-26
Visa Requirements
No visas are required by South African passport holders for tourism purposes, for a maximum stay of 6 months.
Ensure passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months from date of entry and that there are blank pages in the passport. A return ticket will also be required.
You do require a visa for work or study purposes. More information can be found here.
SA Representative
Representation accredited from Kingston, Jamaica
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
