Local Barbados Tips
- Spoken language: English
- Bajan dialect: A slang version of standard English – ply Emily with enough rum punches to hear her Bajan side come out.
- Locals: Known as Barbadians or Bajans (BAY-juns).
- Currency: The local currency is Barbados dollars (BDS$); however, most places accept US$ as well. The Barbados dollar is tied to the US dollar with a fixed exchange rate of US$1 = BBD$2. Other currencies can be exchanged at local banks.
- The majority of Barbados restaurants and shops accept credit cards (machine/tap), however most bus, van and taxi transportation options are cash only.
- Always confirm your fare with taxi drivers and which currency is being quoted before starting your journey.
- In Barbados we drive on the left-hand side of the road.
- Camouflage attire is illegal in Barbados.
- Tipping: Discretionary, but typically between 10–20%.
- "Liquid sunshine": When it rains in Barbados but the sun is shining.
- Seasons: Dry season (December – May) Rainy season (June – November) Weather can still be unpredictable with sporadic rain showers.
- Average temperature: Around 28°C year round.
- West Coast: More tranquil coastline, though occasionally large north swells.
- East Coast: Where the Atlantic first meets Barbados – great for sightseeing and surfing but not safe for swimming.
- Tap water: Safe to drink. Barbados has some of the best water quality in the Caribbean due to the coral limestone filtration.
- Rum: Barbados is the birthplace of rum. Be cautious with rum punch – it’s delicious but strong.
- Chefette: The local version of McDonald’s found only in Barbados (one of the few countries where McDonald’s failed).
- National Dish: Flying Fish & Cou Cou.
- “Cutters”: Local word for sandwiches.
- Green Monkey: Cute but mischievous. They may steal food or sunglasses. Avoid getting too close as they are wild animals.
- Manchineel (Beach Apple): Poisonous coastal trees. The fruit resembles small green apples, but both the fruit and leaves are toxic. Avoid standing under them in the rain or touching the fruit.
Bajan Phrases
- “Cheese on bread!” – Oh my goodness!
- “Dun, let nobody jook you in the eye.” – Be careful of being ripped off.
- “Da fuh’ lick yuh.” – Serves you right!
- “Lime” – A social gathering.
- “Bashment” – A party.
- “Dooflicky” – A celebration.
- “All-a-wanna” – Everyone in a group.
- “Cutter” – A sandwich.
- “Soca” – Caribbean music genre evolving from calypso.
- “Wuking Up” – Energetic gyrating dance often done to Soca or Calypso music.
- “Wining” – Moving the waist rhythmically.
- “Sea bath” – A swim in the sea.
- “Bossman” – A friendly way to address a man.
- “Broughtupsy” – Proper upbringing or good manners.
- “Bruggadown / brugga-lax / brax-lax” – Sound of something hitting the ground hard.
- “Irie” – Everything is cool; all is well.