BARBADOS TIPS
Transportation
Taxis: Another alternative to a car, (although this can get costly). Also, great way to tour privately. Rates run $25-$30 US/hr. if you want to book a taxi. To book a taxi/driver for a day the rate we’ve been told might total $250 US. A typical ride from the airport to Bridgetown might be $15 US; or from airport to the West Coast - $19 US; airport to St. Lawrence Gap area $12 US; St. Lawrence Gap area to West Coast restaurants $17 US; from Bougainvillea Beach to the Gap you can plan on a $12 US round trip fare. From there to The Cliff you can expect a $50 round trip fare.
Great Taxi Driver: Emerson Clark – home: (246) 228-6192; cell: (246) 230-1986
Very knowledgeable, polite and reasonably priced. Keeps his taxi spotless. Book him for your needs or for a private tour, you won’t regret it.
Tell him that Lois Swanson recommended him. He took my husband and me around about 3 years ago when the Tourism Board had us attend a few events.
Scooter Rentals: For those people interested in this, you can rent these from Terrie-Ann at Scooter Rentals. They offer scooters at $60 US for a double seater and $50 US for a single seater. You are required to have a motorcycle license. Write Terri-Ann at:
scooter.rentals@yahoo.com Please let her know you got this information from Lois at www.barbadostips.com
Buses: There are two types of buses in Barbados. Blue buses with yellow stripes are government-owned; their smaller, yellow and blue-striped counterparts are privately-owned. Fares for both types are $1.50 Barbados and exact change is required.
The main difference between the two types of buses found on Barbados is that the privately-owned minibuses tend to have shorter routes, enabling them to pick up passengers more frequently. On the other hand, government buses take
riders a little farther from the central hub of town -ideal for travelers interested in doing some sightseeing.
Buses service most stops every 20 minutes, and both types generally post their destinations on the front of the bus. Locals will tell you that it's a good idea to flag the bus down with your hand, even if you are standing at the stop.
There are three bus systems running seven days a week (though less frequently on Sundays), and a ride on any of them costs $1.50 BBD. The smaller buses from the two privately-owned systems (“ZRs” and “minibuses”) can give change; the larger blue and yellow buses from the government-operated Barbados Transport Board system cannot. Most routes require a connection in Bridgetown.
OTHER TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS:
For those of you who want private transportation but don’t want to drive and are not sure you want to take taxis everywhere, then this option might be for you.
Glory Tours has a new option for you.
You can now hire their SUV which comes with a private driver for the length of your stay.
Price comparison: If you would rent a 6 seater vehicle of this caliber (4WD turbo engine, on and off-road vehicle) would run you approximately US $1,200. You would then have to pay any car rental extras, plus FUEL (this will run you about $170 US for 5 days).
If you hire Glory Tours they will supply a private driver for 5 days. The all-inclusive prices will only be US$800 (vehicle rate)
Included in this rate is:
Private driver
6 passenger air-conditioned 4WD SUV
FREE airport transfers (The transfer dates can be outside of the 5 day Package)
8 hours a day of transportation (additional hours would run $20 US/hour)
Discounted rates at all attractions where they get special operator rates
Fuel cost is included in the $800 US fee.
This private driver option is also available for 3 days or 2 days at a lesser cost. Check out their website for more details and for discounted tours when booking direct.
To save 20% off of all Tours with Glory Tours they invite you to use this promotional code LOISSPECIAL
Please note the 20% is applied to the retail rate not the online discount rate
Click on Glory Tours to see all the tours they offer