to Sunniebgi or others in the know - touring on the cheap

[bailey57]

We will be on island for a week in September, and are trying to keep expenses down. How much of the island can we see by just hopping buses? We understand the limitations touring-wise of doing it this way, but we find public transport is a a good way to have a look around and also see how the locals live. And, we just like to ride around... :)

 

We don't want to be overscheduled, and plan only to book a daysail (probably silver moon) and a safari-type trip (still debating with whom - suggestions?).

 

Appreciate any help. Thanks.

[cruzinfreak]

Hi Bailey,

 

Touring the island by busing it could be fun.....but may be a loooooooooooooong day. The buses are supposed to run on a scheduled time however it seems if you go further into the country the time schedule seems to stretch. I would strongly advise you to only use the government run "Blue & Yellow" buses as the mini-vans (that you will see alot of especially on the south coat) can be a very scary experience. I love to take the bus from Bathsheba on the East Coast to Speightown on the North coast. Its really a nice way to see beautiful vegetation and sea scapes not to mention the up and down hills are pretty much fun :) They r bus terminals at Speightown, Bridgetown & Oistins. They r two types of bus poles, they say "To City" and "From City" its just that simple!!! lol The City is Bridgetown. So get your trusty map and its off exploring you go!! Have fun!!:D

[elsje]

We will be on island for a week in September, and are trying to keep expenses down. How much of the island can we see by just hopping buses? We understand the limitations touring-wise of doing it this way, but we find public transport is a a good way to have a look around and also see how the locals live. And, we just like to ride around... :)

 

We don't want to be overscheduled, and plan only to book a daysail (probably silver moon) and a safari-type trip (still debating with whom - suggestions?).

 

Appreciate any help. Thanks.

 

We just spent eight glorious nights in Barbados (July 4th- July 12th). We only used the blue and/or yellow busses. They all seem to run on time and we saw a lot. Try to go to the Marine Reserve on the West Coast in Folkstone. There is no entrance fee and there is snorkeling right of the beach. When you hop on the bus ask the bus driver to notify you when you get there. They are the most friendly people we have ever seen.

 

We took a safary trip with a tour operator who uses the yello trucks. It was awesome. They took us through nine provinces and we saw a lot. We also did a catamaran trip (twice with the same company can't remember there name right now). For $60 per person it included 5 hours of sailing, lunch, drinks, punch, water, tea, coffee and soda's (including rum drinks and beer). We stopped at three sites and snorkeled with turtles.

 

We visited the Animal Flower Cave way up north and we got a lift from the owner's niece. Oistins is a great place to go at night for a $10 fish dinner at this fishing village. You won;t believe the portions and the fish is the freshest you will ever have. It is a locals hang out with wooden tables and benches. The people are very nice.

 

We ran out of time but we would have loved to have seen the Barbados wildlife reserve. The East coast is spectacular not good swimming because it is too rough.

 

We stayed in St. Lawrence Gap at The South Gap Hotel we payed $600 for 8 nights. It was situated at a spectacular location and 5 minutes walk to Dover beach with wonderful facilities and the prettiest beach we have ever seen. We liked our room and the facility at the hotel but the night live noice was so loud from 11PM-3AM. There are other hotels in the area but more expensive.

 

Hope this helps a bit. Check out www.frommers.com for some more info.

 

Els ;)

[underwayatlast]

Ground transportations seems to be pretty good, is it worth renting a car for a week?

[elsje]

Ground transportations seems to be pretty good, is it worth renting a car for a week?

 

First of all they drive on the left side of the road ~ we did not feel we were experienced enough to do this. The traffic was awful in Bridgetown abd other parts as well. Lots of narrow streets so we opted for the bus.

 

We did see quite a bit of rental cars and in the bus and/or taxi lots of comments were made by the driver on how the "foreigners" were driving. I am sure the UK people feel at home in Barbados since they also drive on the left side ;).

 

The Barbados people were very friendly to the rental car folks and try to help them and/or warn them (especially if they messed up at the traffic circle) :eek: ~ Hope this helps ~ Els

[bailey57]

Thanks for the helpful replies and suggestions. Sorry I didn't get back sooner. I haven't checked this site in a while. We'll stick to the gov't buses.

 

Leaving in 26 days. Not that I'm counting or anything... :D

[North Carolina Cruiser]

Ok Bailey57 keep us posted! Let me know how the bus goes, I prefer to rent but if the traffic is as crazy as San Juan:eek: I'll pass!