Driving in Barbados?

[tbdb2]

Can anyone advise if it is difficult to find your way around Barbados and drive? I am interested in visiting Harrisons Cave (if it re-opens), East Coast, St. Nicholas Abbey, and Barbados wildlife reserve. I am still unsure if I should find a tour or rent a car and drive myself.:)

[woodofpine]

While I understand it has improved somewhat, when I drove around Barbados five years ago the roads were not well marked - many were unmarked. I drove to Harrison's Cave...

 

I wouldn't necessarily discourage it, but - TAKE A COMPASS! Mearly all roads in Barbados run either N-S or E-W and a coastal road encircles the island. Once inland, trust me - it is Very easy to get lost... But if you know your direction of travel then you won't waste much time (like I did) getting around.

 

The locals are pretty friendly with directions, but that doesn't help enough when you are good and lost... Saw some interesting scenery though! :)

[Aplmac]

While I understand it has improved somewhat,

when I drove around Barbados five years ago

the roads were not well marked - many were unmarked.

I drove to Harrison's Cave...

He's perfectly right!

 

Back in the old British Colonial days

Barbados used to be immaculately sign-posted!

That was Then - but alas, this is Now.

 

Maintenance is no longer a strong point and..

like the man said, many of our roads are not well marked or signposted

and you can indeed get quite lost within this 21 x 14 island!

 

Great fun if you're here for a week

but not with 4 p.m. looming

and you have to back at the Port come 4:30

and you're "somewhere!" in the middle of the island!!

 

Take a compass like he suggested, pay attention to your map

and have a basic idea of where you are

and what direction you're headed.

 

Our Port's down in the South-Western corner of the island

[Sunniebgi]

While I would say it's not terribly difficult to find your way around.. if you are only here for a few hours, and really want to see all the places you mention as well as really seeing Barbados, I would suggest a tour .. private, taxi driven, or with your cruise. you'll enjoy it more and see more as well.