renting car in barbados for the day

[crusin cheryl]

we are thinking of renting a car in barbados for the day. any suggestions of where to go and beaches to see? also any problems with driving or road conditions? are car rentals at the pier? we will be on cruise ship. how long to go around the whole island?

[nancyray7]

We were there in March (sighhhhh) aboard Galaxy-- When you go into the terminal and through the mini mall, there is a little kiosk and lines where some offical looking guy gets cabs for you. Tell them you want to hire a car for the entire day, and that you want to tour the island and they will match you up with someone for about $25 per person. We go so lucky, an excellent driver who took us everywhere and taught us more that we could ever dream.

 

We took small gifts (gift pkgs of pistachios and chocolates) and were so happy we did-- by the end of the day we felt like we were leaving a relative.

 

DO NOT try and get a cab yourself, we heard horror stories from other people on the cruise (triple charged, cab didnt wait etc.)

 

Don't miss the carved boxes for sale just outside the port terminal, some boys (12-16) sell them and have made them-- they are cheap and beautiful gifts.

 

CHoosing to drive yourself may be difficult, the roads are narrow and not marked with signs, parking is difficult at best, and maps are often wrong, espeically in light of the hurricanes-- we had a problem finding a friends house becuase there were just NO road signs!

Sooooo jealous!!!!

[crusin cheryl]

just wondered did you stop at sights/beaches when you toured or just go around island?

[nancyray7]

We stopped at a few beaches and shops, but the recording artist we were seeing there took us on a tour of his house/grounds and we spent most of our day with him.

[woodofpine]

I've been in Barbados three times. We rented a car in Barbados once and had an interesting day, found Harrison Caves, hung out at a nice gold coast beach bar restaurant (named Kokomos - go figure).

 

Driving isn't a bad idea IF - You take a compass. Huh. Yes - a compass, because the country has VERY few road signs. Barbados has a coastal road that encircles the island. Nearly all the roads otherwise either run north - south or east - west, and eventually intersect the coastal road. In the interior, you WILL get lost. But if you know the direction you're going, you'll know approximately where you'll end up and you can reconnoiter fairly well. If you don't - like yours truly - then you will see a LOT of Barbados interior. :) The locals are friendly and happy to provide directions but (absent a compass) you quickly realize the directions only make real sense if you're Bajan.

 

A car WITH a compass is a good idea.

[barbados]

woodofpine is quite correct. A compass is a wonderful asset to have if it’s your first time driving on the island.

 

I hesitate to encourage new visitors to rent a car and see the sights if they really want to see it all.

 

Yes, you will get lost. The signage is minimal, or non-existent, but the wonderful Barbadian people will help you find your way. But that takes time away from your short stay.

 

Now, the way to have a wonderful time on the island with a rental car is to not have any must-see stops. Just drive in the general direction and see the sights. If you find your stop, great! If not, there’s always another.

 

If you have a definitive list of must-sees…hire a taxi.

 

If you just want to see the countryside and perhaps stumble upon an attraction, rent a car.

 

We have many attractions so I guarantee you won’t go unfulfilled.

 

Have a wonderful time on the island! :)