Experience The Authentic Caribbean!

Whether you seek soft beaches, powerful surf, refined sophistication or the up-tempo, festive feel, Barbados has something for everyone. It is the easternmost of the Lesser Antilles islands and, as such, enjoys the graces of two oceans – the Caribbean Sea on its west side and the Atlantic Ocean at its eastern end. The two bodies of water converge on the island’s southern shores, where smaller hotels – and legions of windsurfers – await.

The local Bajans, as they are known, display a brawn inherited from both 3 1 /2 centuries of British rule and the faith and endurance of the former slaves who populated the island to cultivate sugarcane. A wealth of traditions have influenced every facet of life, from music and dance to cuisine and herbal “bush” medicine.

Barbados offers luxurious hotels, inns and villas lining many beaches. Visit the famous Millionaires’ Playground (a.k.a. Platinum Coast). Barbados’ premier festival, Crop Over, which traditionally celebrated the end of the sugar season, lasts for five weeks and includes markets, carnival shows, calypso concerts and colorful parades.

Other special events also draw visitors: Holders Season, held in March, is internationally renowned for its series of opera, theater and music performances. The Barbados Jazz Festival has live performances seven nights in a row, each held a different island venue.

The island offers much to see and do: Broad Street in Bridgetown, the island’s capital city, is home to several large department stores and duty-free shops offering prices that can be 20 to 40 percent lower those than back home. Sunbury Plantation House, which dates from 1660, houses a collection of antiques, including carriages and farm implements.

Other homes worth touring include St. Nicholas Abbey and the Francia Plantation. Take a tram ride through Harrison’s Cave to view stalactites, stalagmites, waterfalls and pools. Stroll through Andromeda Gardens, or tee off at one of three golf courses, including the Green Monkey, at the rebuilt Sandy Lane resort. The Garrison Savannah horse races are a hot ticket and other popular sports include cricket (the national sport), tennis, squash and polo.

AIRPORTS/GATEWAYS/FLYING TIMES:

Airport: Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) is 30 minutes drive from Bridgetown, the capital. Gateways/Flying Times: Houston (via Miami) - 7 hours. London - 8 hours. Miami – 3.5 hours. Montreal - 5 hours. New York – 4.5 hours. San Francisco – 9.5 hours. Toronto – 5 hours. San Juan - 1 hour.

Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados (BGI) is an international gateway and is served by numerous scheduled flights from the UK. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly from Gatwick and BWIA British West Indies Airways from Heathrow and bmi from Manchester. There are also many charter flights from the UK including Excel from Gatwick.

CLIMATE:
Stable year-round climate 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Average relative humidity 57-74%, constant trade winds 7-8 miles per hour.

DINING:
Restaurants available - Local. Fast food. Gourmet. International. 10% Sharing the love - Image courtesy Barbados Tourism Authorityservice charge is often added to bill; if not, tipping is at your discretion (usually 10%). Dress code is casual although some restaurants may require suits and ties.

LANGUAGE:
English.

NIGHTLIFE:
Entertainment available includes - Discos. Theaters. Dinner Theaters. Nightclubs. Cinemas. Live music. Pubs. Boat Cruises.

SIGHTSEEING:
Gun Hill Signal Station. Andromeda Gardens. Farley Hill National Park. Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Grenade Hall Signal Station.

****** WEDDING REQUIREMENTS IN BARBADOS ******

Barbados does not require advance notice to get married, so you can say "I do!" on the day of your arrival if you like. The law allows an official marriage ceremony to take place as soon as a license is obtained. No hassle, no waiting.

Getting the license

Having a wedding in an exotic destination often means your mired in paperwork. Not so in Barbados. It's almost as easy as Las Vegas, but oh so much more beautiful.

Application for a marriage license must be made by both parties in person, at the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bridgetown Tel: 246-228-8950)

Documents Required:

• Valid Passports or the original or certified copies of the applicants' birth certificates;
If either party was married previously and widowed, a certified copy of the marriage certificate and death certificate in respect of the deceased spouse;
• If either party was divorced, an original decree absolute or a certified copy of Final Judgment not decree Nisi.
N.B. All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Arrangements:
• Arrangements should be made with a Marriage Officer (a Magistrate or a Minister of religion authorized to be a Marriage Officer) prior to the completion of an application form for the license. A letter from the Marriage Officer who has consented to perform the marriage ceremony should be presented at the time of filing the application.
• The Bajan marriage license was crafted back in the 1800s and retains the quaint charm of its English origins.
• Unmarried women who are not widowed or divorced are called spinsters, but don't be offended: The term spinster actually dates back to the 14th century, referring to women who spun thread for a living from thread spinner to dream weaver.
• An unmarried man who is not widowed or divorced is called a bachelor–did you know that comes from a term meaning knight in training, or vassal farmer? So, you don't have your shining armor just yet.
• The custom of naming your father and his occupation is to ensure that you are who you say you are, and to differentiate between people who had the same name> Mary Smith, daughter of John Smith, Tanner as opposed to the Mary Smith, daughter of John Smith, Tailor. Citing your occupation and residence was for the same reason: John Doe, Blacksmith, In the valley, as opposed to the John Doe, Blacksmith, On the hill. It's sweet really, and makes your Marriage certificate an important historical document.

A marriage may be solemnized immediately after the issue of the license.

Fees:

• Bds$150.00 cash and a $25.00 stamp
• Separate fees are payable to the Court and to the Magistrate in respect of civil marriage ceremonies.
• On the Beach - Bds$350.00
• At the Court - Bds$250.00

Please Note: Wedding requirements above are for information purposes only and may be out of date as of this print. Only use this information on this page as a guideline, and for more current and up to date information, please contact the countries Consular Affairs, Embassy, or the countries Tourism Bureau.