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Yes, there are.  Sandals:

The last time I checked a few years ago two (2) chair rentals with a parasol were US$30.

US dollars are totally acceptable on the island.  No need to change currencies.

Two (2) Barbados dollars = One (1) U.S. dollar.

A good idea to confirm if U.S. or Barbados dollars whenever you’re quoted a price on the island. 

Especially with taxi cabs!

Thanks for the heads-up WandHinTX.

Crane has one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, according to Conde Nast.

But remember, all beaches on Barbados are free to the public. Crane doesn’t own that beach and you do not have to pay a fee or take a tour to access it.

Public access to Crane beach is to the left of the hotel down some precarious steps, but quite passable for most.

Vendors will offer you sun beds and drinks even though you were not part of the Crane-paid experience.

Be sure and arrange return transport from your cabbie as you won’t be able to ask the Crane to hail a cab for you.

A truly beautiful spot.  Please visit and don’t let the new ‘rules’ in any way dissuade you.

It’s still free, my friends.

The Sunbury Planation House is over in St. Philip, about 10-12 miles east of the harbour.

There are busses that go near there but make many stops along the way.  A taxi would be the best with your limited island time. Perhaps US$20 each way (?).

Prior to the fire there in 1996 (?) it was a pristine example of an early plantation life complete with all of the furniture and accessories that were in a home of this type in the 1600s. Spectacular to actually see these everyday articles up close.

Today, those details are gone, having been replaced with general furnishings and articles donated by many on the island.  One room has dozens of cameras which weren’t a period item.

Having seen the original Sunbury house many times I’m always disappointed when I return of late.

Don’t let me dissuade you, it is still worthwhile to visit, but you may want to see something else now and save Sunbury for another time.

Just a quick report about one of our taxi experiences on Trinidad.

A number of years ago the wife and I hired a taxi to take us from the cruise terminal to the Emperor Valley Zoo.

The taxi driver waited for us while we were in the zoo as he said taxis were difficult to find here for the return trip.

We were gone a couple of hours and the driver was waiting for us.  We got in the cab and he started driving except he wasn’t going south to the cruise terminal, he was going north.

I questioned him and he pulled over.

He then asked both of us individually how much we were going to tip him! I think we had agreed on US$50 for the fare round trip so I told him I was going to tip him US$10.  Then he asked my wife how much she was going to tip him and she said that the US$10 I just mentioned was for both of us.

He said if we weren’t going to give him more he wasn’t going to take us back to the ship and we could walk. Looked like a good two miles from where we were, maybe more.

I paid the crook the US$50 and no tip and we walked back to the ship.  I considered only paying him US$25 for the trip, but didn’t want any trouble with the local police.

If you want to see the zoo (a great zoo, indeed), I’d find secure transport like a ship’s tour. I would never take a cab on that island again unless my hotel had vetted them for me.

An island worth seeing but use caution and GOOD sense.

No, you do not have to go to the bus station.

Simply leave the cruise terminal, walk through the gatehouse out to Spring Garden Highway and stand by the side of the road.  Soon you’ll see buses stating “out of town” in the lower left of their windshield.  Ask the driver if this is the right bus for you.

You can ask anyone there if you are in the right spot as everyone is very friendly.

No worries!

Why not see them both?

Between the transport board buses, the mini buses and the ZR vans (fun!) you won’t wait more than 30 minutes for transport on the west coast during the week. Probably closer to 10-15 minutes.

I’d take any of the three to Holetown and stay a while then take another to Speightstown. After touring Speightstown you can head 5-10 minutes south to either Mullins Beach or Gibbes Beach (one of the best on the island).

When you’re ready to return, simply catch one of the three busses heading south and in 30-45 minutes you’ll be back at Deep Water Harbour (cruise terminal).

An easy deal plus a fun, inexpensive day.

I think the beach that you’re looking for is Crane Beach below the Crane Hotel on the SE coast of the island.

This beach has pink sand and was voted one of the best beaches in the world by Conde Nast.

I am not aware of any organised tours that go there, however.  It is somewhat of a destination within itself.

35-45 minutes by cab or 1 hours by bus.

You can make a day of it and have a great lunch on the veranda of the Crane overlooking the beautiful pink sand beach below you.

They will be happy to hail a cab for you when you’re ready to return to the ship.

This thread from TripAdvisor may give you some insight to the day pass offerings of Sandals:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147262-i230-k8770210-Sandals_Day_Pass-Barbados.html

Enjoy! :)

Mount Gay Distillery is walkable from the ship. Perhaps 15-30 minutes depending on your walking speed.

Harrison’s is not. It is perhaps a 30 minute taxi ride from the ship.

If those are the two attractions on your short-list, may I suggest that you grab a cab 1st thing off of the ship and head to Harrison’s. It is a popular spot and late arrivers can easily wait an hour or more in queue to access the cave.

Have your taxi driver drop you off in front of Mt. Gay after seeing Harrison’s and you can tour at your leisure and walk back to the ship when you’re ready.

Taxis become increasingly less expensive farther away from the terminal.

I would suggest that you walk through the terminal, then through the gatehouse and out to the roundabout on Spring Garden Highway. There you will find willing and safe drivers that will be happy to accommodate you at a much better price.

Have a wonderful holiday! J

Since you requested specific information to find the best place on the island to see and interact with green monkeys, I can offer you this link:

https://www.barbadoswildlifereserve.com/

It’s the Barbados Wildlife Reserve up in Farley Hill. They have just what you’re looking for.

US$15/adults. Feeding time for the animals is 2pm.

No need for a tour, simply hire a cab. 45 minutes to one hour depending on traffic. Taxis charge $US25/hr. for up to four (4) in the cab – not each!

You can continue down the east coast after the Reserve and see the best part of the island.

Have a great holiday! :)

Google: The Boatyard Barbados Menu. Select images and you'll find dozens. :)

I’d contact Cool Runnings and see if they would be willing to drop you off at Brandon’s beach after your catamaran cruise.

Brandon’s is very close to the harbour; a US$5/pp taxi ride for 5-10 minutes. Walk in 20-30 minutes.

Cool Runnings is very flexible and I’ll bet they’ll accommodate you.

The nearest to the dock would be Wine World on Spring Garden Highway.

It’s across the street from Atlantis Submarine and Silver moon.

Maybe a15-20 minute walk or five (5) minute taxi ride.

Very well stocked. Prices used to be marked in BD$ so divide in half for US$.

They will also ship stateside.

I just tried it and received a response from Dora on short order.

Here it is:

Hello Dave,

Nice to hear from you !

Thanks for recommending me !

It has happen before that people has`problems contacting me. (not to many times)

This is my email the one that you just email me to : dora@cartagenatour.com

I have another email where they can email me : doradezubiria@gmail.com

Thanks so much !

Big hug,

Dora the Explorer

Maybe try the second email she provided. It may work better for you.

Good luck!

Try: dora@cartagenatour.com

Great tour by the way!

Yes, quite doable in six (6) hours.

Walk through the maze of organised taxi drivers you’ll pass heading to the cruise terminal.

Exit the cruise terminal and through the Gate House out to the roundabout on Princess Alice Highway.

There you will find many reasonable cabbies that will give you a great tour but won’t break the bank.

Tell them what you wish to do and the time constraints.

You may have more time than you think for visiting additional attractions.

Have lunch at The Round House in Bathsheba and then head SE along the coast. Please stop and visit The Crane for a quick look and a drink (spectacular view and beach).

Head west and quickly visit Oistins and the St Lawrence Gap area of the south coast.

Then NorthWest back to the cruise terminal.

There are many ways to do this excursion but you’ll have ample time to see a lot in six (6) hours.

(Please note: current cab fares are US$25/hr. for up to four (4) in the cab---NOT EACH!).

Have a great holiday! :)

Hunte's Gardens or Andromeda?

Tough question as they both offer so much beauty.

I think most people would choose Hunte’s Gardens. It is truly serene and breathtaking. If you love beautiful flora, classical music and a wonderful rum punch on the veranda after your tour, Hunte’s is hard to beat.

Please consider hiring a cab as soon as you get off the ship and going directly to Harrison’s Cave (if you’ve never seen it); then to Hunte’s Gardens and finish up at Bathsheba for lunch. All close to each other. All wonderful.

A full,delightful day, indeed.

If you decide on Hunte’s, please check if they will be open when you’re planning to be there. Some summers Antony (Hunte) takes holiday stateside in June and July.

Best wishes for a grand visit :)

Check out the Best of Barbados Gift Shop in the cruise terminal (you’ll walk right past it).

They used to have some inexpensive, wooded 3D Christmas sets but I don’t know if they have them all year. Stop in and check it out.

It sounds like you were at the Mt. Gay Rum Distillery which is the closest to Bridgetown and the dock. The beach that fronts it is called Brandon’s Beach.

¾ mile further NW is the West Indies Rum Distillery which sits on Brighton Beach.

I’d bet you were on Brandon’s Beach, however.

It’s all over the Caribbean to some extent, not just Jamaica.

Happens quite often on Barbados but not on the ‘bus scale’ mentioned.

People have been stopped and robbed while driving through the cane fields up north.

The perps roll a big rock or a number of smaller ones, across the narrow road and when the vehicle stops they are robbed. Especially tourists renting mini mokes.

Usually there are two perps involved. One is the lookout for a good target and the other rolls the rocks. They disappear into the cane and are rarely caught.

A machete, a tool commonly used in the cane fields, is used for intimidation.

That’s one reason why you won’t see islanders driving mini mokes.

Sedans with windows all around are what you’ll see. Much safer and cooler.

I posted a few days ago to a thread a few below this one but the thread title doesn’t suggest it is about the sewer problem, so I’m re-posting it again here.

Are the typical go to beaches...Pirates Cove, Harbour Lights,Boatyard in the danger zone?”

No problem near any of those spots.

The actual,ongoing problem (for many years) is generally confined to the Worthing area of the south coast. That is a considerable distance away from all of the west coast attractions.

Harbour Lights, The Boatyard and day sails are confined to Carlisle Bay which is many miles away from the problem plus these attractions are “around the horn” of the island which would help deflect any possible unwanted effluent should it ever get that far.

Directly in front of the problem area the natural salt water currents help reduce any contamination to near zero. The turtles swim through here to nest and the fish and reefs are healthy. It is just the Worthing Beach and the water out perhaps 100’ that is sometimes contaminated during the rainy season.

Please don’t be concerned in the least. This problem is now being repaired and I can assure you that all of the west, north, east and much of the south areas of the island are clean and pristine. No worries.

Please go and enjoy your holiday! J

Are the typical go to beaches...Pirates Cove, Harbour Lights,Boatyard in the danger zone?

No problem near any of those spots.

The actual, ongoing problem (for many years) is generally confined to the Worthing area of the south coast. That is a considerable distance away from all of the west coast attractions.

Harbour Lights, The Boatyard and day sails are confined to Carlisle Bay which is many miles away from the problem plus these attractions are “around the horn” of the island which would help deflect any possible unwanted effluent should it ever get that far.

Directly in front of the problem area the natural saltwater currents help reduce any contamination to near zero. The turtles swim through here to nest and the fish and reefs are healthy. It is just the Worthing Beach and the water out perhaps 100’ that is sometimes contaminated during the rainy season.

Please don’t be concerned in the least. This problem is now being repaired and I can assure you that all of the west, north, east and much of the south areas of the island are clean and pristine. No worries.

Please go and enjoy your holiday! J

Here is a link to TripAdvisor that may give you some insight into the sewer problem(s) on the island:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147262-i230-k10069882-o210-Sewage_problems_on_South_Coast-Barbados.html

It’s quite safe.

However 2-3 hours would be a world wind tour to see the east coast.

I would budget at least four (4) hours as not to be rushed.

Head NW from the cruise terminal to Speightston and turn east across the northern interior of the island toward Belleplaine. Turn SE at Belleplaine toward Bathsheba and Tent Bay.

Turn SE then SW to The Crane then to Oistins , Worthing and Hastings (The Gap) then back to perhaps Carlisle Bay for your beach time. You can have the cabbie drop you off at The Boatyard and enjoy a sunset before getting your gratis cab ride back to the ship (included in The Boatyard entry fee of US$20).

I think once you see the east coast you may not want to come back (!)

A lunch on the veranda at The Crane is a wonderful experience, indeed.

Best wishes for whatever you chose to do on my favorite island. :)