- Besides your driving licence, you’ll also need a visitor’s driving permit to hire a car in Barbados. These are cheap – under £5 in British money – last for two months and are available through car hire companies and at police stations.
- Top up on petrol before heading to the north and east of the island. Petrol stations are plentiful near the resorts and busier towns, but you will find fewer options in the quieter regions.
- Seatbelts are compulsory in Barbados for both drivers and passengers. Children under five will need a child seat, which you can hire from your car rental company or bring yourself.
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Search for the best car hire deals in Barbados
The tropical island of Barbados sits on the eastern edge of the balmy Caribbean and is a prime spot for some sunshine in 2020. Exploring its pristine coastlines and vibrant towns by car is the perfect way to soak up the exotic scenery and culture, and hiring a car for all or part of your Barbados trip couldn’t be easier from Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI).
Travel information
Language: English | Currency: Barbadian dollar ($) | Local time: (UTC - 4:00) | Average flight time: 8.5 hours
Fast facts about hiring a car in Barbados
You’ll most likely be arriving via Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI), which sits 25 minutes from Bridgetown and just over half an hour's drive from the popular beach resorts at Paynes Bay. If you want to see more of the island beyond your hotel, picking up your cheap rental car from here is ideal.
There are a few big brand hire car companies as well as some good local ones to choose from at Barbados’ international airport, so there is scope to shop around for good deals before you travel. You’ll find pick-up locations just outside or across the road from the arrivals hall. Some operators will deliver your hire car to your hotel upon request.
Car hire companies at Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) include:
- Sixt (Tel: +1 246 434 8440)
- Drive-A-Matic Car Rentals (Tel: +1 800 581 8773)
- Stoutes Car Rental (Tel: +1 246 420 2926)
Driving in Barbados
Driving around Barbados is fairly easy thanks to its good network of roads. You may find some routes, especially in more remote areas, can be quite narrow and dotted with potholes, so be cautious if you go off exploring.
People drive on the left side of the road in Barbados, although the majority of the cars are right-hand drive. Speeds limits are easy to follow, with 50mph on the highways, 37mph on country roads and 20mph in towns and cities.
As the island is so compact, you’ll find it easy to explore without much risk of getting lost. That said, it's a good idea to bring along a satnav or a map in case of emergencies. If that fails, you can also always ask the friendly locals for directions.
Due to Barbados’ balmy climate, hiring a car with air conditioning is recommended. Rental cars will usually also be marked with an H on their number plates so local drivers know to be more patient. In some cases you might need to be patient too – the pace of life in Barbados is slow, and at times that goes for the pace of driving too.
Recommended day trips in Barbados
Mount Hillaby
This is Barbados’ highest point and it sits in the wilder interiors of the island near the village of Carrington. Mount Hillaby is the best place to go for panoramic views of both lush jungle and the ocean beyond. It can be quite tricky to get to if you don’t know the way, so make sure you map out your route beforehand and drive slowly along the winding mountain road.
Sunbury Plantation House
Barbados was once famous for growing sugar cane, and there are even still a few working plantations on the island today. Sunbury Plantation House in the south is more of a museum nowadays, and is one of the best places to learn more about the nation’s history. It was built in the 1660s and currently houses a collection of antiques, artwork and horse-drawn carriages, as well as a restaurant that serves up tasty local cuisine.
Cattlewash Beach
Located on the east side of the island – known for its wilder, more untouched landscapes – Cattlewash Beach is the country’s longest stretch of coastline. It gets its name from the days when cattle were brought to its waters to be washed down, although now you’re much more likely to see people than cows along its sands. The sea is usually too rough to swim in but you’ll find natural rock pools along the shoreline that are perfect for a refreshing dip.