What do I need to know before going to Barbados?

Question

My husband and I are wanting to go to Barbados this summer. Neither of us have ever traveled outside of the United States. What do we need to know before going and how do I start to book our trip. We are traveling on a budget so would it be better to book flight hotel and rental car all together throught expedia or travelocity or is it better to find everything seperately.

Answer 1

Don't go Barbados... flat island in the Atlantic it is. Go Grenada I say! We spend most of the summer there, beautiful island and far-far nicer than Barbados.

Answer 2

If you plan to travel to the Caribbean or even Mexico you will need a passport. If this is your first passport, you need to apply in person. Go to your local post office to pick up forms or you can download an application form from this site.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fir...

It's always better to book a package (air and hotel) together.

Since this is your first time traveling outside the US, I would go to a local travel agency for help. They are the professionals and can help you before and after you have booked with them if you have a problem while traveling.

We are seasoned travelers and I always consult my travel agency after I have done some research. Often they will match anything I find on the web and sometimes they are cheaper.

Here is a link to the resorts in Barbados. You will find unbiased reviews and candid photos. I trust tripadvisor.com and often refer to what other visitors have to say about a resort.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g14726...

After you think you found your ideal resort, check prices with this company.

http://www.applevacations.com

http://www.funjet.com

I always enjoy the planning and research part of going on trip. It gets me excited. Besides I'm one of those people "that need to know before I go". lol.

Good Luck and come back with any specific questions you may have, many people on these boards are very knowledgeable and helpful) Enjoy.

Answer 3

Sometimes a package is cheaper than doing each seperately.

You both need a valid passport, but I'm sure you know that. http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fir...

It's best to always research before booking to compare the price costs. It would also depend if you're looking for an all-inclusive or not because if it's not, you'd have to limit your spending on food as the food there mainly is expensive. A local travel agency may be necessary since it's your first time going out of the country.

I hope this helps, because sometimes a website can be more than the other and vice versa.

And to correct the first answerer, they do have a lot of hotels. You can check the reviews at http://www.tripadvisor.com/ and see if it suits you.

And to the answerer below me, Barbados is not as flat as you think, it's more rocky on the east coast. I still recommend Barbados.

Answer 4

bring a passport.

Answer 5

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/b...

this should tell you pretty much everything you need to know. i hope you have a great time! i've always wanted to visit barbados and it looks beautiful :)

Answer 6

I'm directing this to Ndkan223, if you went to B"dos for

only a week I'm sure you didn't visit the whole island, the place is loaded with hotels and guesthouses.

Answer 7

Barbados is beautiful I was just there a week ago.  I went there on the 2 week cruise I went on.  It is a nice island and the people there are wicked friendly.  They have hotels but not many of them.  I think it is more to book a hotel by the beach.  I remember our tour guide saying about much a beach front hotel was a night.  Can't remember how much she said though.