Aylesford International

Barbados/Caribbean

Barbados wears its heritage on its sleeve, with British influence evident in many aspects of Barbadian culture, including the national obsession with cricket and golf. Isolated slightly from the rest of the Caribbean, the island has a peaceful past and has flourished since earning its independence in 1966.

Broad sandy beaches, craggy cliffs, and picturesque coves make up the coastline. The lush interior is consumed by forested hills, gullies and acre upon acre of sugarcane, sheltering historic plantation homes.

On the West Coast near Speightstown you can find up-market beachfront resorts, luxurious private villas, and fine restaurants enveloped by lush gardens and tropical foliage. The trendier, more commercial South Coast offers more competitively priced hotels and beach resorts, and its St. Lawrence Gap area is jam-packed with shops, restaurants and nightlife.

Local knowledge:  Aylesford International are partners with Altman Real Estate on the island who have the reputation of being the best realtors in Barbados. This facilitates access to the best properties on the market and means there is someone on the ground to take care of potential buyers or tenants.

Fast Facts

Did you know? Barbados boasts more world-class cricketers per capita than anywhere else.

Capital:

Bridgetown, in the South West of the island

Government: Democracy, part of the Commonwealth

Religion: 67% Protestant

Population: 272,229

Language: English

Climate:  Warm & sunny year round, with hurricane season bringing more rain between June and November.

Currency: Barbadian Dollar (BBD), but US$ is widely accepted

Major Industries: Tourism, Financial Services, Agriculture, Light manufacturing.

Education: The Barbados educational system is modelled after the British system.  It is considered to provide one of the highest standards of education in the English Caribbean.  The island has a literacy rate of 99.7% with primary and secondary schooling being free for all residents of the island.

     Healthcare:

Barbados is recognised as having the most modern medical facilities in the Eastern Caribbean.  Medical services are provided by two major hospitals and several private clinics.

Electricity: 115/230 V 50 Hz

Time zone: GMT minus 4 hours in summer and minus 5 GMT hours in winter

Dialling code: +246

Airports:  Barbados' International airport is one of the main hubs into the Eastern Caribbean, with flights from all major American and European carriers.

Getting Around:  Note Barbadians drive on the left-hand side of the road. The island has an extensive network of roads with over 1,600 km of paved roads.