Paradise Holiday Frequently asked questions
What
is the weather like?
When is the best time to come?
Which airport do we land at?
What is the best way to get to the villa?
How good is the shopping on the island?
What is the best way to see the island?
What is the best thing about Barbados?
What is the best thing about the resort?
What is the best thing about the villa?
Is the resort suitable for very young children (under
18 months)?
Can I hire a car?
Do I need to get a special driving licence?
Can I use my mobile phone on the island?
What type of electricity is available on the island?
Is the island safe for tourists?
What
is the weather like?
It is warm and sunny all year round with an average
daytime high of 75 - 85oF. The nights are usually slightly cooler.
The prevailing northeast tradewinds blow steadily so that although it is bright
and sunny, it is not unbearably hot.
The rain usually comes in quick showers. The dry season lasts from January
to June.
Barbados is in the tropics, and believe it or not, some Barbadians actually
put on a sweater in the cool night wintertime breezes. Barbadians complain
that the sea is cold when its 78oF!!!
Back to top.
When
is the best time to come?
There is no “best time”, and we love to go to Barbados throughout
the year. If you like peace and quiet and a mainly adult time without young
children, then avoid the main school holidays, but if you want a family holiday
when your children can make new friends, then school holidays are great.
As the island has a fairly constant temperature and is warm and sunny all
year round, the different prices are simply a reflection on how busy the island
is. As you can see Christmas and New Year are always busy, lively and all
round fun.
Back to top.
Which
airport do we land at?
International airport: Barbados (BGI) (Grantley Adams), 13km (8 miles) east
of Bridgetown, in the parish of Christ Church. Airport porters charge Bds$1
per bag for transporting luggage to the street outside of the customs terminal.
Facilities in the airport include a bank, bar, duty free shops and restaurant.
Back to top.
What
is the best way to get to the villa?
From the airport you can always get a taxi or minivan, or you can hire a car
and they will deliver it to the airport. We always get a taxi through choice
and have the hire car waiting at the villa when we get there.
Taxi: Taxis do not have meters but the Government regulates fares. Listings
are available from the Tourist Office. It normally costs us between BDS$ 80
& BDS$-100 (about £30) to get from the airport in a minivan taxi
and about BDS$ 80 on the return journey (the return is cheaper because there
is no waiting time.
Feeling adventurous? ZR Vans: There are many licensed "Mini Vans"
that run around the island picking up tourist and locals. You will recognise
them by their "ZR" license plate. They have few fixed schedules
but there are many of them and service is frequent. The rate is Bds$1.50 and
is not recommended for the nervous passenger as ZR stop frequently, often
abruptly, and move quickly to pick up the maximum paying passengers in the
shortest time.
Back to top.
How
good is the shopping on the island?
What the ladies say: with high-quality, tax-free merchandise, excellent service
by friendly and knowledgeable sales staff, and comfortable, air-conditioned
stores, shopping in Barbados truly is great fun!
Duty-free shopping is especially popular, with prices typically being 30 to
50% less than in Europe and North America! When making duty-free purchases
be sure to have your passport or airline ticket with you. Your packages can
be delivered to the airport or seaport for your convenience.
The blokes say: the bars are great!
Back to top.
What
is the best way to see the island?
You are spoilt for choice. Take an organized tour, bus, taxi, ZR van, hire
a car or even walk. You can even go horse riding if you’d like that.
We normally walk the beaches (all beaches in Barbados are public so you can
walk for miles especially when the tides out) or travel by hire car and simply
explore.
We have been going to the island for nearly 15 years and we find somewhere
new each visit.
Back to top.
What
is the best thing about Barbados?
Wow, good question! Everybody has their own answer, sun, sea, sand, clear
water, great golf, tennis and other sports, meeting friends, the Barbadians
themselves are so friendly, the climate, the great dining, the service. The
infrastructure is good, with good roads, good electricity, water you can drink
from the tap, a good health service, international flights every day to many
major cities throughout the World, it’s lush vegetation, wild Green Monkeys
and loads loads more.
In one sentence, everybody I know who goes there can’t wait to go back.
Careful, it may be addictive!
Back to top.
What
is the best thing about the resort?
It is private, safe, secure, friendly and luxurious with something for everyone.
You can relax at the villa, relax around either of the pools, and relax in
the Clubhouse or at the sanctuary. You can play tennis or golf or just go
for a walk or jog amidst the beautiful tropical surroundings. You can be private
and unnoticed, or you can mingle with the other residents and socialize at
one of the many regular events.
Back to top.
What
is the best thing about the villa?
It is ideal whether you are adults wanting time to yourself or a family with
children and as our housekeeper is there 6 days per week you need not do a
thing if you want to just relax. The flexible luxurious accommodation means
that you can laze around the villa, self cater if you like. It’s an ideal
mix of having your own space and being able to make a sandwich or have a cup
of tea when it suits you. You decide.
Back to top.
Is
the resort suitable for very young children (under 18 months)?
The villa welcomes kids of all ages, and as some of the residents live at
the resort permanently there are a number of children under 18 months, some
of whom were born there. It is possible to get child minding and baby-sitting
arranged through The Sanctuary.
For older kids The Pelicans Nest clubroom is located at the Sanctuary. It
is a dedicated facility that children between the ages 4 to 12 years of age
may visit between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. each day with video games, toys
and books provided for their entertainment. This room is only supervised during
specific holiday periods and these times are posted on the sanctuary notice
board.
During school holiday periods the sanctuary team provide supervised sports
camps and pelican club days. The charges and sign ups for these amenities
are published on the notice board as you enter the Sanctuary.
The Pelican Club is meticulous in its planning, care and attention to detail,
giving you absolute peace of mind while you relax by the pool, play golf or
tennis, or simply enjoy the company of your friends. Your children will love
it and so will you.
Back to top.
Can
I hire a car?
Yes. There are a number of excellent hire car companies on the island. We
use and recommend Stoutes Car Rental who will take your booking via the phone
or the Internet, and deliver the car to you at the villa prior to your arrival
if you wish. It really is easy.
Back to top.
Do
I need to get a special driving licence?
Yes. Drivers must be over 21 and under 75 years old. Each driver must have
held a valid driving licence for at least two years.
In order to drive on the island you need to have a Local Driving Permit which
last 1 year and costs BDS $10 per person. Stoutes can issue this when they
deliver the car.
Back to top.
Can
I use my mobile phone on the island?
Yes, if you have a Tri-Band GSM phone with international roaming enabled your
phone should work. I use Orange, Vodaphone and O2 and all three work.
Back to top.
What
type of electricity is available on the island?
Electricity in Barbados is: 110 volts/50 cycles and in the villa we have US
power sockets. We have a hair dryer in each bedroom and when we go we use
US-UK adaptors.
Back to top.
Is
the island safe for tourists?
We have been going for years, and we believe it’s very safe.
Did you know the people of Barbados have a history of long ingrained Christian
principles, a sound and free educational system with a literacy rate of 97%?
The United Nations Development Index (1996) ranked Barbados third in terms
of quality of life among 160 developing countries worldwide (Hong Kong and
Cyprus ranked first and second respectively). Barbados ranked ahead of countries
such as Spain, Italy and Ireland.
All of our friends and regular visitors highlight the friendliness of Barbadians
as its greatest and most pleasing asset. This is reflected in the highest
repeat visitor factor in the region of 39%
Barbados has the third oldest parliament in the world with 358 years of an
uninterrupted parliamentary system of government.
Back to top.
