21 Secrets About Living In Barbados To Know Before Moving

Barbados is a tourist paradise; it is a small island nation with white sandy beaches and turquoise water.

It is an incredibly beautiful country to live in, so if you’re planning to move to Barbados, you’re in for a treat! It has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, sweeping green hills, and year-round warmth.

To give you an idea of what living in Barbados is like, here are 21 secrets about Bajan life:

Sections

1. Barbados is a densely populated country

While many would characterize Barbados as congested, even overpopulated, they would not be exaggerating. This beautiful island nation, covering around 267 square miles, is home to over 280,000 people, ranking it as the world’s 15th most densely inhabited country.

If you value privacy and tranquility, you may struggle in Barbados. While the island is stunning, it might be challenging to locate a private location to relax. Barbados also suffers from the other issues associated with a dense population, such as traffic and expensive rents.

2. The cost of living in the area

Barbados may be too expensive unless you’re willing and able to alter your lifestyle (as many expats do) drastically. Because it is such a highly populated island, much of its needs must be met via imports. This in and of itself boosts the cost of goods, but government taxes on certain imports add to the cost.

You’ll have to forego well-known brands in favor of lesser-known ones. Many expats opt to forsake altogether; you may have to give up other possessions, such as a car completely. You’ll need to learn to live like a native unless you make a lot of money (which is impossible in this nation).

3. Barbados weather

Barbados is blessed with a tropical climate. Summer and average temperatures are usually 82°F to 86°F, with temperatures dropping to 68°F on occasion during the winter months.

There is often a gentle wind, and the island receives around 3,000 hours of sunlight each year. Due to its location in an easterly region of the Atlantic, the nation often avoids severe hurricane season effects.

4. Do they have a good healthcare system?

Barbados is home to one of the best healthcare systems in the Caribbean, and universal health care is available to all Barbadians (no need for health insurance). In addition to the flagship Queen Elizabeth Hospital (General Hospital) in Bridgetown, Barbados offers eight polyclinics around the island, five geriatric hospitals for the elderly, and a network of Childcare institutions.

Expats can access a range of modern medical treatments; private healthcare might be prohibitively expensive. Ideally, it would help if you chose foreign health insurance compatible with your lifestyle and budget. While specific, highly specialized medical and rehabilitative therapies may be complex, the essential medical services are well established.

5. Home to spectacular landscapes

For an island as small as Barbados, it has several gorgeous landscapes. The Flower Forest (pictured above) features meandering pathways that run among exotic vegetation, while Harrison’s Cave contains some of the most remarkable geological formations in the nation.

The Welchman Hall Gully is an excellent spot for hiking and animal observation. Barbados is a shelter for Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles and hundreds of bird species. Although Barbados is a tropical nation, there are no venomous spiders or snakes to fear!

6. Finding work can be difficult for expats

Barbados’ economic status isn’t dreadful, but it’s also not ideal. Like many other Caribbean countries, Barbados has been experiencing an economic downturn in recent years.

Furthermore, obtaining employment, particularly a well-paying job that enables you to live comfortably, might be even more challenging for expats. After all, you aren’t traveling to Barbados to endure hardships.

Most expats believe that most businesses favor locals over better-qualified foreigners and that government procedures make it challenging to get visas and work permits. You’ll need to make sure you have the necessary skills and can provide proof of your experience to get a good job.

7. Things move very slowly in Barbados

The languid pace of life here is challenging for foreigners to adapt to when moving to Barbados. Expats should not expect things to be completed immediately since this may lead to frustration. Life is slower in the Caribbean, which is likely one of the reasons you want to relocate there.

It’s easy to fall into a slow mode when you’re on vacation and have plenty of time. But when you live in Barbados and need to get things done, it can be very infuriating to be almost dismissed by a store clerk or government worker.

8. Great for shopping

Barbados provides a diverse range of shopping centers, including some of the best in the Caribbean. The island is known for duty-free shopping, where you may save up to 50% on high-end jewelry and designer products compared to Europe, the United States, and other parts of the globe.

Display your passport and travel documentation at the time of sale to collect your discounts. Several farmers’ markets also provide:

Farm-to-fork sustainability.
Organic vegetables.
Unique arts and crafts that make fantastic presents and souvenirs.

9. Stable political environment & economy

Barbados’ political climate is one of the most stable in the Caribbean. It has had a parliamentary system of government since 1639, making it the third-oldest Parliament in the British Commonwealth.

The island nation has a reputation for being one of the most stable in the area, with consistent economic development and minimal inflation. By 2025, Barbados aspires to be the world’s smallest developed nation.

10. Stunning beaches

Martin’s Bay and Conset Bay provide more rugged scenery on the east coast. At the same time, the mile-long Cattlewash Beach, with its paradise-like sands, cold trade breezes, and excellent beachcombing, is well worth a visit.

Morgan Lewis Beach is so isolated that you can nearly ensure it will be abandoned when you arrive. Further south, you’ll find Crane Beach, a scene-stealer on the East Coast that includes pink sand and turquoise waters, making it a perfect site for swimming in the stunning Caribbean Sea.

Sandy Lane Beach and Paynes Bay are West Coast favorites because of their calm surf, clear blue seas teeming with tiny fish, and excellent watersports. Batts Rock Beach is ideal for families with plenty of picnic tables, a children’s playground, and tropical simplicity.

Barbados’ south coast is an intriguing mix of the Caribbean and Atlantic Oceans. This shore is more lively than the west, yet more tranquil than the east or north. The island’s south coast offers tranquil swimming, snorkeling over inshore reefs and tidal pools, and windsurfing at the island’s southernmost point, Bottom Bay.

10. Barbados is cricket-mad

Cricket is Barbados’ national sport, and it is the most popular of all. Barbadians are passionate about cricket, so when moving to Barbados be prepared to start showing an interest!

It’s a game played at cricket fields, in villages, and on the streets, so it’s no surprise that so many Barbadians make the West Indies squad. The island has produced several notable players, including Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Everton Weekes.

11. They have luxurious properties

Barbados boasts the most expensive luxury homes in the Caribbean, and the market for luxury mansions and villas continues to dominate.

The island country offers a variety of wonderful luxury colonial-style villas. You can even design your own luxury villa! Expect to pay a few million dollars to own a luxurious villa in Barbados.

12. The food is delicious

Barbadian cuisine, often known as Bajan cuisine, is one of the most delectable reasons to visit Barbados. Barbadian cuisine is often considered the Caribbean’s “Culinary Capital.” Cou Cou and Fried Flying Fish are Barbados’ national dishes. Pudding and souse are second in popularity, but like other Bajan cuisines, it depends on your preferences and what you’re searching for.

13. The official language is English

The official language of Barbados is English, although most of the population speaks ‘Bajan,’ an English-based creole greatly inspired by West Africa. Standard English is used in print and official situations on the island, although Bajan is a commonly-spoken language with no written form. When you move to Barbados, you shouldn’t have any language barriers.

14. Barbados is home to the world’s oldest rum

Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum, and the island country is home to the world’s oldest rum brand, Mount Gay. Mount Gay Rum is the world’s oldest rum brand, with its earliest deed of the property dating from February 1703. Mount Gay’s hallmark, and the brand’s main label, Eclipse, are known for meticulously combining aged rums.

Here’s a fascinating fact: in Casino Royale (2006), James Bond (Daniel Craig) requests a Mount Gay Rum with soda instead of his signature Vodka martini.

15. Getting around doesn’t take too long

The infrastructure on the island is well-developed, with several roads and highways and convenient access to public transit. The Barbados Transport Board’s buses, minibusses, and route taxis will get you anywhere you need to be.

Because the island is so tiny, getting about takes very little time. The most prolonged travel takes approximately 40 minutes from top to bottom of the island, and you’re never more than 20 minutes away from your closest store, clinic, beach, or rum bar.

16. They have world-class golf courses

Barbados is one of the most beautiful spots in the world to play golf. If it’s new to you, the fantastic courses and facilities on offer could spark a new interest. Barbados has six golf courses to discover and enjoy.

17. Does Barbados have a good education system?

The Barbados government covers the costs of basic, secondary, and higher education for Barbadian students, including textbooks. Because of this extraordinary focus on education, the country has a literacy rate of almost 98 percent, which is among the highest globally.

18. Work-life balance in Barbados

Barbados has officially unveiled the 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp, a new visa that permits remote employees to live and work for up to a year on the Caribbean island. Barbados is a charming location to live, with a lively, friendly culture, and many expats are very content to call it home.

19. Taxes in Barbados

The Convention is the United States and Barbados’ first income tax treaty. Tax treaties generally allow you to deduct a specified amount of income earned in the United States on your US tax return, and this decreases your tax obligation since you are not required to pay taxes on that amount.

20. The quality of life in Barbados

The island boasts one of the Caribbean’s lowest crime rates. The approachable Royal Police Force maintains a visible presence in residential and tourist areas. The island receives around 1 million tourists every year, most of whom have a pleasant and safe vacation to the island paradise.

While you should take typical precautions, the island is generally regarded as a safe place for visitors and expats. Visitors who identify as LGBTQ+ should be informed that the nation has anti-homosexuality legislation and that they may face hostility.

21. Living as an expat with a family in Barbados

Barbados is an incredible destination for expatriates and their children. Education and healthcare are among the best in the Caribbean. There are several private and governmental health care facilities, which are often the priority of parents.

There are several things to keep the family occupied, from surfing to the numerous festivals.

FAQs

How much does a work permit cost in Barbados?

The application fee for a work permit in Barbados is $300 BDS which is under USD 150. Additionally, the kind of work permit impacts the fee charged to applicants. The Welcome Stamp will allow you to live and work here easily for up to one year.

How do I get dual citizenship in Barbados?

A non-resident can apply for Barbados citizenship by naturalization after seven years of lawful residency. This option is available to citizens of all foreign countries. You must demonstrate that you resided in the nation for at least five years throughout your seven years of residence.

Does Barbados have an international school?

There is only one international school on the island, The Codrington School.

What is the west coast of Barbados called?

Barbados’ west coast is sometimes called the “Platinum Coast” because of the crystal clear mild seas that lap softly against golden dunes. You’ll find St Michael in this region.

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning your dream move to Barbados, it is the perfect island paradise with some of the world’s most breathtaking beaches. No better island destination has a wealth of culture, cuisine, sun, sea, and sand.