Both the Barbados and US dollars are legal tender and are widely accepted. Please note though that change is most likely to be given in Barbados dollars only.

Traveler cheques are a personal preference in my opinion. They offer protection against theft but have the inconvenience of having to be changed as not all places accept them as currency.

As to how much money you'll need... how long is a piece of string?

Excursions usally cost in the region of US$ 50 to US$ 70 with some of them having lunch and unlimited drinks included. Meals can be had cheap (Chefette, local vendors) or hughly expensive (The Cliff, Restaurant at South Seas). Many bars do happy hours reducing the cost of drinks if planned properly.

Prices in the supermarket are relatively high, expect to pay through the nose if you insist on having English brands.

Mark

thanks Mark this is a great help. Have just ordered £100 in BB$, $600 currency and £400 sterling travellers cheques. Lets see how far that gets me!

We're off to the tropical escape in Paynes Bay Barbados next week.

Just wondering how easy it is to get to a local ATM as I'd much rather draw dollars from my Nationwide account than take large amounts of cash & travellers...

I've been told there's a few in holetown & Jordan's Supermarket in paynes... but any advise would be greatly appreciated !!

I would like to know what the situtaion is about using US dollars in Barbados. I saw on TV last night that the £ is very strong, nearly 2 dollars US to the pound!! In Jamaica the US$ was accepted more readily even than the Jamaican $ so I was thinking if we could use US over in Barabdos it would be really cheap!!

We aren't going until March 07 but if they do recognise American currency then I would change some now!!

Mind you, I certainly like to use ATMs while abroad - it is much safer and more convenient so I would also take my A+L card. I did read on a site somewhere that ATMs are few and far between on Barbados though. Is that true??

susannah, were taking US dollars to start with as the notes are widely excepted due to the Barbados dollar being pegged to the US dollar @ around 2:1..So you can pay for things in US notes and get change in local currancy. As you say, with the pound at these levels (& going higher ) $4 barbados dollars to the pound is very favorable to us Brits
Barbados has one of the most advanced ATM networks in the caribbean but i not sure what it means in reality

The company pricing models at work all project the pound going above $2 to £1 so you may get a better price closer to your departure date

Hi Caz

Perfick straightforward answer!! Thank you very much for that... We will follow your suit and do the same thing!!

Thank you too for the ATM advice. I am sure there will be some too, after all it is a very sophisticated island!! In Jamaica the ATMs were in lockable kiosks, you went in and locked yourself in while you transacted your business. Very secure and reassuring (not that I felt in any way UNSAFE mind you ). Maybe that is what they mean by "advanced"???