Barbados
Last update 18 October 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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We call on Bulgarian citizens to refrain from travelling!
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have an embassy in Barbados. The country is serviced by the Embassy in Havana, Cuba.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Havana, Cuba
5ta Ave. No 6407, esquina a 66, Miramar, Playa, Ciudad de La Habana
Telephone: +537 204 67 66
Mobile telephone: +535 286 24 49
Working hours: Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 17:00
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 17:00
E-mail: [email protected]
Consulate General of Barbados in Austria
Address: Brucknerstrasse 4, A-1040 Vienna, Austria
Telephone: +43 1 505 74 55
Fax: +43 1 505 87 67
Embassy of Barbados in Belgium
Address: 100 Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 2 732 1737; +32 2 732 1837
Fax: +32 2 732 3266
Consulate General of Barbados in France
Tropic Consulting
Address: 96, boulevard Suchet, 75009 Paris, France
Telephone: +33 147 708 282
Fax: +33 147 708 283
Consulate General of Barbados in Germany
Address: Seitzstrasse 9-11, D80538 Munich-Bavaria, Germany
Telephone: +49 89 21 57 86 30
Fax: +49 89 21 57 84 23
Consulate General of Barbados in United Kingdom
Address: 1 Great Russell Street, London WC 1B 3ND, England (UK)
Telephone: +11 44 207 299 7150
Fax: +11 44 207 323 6872
Honorary Consul of Barbados in the Republic of Bulgaria
Dr. Petar Radoslavov Iliev
Office: 1000 Sofia, 132 Georgi Rakovski St. entr. A, fl. 1, office 3
Telephone: + 359 2 851 72 27
Fax: + 359 2 851 78 87
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
Security level:
Most tourist visits are uneventful, but there have been cases of armed robbery and sexual assault. It is recommended to stay only in safe places, including when staying on a yacht. Exercise vigilance when walking alone, avoid isolated areas and beaches, especially in the dark hours of the day.
Use only licensed taxis. Vigilance is necessary in the festival season.
Large amounts of cash or jewellery should not be carried. If possible, leave valuables and travel documents in a safe. Local police recommend avoiding wearing visible gold jewellery due to the incidence of theft, especially in Bridgetown and other popular tourist areas. Carry a copy of your travel documents.
Healthcare:
Travellers to Barbados should take precautions against mosquito bites. There is a risk of Zika infection. With symptoms of illness, medical attention should be sought immediately.
The MFA recommends that travellers follow the advice of the Ministry of Health and the Bulgarian Red Cross to protect themselves against mosquito bites and infection with the Zika virus: http://www.redcross.bg/advice/zika.html
Central Government Hospital has the capacity to handle many cases, but the more serious ones may require emergency transport to another location. Good hospitals are El Queen Elizabeth Hospital and el Bay View Hospital. Contact your insurance company and let them know in case you are admitted to a medical facility for treatment. Before selecting the services of a private medical facility, you should check the policy applied regarding the prepayment requirement. Private clinics may not accept medical insurance as a means of payment for treatment.
Medical emergency: 511
Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries at risk of the disease.
List of countries at risk of yellow fever and countries for which vaccination is required: http://www.who.int/ith/2016-ith-annex1.pdf?ua=1
A cholera vaccine is required in case the visitor comes from a country at high risk of spreading the disease.
Specifics of the local legislation:
There are severe penalties for all drug and weapon possession offences. It is recommended that you pack your own luggage and do not accept anything through customs that belongs to someone else, has been purchased by someone else or is being given to you to pass on to someone else.
It is a crime, even for children, to dress in camouflage clothing. Civilians may not import camouflage materials or wear items made of such fabrics.
Some homosexual acts are also illegal under Barbados law.
It is forbidden to export Barbados currency without permission from the Central Bank of the country.
Road traffic:
Vehicles shall move on the left side of the road. To drive on the island, you must have a local provisional driving licence. Car rental companies usually assist in its issuance. A valid national driving licence must be presented.
Take care when driving on the roads as there are potholes and unmarked speed bumps. Observe the speed limits. Pedestrians often walk on the roads and signs are not always observed. Take extra care when driving at night as some roads are unlit. Road signs and hazards cannot be easily spotted in the dark.
Don't stop for pedestrians. Keep car doors locked when driving. Do not place personal belongings and valuables in places in the car where they can be easily seen. Put everything in the boot or on the floor in front of the rear seats. In the event of an accident, call the police immediately and stop the vehicle.
Agree the fare in local currency with the driver before hiring a taxi. It is often possible to pay in US dollars and Barbadian dollars.
Public transport is available.
Practical advice:
Electricity in the country is 120 V and is identical to the American standard.
Important Police Phones
Police: 211
Fire Station: 311
Ambulance: 511
Local currency:
Barbados Dollar (BBD)
USD 1 = BBD 2
Major credit cards are accepted in Barbados.
Climatic characteristics:
The hurricane season in Barbados usually lasts from June to November. It is advisable to monitor the information on http://severe.worldweather.org/; http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tropical-cyclones
You need to keep an eye on the warning level for the Kick'em Jenny underwater volcano located 5 miles off the coast of Grenada, which showed an increased level of activity in July 2015:
http://uwiseismic.com/general.aspx?id=27 Follow the advice of local authorities in the event of an eruption.
Travel papers and visas
Bulgarian passport holders do not need a visa to visit Barbados for up to 90 days. The passport must be valid for the period of stay. It is advisable to travel with a passport valid for at least 6 months and to have a few blank pages for stamps. Verification through the airline of the need for a transit visa is recommended.
Upon entry, the period of stay is usually determined. It is possible to apply for an extension of stay with the Barbados Immigration Department. It is a criminal offence to remain in the country beyond the authorised period and to work without a permit.
Entry requirements can vary over time, so before travelling Bulgarian citizens are advised to check with a diplomatic mission in Barbados.
Visa information: http://www.foreign.gov.bb/pageselect.cfm?page=120
Travel for children under 18 years of age
In the case of travel by children under 18 years of age, proof of citizenship, valid travel documents and certified written consent (power of attorney) from one or both parents, as appropriate, must be provided.
Exit Fee:
A fee of BBD 65 /approximately USD 30/ is payable on exit from the country, by air and land. The fee may be included in the airfare. It is possible for the fee to change. It is advisable to check with the Barbados Embassy accredited for the country of residence or check through the tour company/airline used before travel.
Competitive service
European Emergency Travel Document:
In case of emergency (lost passport), Bulgarian citizens can seek on-the-spot assistance from a diplomatic mission of an EU Member State to obtain an Emergency Travel Document.
Certifications and legalizations:
Bulgaria and Barbados are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents. Therefore, the documents/deeds drawn up in each of the two countries should bear an Apostille by the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as translated and duly authenticated in order to serve before the authorities of the other country.