As the green list expands to include more holiday destinations for UK travellers, we know that a lot of people are wondering what their holiday will be like in 2021.
So, with the wonderful island of Barbados ready to warmly welcome back visitors, we want to reassure you that your holiday will still very much be enjoyed.
To help, we asked Kerin, from our office in Barbados, to fill us in on what it’s like in Barbados right now…
Can you travel to Barbados from the UK now?
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share some information about our beautiful island!
Barbados was added to the UK’s green list on 30 June 2021.
Likewise, travellers from the UK are now welcome to visit Barbados, so long as they follow all of the entry requirements.
What are the entry requirements for visiting Barbados?
If you can prove you’ve had two full doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, you can enter Barbados if:
- You submit an online immigration form 24 hours before arrival
- You can show printed evidence of a negative PCR test taken no more than three days before travel
- You take a PCR test on arrival at the airport or approved accommodation
- You await the result of your arrival test within your hotel
Once you receive a negative result, you can leave your hotel and enjoy the rest of the island – usually about two days.
If you haven’t been double vaccinated, you’ll have a PCR test five days after arrival. You’ll be required to stay in your hotel until you take this test and receive a negative result – this usually takes around 7 – 8 days in total.
You’ll also need to follow the UK’s entry requirements on your return. For a green list destination like Barbados, you’ll just need to take one PCR test on your second day home, without the need to isolate.
Related: Latest Travel Rules and Guidance.
What’s life like in Barbados right now?
Since reopening in March, the island of Barbados is returning to a sense of normality.
All businesses have reopened from Monday to Saturday with their regular hours. Sunday is a day of limited business activity, so only petrol stations and restaurants are allowed to conduct business.
We do have curfew hours in place at the moment, but they shouldn’t interfere too much with your time here. From Thursday to Sunday the curfew is from midnight to 5am, so most restaurants take their last reservation at 8pm. This allows enough time for diners to enjoy their meal and for staff to clean up and get home in time.
There are hygiene protocols in place too, so you may well be asked to sanitise your hands, have a temperature check and leave your contact details before dining.
Where do you recommend visiting in Barbados at the moment?
There are some top restaurants open and ready to serve you in Barbados.
Nishi, Fusion, Lonestar, The Fish Pot, The Tides and La Cabane are all welcoming guests, as is Sea Shed, which is an amazing all-day dining place on Mullins Beach. Beach chairs, picnic tables and sofas can be rented for you to eat lunch on the beach. The atmosphere is fabulous, especially if you head there to watch the sunset.
Some restaurants are open on select days of the week. You can dine at Lobster Alive or Round House Restaurant on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Cliff is due to reopen in October under new management. There is much excitement around this, as the new owners are coming from the renowned Tides restaurant in Holetown.
Many luxury hotels along the east coast are now open, including Coral Reef Club, Colony Club, Fairmont Royal Pavilion and Cobblers Cove. Sandy Lane is due to reopen on 1 June 2021.
Discover more places to eat with our guide to the Top 10 Barbados Restaurants.
What other things to do are there in Barbados now?
The weather is absolutely beautiful at the moment, with lovely sunny days and a gentle easterly breeze keeping temperatures comfortable. This means there are plenty of things to enjoy across the island!
Watersports are readily available. Having a catamaran cruise is still one of my favourite past times, with Seaduced and Silvermoon offering luxury private charters. There are several more I can recommend, though, who will arrange shared cruises.
There are some bars and limited nightlife on 2nd Street in Holetown. You can also visit Oistins Bay on weekends for an authentic Bajan experience, where you can chill out, eat local fish prepared on the coal pot and sip a refreshing Banks beer!
Getting around the island is still easily possible. Hired cars and taxis are both available, though you will need to follow hygiene and face mask rules.
If you’d like to find out more about taking a holiday in Barbados this year, contact us to speak to our Travel Specialists.
For more Barbados holiday inspiration, you might also like these posts…
Our Guide to Christmas in Barbados