peridotsparkles

Hi all,

I'll be visiting Barbados in mid-October 2006 for 7 days and have been reading through all the posts. However, I don't see anything about the cost to visit. Does anyone have a general idea of how much I should expect to spend on average each day?

I'd appreciate as much help as necessary.

Thank's!!!

Lois

It kind of depends upon what you want to do.

The higher-end restaurants will run you $100 - $150 US per couple for dinner. The more moderately priced restaurants in the evening will run you $80-$100 per couple.

At lots of the inexpensive, local places you can get by for $20 - $40 US.

If you want to do water sports or tours, plan on US $70 per person for most things like catamaran cruises, Island Safari's, etc.

Beaches -- free

Hope this helps.

Lois

Carib_dreamn

I am sorry to sound argumentative but I have to impart to you that Barbados is the MOST expensive island I have been to of the 13 I have visited - I did stay with my friends who have fantastic taste and funds to indulge however, it did seem to me that even the casual lovely places were a lot and we had one lunch that cost with two glasses of wine and two main courses $140CAD....

I don't mean to be negative but I also have to warn of the money it would be good to take or be prepared to spend.

Have fun though - fine dining.

greenie

I'm sorry but Barbados is not as expensive as other islands, i.e. Cayman Islands. I've been to Bds several times and always found inexpensive and great places to eat. Caymans on the other hand, with the exchange rate, was astronomical! Bds has so many options for cheap eats and reasonable options.

There are also very reasonable places to stay, that many islands do not have.

Peace, Greenie

Peace, Greenie

greenie

I'm sorry but Barbados is not as expensive as other islands, i.e. Cayman Islands. I've been to Bds several times and always found inexpensive and great places to eat. Caymans on the other hand, with the exchange rate, was astronomical! Bds has so many options for cheap eats and reasonable options.

There are also very reasonable places to stay, that many islands do not have.

Peace, Greenie

ejcrowe

Basically, just about any island can be as expensive as you'd like to make it. However, most islands, including Barbados, can be done on a budget. It's a matter of knowing where to go and what to order. Local beer and rum will be less expensive than wine or other cocktails, for example. You can save a lot of money by doing some self-catering--eat at least one meal per day in your condo/villa/apartment to save money. I don't know Barbados well, having only been there once, but if there's a good local public transportation system, use it. I'd imagine that in the Gap/south coast area and along parts of the west coast that you can catch a bus to most place you'd want to see.

When we went, it was a bit of a splurge, and our least expensive dinner with drinks was around US $85, but our most expensive (with drinks, wine, prix fixe, tax & tip for 2) was just over US $300.

JAGIRL

...well...if you really want cheap...there's always Chefette.

Mommy_craves_travel

Greenie (or anyone else), would you recommend some of the good "cheap eats" please? I'm also planning a trip in August but my husband flipped when I told him about the restaurant prices. I'm afraid he's going to make me eat crackers for dinner! Thanks.

greenie

LOL...crackers!

There's plenty of cheap eats. There's grocery stores too so you can self cater. Most of the resorts/hotels have little kitchens. You can eat breakfast and lunch in and splurge for dinner.

Or as many have mentioned, Oistens, the bbq wagons, there's a lot of reasonable places in the Gap. Cafe Del Sol has drink specials, etc.

Hope that helps. Peace, Greenie

Lois

The following are suggestions from various posters on another board. I have not tried all of them, but several people gave the following suggestions for "cheap eats" -

Scotty's in the Gap - brilliant local food and very reasonable US $6-7 each.
The food vans in the Gap and Maxwell Coast Road

Charlie's Bar & Grill on Maxwell Main Road - the most expensive thing on the menu, shrimp, is US $20. The menu there includes things like chicken & mushroom pie with salad, veg, and potatoes of some description or rice for US $14 per person

Cool Breeze Cafe on Maxwell Main Road

Lanterns restaurant in Bougainvillea Hotel

Happy Days in Chattel House Village, St. Lawrence Gap

Cafe Blue, Worthing

Cafe Sol Mexican in The Gap

Bay Bistro (English food) in The Gap

Mama Mia in Hastings near the Garrison

Lucky Horseshoe in Worthing for good buffalo wings, kids eat free!

New York Pizza @ Quayside Mall, Rockley

Charlies Bar @ Maxwell main road on way to Oistins (meat pies, fish 'n' chips etc)

Oistins on the weekend (Fri & Sat) for fresh fish, busiest on a Friday - $7 - $10 US each

Carib Beach Bar on the beach in Worthing.

Mc Bride Irish Pub inThe Gap

Restaurants of Food Court at Sheraton Mall

Harlequin in The Gap

Just Grillin at Quayside (across from Accra Beach Hotel - great grilled burgers, chicken, fish & grilled veggies - about $10 US each)

Granny'sin Oistins

Bubba Sports Bar in Rockley

Sweet Potatoes in The Gap

Carib_dreamn

Sorry to have hit a nerve - I may just be painfully poor...which I think I am - I seem to try and save all my money for trips...hehehe

I however, was surprised by how freaking expensive this island was...I did do Bubbas and McBrides...and still felt I was putting out more money than the places warranted. I also went grocery shopping there as our last trip was staying at friends house...and Emerald city had limited selection and still expensive....then we tried the SuperCenter - and HOOOOEEEEE...that is EXPENSIVE!! so maybe I missed the right grocery store...but I don't feel it is a total error on my part to indicate that things may be more expensive on Bbdos than say Grenada....or St. Kitts, I even found Bbdos more expensive than SXM where I dined well and went to grocery stores...

But JA you are right - mmmmm Chefette - they were asking me how my trip was an calling my son by name in the drive thru!!

Why did they get rid of the Roti Hut???

greenie

Roti Hut, I'm bummed about that too! Where is there another good place for Roti?

We're going in October, and I was looking forward to that.

Carib_dreamn

Heartbreaking eh!! I will ask my friend who lives there where they go for Roti - you can get them at Chefette....they are not too bad - but by no means Roti Hut...

Have a ball! Where are you staying Greenie?

greenie

Oh, please do, Carib_dream, I will await your reply on the Roti situation!! =)

We are staying at the Bouganvillia. This is our first time at this resort. We would have stayed at Southern Palms again but they were not participating in the BOB program this year...and the Sandy Beach is now an all inclusive, which is bizarre, so no go there.

Can't wait...

Carib_dreamn

Hi Greenie,

I have sent the email to my friend currently residing in Bbdos...re: best Roti on the island...hopefully she will respond soon enough!!

Bougainvilla (sp?!?!) is nice of the reasonable options on the island or so she has told me in the past so I do hope you have a sensational Bajan experience and I will let you know what she is sayign about the Rotis as soon as possible!!

Smiles!

Big__Al

I lived in Barbados from 1995 to 2000. I did business in the caribbean for 15 years. Barbados is by far the most expensive island. Heavy duties, taxes, and a bogus exchange rate all contribute to this.

And I hate to break this news, I was sick when I heard it. Roti Hut was closed by the health department when they found dog meat in a freezer during a health inspection.

SarahA

I hate to ask this but I have lived in Barbados for the last 20 years and I am new to this forum - how can you possibly say "Barbados is by far the most expensive island" ? have you ever been to the the Bahamas? the Caymans? - there are plenty of islands more expensive than Barbados I can assure you.
On another note what does "a bogus exchange rate" mean exactly?
I also take it that you have heard that the Roti Hut has closed and have offered your reason as to why - I must admit I hadn't heard your reason despite living here - I had heard it was because the building had been sold and has since been demolished for redevelopment - it has been demoliished by the way! I have seen no cases in the news regarding anyone being charged for having dog meat in their freezer by the way.
And just to let everyone know, there are two great places still to get Roti's - Four play Deli at the Sheraton Centre, and the Indian Grill in Bay Street - excellent both of them.

Big__Al

Hi Sarah,

I will try to answer yor questions (if I can remember them all, senility doncha know?) I have been to just about every english speaking island in the caribbean, and a few french ones. Barbados is easily the most expensive. Although most Caricom nations are socialist, BIM is the worst.

Confiscatory import taxes and then VAT on top of it pretty much strangles any hope of Barbados have an economy.

A bogus exchange rate means basically that Barbados does not let its currency value float on the world market. Most currencies change in value depending on various economic factors. Barbados values their dollar at BDS $1.98/ US $1.00 and leave it there. At this point in time if they didn't implement their artificial valuation, the exchange rate would likely be about BDS $ 4.00/ US $ 1.00. This ploy works only for so long. Already it is difficult to get Bdos currency exchange off the island. Some day, they will have to devalue. And it will be a lot more painful then. It may wipe out the entire economy.

Regarding Roti Hut, I have my sources You don't think the govenrment is gonna let The Nation put a dog meat in restaurant story on the front page do you? If you have been living there that long, you ust surely know that the media is controlled byt he government.

DianaD

Hi ,

We have been to many Islands . WE just got back from Barbados Saturday . IT IS the most expensive in dining out . WE went to some of the best places . Which you want to do when you are on vacation .
They were :
The Cliff
The Restauraunt at South Seas
Lone Star
The Tides
Calabaza
Coral Reef
I am a one drink girl . My husband can have a few glasses of wine and sometimes a cocktail as well .
For the two of us(with tip) the bill ran from $250.00 - $375.00 USD . We had an appetizer and meal and somtimes shared a desert . We are not big eaters . I do however have to say that the food and views were wonderful . For us it was worth it !

We stayed at the coral Reef . The room was $1280 a night

greenie

Wow, are you sure you're not quoting bds? That sounds kinda high for some of those places with one drink. We ate at Calabazza a few years ago, had drinks, apps, and desert for about $180 US.

Coral Reef $1280 per night? For the highest room rate. Shoulda got a cheaper room!

Peace