We're thinking of going in January or February and looking at staying on the south coast in the St. Lawrence Gap area since there appear to be lots of restaurants in the area. Is the food really that expensive. Can two people get by on $50 to $100 a day for food - or less? We're not looking for gourment food each day - just casual. Will going there break the bank?

You can eat OK-good on $100 a day for 2.

At $50 a day for 2 you're talking better be a good food researcher...or it back to just the basics, or fast food

However, here is a real insider Barbados tip if budget is of the utmost importance: [cut and paste]

http://www.mcgill.ca/bellairs/facili...ccommodations/

Hi,
Barbados can be as expensive or as "cheap" as you want it to be. Since you will be staying in St.Lawrence Gap, you are close by to many casual dining options that will not break the bank.

I suggest you try and get accomodations that include breakfast in the price, have a light lunch and then you can have a nice dinner.

For cheap lunches there is the grill place opposite Accra Beach hotel where you can get lunch for around 15.00 Bds dollars....or about $7.50US. Also, Cheffette's bar B que Barn has nice salads, affordable pizzas and bar b que combos that are really cheap. The Carib Beach Bar and Shells restaurant in Worthing are also two good places for cheap eats.

For a really great dinner out, go to Oistins on Friday. The grilled shrimp and fish is fantastic and very cheap as well. You dine at picnic tables, so it is not a very fancy atmosphere but very filling and tasty.

In the Gap,most Bars offer Happy Hour, some twice a day. This is where you get two drinks for the price of one, take advantage of it to save money on drinks.

If you can, walk with a cooler so you can shop at the supermarket for water,beer etc. to take to the beach.
Also, you might also want to walk with your own snacks, crackers etc.

Another tip, is to invest in portable beach chairs. The ones we have can fit on the plane as carry on luggage and are easy to carry around. This will save you $5.00 - $10.00 Bds for renting a beach chair.

Transportation is very cheap and reliable, you can hop a mini van for $1.50 which will take you along the south coast into town. Buses run regularly and you can use them to visit the West Coast as well.

Some tours include lunch and drinks as well, so you can look out for those.

We stayed in St.Maarten last year. Is it about the same? We do plan on getting a room with a kitchen so we could do some cooking ourselves.

I think Barbados is more expensive than St. Martin. The prices are generally higher in Barbados and they also have a 15% value added tax (sales tax) on all food and beverages.