A practical guide to Barbados
National holidays and celebrations
Everyday might feel like a holiday in Barbados but there are actually twelve official public holidays throughout the year.
Non religious festivals observed as public national holidays in Barbados include:
• New Year's Day: 1st January
• Errol Barrow Day: 21st January
• National Heroes Day: 28th April
• Labour Day: 1st May
• Emancipation Day: 1st August
• Crop Over Day: sometime in June, marking the start of two months of carnival season
• Kadooment Day: Marking the end of carnival, usually celebrated sometime in August
• Independence Day: 30th November
Religious festivals are determined by the Christian calendar, so may fall on different times each year:
• Good Friday: Usually in either March or April
• Easter Monday: Follows Good Friday and Easter Sunday
• White Monday: Late May or early June
• Christmas Day: 25th December
• Boxing Day: 26th December
Money
The national currency in Barbados is the Barbadian dollar (BBD). For many years it has been tied to the US dollar at a rate of $2BB to $1US.
• US dollars are accepted everywhere but we strongly recommend taking British pounds to convert into local currency as you will get a better exchange rate this way.
• ATMs accept foreign bankcards and can be found in many locations on the island.
• Traveller's cheques can also be exchanged but offer less value for your money.
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