WHATSINPORT.COM: YOUR CRUISE GUIDE TO 1200 PORTS OF CALL
Interactive World Cruise Map
Home | Cruise Ships | Port Expenses | Hints and Tips
Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port Guide
Location:
The Bridgetown Port is located just five minutes away by taxi, about $6, from the capital city of Bridgetown, or at least a 10-15 minutes walk along the boardwalk which runs through the town. Up to eight ships can dock here.
13 miles away from the Grantley Adams International Airport.
There is a shuttle service to passengers from the port into the city of Bridgetown. $1.
The cruise terminal of Bridgetown has duty-free shopping options, complete with jewelry, clothing, souvenirs and crafts. There's also a tourist information desk and a telecommunications center with phone, Internet and postal services.
Printable map to take along on your cruise.
Cruise calendar for this port.
Watch a destination video.
Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers
Monthly Climate Averages for Bridgetown Barbados
Sightseeing:
Barbados is the most easterly of all the Caribbean islands. The island is very British including high tea and cricket matches.
In Bridgetown visit the Parliament Building, The Old Synagogue, St. Michael's Cathedral.
Barbados is a coral island, pushed out of the sea by volcanic activity in a far away time. On the West Coast of Barbados, coral shore beaches of fine white sand stretch along a blue-green sea. Coral reefs fringe the Barbados shoreline to provide excellent snorkeling and Scuba Diving. Along the East Coast, a lively surf is blown briskly by the strong and constant trade winds and the waves pound against a rocky shore. The constant breeze of the trade winds gives Barbados a mild and pleasant tropical climate.
Tours Excursions Transportation:
Most of the Bridgetown sites are within easy walking distance of city center.
At Payne's Beach snorkeling with the turtles. The beach is nice and it is an easy swim out to where the turtles are. (just look where the catamarans are)
Mount Gay Rum Distillery Tour. You can see how sugarcane is made into the final product at the Mount Gay Rum Distillery.
If you want to save some money, there is no need to join a crowded tour, just take a taxi and go on your own. walk down to the parliament building and square where many cabs are situated and create your own tour with a time frame that you like with a cabbie. Hourly rate of about $40 per car.
If you want to rent a car: Rates are steep and driving is on the left.
It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.
Nearby Places:
Harrison’s Cave: Located in the central uplands of Barbados, is a magnificent attraction with a world class attraction, with unmatched beauty. Harrison's Cave is a massive underground cave stream system, with awesome caverns and breathtaking formations. Enjoy an unparalleled underground experience as you journey aboard a tram, past clear streams and cascading waterfalls.
Andromeda Botanic Gardens: The Andromeda Botanical Gardens, found in the parish of St.Joseph, is a six-acre garden containing several varieties of orchids, palms, ferns, heliconia, hibiscus, bougainvillea, begonias, and cacti.
Sunbury Planatation House is over 300 years old, steeped in history, featuring mahogany antiques, old prints and a unique collection of horse-drawn carriages. This is the only great house, with all rooms available for viewing.
Flower Forest: 53.6 acres reserved only for green botanical ventures, never to be developed for housing or industry, with 7 acres of wild garden in the Barbados ‘Scotland District’ 750 ft above sea level with Panoramic views.
At the heart of Barbados lies one of its greatest wonders, Harrison’s Cave. Located in the central uplands of the island, this breathtakingly beautiful, crystallized limestone cavern is a testament to nature’s mastery. Flowing streams, deep pools of crystal clear water and towering columns characterize this living cave.
Shopping and Food
Many duty-free shops cater to visitors, e.g., from cruise ships. Bridgetown's main street hosts numerous duty-free jewelers. At least one department store in Bridgetown (Cave Shepherd) offers a wide range of mercantile. The small mall at the harbor also offers decent prices and selection, though goods produced in Barbados may be more expensive there than elsewhere on the island. Duty-free stores require that you show your passport and cabin key card
Swan Street, a pedestrian only mall, has stores selling cheap clothes.
Stores are generally open weekdays 8:30–4:30, Saturday 8:30–1pm.
Currency:
The local currency is the Bajan dollar, but US dollars bills are accepted just about everywhere in shops and restaurants. US$1 = BD$2.
Communication:
The official language of Barbados is English, but the Bajan dialect is widely spoken.
There are several small cafes which offer free WiFi for customers located around the island as well as connections offered by the larger resort hotels. Also in the cruise terminal.
Opening Hours and Holidays:
Most stores are open until noon on Saturday and then nothing opens till Monday morning. On holiday weekends (Good Friday, national holidays, etc.) that fall on or close to a weekend stores may be closed for three or four days at a stretch.
Thank you for printing this article! Please don’t forget to come back to whatsinport.com for new and updated port guides.