The words “Barbados” and “budget” rarely appear in the same sentence. But if you know how, you can live large when you travel to this Caribbean island paradise where palm trees sway gently, white sand is warm and rum delights.
1. Fly JetBlue. Starting October 1, 2009, JetBlue will fly from JFK to BGI. The introductory fares are especially great, and if JetBlue stays true to its discount roots, it will continue to offer great fares.
2. Stay in a condo or villa instead of a hotel. You will get a bigger place with a kitchen where you can save a lot by preparing at least breakfast and lunch, if not dinner too. Also, you can rent a two bedroom and take another couple and split the cost. Visit HomeAway and other vacation rental sites by owners for listings of affordable vacation rentals in Barbados.
3. Say no to martinis! Enjoy Barbados rum instead, in moderation of course. Rum is believed to have been developed in Barbados in the early 18th century. It is an ingredient in marinades, sauces, desserts, and beverages, and a tasty and inexpensive libation to drink.
4.Use public transportation. Barbados has a bus system that is not terrible and only costs 75 cents per trip. However, all buses go to Bridgetown before they go elsewhere, so plan on taking your time getting anywhere. The island also has a private system of “Zed” vans (so called because their license plates begin with the letter “Z”) that run all over the island. Although the rest of the island is on island time, Zed’s vans glide through the streets like getaway cars from a bank robbery.
5. Eat on the street in St Lawrence Gap. Every night you can enjoy fabulous chicken, fish, along with Bajan macaroni pie, yams and plantains at the barbecues set up along “the Gap” on the bustling south shore. Music flows through the warm night air, the street is full of happy people, and the food is excellent. You can also take your food to the beach and have a picnic; you’ll get the same million dollar view you’d get at high-end restaurants.
6. Eat at Oistins on Friday nights. It’s a tradition – everyone goes to Oistins Bay on the south coast on Friday nights for the Oistins Fish Fry. Cooking stations are set up along the beach, musicians are playing, people are having fun…it’s a really good time and you’ll get our famous flying fish. Is the fish fresh, you ask? Um, is it still moving cool enough for you?
7. Travel in low season. Between April 16 and December 15 you will find many offers, and do not be embarrassed to ask for more discounts.
Come and find out why, of all the Caribbean islands, Barbados has the most repeat visitors. Once you visit, you will come back too. Not just for the beaches or the warm sea or the friendly people, but for…here she comes…for her Friday fix of freshly fried flying fish…Now, after a couple of rum punches, shall we say that fast three times!
