slam tar
or bum
uh ride
island
lil tings bout de
Government
Barbados was once an island under British rule and
as a result the island’s government and governmental
practices are a result of British rule. In fact, the island is a
constitutional monarchy, and parliamentary democracy,
modeled on the British Westminster system. In 1966
Barbados gained its independence from Britain but the
island maintains a Prime Minister and 2 parliamentary
houses – The House of Assembly (30 ministers) and
The Senate, with Elizabeth II, as the head of state (she
is represented locally by the island’s Governor General).
Notably Barbados has the third oldest parliament in
existence.
BankingInformation
Banks open from 8:00am to 3:00pm Monday – Thursday,
8:00am to 5:00pm on Friday and are closed on all
National Holidays. You can easily use your credit card at
most businesses island wide or withdraw up to $500 USD
per day at hundreds of ATM Machines. ATM machines can
be found island wide outside banks or at most 24hr gas
stations.
BusinessHours
From Monday to Friday businesses and stores in Barbados
normally open between 8am & 9am and close at roughly
3:30/ 5:00pm.
Saturdays are shopping days in Barbados, however stores
typically close between 1pm and 2pm in Bridgetown, but
shopping malls and supermarkets open till 9:00pm. On
Sundays the Grocery stores will close between 12 noon
and 2pm. Cave Shepherd, a popular duty free department
store in Hastings is also open until this time.
dress
doubt
You can’t go wrong
if you remember the
following:
• No Camouflage – It’s
illegal.
• No bare feet & bare
backs in most stores.
• Sneakers are frowned
upon in several clubs &
restaurants
• Try elegantly casual for
fine dining - Call ahead if
you need to be sure.
• Shorts of a reasonable
length are mostly acceptable
in this cool climate but if in
call ahead.
Caribbean Dreams | 81