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Barbados
GOVERNMENT
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.
BANKING INFORMATION
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 $ 1000 USD per day at hundreds of ATM Machines. ATM machines can be found island wide outside banks or at most 24hr gas stations. ATM’ s only dispense local currency.
BUSINESS HOURS
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
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 doubt call ahead.
86 | GO BARBADOS