FAQs
Get all the information you need for your visit before you arrive. If you can't find the answer to your question here, please feel free to e-mail us and we'll get back to you.
I’m driving from the airport to Plum Tree Club. How do I get there?
Do you have a shuttle service to the hotel?
How do I get around the island: Public transportation
Is car rental easy in Barbados?
Which side of the road do you drive on in Barbados?
What are the hours of operation for the supermarket and shops?
Will my cell phone charger work in Barbados? What type of electricity supply do you have?
Can I drink the water? Do I need to buy bottled water during my holiday?
What’s the weather like? Should I worry about hurricanes?
What kind of clothes should I bring?
Is smoking in public places illegal in Barbados?
I’m driving from the airport to Plum Tree Club. How do I get there?
Plum Tree Club is located on the Rockley Golf Course in the southern parish of Christ Church. To get to us from the airport, follow these directions:
After you exit the car park, you will see the Tom Adams Roundabout ahead of you. Take the second exit at this roundabout. You are now on the ABC Highway. Follow the highway until you come to the Henry Forde Roundabout, and keep straight on the highway. You will also keep straight at the Edwy Talma Roundabout and the Errol Barrow Roundabout, until you reach the Garfield Sobers Roundabout. At this roundabout, take the first exit down Rendezvous Hill, then take the right turn into Golf Club Road. Turn right into the entrance to the Rockley Golf and Country Club. Take the left turn before the tennis courts and follow the road through the golf course. Plum Tree Club is the first right turn.
If you are planning to drive in Barbados, check out the Skyviews Barbados Atlas here. BACK TO FAQs
Do you have a shuttle service to the hotel?
Plum Tree Club does not run a shuttle from the airport. There is a very good taxi service that operates from the airport. The normal daytime fare to Plum Tree Club is about BBD$35/US$18. If you are travelling in a taxi van or if you have a large amount of luggage, you may pay a bit more. After 10 p.m. the fare will also be higher, around BBD$60/US$30.
It is important to note that taxis in Barbados are not metered and although there are signs at the airport showing fares to different areas, these are only suggested fares. You should agree on a fare with your taxi driver before taking the ride. Be sure to specify if you are dealing in US dollars or Barbados dollars. It is also advisable to have small bills on hand to pay your taxi fare, as the drivers will often not have change for large bills. You will likely receive your change in Barbados dollars, even if you pay with US dollars. BACK TO FAQs
How do I get around the island: Public transportation
Barbados’ public transportation network is quite extensive and reliable, in addition to being cheap! The fare for a ride on any public transportation vehicle is BBD$2.00. We have 3 types of public transportation vehicles on the island:
- The large blue buses with the yellow strip on the side are government-run Transport Board buses. You need to have exact change as the drivers do not have access to cash on these buses.
- The large bright yellow buses are privately-run minibuses.
- The small white minivans with a maroon stripe along the side are privately-run maxivans; we call them ZR vans (after the letters on their licence designation).
These vehicles service much of the island, working from 3 bus stations: Fairchild Street in Bridgetown, Princess Alice Highway in Bridgetown and the bus terminal in Speightstown on the west coast. Most buses end and begin their routes in Bridgetown. There is no transfer system in Barbados, so each ride will cost you an additional fare. Bus route schedules are available at the bus terminals.
Along most major roads, bus stops are identifiable as black and white striped poles, with a round red and white sign at the top. Bus stops are marked with either “To City” or “From City” to designate those going into or from Bridgetown. Public buses, especially the government-run buses, do not automatically stop at bus stops. You must put out your hand to indicate you wish the bus to stop. Privately-run buses will often stop and ask you where you are going and if you need a bus ride.
While the bus service is generally reliable, there may be reduced service on Sundays or on public holidays. Bus drivers and passengers are usually more than willing to assist you in figuring out the correct stop for your destination. You can also visit the Barbados Transport Board’s website at http://www.transportboard.com/ which includes information about bus routes and times, along with a useful tool which allows you to enter a location or attraction and see which bus you need to take. BACK TO FAQs
Is car rental easy in Barbados?
It is very easy to rent a car in Barbados. There are a number of reputable companies operating on the island who provide reliable service and good quality vehicles. We are happy to arrange your car rental for you; please e-mail us at info@plumtreeclub.com for more information.
If you would like to make your own car rental arrangements, we recommend the following companies for competitive prices and great service:
Top Car Rentals 246 435 0378
Voyager Rent-a-Car 246 243 0427
Car rental companies will meet you at the airport with your vehicle or bring it to your hotel at a prearranged time. Some companies charge an extra fee for a delivery or drop-off at the airport, so you should enquire when making your booking.
There is a large variety of vehicles available, from the popular mini-moke to 8-seater minivans. Most companies will accept hirers between the ages of 25 and 70 years, who have had their driver’s licence for more than 3 years. You must have your valid driver’s licence with you in order to rent a car. You will also be required to purchase a Barbados driving permit for visitors at a cost of BBD$10/US$5. The car rental company can provide you with this.
Most car rental companies will accept payment via major credit cards. Some credit cards provide collision/accident insurance, and it is recommended that if you do not have this service, you purchase the collision damage waiver from the car rental company, which limits your liability in case of an accident.
Licence plates on rental cars have blue numbers and begin with the letter 'H'. If you have rented a car that does not have 'H' or hired car plates, it is not registered as a rental car and you may be liable for damages caused if you are involved in an accident. BACK TO FAQs
Which side of the road do you drive on in Barbados?
In Barbados, we drive on the left side of the road. For some visitors, this is the “wrong” side, so it can take some getting used to. The speed limit on many secondary roads is 60 km/h while on the highways it is usually 80 km/h.
Some visitors are unfamiliar with the roundabout system that we use in Barbados. A roundabout is basically a traffic circle. The rules for roundabouts are as follows: You must always travel in a clock-wise direction around the roundabout, i.e., when you are entering the roundabout, you must turn left. Also, when you are on the traffic circle, you have right-of-way, but when you are waiting to enter the roundabout, you must give way to those already on the circle.
In general, stay on the inside lane of the roundabout to go around it, or take the outside lane if you are taking the first exit. Watch for road signs and markings on the road showing you which lane to take. BACK TO FAQs
What is the official currency of Barbados and can I pay with US dollars, traveller’s cheques and credit cards?
Barbados has its own currency—the Barbados dollar. The exchange rate to the US dollar is fixed at BBD$1.98:US$1.00. Many small business and shops will exchange US dollars at 2:1. US dollars are widely accepted across Barbados, but you will receive your change in Barbados dollars. Many large business will accept traveller’s cheques, but they are not accepted everywhere, so you should have some alternate form of payment.
Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Discover are widely accepted across Barbados in larger establishments. You will not be able to pay for taxi fares or at small vendors with a credit card. Plum Tree Club accepts Visa, Mastercard and Amex only.
To avoid any inconvenience, don’t forget to call your credit card company or bank to let them know that you will be travelling out of country. Many companies will block out-of-country transactions on your credit card for security reasons if they are not informed. BACK TO FAQs
What are the hours of operation for the supermarket and shops?
Most shops and businesses in Barbados open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Many business places do not open on weekends, but most shops open on Saturdays. Sunday shopping is uncommon in Barbados, especially for shops and businesses in Bridgetown. Some shops outside of Bridgetown, e.g. Cave Shepherd at Worthing, do open on Sundays, but often have reduced hours.
Larger shopping malls outside of Bridgetown, such as Sheraton Centre, open until 9 p.m. Shops and supermarkets are closed on public holidays.
Big B Supermarket, the closest to Plum Tree Club, operates on the following schedule:
Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
They also run a complimentary Customer Service Shuttle that can bring you back to Plum Tree Club once you have purchased your groceries. The Shuttle runs until 6 p.m. You can get more information on www.supercentre.com/shop.html
Most banks open from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Fridays. Banks are generally not open on weekends, but there is a bank in Big B Supermarket that opens on Saturdays.
Post offices and other government departments usually open from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. BACK TO FAQs
Will my cell phone charger work in Barbados? What type of electricity supply do you have?
Barbados has 110V/50 cycle electricity. Our plugs have either two flat prongs or two flat prongs and a round prong. Don’t forget to pack converters if your cell phone or laptop uses a different voltage. BACK TO FAQs
Can I drink the water? Do I need to buy bottled water during my holiday?
Barbados has an excellent water supply which is filtered naturally through the limestone bedrock of the island. There is no need to buy bottled water, as the tap water is safe to drink. You should drink plenty of water, as it is easy to become dehydrated in the heat. BACK TO FAQs
What’s the weather like? Should I worry about hurricanes?
The usual temperature in Barbados is between 75°F - 88°F (21°C - 31°C) year round. It is generally quite humid, but this is relieved by cooling breezes throughout most of the year. In the summer months (June-October), it can seem much hotter due to low wind speeds.
The rainy season runs from June to November and coincides with the hurricane season. Barbados’ geographical position puts it out of the normal paths taken by most hurricanes and we are usually lucky to sustain little damage from storms.
While many visitors want to escape cold winter temperatures in their own countries and visit Barbados from December to April, there are many advantages to travelling during the summer. Most airlines and attractions offer low-season discounts so you can have a great vacation for a much lower price. Many hotels will also waive cancellation fees if your flight is cancelled or changed due to hurricane conditions in the area. BACK TO FAQs
What kind of clothes should I bring?
We know that you come to Barbados for some serious relaxation and swimwear is the uniform for many of you during your stay. However, in Barbados, we prefer to keep our swimwear for the beach or poolside. It is not considered acceptable to wear swimsuits into restaurants or when walking through Bridgetown.
Garments in lightweight fabrics are best suited to our climate. Don't forget to pack a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. For lunches in most restaurants, casual wear will suffice, but if you are planning to go out for dinner in a fancier restaurant, gentlemen should pack a pair of slacks and a collared shirt. For very high-end restaurants, you will need a jacket and tie.
If you are planning to attend church while you are in Barbados, you should be aware that Barbadians like to dress up for church services. In most denominations, ladies wear a nice dress or suit and gentlemen wear a dress shirt with long pants. Shorts, short skirts, tank tops, tube tops and slippers are generally not worn to church. BACK TO FAQs
Is smoking in public places illegal in Barbados?
On October 1, 2010, it became illegal to smoke in public places in Barbados. Under this legislation, a public place is defined as a place that is substantially enclosed, with sides or a roof. It also covers unenclosed areas that are owned or operated by the Crown or that are of “national significance.” Non-compliance with this law can result in fines or imprisonment or both. Please look out for no-smoking signs.
All apartments at Plum Tree Club are no-smoking areas. An automatic cleaning fee will be added to your bill for failing to comply with our no-smoking policy. You can smoke outside on the patio or on the grounds. BACK TO FAQs
