Car hire in Barbados
Hiring a car in Barbados
Situated in the eastern Caribbean, Barbados is a picturesque little island within the British Commonwealth, marking Bridgetown as its capital. Barbados ties itself closely to its British roots, with cricket and afternoon tea two of the island's favourite traditions.
Gaining independence from Britain in 1966, many relics from the island's past still stand, which make Barbados a curious visit for those interested in history. In the capital, tourists will find many impressive buildings with authentic architecture and historic meaning.
White coral-sand beaches and pale turquoise seas line the island, perfect for diving, snorkelling and sometimes surfing. Further in land, Barbados has many nature reserves and beautiful botanical gardens which feature tropical flowers from all over the world.
What you need to know
With a coastline only 60 miles long, Barbados is a small island surrounded completely by the Atlantic Ocean. However with it’s tropical temperatures and lack of reliable transport, navigating the island is done best with the flexibility of a hire car.
Holiday Autos compares prices from 1,500 suppliers by working with many major car hire companies and alongside independent local suppliers, so that you can rest assured that we will find the best car hire deal for you.
Our booking tool is straightforward and easy to use, but to avoid any problems we offer free cancellation and amendment and we never charge transaction fees.
Where to pick up your car
Holiday Autos makes Barbados completely accessible with our extensive car hire coverage. By booking your car rental before visiting the island you can make sure that the best price is guaranteed and you can pick up your vehicle from the airport as soon as you touch down.There is a wide range of Barbados car rental companies.
Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) is the international airport of Barbados and has been awarded as “Caribbean's Leading Airport” on more than one ocassion at the World Travel Awards. After collecting your baggage, there will be car hire desks located in the arrival halls of the airport, where you will be able to pick up the keys to the vehicle of your choice.
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Where to go
Over five million travellers have explored new places thanks to Holiday Autos and with the convenience of a hire car nowhere is out of bounds, so where you want to go in Barbados is entirely down to you. Once you’ve packed up the car boot and jumped in, Barbados is at your fingertips, waiting to be explored.
A leisurely and simple drive along the coast of Barbados will provide you with some fabulous sights of the island, making it easy to jump out and stop off at attractions and beaches as and when you wish. With a selection of tourist points and a range of activity, you’ll never be short of things to do on this Caribbean island.
Nearby Barbados
One of the main reason tourists flock to this naturally beautiful island is to visit its beaches and tropical forests. The Andromeda Botanic Gardens is renowned not only for it’s collection of tropical flowers but also for its scenic location, situated on a hillside that overlooks the glistening Atlantic.
Nearby the Gardens tourists will find the quaint village of Bathsheba, which is known for it’s white sandy beaches with large rock formations spurting from the shores. The rocks are remnants from an ancient coral reef carved by the sea and a provide a great opportunity for pictures.
Welchman Hall Gully is also a great spot for tourists, a gully formed when the roof of a series of caves collapsed. The gully and the surrounding cliffs form a stunning and unique landscape that is home to more than 200 species of tropical plants and families of green monkeys.
Driving in Barbados
Driving in Barbados is on the left hand side so you don’t need to worry about getting which lane you need to be in mixed up. The minimum age for visitors who chose to rent a car on the island is 21 years but rental companies often require between two and five years driving experience.
Make sure you take your driver's license with you and carry it with you at all times. Away from the main highways, you will find many windy and sometimes steep roads, so it’s important approach these with caution and give way to other drivers. The Bridgetown one-way system can be confusing, so it’s a good idea to hire a car with GPS and drive slowly if you’re unsure as to where you’re going.
Top attractions to visit in Barbados
Take in some of the best sights in Barbados with the flexibility and independence your hire car offers you.
Harrison's Cave
A trip to the island would not be complete without visiting Harrison’s cave, a world-class attraction, with unmatched beauty. The crystallised limestone cavern boasts streams, waterfalls, cascades and deep pools, all illuminated by colourful lighting. Tourists must enter via an electric tram that provides magnificent views including a waterfall that plunges to a deep pool below.
St Nicholas Abbey
St Nicholas Abbey is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the whole of the western hemisphere. The beautiful and well-preserved mansion models distinguished features including curved Dutch gables, chimney stacks and fine antiques. Tourists are able to take a tour through the house as well as being able to explore the steam mill and rum distillery which are now in full operation and are used to produce St Nicholas Abbey Rum.
Parliament buildings
On the border of National Heroes Square, are the parliament buildings, which are now designated as UNESCO protected properties. These two gothic-style buildings were constructed in the 1800s and feature stunning stain-glass windows depicting British monarchs. Besides the clock tower you will find the National Heroes Gallery and Museum of Parliament, where tourists are able to learn of the island’s history, from the early days of settlement to independence.