Arrival briefing

Area: 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, with almost 800 miles of hard surface road.

Population: About 255,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

Language: English. No other European culture ever gained a foothold here. The country has been referred to as "Little England."

Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.   

Rainy Season: Not very long, since Barbados boasts 3008 hours of sunshine annually. Temperatures vary between 75-85 degrees, but winter nights with a brisk wind can be chilly.

Getting There: American Airlines (www.aa.com) offers frequent service, as does LIAT (800/468-0482), BWIA (www.bwee.com); Air Jamaica (www.airjamaica.com); Air Canada (www.aircanada.com) and British Airways (www.british-airways.com). Note that any tickets you purchase for trips originating in Barbados may have an added 20% tax levied on them.

Documents: U.S. and Canadian citizens coming directly from North America need a certified birth certificate and photo ID for stays under three months. A passport is required for longer stays. Technically, an ongoing ticket is also required for admittance.

Getting Around: With 800 miles of paved road and a new highway from the airport, driving is the recommended way to see the island. Motorcycles can be rented. A local driver's license (fee) is necessary. Driving, of course, is on the left. You'll want to visit the rugged Atlantic coast, so reminiscent of the British Isles. Taxis are identified by the letter Z on their license plates. They can be expensive and drivers don't always go by the posted fares.

Barbados Arrival Briefing Part 2

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