One island, 3,279 places: rum shops and fish fries, west-coast hotels, Bridgetown shopping and spas, for anyone landing with more questions than plans.
Barbados is small enough to cross in an hour, and Num treats it as one place rather than a scatter of towns: 3,279 listings across Bridgetown, Christ Church and the south coast, Holetown and Saint James on the calm west side, and Oistins for the Friday fish fry. Restaurants (324) and bars (242) are the largest groups, with hotels (207), shops and a surprising depth of beauty and spa listings (238).
Ask it the things a first evening throws up: where to eat flying fish and cou-cou near your hotel, which rum shop on the road south is open now, a pharmacy that has not shut for the night, a bakery for morning salt bread. It answers in whatever language you write in and gives you one real place with directions, not a list to sift through.
Every destination Num covers here, with how many places it holds in each. Open one for the full picture.
| Currency | Barbadian dollar (BBD), fixed at two to one US dollar; US dollars accepted almost everywhere |
|---|---|
| Languages | English |
| Plugs | Types A, B · 115 V |
| Emergency | 211 police · 511 ambulance · 311 fire |
| Tipping | 10 to 15% in restaurants unless a service charge is already on the bill |
Menus and shops quote in Barbadian dollars; the rate to the US dollar is fixed at two to one, and US notes are taken almost everywhere, with change often given in Barbadian.
Wearing camouflage-patterned clothing, even a child's cap, is against the law in Barbados and can be confiscated. Leave it at home.
The blue government buses, yellow minibuses and white ZR vans all charge one flat fare per ride; have small change or a Transport Board card, as drivers do not break large notes.
Swimming is easy on the Saint James and Holetown side; the east coast at Bathsheba is for watching, with strong currents and few lifeguards.
June to November is the wet, hurricane-prone stretch; the dry, busiest months run from December to April.
Message Num the way you would message a friend who lives here, in any language. It answers with one real place that fits, open now, and how to get there. It is free for travelers. Businesses list free and pay only when Num completes a booking for them, so nothing here is ranked by who paid.
Broadly yes; petty theft from beaches and unlocked cars is the main risk, so keep valuables out of sight and use hotel safes. Emergency numbers are 211 for police and 511 for an ambulance.
Yes. Write in any language and it answers in the same one, whether you are asking for a fish fry in Oistins or a late chemist in Bridgetown.
Cards are widely taken in hotels, supermarkets and restaurants, but minibuses, beach vendors and many rum shops are cash only, so carry some Barbadian dollars.