Barbados is rich in history that's as legendary and sweeping as a high-seas adventure or a plantation romance. Its illustrious past affects its present in myriad fun and fascinating ways.

1. Steeped in history: Barbados is beach life with a backbone, and that spine is its colonial British history. It's what gives the island its sophisticated edge. From sprawling plantation houses to magnificent churches and military forts (they happen to have an abundance of cannon on the island), the centuries-old structures give the beach culture a multi-faceted richness.

  2. George Washington Slept Here. He really did! America's first president traveled to Barbados with his half-brother Lawrence in 1751. They stayed for 7 weeks on a mission to restore Lawrence's health. George kept a journal of his only trip outside the U.S.

  
  3. The People: They're called Bajans (rhymes with Cajuns), or Barbadians, and they are always ready with a warm welcome and a friendly smile. And why not, they live in paradise. Bajan hospitality is world renown and the easygoing lifestyle of the locals is an integral element of the stress-free.

  
  4. Some fun Lingo to know:
Bim: another nickname for Barbados Cheese-on-bread!: sort of like Wow!
Cutter : a sandwich made from Bajan salt bread, usually ham or cheese
Flam: to flirt
Lime :   to relax or hang out
Safe : Cool!
Unmarley : Very rude

 
  5. On the road
Renting a car is a good idea if you really want to see the island, but here are a few tips:

-Look Left! Drive on the left & look left if you're crossing the street: Because Barbados was settled by the British, the traffic follows the rules of the old country.

- Traffic - Yep, even here, you'll find traffic jams, mainly around the capital of Bridgetown. For the roughly 250,000 population, there are about 100,000 cars on the small island!

- Route taxis, called ZR's (pronounced "Zed-Rs") will take you most anywhere you want to go.

- To take the roads less traveled , toward the center and northern end of the island, make sure you bring a map!

 
  6. Sunny Money – the exchange rate should put a smile on anyone's face:

-One U.S. dollar   = about 2 Barbadian dollars (US$1.00 = BDS$1.98)

-One British pound = almost 4 Barbadian dollars (£1.00 = BDS$3.70)

-One Canadian dollar = nearly 2 Barbadian dollars (CAD$1.00 = BDS$1.60)

-One Euro = more than 2 Barbadian dollars (€1.00 = BDS$2.40)

U.S. currency is accepted everywhere on the island; most hotels, restaurants and large stores accept Travelers Checks and most major credit cards.

 
  7. Weather: What can we say? It's fabulous (& ideal for weddings!). The temperature hovers between 75 –85°F. The tropical climate is buffered by trade winds off the Atlantic Ocean, which keeps things fresh and comfortable. Plus, the island is rarely touched by hurricanes.

 
  8. Atmosphere: Though it's a progressive island, Barbados is not commercialized and still retains its quaint charm. You won't find any international fast food chains here. And even thought it's a relatively small island, there's a big difference between the hustle & bustle of the city and life in the country. Although St Lawrence Gap, the epicenter of the vibrant nightlife, is open to all hours, country folks are indoors by 8pm. Islanders are proud of their fresh food and beautiful pristine beaches and more than happy to share them with visitors.

  
  9.

Idiosyncrasies
- Wear apparent : Barbadians have a healthy respect for those in military service so civilians wearing camouflage is frowned upon—rather thoughtful, don't you think?

- Dress me up, dress me down : Casual wear is the order of the day; swimwear on the beach only; usually a more upscale, elegantly casual attire for evening is the custom of the country.

- Curses! Learn pirate language ( Arrr, ya pale-faced, lily-livered, scurvy knave! ) because "blue" language is nixed on the island—it's a refreshing respite from monosyllabic monotony (you won't find much to elicit expletives anyway).

  
  10. In a nutshell: It's fun, it's beautiful, it's safe, it's not overbuilt, the people are warm and friendly, there's great food, gorgeous beaches, fantastic things to do and see, wonderful hotels and resorts, an exciting nightlife, excellent music, and perfect weather. What more could you ask for?