Like most Caribbean islands, Barbados excels at white beaches, blue oceans and tropical palms. There are countless water sports on offer – the Atlantic-facing east coast is legendary among surfers – and some excellent hiking trails away from the main tourist traps.

But far more than simply being a tropical paradise, Barbados is an affordable and welcoming island with a boom-town vibe thick with infectious optimism. With good reason, too; Barbados is rapidly becoming a 21st century success story and appears well set for future. After 350 years of British colonial rule, it became an independent nation in 1966 – though it remained part of the Commonwealth. Since then, government incentives have attracted a swath of overseas investment and it has developed a rich service economy as a result, particularly in offshore banking and information services.

The good manners and polite reservation are marks of the lingering British influence – be sure to say please and thank you to the bus drivers and the bar staff. Yet the feel of Caribbean cannot help but overwhelm and the people remain friendly and fun-loving, while the infusion of English sarcasm to their repartees makes for some razor sharp wit that they won’t be afraid to bring to the table. Life here operates at a different pace to the rest of the world and, while Barbadians remain a hard-working people, it can be difficult not be sucked into same temporal void where time seems to simply fly by.

Getting there

Grantley Adams International Airport is about 16km from Bridgetown and is the busiest airport in the Caribbean. It has excellent regional and intercontinental connections. Up to half a million visitors also arrive in Barbados by cruise ship each year, though there are no regular ferries.

Getting around

Buses will take you just about anywhere on the island relatively cheaply. There are also a number of privately owned car rental companies, many of which are operated out of a small residential buildings.

Local information

Language: English

Time: UTC-4

Climate: Tropical monsoon. Hot all year round, heavy summer rainfall. Temperature: Max 32°C (September), Min 21°C (February). Rainfall: Max 175mm (November), Min 10mm (January).

Currency: Barbadian dollar (BBD)

Business etiquette: Dress conservatively for initial meeting; dark coloured suits are the norm. Manners are important. Be punctual for meetings but don’t be surprised if you are kept waiting, especially if your meeting is late in the afternoon. Deadlines are seen as more flexible than in many other parts of the world.

Tipping: Tip at your discretion.

Duty free: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 50 cigars; 1l of spirits; 1l of wine; 60ml of perfume; 300ml of other scents; gifts to a value of BD$100.

Safety: Barbados has a very low level of crime, though violence and gun crime within the community are on the rise.

Laws: It is an offence to wear camouflage clothing.

Healthcare: Vaccinations required for hepatitis A and tetanus. Excellent medical facilities are available. A reciprocal health agreement exists allowing UK nationals free health care. All other nationals are recommended to carry health insurance.

Socket type: Type A, Type B