Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic representation in US:
Ambassador: Ambassador to the United States and the OAS--John Beale
Embassy: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200
FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467

US diplomatic representation:
Chief of mission: Ambassador: Vacant
Embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown
Mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055
Telephone: [1] (809) 436-4950
FAX: [1] (809) 429-5246

Consulates are in:
Los Angeles
3440 Wilshire Bl., Suite 1207,
Los Angeles, Ca 90010.
(213) 380-2198

Consulates General are in:
Miami
150 Alhambra Ci., Suite 1270,
Coral Gabels, FL 33134.
(305) 442-1994

New York
800 2nd Av., 2nd Floor,
New York, NY 10017.
(212) 867-8435

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Barbados
Embassy of the United States of America in Barbados


FOREIGN RELATIONS

As a small nation, the primary thrust of Barbados' diplomatic activity has been within international organizations. The island is a member of the Commonwealth and participates in its activities. Barbados was admitted to the United Nations in December 1966. Barbados joined the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1967.

On July 4, 1973, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Jamaica signed a treaty in Trinidad to found the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). In May 1974, most of the remaining English-speaking Caribbean states joined CARICOM, which now has 15 members. Barbados also is a member of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), established in 1970, with headquarters in Bridgetown. The Eastern Caribbean's Regional Security System (RSS), which associates Barbados with six other island nations, also is headquartered in Barbados. In July 1994, Barbados joined the newly established Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

Barbados has diplomatic missions headed by resident ambassadors or high commissioners in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela, and at the European Union (Brussels) and the UN. It also has resident consuls general in Toronto, Miami, and New York City. Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela have ambassadors or high commissioners resident in Barbados.

U.S.-BARBADIAN RELATIONS
In 1751, George Washington visited Barbados as a young man, making what is believed to have been his only trip abroad. The U.S. Government has been represented on Barbados since 1823. From 1956 to 1978, the United States operated a naval facility in Barbados.

The United States and Barbados have had friendly bilateral relations since Barbados' independence in 1966. The United States has supported the government's efforts to expand the country's economic base and to provide a higher standard of living for its citizens. Barbados is a beneficiary of the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative. U.S. assistance is channeled primarily through multilateral agencies such as the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank, as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) office in Bridgetown.

In May 1997, Prime Minister Owen Arthur hosted President Bill Clinton and 14 other Caribbean leaders during the first-ever U.S.-regional summit in Bridgetown, Barbados. The summit strengthened the basis for regional cooperation on justice and counter narcotics issues, finance and development, and trade.

Barbados receives counternarcotics assistance and is eligible to benefit from the U.S. military's exercise-related and humanitarian assistance construction program.

Barbados and U.S. authorities cooperate closely in the fight against narcotics trafficking and other forms of transnational crime. In 1996, the United States and Barbados signed a mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) and an updated extradition treaty covering all common offenses, including conspiracy and organized crime. A maritime law enforcement agreement was signed in 1997. A popular tourist destination, Barbados had around 570,000 tourists in 2006, mainly cruise ship visitors. The majority of tourists are from the U.K., Germany, the Caribbean, and the United States. An estimated 3,000 Americans reside in the country.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--vacant
Deputy Chief of Mission--Brent Hardt
Political/Economic Section Chief--Ian Campbell
Consul General--Nicole Theriot
Commercial Affairs--Ian Campbell
Public Affairs Officer--John Roberts
Peace Corps Director--Marjorie Jeanchild (resident in St. Lucia)

The U.S. Embassy in Barbados is located in the Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael (tel: 246-436-4950; fax: 246-429-5246).







TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Barbados check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit and International Driving Permit recognized on presentation to local police and payment of Special Registration fee
Currency (BBD) Barbadian Dollar
Electrical 115 Volts
Telephones Country Code 1





The official currency is the Barbados Dollar, but the US and Canadian dollars are widely accepted. The United Nations offers exchange rate information.

Language:
The official language of Barbados is English, but it is often spoken with a Barbadian (or Bajan) lilt or a hint of a British accent.

Population:
The population of Barbados is estimated to be 269,000.

Sailing:
Our Caribbean Sailing Resources page includes lists of upcoming regattas, boat charter information and links to other sailing related sites.

Telecommunications:
The area code is 246, followed by a 7 digit local number.

Transportation:

Buses:
Barbados has a reliable bus system that reaches almost every part of the island. Call the Barbados Tourism Authority for bus schedules.

Taxis:
Taxis are plentiful and run on fixed rates. The average rate is about $16 per hour.

Car Rentals:
The best bet is to take a taxi to your hotel and have your rental car delivered there since delivery to the airport is often slow. Please keep in mind that you must drive on the left.

Weather:
Barbados has a moderate tropical climate which tends to be more dry than some of it's neighboring islands. The average temperature is between 70 to 88 degrees year round. Please visit our Caribbean Weather Page for the latest forecasts and weather news.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco....200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco

Liquor.....wine-.75 liter and liquor-.75 liter except-- no foreign rum

Perfume....reasonable for personal use

Cameras....no restrictions

Film.......reasonable for personal use

Gifts......100 bdd maximum value

Agricultural items/currency...refer to consulate

Firearms/ ammunition....prohibited

Permits are needed for animals and plants may be inspected on arrival***

Note:
for certain items it is now possible, on presentation of airline ticket and travel document, to obtain duty-free goods any time from the day of arrival of the country. however, tobacco, alcohol and electronic goods must still be bought under the old system immediately prior to embarkation.



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