Medical care is good. Private treatment is possible, some private clinics are available. There are also German-speaking doctors. The two hospitals have highly qualified staff. It is recommended to take out travel health insurance with repatriation in case of an emergency. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected according to the temperatures on the way. Check indexdotcom for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers who are over one year old and wish to enter the country within 6 days of staying in an infected area designated by the WHO or from Panama or Suriname. Excluded are travelers who have not left the transit area in the infected areas and transit passengers in Barbados. [2] Typhoid fever can occur. Typhoid vaccination is recommended for backpacking and long-term stays. [3] The tap water is heavily chlorinated and not suitable for drinking. Water should be bought in bottles. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. Milk is pasteurized and consuming dairy products is safe. Consuming pork, mayonnaise, raw salad, and dairy products made from uncooked milk should be avoided. Meat or fish dishes should only be eaten well cooked and served hot. Fruit should be peeled and vegetables should be boiled.
Other risks
The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci, poliomyelitis and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. Chikungunya fever, also transmitted by mosquitoes, occurs nationwide. Mosquito repellent is required. Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, occurs during the months of June to October. An effective insect repellent is recommended. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. HIV/AIDS is widespread and a great danger for everyone who takes the risk of infection: Unprotected sexual contacts, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain and conjunctivitis. The infection often goes unnoticed or only has mild symptoms. The isolated deaths documented so far were mainly related to other pre-existing conditions. The Federal Foreign Office advises pregnant women not to travel to areas with current Zika outbreaks if they are not absolutely necessary. because the virus is suspected of causing microcephaly in the unborn child. There is neither a vaccination nor a medicinal prophylaxis. Consistent compliance with personal mosquito protection measures is recommended.
Money
Currency
1 Barbadian dollar = 100 cents. Currency code: BDS$, BBD (ISO code). Banknotes come in BDS$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 denominations; BDS$1 and 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent coins. Note: The Barbados Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar (US$1=approx. BDS$2).
Credit cards
Major credit cards such as Diners Club, Visa, American Express and Mastercard are accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Girocard The Girocard (formerly ec card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol. ATMs are plentiful in Barbados. In Barbados, customers cannot pay with the Girocard in shops. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are rarely available in Austria. Traveller’s checks are accepted by all banks, larger shops and most hotels and restaurants in Barbados. Traveller’s checks should be made out in US dollars.
National and foreign currencies may be imported in unlimited amounts, for the import of monetary values from an equivalent value of 10,000 BDS$ there is a declaration obligation. Foreigners are not allowed to export local currency. Foreign currencies may be exported up to the amount declared, minus the exchange amounts.
Currency Exchange
We recommend taking US dollars and euros with you in cash. The most favorable exchange rates are obtained from banks. The Barbados National Bank and the six international banks represented have branches in Hastings, Worthing, Holetown and Speightstown in addition to their headquarters in Bridgetown. ATMs are also available.
