Travel Safety Tips While Touring Barbados
When it is the first time that you go to a different country, everything is new for you; culture, food and language. You want to experience all of this and in a country like Barbados there are so many things to do, food to eat, places to go and other fun activities. I am sure that the moment you step out of your apartment hotel, Barbados will surely take your breath away due to the beautiful landscapes of the country. However, visitors should be careful because tourists and travelers are the perfect prey for crime. Even though the crime rate is relatively low, tourists are still advised to be cautious when visiting the Caribbean island.
The most frequent crime reported against tourists is robbery, which accounts for 50 percent of all crimes in this group. According to a survey, of the 1.2 million people who visited the country in 2008, a total of 242 criminal incidents were reported. Crimes range from robbery, breaking and entering and vehicle theft. Tourists are warned to be on the lookout for suspicious characters when traveling. This is to avoid being victimized by the culprits. Here are some things to remember to stay safe while traveling in this tropical country.
When you arrive at the airport, keep an eye on your belongings. Allow only authorized airport porters to carry your luggage and belongings from the customs terminal to the street. The suggested tip is USD$1 per bag. Don’t store your money in bulk. Consider spreading your money among the family members you’re traveling with. This will help you in case you lose your wallet or fall victim to pickpockets. If you’re traveling alone and on a small budget, ZRs, yellow minibuses, and blue shuttle buses are the cheapest way to travel. A ride from any of these vehicles only costs BBD$1.50. Remember that the ZR and yellow minibuses can give change, but Barbados’ government-operated transport system can’t, so make sure you have smaller notes and coins before you travel on these transports. The ZR or route taxis take the most picturesque routes of the island; however, tourists should be careful, as these minibuses are often overcrowded. The drivers do not turn away any passengers, despite the full capacity of the minibus. They will still pick up passengers on the way, even if you think there is no possible way a person can fit anymore. If you still insist on riding ZR, keep an eye on your wallets and pockets. With crowded places like these, anyone can easily fall victim to pickpockets.
Theft of property and homes is the next highest crime in this Caribbean country, most thieves study tourists and choose the one who stays in low security inns or hostels. Before checking into a hotel, better check if there are areas that can be easily accessed by thieves, a hotel with built-in security cameras is a recommended place to stay. When you leave your hotel, make sure that all the passages are well closed and this includes the windows as well. Make sure your valuables are safely stored before you leave. Double check if you have locked everything before you leave the hotel. Choose your apartment hotel carefully, Barbados is a very nice place to spend your vacations, but always be careful so that you are not the victim of any crime during your stay.