Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Barbados, or should I carry local cash?
My experience was all cash. Stayed near St. Lawrence Gap and none of the taxis I used accepted cards. They prefer Barbadian dollars, though US dollars are often fine. I learned quickly to keep small bills, because drivers don’t always have change. Don’t depend on your card here. For convenience, I booked airport transfers through my guesthouse once, and they also wanted cash. Keep your card for hotels, but for taxis, think cash only.
Honestly, I didn’t mind using cash in Barbados because fares are fixed on many routes. From the airport to the South Coast, it’s a set fee, so carrying cash wasn’t stressful. There’s no surprise charges, just hand over the cash. That said, I’d have liked the option to pay by card. If you’re traveling with luggage or kids, stop at the airport ATM before you get into a cab. You won’t find drivers with card readers.
I had the same question before my trip and quickly realized cash is king. My driver from Bridgetown to Hastings straight up laughed when I asked if I could pay by Visa. It’s not that Barbados is behind - hotels and restaurants are card-friendly - but the taxi industry is old-school. Have cash in Barbadian dollars or even US dollars, both work fine. If you rely only on cards, you’ll get stuck.
In Barbados, taxis are almost always cash-only. Drivers usually want Barbadian dollars and rarely take cards. Even around Grantley Adams Airport, I didn’t find a single taxi that would swipe a card. I’d recommend stopping at a FirstCaribbean or Republic Bank ATM at the airport and pulling out some local currency before hopping in a cab. Cash is also easier if you need to negotiate a price, which is common. Don’t expect Uber or card machines - it’s very traditional.