Dont want to carry too much or too little. Whats the average cash people carry when travelling around Barbados?
Honestly, I found Barbados pricey. Even basic meals in Bridgetown averaged $12-$15, and taxis drained my budget quickly at $20 a ride. I’d say $130-$160 per day is realistic if you’re mixing hostels, public buses, and a few tours. Catamaran trips to see turtles ran me about $90, which was worth it. Budget travelers can cut costs by sticking to buses and self-catering, but Barbados overall is not a shoestring destination compared to other islands.
Barbados isn’t cheap compared to other Caribbean spots, but you can budget around $150 daily for a comfortable trip. Guesthouses in Hastings are mid-range at $60-$70 a night, eating out at seafood grills is $15-$20, and taxis are expensive-about $15-$20 for short rides. I also booked a day trip to Bathsheba and the east coast for about $100. If nightlife in St. Lawrence Gap is part of your plan, add more for drinks and cover charges.
I managed Barbados on closer to $100 a day by keeping it simple. I stayed in a shared hostel near Carlisle Bay, ate flying fish cutters from Oistins for $8-$10, and got around on minibuses that only charged a couple of dollars. Drinks at beach bars add up fast, especially if you’re on the west coast. For activities, a glass-bottom boat ride was $40. If you skip big tours and cook a bit, you can make it affordable.
When I was in Barbados, I spent about $120-$150 USD per day without being fancy. Hostels and guesthouses in Bridgetown cost me around $40-$50 a night, street food and local rum shacks were $10-$15 a meal, and local buses across the island were cheap at $2 each ride. The extras like snorkeling trips or catamaran tours added about $80-$100 each. If you’re staying at resorts or eating at fine dining spots along St. Lawrence Gap, easily double that budget.