Last Updated: April 12, 2024

This report covers the Eastern Caribbean country of Barbados, served by the Barbados & Eastern Caribbean OSAC Chapter and the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown. OSAC Country Security Reports are available for these locations across the region:

OSAC’s Eastern Caribbean Country Security Report covers Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
OSAC’s Grenada Country Security Report is country-specific.
OSAC's French Caribbean Country Security report covers Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barthélemy, and French St. Martin.
OSAC’s Dutch Caribbean Country Security Report includes Dutch Sint Maarten and Dutch territories outside of the Eastern Caribbean.

Travel Advisory

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Barbados. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.

Crime Environment

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Bridgetown as being a high-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Barbados.

The crime emergency line in Barbados is 211 or (246) 430-7100. Review the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.

Crime: General Threat

Crimes of opportunity such as petty larceny, burglary, automobile break-ins; as well as incidents of violent crime, such as murder, sexual assault, robbery, shootings, and drug related crimes do occasionally occur. There was a general decrease in murders and overall crime for 2023 when compared to 2022. Most violent crime occurs between members of rival crime groups, and does not target tourists or spill over into tourist areas. There is no serious risk to travelers from violent crime. There is also minimal risk of petty theft; while travelers should always exercise caution and guard their belongings, street crime targeting tourists is not common.

Criminals do not specifically target U.S. travelers visiting Barbados. Tourism is a major contributor to regional economies. U.S. nationals residing in Barbados do not always enjoy the same level of police protection that regional governments provide to tourist areas.

The Global Organized Crime Index is a tool designed to measure levels of organized crime in a given country and assess its resilience to organized criminal activity. The most recent index ranks Barbados 175 out of 193 worldwide for criminality, with 1 being the worst possible ranking; and 34 out of 193 worldwide for resilience, with 1 being the best possible ranking.

Crime: Areas of Concern

Exercise extra vigilance at night on party cruises and in the downtown area. Undertake travel outside of tourist areas with caution, especially at night, due to the prevalence of unmarked and unlighted roads. Avoid walking alone, especially at night, on beaches, and in isolated or poorly lighted locations. Be vigilant when using public telephones or ATMs, especially those located near roadsides or in secluded areas.

Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, and Taking Credit.

Kidnapping Threat

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Barbados. Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips.

Kidnapping appears to be a relatively rare phenomenon in Barbados, consistently ranking near the bottom of reported crimes.

Drug Crime

Many tourists report being harassed by individuals attempting to sell illegal narcotics. In years past, there have been a few cases where U.S. tourists alleged that someone had slipped a “date rape” drug (e.g., Rohypnol or “roofies”, PCP, scopolamine) into their drinks or food. Do not leave drinks or food unattended while at public venues.

Drug use (to include marijuana) is illegal. Barbadian law prohibits the purchase, possession, transportation, sale, or use of illegal substances, but lack of resources hampers effective enforcement of these laws.

While local drug dealers do get involved in shootings, this type of activity is localized and not directed at bystanders. The region is primarily a drug transshipment point from South America (e.g., Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Venezuela) to Europe, West Africa, the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.

Consult with the CIA World Factbook’s section on Illicit Drugs for country-specific information.

Terrorism Environment

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Bridgetown as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Barbados.

Terrorism: General Threat

Though specific terrorism incident reporting from the Eastern Caribbean remains relatively low, the region has several vulnerabilities that terrorist elements could exploit, such as porous borders, established narcotic and alien smuggling routes, and limited counter-terrorism capabilities. The exploitation of one of these vulnerabilities could have serious implications for U.S. organizations based in Barbados, and the Caribbean tourism trade in general.

Political Violence and Civil Unrest Environment

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Bridgetown as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Barbados. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.

Elections/Political Stability

The islands of the Eastern Caribbean are peaceful and have experienced little political violence or revolution. The political climates are stable, with little threat of political violence. Labor riots in the 1930s were the last major event to transcend the entire region.

Barbados is a parliamentary republic led by Prime Minister Mia Mottley of the Barbados Labour Party. The Barbados Labour Party won all 30 parliamentary seats in the January 2022 election, which was considered free and fair. Until November 2021, Queen Elizabeth II was the head of state and was represented by the governor general, who certified all legislation on her behalf. On November 30, 2021, the country became a republic with a nonexecutive president as the ceremonial head of state.

Protest & Demonstration Activity

Violent public protests and demonstrations are rare.

In the summer of 2021, demonstrations occurred in Barbados as well as neighboring St. Vincent, Antigua, St. Martin, and Martinique over proposed COVID-19 prevention measures, including mask and vaccine mandates. While most of these demonstrations were peaceful, there were isolated instances that escalated into violence.

Outside of this activity, very little civil unrest occurs throughout the islands. Most civil unrest is connected to labor issues, which are usually settled by union and government intervention.

Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.

Law Enforcement Concerns: Security Agencies

The Barbados Police Force (BPF) is responsible for domestic law enforcement, including migration and border enforcement. The police and all other law enforcement agencies report to the attorney general. The Barbados Defense Force protects national security and may be called upon to maintain public order in times of crisis, emergency, or other specific needs. Authority over the defense force is shared between the president and prime minister, with the president overseeing strategic direction and the prime minister responsible for operational leadership. The law provides that the police may request defense force assistance with special joint patrols. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the police and defense forces. There have been no reports that the security forces committed any serious abuses.

Police Response

Barbadian police forces usually cooperate with U.S. counterparts. However, response time to law enforcement and security requests can at times be quite slow due to inadequate funding, lack of equipment and training, and staffing shortages.

The level of professionalism and quality of service can vary, and the level of protection is directly proportional to an incident’s possible impact on the tourist trade. Areas tourists frequent command a more visible police presence. BPF response in tourist areas is usually timely and efficient, but response delays to the non-touristed, less populated, and rural areas of the islands can be significant. However, the BPF enjoys comparatively greater resources than its Eastern Caribbean neighbors.

Generally, uniformed police are adequate to have an influence on crime deterrence, but uniformed police response to alarms or emergency calls are sometimes below U.S. standard. Police performance and conduct varies from poor to acceptable in professionalism and training, and regional police organizations have definite resource/manpower limitations that inhibit their deterrence and response effectiveness. It is not uncommon to wait an hour or more for police response.

Law Enforcement Concerns: Emergency Contact/Information

Fire: 311
Police: 211 or (246) 430-7100

Transportation Security

Road Safety

Driving is on the left side of the road. Road conditions on the main coastal highways are adequate, but may deteriorate rapidly on smaller roads in the interior. Smaller roads are often narrow with poor visibility, particularly on curves. These roads are also generally not marked; informal signs at road junctions, particularly on small inland roads, are often the only way to find your way to your destination. Be mindful while driving through puddles of water to not inadvertently splash pedestrians; this act is illegal and may result in a fine.

If you become involved in a vehicle accident, do not move vehicles unless absolutely necessary, stay calm, call police, call insurance or rental company, standby for insurance adjuster/or rental company representative, and wait to move vehicles until instructed by authorities.

For detailed, country-specific road and vehicle safety information, read the World Health Organization’s Global Status Report on Road Safety.

Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.

Public Transportation Safety

Barbados operates a public transportation system whose large blue and yellow buses operate on a routine schedule. Buses may stop only at designated stops on assigned routes, which are clearly marked. There are also smaller, privately owned buses in Barbados. These transit buses are frequently involved in accidents as they speed through traffic, and often stop without notice in order to pick up or drop off passengers. Use licensed taxis. Negotiate the price before the trip to avoid inflated fares.

Aviation Concerns

Grantley Adams Airport (BGI) is the international airport of Barbados. BGI is the only designated port of entry for persons arriving or departing by air in Barbados and operates as a major gateway to the Eastern Caribbean. Presently, there are more than 40 flights a week departing from the various airports in the United States to Barbados carrying nearly 300,000 passengers a year to the country. The screening equipment is sufficient and meets international standards for the screening of passengers, carry-on baggage, hold baggage, and liquids.

Review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights; and consider the European Union Air Safety List.

Maritime Security

Generally, the threat to maritime security is low in the region. Piracy is a rare occurrence. The Regional Security System (RSS) works with several countries to secure the maritime environment through drug interdiction and search and rescue.

Personal Identity & Human Rights Concerns

Significant human rights issues include the criminalization of consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults (although authorities do not enforce the law).

Safety Concerns for Women Travelers

The law prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace and establishes civil penalties. Media reports indicated that historically sexual harassment was a problem, but there were no reports of high-profile cases during the year.

The law prohibits employment discrimination based on age, skin color, creed, disability, domestic partnership status, marital status, medical condition, physical features, political opinion, pregnancy, race, trade, sex, sexual orientation, social status, or union affiliation. The law provides the same legal status and rights for women and men.

Women actively participate in all aspects of national life, and are well represented at all levels of the public and private sectors, although some discrimination persists. The law does not mandate equal pay for equal work, and reports indicate women earn significantly less than men for comparable work. There are laws limiting types of work that women can do in factories.

The Solo Female Travel Safety Index combines the experiences of solo female travelers with other reliable indices to award a single rating indicating the relative security female travelers might experience in a given country. The qualitative portion of the index examines risk of scam, theft, and harassment, as well as the country’s perceived attitude towards women. As of the date of this report’s publication, Barbados has a score of 1.0 on a scale of 1.0 (safest) to 4.0 (least safe), although the score is based on incomplete information. All solo female travelers are able to share their solo travel experiences by signing up with the Solo Female Travelers portal; the organization draws qualitative data from women traveling solo, depending on active participation and honest information.

Consider composite scores given to Barbados by the UN Development Program (UNDP) in its Gender Development Index, measuring the difference between average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development, and Gender Inequality Index, measuring inequality in achievement in reproductive health, empowerment, and the labor market. For more information on gender statistics in Barbados, see the World Bank's Gender Data Portal.

Review the State Department’s webpage for female travelers.

Safety Concerns for LGBTI+ Travelers

The law criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults, with penalties for conviction up to life imprisonment for men, and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for men and women convicted of “acts of serious indecency.” There were no reports of the law being enforced during the year. An NGO reported that although lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons believed they were safe in their own neighborhoods, they actively avoided venturing into surrounding areas due to fear of violence and harassment. The NGO also noted that public transport was often also avoided for similar safety reasons. There are no known issues traveling on nonbinary or X gender passports.

The Equaldex Equality Index measures the status of LGBTI+ rights, laws, and freedoms, as well as public attitudes towards LGBTI+ people around the world. As of this report’s publication date, Barbados has a score of 63/100, ranking 45 out of 198 countries on the index.

Consider information from Destination Pride, a data-driven search platform associated with PFLAG Canada that visualize the world's LGBTQ+ laws, rights, and social sentiment; as well as from ILGA World, a worldwide federation that produces an annual map showing sexual orientation laws from around the world, available in multiple languages.

Review OSAC’s report, Supporting LGBT+ Employee Security Abroad, and the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI travelers.

Safety Concerns for Travelers with Disabilities

Access to buildings, pedestrian paths, and transportation can be hard for persons with mobility issues. Sidewalks, if they exist are very uneven and will only occasionally have ramps at intersections. Pedestrian crossings are also very infrequent and can be poorly marked. Buses and taxis do not have special accommodations. The Town and Country Planning Department set provisions for all public buildings to include accessibility infrastructure. As a result, many new buildings have ramps, reserved parking, and special sanitary facilities.

The law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, but it does not extend protection to education or other state services. A separate law requires employers to ensure the safety and health of persons with disabilities. A union representative said that despite these legal protections, persons with disabilities face various forms of discrimination.

Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.

Safety Concerns for Travelers Based on Race, Religion, & Ethnicity

There are no specific safety concerns for racial, religious, or ethnic minority travelers. The country’s charter and laws protect racial, ethnic, and minority groups from broad forms of discrimination. The country does not have a racially or ethnically diverse population. Approximately 93% of the population is Black and primarily of African descent. The government does not consider systemic racial or ethnic discrimination to be a problem in the country.

Review the latest U.S Department of State Report on International Religious Freedom for country-specific information.

Review OSAC’s report, Freedom to Practice, and the State Department’s webpage on security for faith-based travelers.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

U.S. travelers and organizations in the Eastern Caribbean have not been the focus of terrorist actions or political violence. Peaceful protests are rare and do not target U.S. interests.

Concerns involving the Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption &/or Transparency

The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implement the law effectively. The law provides for the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of acts of corruption in both the public and private sectors. There have been no recent reports of government corruption.

The Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Barbados 29 out of 180 worldwide, where 1 means most transparent.

The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index measures how the rule of law is experienced and perceived worldwide based on surveys in 139 countries and jurisdictions, and is the leading source for original, independent data on the rule of law. The most recent index ranks Barbados 35 out of 139 worldwide, where 1 means the strongest perceived rule of law.

Communication Issues

The constitution provides for freedom of expression, including for the press, and the government generally respects this right. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combine to promote freedom of expression, including for the press.

Defamation is a criminal offense punishable with imprisonment. The local media association has raised concerns about intimidation of media by government ministers, due to the media’s reliance on income from government advertising. There have been no recent reports of any defamation or libel cases initiated by any government officials against media personnel in Barbados.

The government does not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content, and there are no credible reports that the government monitors private online communications without permission. There are non known issues for individuals traveling with satellite phones.

The Freedom House Freedom in the World report rates Barbados’s freedom of speech as free.

Review OSAC’s report, Lèse Majesté: Watching what you say (and type) abroad.

Health Concerns

Call 511 for ambulance service. Ambulance service in Barbados can be slow. For minor incidents, proceed immediately to the emergency room. In the event of a major accident/emergency, wait for an ambulance. There are six ambulances at the private hospital and two at the Barbados Defense Force. Ambulance crews may perform CPR; they train to administer IVs and other advanced life-support services.

The following diseases are prevalent: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya.

Carefully assess the potential risks of recreational water activities and consider your physical capabilities and skills. Never venture out alone, particularly at isolated beaches or far out to sea. Avoid entering the water above your waist if you have been drinking, and always be mindful of jet ski and boat traffic in the area.

Consider purchasing medical evacuation (medevac) insurance prior to your travel to the region. Individual medevac without insurance could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the State Department’s webpage on health insurance overseas.

The U.S. Department of State has not included a Health “H” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Barbados. Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters.

See OSAC’s Guide to U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuations; review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad; and visit the State Department’s webpage on Your Health Abroad for more information.

Vaccinations

Strongly consider COVIC-19 vaccination prior to travel.

Review the CDC Travelers’ Health site for country-specific vaccine recommendations.

Issues Traveling with Medications

No known issues with traveling with medications.

Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.

Water Quality

Water is generally potable from the tap.

Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?

Environmental Hazards

Barbados is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes, with the season lasting from June through November. The most recent hurricane to strike Barbados was Harvey, in the summer of 2017, which led to power outages (mostly in Christ Church, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, and Saint Michael), flooding, and damage to some roads and bridges (especially in Saint Andrew and Saint Joseph). Even storms without powerful winds can cause extensive flooding damage through sheer quantity of rainfall due largely to inadequate drainage infrastructure.

The most recent, notable earthquake occurred in 2015. The 5.7-magnitude earthquake caused no reported damage or casualties. In 2021, La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent erupted multiple times, dumping ash on Barbados. No causalities were reported. The underwater volcano “Kick em Jenny”, off Grenada has had recent activity. If an eruption occurred, it could cause a possible tsunami.

Cybersecurity Concerns

Cybersecurity attacks frequently target public institutions, financial institutions and critical infrastructure. In recent years, the RBPF experienced several attacks against its website. Regional governments appear to be taking some steps to develop better investigative infrastructure for cyber incidents, as evidenced by the 2017 opening of the Regional Security Systems Digital Forensic Laboratory, significantly enhancing their ability to investigate crimes with a digital nexus. Digital security remains a concern in the region, particularly with ATM fraud, credit card fraud, and other cybercrimes.

Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling Abroad with Mobile Devices, and Guide for Overseas Satellite Phone Usage.

Counterintelligence Issues

There are no specific counterintelligence issues targeting the private sector in Barbados.

Other Security Concerns

Landmines

There are no known or reported landmines in Barbados.

Import/Export Restrictions

It is illegal in Barbados, even for children, to wear camouflage clothing or carry items made with camouflage material. Do not enter Barbados or any other eastern Caribbean country with firearms or ammunition without prior express consent from the host nation government.

A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.

Photography

You must have a permit to take photographs via drone.

Review OSAC’s report, Picture This: Dos and Don’ts for Photography.

ID Requirements

There are no specific or unusual ID requirements in Barbados.

Critical Infrastructure Concerns

Most utilities are above ground. A hurricane or earthquake would potentially disrupt power and internet connectivity, effectively cutting off all but satellite communication in the country. Poor fuel quality and/or mechanical failure has led to large-scale power outages in Barbados.

OSAC Country Chapters

The Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Chapter is active and meets semi-annually, with smaller breakout meetings focusing on specific countries.

Contact OSAC’s Americas team with any questions.

Embassy Contact Information

U.S. Embassy: Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael 14006. Telephone and emergency contact line: 1-246-227-4000.

Barbados Country Security Report