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 as tourists and travelers are the perfect prey for crime. Despite the fact that the crime rate is relatively low, it is still advisable for tourists to be cautious when visiting the Caribbean island.
The most frequent crime against tourists reported 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 robberies, home invasion 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 distributing your money among the family members you are traveling with. This will help you in case you lose your wallet or fall victim to pickpockets. If you are a solo traveler and have a small budget, the ZR, 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 make change, but the government-operated transport system in Barbados cannot, so make sure you have smaller bills and coins before traveling on these transports. ZR or route taxis take the most scenic routes on the island; however, tourists should be careful as these minibuses are often overcrowded. The drivers do not turn away any passenger, despite the full capacity of the minibus. They’ll still pick up passengers along the way, even if you think there’s no possible way a person could 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.
The 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 any areas that may be easily accessible to thieves, a hotel with built-in security cameras is a recommendable place to stay. When leaving 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. Please 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 vacation, but always be careful that you do not become a victim of any crime during your stay.