What to see, what to do Barbados?

In Barbados, service opening hours follow a different rhythm to those in France. They open earlier, but also close earlier. As a rough guide, here are some opening hours:

Banks: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday and until 5 p.m. on Fridays.

Stores: 8am/8.30pm to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 1pm on Saturday. In high season (December to end March), some stores remain open on Sundays.

Supermarkets: 8am-8pm Monday to Saturday and Sunday mornings in high season.

Pharmacies: 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday; Friday from 8am to sunset; Saturday from 8am to 8pm and Sunday from 9am to 12pm.

During the high season (December to the end of March, see Easter), it's best to book your hotels, activities, restaurants, etc. well in advance.

We're not going to lie, Barbados isn't the cheapest destination in the Caribbean, so plan on a larger budget than you usually would. Nevertheless, there are ways to keep your expenses under control and still get the most out of your stay.
All Barbados beaches are public, even where properties overlook a beach. Pedestrian and vehicular access is available.

Public transport is the best way to get around.

If you want to save money to visit Animal Flower Cave, you can enjoy the panoramic view from the cave entrance free of charge.

To eat without spending too much, visit Chefette, Barbadian McDonald's, small informal restaurants or street-food stalls. This is your chance to try out everyday Barbadian cuisine.

There's a campground at PEG Farm Reserve (on the east coast) or ready-made tents at Camping Barbados (also on the east coast).

Crop Over is without doubt the biggest event of the year. The festival commemorates the end of the sugar cane harvest (Barbados was once the world's largest sugar producer) and lasts almost three months, from June 1 with Crop Over The City to the first Monday in August with the Grand Kadooment, a carnival celebration.

The Barbados Tourist Board website offers a variety of itineraries based on different interests (culture, gastronomy, rum, activities and attractions). The best part is their trip planner, which allows you to build your own itinerary (www.visitbarbados.org).

For those who prefer more originality, why not try a gastronomic walk through Bridgetown? Discover the historical sites of Bridgetown or Speightstown with a historian? Or take a bike ride through the Barbadian countryside away from the tourists? Find out more in the pages of this guide.

Smoking is prohibited in enclosed or partially open public places (museums, libraries, historic sites, public transport, workplaces, etc.). Beaches are exempt from this ban, except for those managed by the National Cultural Foundation and where you see a "No Smoking" sign. Don't forget to pick up your cigarette butts.

Sure, it's hot and beaches are never far away in Barbados, but the biggest faux-pas you can make is to walk around town in a bikini or shirtless. Don't forget to put your clothes back on.

Don't hesitate to say hello to people you meet when you arrive at an establishment or pass them on a village street. A good morning, good afternoon or good evening is a sign of good manners and is greatly appreciated.