Currency
Barbados Dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Bd$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of Bd$1, and 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
Note
The Barbados Dollar is tied to the US Dollar.
Currency exchange
The best exchange rates are available at commercial banks. The island is served by the Barbados National Bank and a range of at least six international banks, each with a main office in Bridgetown and further branches in Hastings, Holetown, Speightstown and Worthing. ATMs are available.
Credit & debit cards
American Express, Barclaycard, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Eurocard, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in the resorts, but cash is preferred for customs duty payment. Discover Card may be used in certain places. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available.
Traveller's cheques
Accepted by all banks and most hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions
The import of local currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of local currency is prohibited. The import and export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Barbados Dollar against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | Aug '04 | Nov '04 | Feb '05 | May '05 | | £1.00= | 3.68 | 3.78 | 3.92 | 3.65 | | $1.00= | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 1.99 |
Banking hours
Generally Mon-Thurs 0800-1500, Fri 0800-1700.
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