Unfairly, Barbados is not the first destination that comes to mind when considering visiting a Caribbean island to spend sunny holidays.
Hopefully, we think we can help you change your mind! For starters, Barbados is a very safe place to travel to. It does not hurt either that the island boasts incredible biodiversity, delectable Caribbean food, and stunning natural landscapes.
Although incidents of violent crime can occur, most trips are statistically trouble-free. Read on to learn how to make the most of your upcoming vacation to this charming hotspot.
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LATEST NEWS from Barbados:
March 18: Barbados has reduced violent crime – Domestic violence is still an issue.
Barbados has enacted strong laws to protect citizens against domestic violence. Unfortunately, recent statistics show those are not creating the positive impact authorities expected.
In 2023, 572 incidents of domestic violence were reported. This means there was an increase of 21 percent when compared to 2022.
On the bright side, there was a reduction of 2 percent in violent crimes, according to the Barbados Police Service (TBPS). In fact, there were only 21 murders in 2023, which means the country managed to cut these occurrences by over 50 percent in comparison to 2022.
Police community projects seem to have had an impact on these figures. As per the TBPS, local intervention has boosted citizens’ confidence in authorities and decreased their concerns about becoming victims of common crime.
Crime Statistics in Barbados from Numbeo
According to Numbeo, the largest database about countries around the world, Barbados ranks as a “medium” safe country with a safety index of 54.67 points.
Let’s review some other safety statistics.
| Crime level | 54.67 | Moderate | |
| Rise in crime in the past 3 years | 75.16 | High | |
| Concerns of home invasion | 44.77 | Moderate | |
| Concerns of being mugged | 46.24 | Moderate | |
| Statistics of cars being stolen | 35.59 | Low | |
| Belongings being stolen from cars | 45.26 | Moderate | |
| Worries of being attacked | 42.32 | Moderate | |
| Concerns of being insulted | 39.58 | Low | |
| Concerns of being physically attacked due to skin color, ethnic origin, gender or religion | 30.73 | Low | |
| Issues with drug adicts and drug dealers | 47.87 | Moderate | |
| Home vandalism and theft | 49.67 | Moderate | |
| Statistics of violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery | 51.19 | Moderate |
Areas to Avoid
Even though most neighborhoods in Barbados are safe to visit, authorities recommend vacationers pay special attention when visiting Crab Hill, Nelson Street (Bridgetown) and Wellington Street (Bridgetown).
Bridgetown, which is the island’s capital and its financial center, is pretty safe to visit during the day. Just avoid it at night.
Official Travel Advisories
U.S. Travel Advisory
The U.S. State Department has given Barbados the lowest possible travel advisory. As of today, the country ranks at level 1. This means, visitors should only “exercise normal precautions” when visiting the island.
In any case, the U.S. government encourages Americans to sign up for “the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)” to keep you informed about unexpected incidents and help locate you in case of need.
Canada Travel Advisory
Visiting Barbados is considered safe, provided that you follow common-sense recommendations.
However, the Canadian government has warned citizens about a spike in gun violence over the last few years.
They also say that minor crime tends to increase from November to April when the country receives the greatest number of visitors.
Safety Tips for Barbados
Consider the following tips to enjoy a trouble-free trip to Barbados.
- Multiple health agencies recommend getting vaccinated for Hepatitis A, and using repellent to protect yourself from mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever.
- Comply with Barbados’ flag system so you can stay away from dangerous ocean currents.
- Avoid using ATMs at night.
- Refrain from getting intoxicated.
- Nude or topless sunbathing is frowned upon.
- Don’t wear camouflage clothing as it is illegal on the island.
- Beware of pickpockets as this is the most common crime affecting tourists.
- Stay away from Crab Hill, Nelson Street (Bridgetown), and Wellington Street (Bridgetown) after dark.
- Buying illegal drugs can get you into legal trouble.
- The police emergency number is 211. Keep it handy.