The currency of Barbados is the Barbadian dollar – abbreviated to BBD - which is divided into cents. Notes are available in denominations of $2 $5 $10 $20 $50 and $100 and coins are 2, 5 10, 25, 50 and $1. The BBD is worth about 50 cents to the US dollar which it is tied to.

Some items are every expensive while others are cheap in relation to other countries. Alcohol and tobacco tend to be more expensive than comparable countries while clothes are about the same price. Communications and education have a similar cost to other countries although it has to be remembered that there are free schools available. Healthcare can also be expensive which is a big consideration for expats from the UK who are used to having free healthcare.

Household costs and everyday items such as newspapers and magazines are not too expensive while personal care items such as cosmetics are slightly cheaper. Recreation is more expensive but eating out is less expensive and so are transportation costs.

Many expats tend to buy goods from home that they recognize and miss but although there are now many internet suppliers these can work out to be expensive even if the actual item costs the same as in the UK or the US as postage can be costly. These shops are easy to access and there are plenty of them on the internet with 24 hour access which makes them ideal for those things you really can’t manage without. There are a large amount of goods which are imported into Barbados so there is always an alternative and it is always worth trying local produce.

The shops in Barbados are open for fewer hours than most expats will be used to. Banks are open from 8 am to 3 pm Monday to Thursday and 8 am to 5 pm on Friday. Government offices are open 8.15 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. Shops are open from 8 am most days and are usually closed by around 3 or 4 pm. Supermarkets are open slightly longer hours but not on Sunday.

Consumer rights are better now that there is a Consumer Protection Act – created in 2003 – which can prevent customers from being misled about item prices, being misled about their rights, can help have an item exchanged or refunded and the prevention of bait advertising.