Car Rental in Bridgetown

Why rent a car in Bridgetown?

Bridgetown is a great place to explore if you have your own ride. You can compare its older quarters with more modern parts of the city, find hidden gems outside the main tourist areas, and, given the accessible size of the island of Barbados, even explore all of the rest of the country.

Top ways to enter Bridgetown

• Bridgetown Airport: Also known as Grantley Adams Airport in honour of the country’s first prime minister, the only international airport of Barbados is among the 10 busiest in the Caribbean Islands. Located just outside the city center, it is served by around 15 different airlines.
• By sea: If you’re arriving in Bridgetown by a ferry or a cruise ship, you can conveniently pick up a rental car at Bridgetown Cruise Terminal.

City facts

• The island enjoys a warm, tropical climate. The air temperatures are nearly identical throughout the year, the average rarely dropping below 25 °C  (77 °F) or exceeding 30 °C  (86 °F). The big difference is in the precipitation - the months from December to May are relatively dry while from June to November its very humid.
• The island got its name from a bridge built by the island’s original Arawak population that allowed them to cross a swamp in the area that is now Bridgetown. Although the indigenous heritage is still important to the people of Barbados, nowadays the city is often referred to simple as ‘the Town’.

Top sights and activities

• Garrison Historic Area. Also known as St. Ann’s Garrison of simply The Garrison, this historic part of the city is home to a number of landmarks, from George Washington House (where the first U.S. president visited in 1751) to the island’s horse racetrack and St. Ann’s Fort. 
• Barbados Museum. Barbados has a diverse and fascinating history that you can learn about in this museum that’s located in the former British Military Prison. The museum’s many collections tell the story of Barbados from the island’s ancient geological past and the cultures of its indigenous inhabitants to the arrival of European colonizers and African slaves and the national independence that was achieved in 1966. 
• Careenage. Bridgetown’s old port is now one of its hippest parts, thanks to bars, restaurants, and galleries located in old warehouses. Go on a long and relaxed walk, and if you know you won’t be driving anymore on the night of your visit, sample the island’s number one source of pride, its delicious rum.
• Nidhe Israel Synagogue. Built in the mid-17th century, this small synagogue of the Sephardic rite is the oldest in not just Barbados or the Caribbean, but allegedly the whole of the New World. The synagogue was created by about 300 Portuguese Jews who escaped persecution in Colonial Brazil by traveling to Barbados. Also known as the Synagogue of the Scattered of Israel, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. 
• Cathedral Church of Saint Michael and All Angels. Another notable example of religious architecture, the Church of St. Michael was originally consecrated in the 17th century, suffered heavy damage from a hurricane in the late 18th century, and was restored to its present look over the following decades. Of Anglican affiliation, it continues to fulfill its original function to the present day but has also become a popular tourist attraction.

Traffic and parking

• Barbados drives on the left side.
• Unless indicated otherwise, the speed limit on all roads in Barbados are 60 km/h (37 mph), except for the ABC Highway and the Spring Garden Highway where the speed limit 80 km/h (50 mph).
• The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• Although Bridgetown is not a large city, the capital and the roads near it might experience some traffic jams, especially in the mornings and evening. It is better to avoid driving during those hours.
• Many highways, even inside population centers, do not have sidewalks, so you’ll be sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists. Keep that in mind and be extra careful when driving after dark. 
• While the main highways are in good shape, some regional and rural roads might have damaged surface or even potholes.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The general emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112. The police number is 100, the ambulance number is 166, and the fire brigade number is 199.

Toll roads

Although there have been some plans to introduce a toll road system, as of 2019 there are no toll roads in Barbados.

Ideas for day trips

• Scuba-diving. You can do all kinds of water sports in Barbados, but nothing beats the amazing scuba diving opportunities that you find here. From training courses for beginners to challenging dives for pros, the ocean and its flora and fauna are fascinating explore. Many of the best dives are located near Bridgetown, in Oistins and in Speightstown. 
• Andromeda Gardens. There are many botanic gardens in the highlands of Central Eastern Barbados, with Andromeda Gardens arguably the most spectacular ones. Go on a long walk and explore the fascinating species of plants, flowers, birds, and animals that live here, many of them endemic to the island.
• Harrison’s Cave. Famous for its mysterious caverns, stalactites and stalagmites, and accesses by a subterranean tramway, Harrison’s Cave is one of the most impressive landmarks of Barbados. Located in the uplands of Barbados, Harrison’s Cave is just around 30 minutes drive northeast of Bridgetown.
• Beaches. The number one reason why people travel to it, Barbados is blessed with almost 100 km (62 miles) of coastline. Beautiful beaches can be found all around the island, with the most popular and developed resorts located alongside the island’s northwestern coast.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental cars in Bridgetown are the Hyundai i10, the Chevrolet Spark, and the Suzuki Swift. The most popular rental car types are Economy, Mini, and Compact. It is generally not a bad idea to pick a smaller car as many roads on the island are quite narrow.

Further destinations

• More Barbados. Barbados is a small country and you can be forgiven for thinking it only takes a couple of days to see all that it has to offer. But stick around longer, leave the capital, visit the villages and the jungle, and you’ll soon discover that its best kept secrets are even more stunning than the usual tourist areas, especially if appreciated at a slower pace.
• Martinique. There’s no ferry to the nearby French-speaking island, but you can fly to Martinique and then pick up your rental car at Fort-de-France Airport. Its rugged volcanic landscape and unique traditions make it a fascinating place to explore. Martinique is an overseas territory of France and a part of the European Union (EU), so before traveling there make sure you have your entry documents in order.
• Saint Vincent and Grenadines. It’s a bold claim in the Caribbean, but many travelers claim that Saint Vincent and Grenadines beat all the other places in the region when it comes to natural beauty. There is no ferry service between Barbados and Saint Vincent, but there are frequent flights, so why not travel there and find out for yourself? Before going, make sure you have your entry documents in order.

Car rental prices in Bridgetown

• Small cars - from $49 per day
• Medium cars - from $50 per day
• SUVs - from $83 per day
• Large cars - from $60 per day
• Vans - from $97 per day
• Station wagons - from $83 per day
• Convertibles - from $371 per day

Money-saving and other tips

These are some of the tricks to get the best deal:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Bridgetown is the cheapest in October when renting a car is 60% cheaper than the yearly average and unbelievable 75% cheaper than renting a vehicle in March.