Special Needs Travel to Barbados
Being disabled should not deny a person from leading a full and exciting life. At Totally Barbados, we realize the importance of comfort, convenience, services, and accessibility for people with special needs.
The Disabled Persons Resources guide features information on wheelchair accessible services, amenities, and events in Barbados.
As the premier vacation destination of the Caribbean, Barbadian hoteliers, destinations and activity providers understand the importance of matching warm, friendly, and efficient customer service with a quality product.
This is why Barbadian businesses are increasingly better equipped to support visitors with special needs.
Getting Around
Before traveling to Barbados, it’s essential to realize that the island is made up of many historic areas. Roads are narrow, and sidewalks are often difficult to walk on.
While the government does its best to maintain and service walkways, there is often very little room to expand, making it sometimes impossible to maneuver a wheelchair.
For accessibility, special needs travelers may want to consider staying in one of the more popular tourist districts such as St. Lawrence Gap or Holetown.
The Barbados Transportation Board has been making headway in providing public transportation services to wheelchair users.
The Barbados Council for the Disabled and the National Organization for the Disabled (BARNOD) are also doing their best to fill the gap. However, services are limited and must be well organized in advance.
The best bet for wheelchair accessible transportation right now is to connect with one of the many taxi services catering to individual needs clients. Experienced drivers are happy to provide to all of your needs while visiting the island from airport pick up to island tours.
For more information on mobility and transportation in Barbados, please refer to our Special Needs Travel – Mobility and Transportation Guide.
Where to Stay in Barbados
Barbados boasts a large number of well-equipped hotels and villas across the island that offer wheelchair accessible rooms, lifts and other amenities such as beach wheelchair rentals.
For more information on where to stay while visiting Barbados, please refer to the Totally Barbados Special Needs Travel – Accommodation Guide.
Where to Eat in Barbados
With so many restaurants serving to a wide range of budgets and tastes, several restaurants in Barbados are entirely accessibility by wheelchair.
For those looking to self-cater, grocery stores are generally wheelchair accessible or visit Bridgetown’s largest fruit and vegetable market for a genuinely Bajan culinary experience.
Refer to the Totally Barbados Special Needs Travel – Food and Restaurant Guide for more information.
Barbados Activities Guide
Barbados is one of the most accessible tourist destinations in the Caribbean. This idyllic Caribbean island offers a variety of activities and new locations to entertain special needs travelers.
Nature lovers will delight in Barbados’ tropical surroundings, flower gardens, ocean vistas, and rustic beauty. The island also boasts several historical sites that are wheelchair accessible.
To find out more about what you can see and do during your next trip to Barbados, please refer to our Special Needs Travel – Activities Guide.
Barbados Health, Wellness and Equipment Rentals
With calm seas and year-long sunshine, many people opt to spend their winters in Barbados. Therapeutic sea baths soothe tense muscles, help heal infections, and ease the pain of arthritic joints.
With the increasing demand for health and wellness services, many upscale hotels are now offering spa and recreational health activities and facilities.
Barbados has one of the best health care systems in the Caribbean. The island homes two significant hospitals (one public and one private), several publically-funded polyclinics and private medical centers, laboratories and a variety of other health facilities. Be aware, however, that for non-emergency services, you should expect long wait times.
“From hospital to home, we aim to keep you able.”
Carib Rehab has been serving the rehabilitation and home health care needs of Barbadians for more than 20 years. Carib Rehab’s professional, knowledgeable, and attentive staff are industry-trained and work hard to satisfy your needs as a client.
Carib Rehab offers rental services on specified products such as rollators, wheelchairs, and walkers. BARP members and members of registered medically-related groups may be eligible for discounts at Carib Rehab.
For more information on Carib Rehab products and rental services, please explore their website at www.caribrehab.com.
For more information on health services, facilities, and equipment rentals, please visit the Totally Barbados Special Needs Travel – Health, Wellness, and an Equipment guide.
Recognizing the needs of disabled people living in and visiting Barbados, Totally Barbados is going through great lengths to provide information on local business and services that cater to your unique needs.
At Totally Barbados, we appreciate the challenges of living with a disability and do our best to provide accurate, up-to-date information.
Savvy travelers will maximize their time and enjoyment by confirming the level of accessibility before booking events. Help avoid hassle and disappointment by calling in advance to verify that advertised services are available, working, and ready for you to use.
This is a new section of Totally Barbados, and we could use your help!
If you have any suggestions on how to improve or expand upon our disability page, please contact Totally Barbados.
To learn more about Barbadian business efforts to support the disabled while creating a Fully Accessible Barbados (FAB), please refer to the Barbados Council for the Disabled website at www.barbadosdisabled.org.bb.
