Barbados Car Rental Tips

A Barbados car rental is a convenient way to explore this island that is 21 miles long and 14 miles wide.

This eastern Caribbean island attracts about an equal number of cruise and hotel visitors each year. The capital city of Bridgetown on the southwest coast of the island has both the airport and the cruise port. Either way, visitors will have plenty of car rental agencies to use.

The island is big enough that a car rental will make sense for anyone who wants to explore the beaches and other attractions. Although a shore excursion offers the convenience of transportation, a car rental offers greater freedom and more places to see.

Major island attractions include Harrison’s Cave, Andromeda Botanic Gardens and six public golf courses.

Barbados also has more than 60 beaches, according to the Barbados Tourism Authority. Crane Beach in the St. Philip parish on the east coast is known as the best. It is 35 minutes away from Bridgetown on the island’s west coast.

Be aware that driving in Barbados is on the left side of the road. Rental agencies should provide a required local driving permit for an additional $5 U.S. Drivers usually must provide:

Valid driver’s license from country of origin.
Photo ID for each intended driver e.g. Passport or Photo Driving License.
Valid credit card for security and damage deposit purposes.
Credit card or cash for payment.

Drive-A-Matic Car Rentals
Telephone: 1-246-422-3000
Toll free: 1-800-581-8773
Web: http://carhire.tv
Location: St. Michael BB19025

Top Car Rentals
Telephone: (246) 435-0378
Web: http://barbadoscarrentals.com/
Location: Rockley New Road, Christ Church

Coconut Car Rentals
Telephone: (246) 437-0297
Web: https://www.coconutcars.com
Location: Bayside, Bay Street, St. Michael

Drive Barbados
Telephone: (246) 426-3944
Web: https://www.drivebarbados.com
Location: N/A

Top Class Car Rentals
Telephone: (246) 228-7368
Web: https://www.topclassrentals.com/
Location: N/A

Direct Car Rentals
Telephone: (246) 420-6391
Web: https://www.barbadosrentals.net/
Location: Balls Plantations, Christ Church

Thrifty
Telephone: (246) 416-4457
Web: https://www.thrifty.com
Location: Grantley Adams International Airport

Courtesy Rent-a-Car
Telephone: 246-431-4173
Web: https://www.courtesyrentacar.com/
Location: Grantley Adams International Airport

Rhino Car Hire
Telephone: (888) 882-2019
Web: https://www.rhinocarhire.com
Location: N/A

Voyager Rent-A-Car
Telephone: (246) 243-0427
Location: N/A

Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera.

- August 28, 2020