Barbados is an island located in the Caribbean in the North Atlantic Ocean near the country Venezuela. Venezuela uses the same type of adapter as Barbados uses.  The Barbados adaptor plug is the same plug used in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  

Adapter plugs allow electrical connections up to 240 volts. An adapter plug does NOT change the current or voltage (this requires a converter) unless your appliance is dual voltage. A non-grounded adapter may NOT be used with appliances that have grounded plugs; for these you will need a grounded adapter.  If your hair dryer, curling iron, electric razor is not dual voltage you will most likely need a converter to use your electric.  For more information see Going In Style's Adapter and Converter Finder.

Many of our customers find it handy to have multiple adaptors while traveling - either to run several appliances simultaneously or simply as a backup.

Why do I need a North American adapter?

Even though this country uses North American sockets, the sockets are not required to be polarized. Since devices such as laptops have a polarized plug with one prong wider than the other, you may still need an adapter to use your plug in this country.

Going In Style Barbados Adapter Model GIS-BAR-A-GUA

Grounded Adapter Plugs

If you are traveling with a grounded United States dual/multi-voltage appliance or using a grounded Transformer you will need to use a grounded adaptor plug. A grounded United States plug has two flat blades and one round pin.

Non-Grounded Adapter Plugs

Going In Style offers non-grounded adapter plugs for use with your voltage converter, transformer, or dual/multi voltage appliance. A non-grounded United States plug has two flat blades.

Cycles: 50 Hz vs. 60 Hz.

Barbados operates on 115 volt electricity and is generated at 50Hz (Cycles) Alternating Current. United States 110-120 volt electricity is generated at 60Hz (Cycles) Alternating Current. This difference in cycles may cause the motor in your 60Hz United States appliance to operate slightly slower when used on 50Hz foreign electricity. Most modern electronic equipment including battery chargers, computers, iPods, etc., will not be affected by the difference in cycle.

Computers and Apple Products

If you are traveling overseas with a Toshiba, HP, Lenovo, Asus, laptop or Apple device such as an iPad, chances are you won’t need a voltage converter. Most laptops are multi-voltage and will operate on voltages ranging from 100 to 240 volts. However, computers do need to make safe connections to foreign power systems and a surge protector is recommended and you will still need an adapter to use your plug.

About Barbados

Geography

Barbados is located in the Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela and its area is 2.5 time the size of Washington, DC. The terrain is relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region.

Currency

Currency is the Barbados Dollar (BBD). Most major credit cards are widely accepted. Foreign money and travelers cheques can be exchanged at banks throughout the country.

Staying Connected

Barbados has an island-wide automatic telephone system. Fixed-line teledensity is roughly 50 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density approaching 125 per 100 persons. Cell phone coverage is good. When travelling to Barbados you will want to take an international or unlocked cell phone with a prepaid Barbados SIM card. You will need an adapter to charge your phone. Most cell phone battery rechargers should be multi-voltage, therefore will not require a converter. If the charger says 100-240 volts, 50-60 cycles then your charger in multi-voltage. There is internet access in hotels and internet cafes in major cities. Wi-Fi access is available in most hotels and throughout the city. When traveling with your laptop or iPad you will need an adapter to charge your device.

Even though Barbados uses North American sockets, the sockets are not required to be polarized. Since laptops have a polarized plug with one prong wider than the other, you will still need an adapter to use your plug in Barbados.