We know how inconvenient it can be to be left without an internet connection on our cellphones, especially when we’re traveling thousands of kilometers away from home. Therefore, we will show you which are the best options to have internet in Barbados and the Caribbean based on rates, advantages, and coverage. So, let’s start!
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How to have internet in Barbados?
In general, there are multiple options to have the internet on the wonderful beaches of Barbados. Certainly, some are better than others, such as the Holafly eSIM with data for Barbados, being ranked by travelers as the best alternative to getting internet abroad due to its ease of use and reasonable price.
Secondly, prepaid SIM cards for local use that include a wide range of plans that suit your needs. And lastly, expensive international roaming service; the handy Pocket WiFi; or even much cheaper alternatives, such as free WiFi spots, that you can find in public and private places.
What are the internet rates in Barbados?
There are important aspects to consider when choosing the best option to have internet during your trip. One of them is the economic factor because it greatly influences this choice. For this reason and to save you some time, we present the following comparative chart with the options and rates available to get internet in Barbados, including eSIM, roaming services from operators in the USA and UK, and Pocket WiFi.
| Type of service | Internet rate for Barbados |
| eSIM for Barbados | 7 days with 3 GB at $37.00 USD 15 days with 7 GB at $44.00 30 days with 15 GB at $54.00 |
| Roaming AT&T in Barbados | International day pass: $10/day *Data, texts, and make or accept phone calls |
| Roaming Vodafone in Barbados | £6/day for data, minutes, and SMS *A day starts from the time when roaming is detected and lasts for 24 hours. 4G data is available in Barbados |
| Roaming T-Mobile in Barbados | Data: $15.00/MB Text: $0.50/txt Calls: $0.25/min |
| Rent Pocket WiFi in Barbados | 1 GB / day at $0.48 |
Surely, options without coverage can be very expensive for cellular providers. For this reason, they may back out of business deals with local Barbadian operators. And this is why international eSIM cards with data become a very good alternative.
Yet, the only technical detail of this alternative is that you must check if your cellphone is eSIM-compatible.
eSIM card to have internet in Barbados
So, if this alternative interests you, you should first enter the Holafly virtual store, search for the destination, and choose one of the data plans for Barbados that best suits your trip. Then, you must complete the information in the purchase flow. Once your payment has been processed, the eSIM will immediately arrive in your email via a QR code.
Roaming to have internet in Barbados
If you verify that your smartphone is incompatible with eSIM technology, you can get this internet service from your local operator, activating a roaming plan for Barbados. Indeed, it’ll be more expensive than usual because the foreign operator will charge an additional fee to your trusted operator, and you’ll see it reflected in your next phone bill.
Also, you should know that the rate varies depending on the operator, the destination country, and the demand for services you need for your trip. Don’t forget to check the table that we showed above.
Portable WiFi to have internet in Barbados
If the previous roaming rates don’t suit your budget, or the operator doesn’t have roaming coverage in Barbados, we recommend that you take a look at other alternatives such as Pocket WiFi.
In short, these are small WiFi routers that you can carry in your pocket and will allow you to connect to the internet through a private WiFi network, to which only you and the devices you authorize will have access. This makes it an option to consider if you’re traveling in a group with your family or friends.
This alternative has some downsides you should know before buying a Pocket WiFi. The first one is the price because you will have to pay additional costs for purchasing or renting this device. Also, you’ll need to pay a deposit for replacement in case of loss, damage, or theft of the equipment. And, in the same way, you’ll need a WiFi or cellular data plan with an eSIM or a SIM card to get internet.
On the other hand, the price for renting this Pocket WiFi in Barbados will depend entirely on the provider you use. One of the best known is Travelers WiFi, they will charge you $63 for a week of unlimited 3G internet and 1 GB of 4G data. Additionally, you’ll need to pay a shipping cost of $23 if you receive it in Barbados.
Places with free WiFi in Barbados
In the same fashion, on your trip to Barbados, you’ll find free WiFi spots throughout the island. With these options, you’ll have unlimited internet access without having to pay for this service. In most cases, you’ll only have to order or buy something depending on if it’s a restaurant or perhaps a lobby.
Even though this option may seem like a very good alternative to connecting to the internet in Barbados for free, you must be very careful. This type of WiFi network for public use is quite dangerous because there are people dedicated to stealing your information to commit a cybercrime.
Our recommendation is to have internet in Barbados
If after reviewing all these alternatives to have internet in Barbados you still can’t decide, we will share our recommendation, so you stay connected during your trip.
Considering the advantages, data rates, affordability, and ease of use, we believe that the best option is the Holafly eSIM with international data because, in addition to offering us data at a good price, it’s the only alternative that has quite relevant added advantages. Not to mention that it also allows us to choose from a wide variety of destinations such as the eSIM for the Caribbean.
FAQs about the internet in Barbados
Currently, there are not many cellular operators in Barbados. However, among those that exist, we can highlight Flow and Digicel, the latter being the provider with the best coverage on the island.
This depends on the data plan you choose. But, in Barbados, you can find 2G, 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE speeds, depending on the area in which you are.
Network frequencies in Barbados work as follows: B1 (2100) B2 (1900), B3 (1800), and B8 (900). These network frequencies are important because if your cell phone doesn’t work with these networks, you won’t be able to use your smartphone in Barbados.
