Car Hire in Christ Church

About Christ Church

The municipality of Christ Church is one of eleven historic political divisions of Barbados. The parish comprises Sir Grantley Adams International Airport. The main church of the parish is located in Oistins, the main town and former capital of the parish. Another notable area of Christ Church is Saint Lawrence Gap, which is the busiest tourist area on the island. Many of the tavernas and clubs in St Lawrence are frequented by locals and tourists alike.

Christ Church is located on the southwest coast of the island and offers a varied coastline and many excellent hotels & resorts. The southernmost tip offers ideal conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing, while the southwestern areas are quieter but still have a lively sea. Take a stroll along the south coast promenade and enjoy the magnificent views, refreshing breezes, friendly faces and beautiful beaches. Barbados is home to one of the decommissioned Concorde fleets. Visit the Barbados Concorde Experience to marvel at this supersonic aircraft!

Basic info and car hire in Christ Church

• Location: Barbados
• Population: 54,336 (2010)
• Official language: English
• Currency: Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
• Weather: Christchurch has a warm and temperate oceanic climate and on average temperatures are always high. There is a high chance of rainfall in June, July, August, September, October and December. The warmest month is August with an average maximum temperature of 30°C and the coldest month is February with an average maximum temperature of 28°C. November is the wettest month, February the driest and March the sunniest.
• Holidays in Christ Church: Because of the good weather and warm climate, Christ Church is a good place to holiday and explore the interesting Caribbean island.
  Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions: The road condition in Christ Church is good overall, with some bumps in the road in some places. The road signs are not very visible, so it would be good to find out beforehand about the routes you will be taking.
• Car hire in Christ Church: Hiring a car at Sir Grantley Adams International Airport with Orbit Car Hire gives you plenty of freedom to get around Christ Church. With a wide range of vehicles to choose from, you can be sure to find the one that suits your needs and gives you the most benefit on your trip.

Driving in Christ Church

The main roads are in good condition. Other roads are paved but may have potholes. In rural areas, roads vary in condition, are narrow, and often have blindside roads and blind curves. Road surfaces are not very grippy and can become very slippery when wet. Outside of the cities, the roads are generally unlit, so use caution at night when encountering pedestrians and poorly lit vehicles on the road. Some small areas of Christ Church can be unsafe at night, so you should avoid driving in the centre if you are unfamiliar.

Drivers are generally relaxed and courteous. If you are used to driving in an urban area in the US or Europe, you will have no problems with driving in Christ Church.

• Age limits: The age limit is between 21 and 25, depending on the car rental agency. Many agencies will either charge a young driver fee if you are under this age or not allow you to rent the car at all. 
• International Driving Permit: Yes, if your driver's license is not identifiable as Driving License, for example, if it is written in a non-Latin alphabet (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese). 
• Additional papers: Identification (passport), a valid driver's license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to take out insurance with the car rental company in case your policy does not cover you when driving in Barbados).
• Additional requirements: Warning triangles, spare wheels and a hands-free kit with hearing aids are required if you are talking on the phone while driving.
• Children in the car: All vehicle occupants must wear a seat belt. Children under twelve years of age or over 5 feet tall may ride in the front passenger seat. 
• Driving side of the road: Left. 
• Lights: Headlights must be on at all times (day and night). 
• General speed limits: 80 mph / 130 km/h on motorways, 49 mph / 80 km/h on main roads outside built-up areas and 31 mph/50 km/h inside built-up areas.
• Parking suggestions: Almost all car parks are metered, with the average price per hour being around GBP 1.90/ € 2.20.

Popular day trips in Christ Church

Christ Church has a lot to offer and there are many day trips and activities that you should consider doing!

Barbados Island Tour with Lunch and Wildlife Sanctuary. This island tour of Barbados includes a visit to EarthWorks Pottery, located in the central community of St. Thomas in a middle to upper-class neighbourhood. Drive along the country road to the historic St. John's Church. Continue to Flower Forest Garden, where you can take a walk through a variety of plants and trees. Lunch will be served in the tranquil setting of Flower Forest restaurant where you will enjoy the flavours of Caribbean cuisine. Your journey continues to Bathsheba, the surf capital of the island, where you will have a breathtaking view of the rock formations. Then continue along the rugged east coast to the final stop, the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, where you can see green monkeys and other wildlife in their natural habitat. The duration of the tour is 5 hours.

Barbados Full-day Coast to Coast Tour. This tour along the coast of Barbados takes you through historic Bridgetown to prosperous West Coast, through Holetown, through Speightstown and on to North Point. You will drive through the northern countryside to Cherry Tree Hill and on to East Coast for a delicious Bajan lunch at The Sand Dunes bar and restaurant. Continuing along the east coast, you will make a photo stop at Bathsheba. From there, you will continue to St. John's Church. You will continue to the south of the island to Oistins, ending your tour along the coast of Barbados. The duration of the tour is 6 hours.

Rum, History and Natural Beauty. Visit Mount Gay and tour this fantastic rum factory. Sample their delicious brands. Continue to Arlington House and the museum and then enjoy the beauty of the north and east coast. Lunch is included with this tour. The duration of the tour is 6 hours.

Experience Coastal Oistins. Immerse yourself in the culture of Oistins on a 4-hour round-trip excursion. Enjoy this small fishing village on the south coast of Barbados that comes alive at night. Enjoy the reggae, calypso and pop music played by a local DJ. Reserve a seat and eat the catch of the day straight from the grill on your plate, served with a complimentary drink. Browse the stalls of artisans and souvenir vendors. The duration of the tour is 4 hours.

What to see in Christ Church

Be sure to visit the beaches Christ Church has to offer. At Dover Beach, St. Lawrence Gap, you can find a seat on this wide and picturesque beach and relax in the pleasant atmosphere. You'll find plenty of shade under the trees and there are plenty of amenities nearby, including bars and shops selling a variety of beach items. You can watch windsurfers and jet skiers cavorting on the waves, or hire something and get active yourself if you are feeling adventurous. This popular beach is bustling with friendly locals, and lifeguards are on duty to keep you safe if the water gets too rough.

Hastings Beach, soft sand and clear water. This beach is a great place to swim, snorkel, or get cosy with a cold drink and a good book. Swaying palm trees provide ample shade here, while several restaurants ensure that no visitor goes hungry or thirsty. You can stroll along the Richard Haynes Boardwalk and enjoy unforgettable views of the sea, or take a ride on the catamaran and enjoy the numerous underwater and onboard activities that will keep you busy and entertained the entire time.

Take to the skies at Barbados Concorde Experience, Saint Philip Parish, a high-tech museum dedicated to famous fast planes. The museum's main attraction is a state-of-the-art simulator where you can strap in, prepare the cabin, cruise down the runway and take off. You'll even have the chance to land the plane. Walk around the impressive flying machine on display in the main hangar and go through the cabin into the cockpit to learn about all the knobs, levers, bells and whistles that control this engineering feat. Concorde was super fast and could cross the length of Barbados in less than a minute.

These and many more sights and activities are a must-do and see in Christ Church, Barbados.