Learn about the room rate levy, the shared economy levy and the airport service charge.
This is not professional advice. No warranties or guaranteed can be provided as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information.
If you are staying in a hotel, Airbnb or holiday rental, a tourism levy applies. For most accommodations, the levy that applies is called the Room Rate Levy. For certain types of accommodations, such as holiday rentals listed on Airbnb or rented privately on a short-term basis, a Shared Economy Levy may also apply.
When you leave Barbados, an Airport Service Charge applies. This is typically added to the ticket price by the airline.
The rate of the levy is dependent on the type of accommodation. For hotels, the rate is determined by the class thereof (i.e. luxury, "A" class, or "B" class).
| Accommodation type | Daily rate per bedroom | Definition and scope |
| Apartment or flat | BBD $8.75 per day (USD $4.38) |
Typically applies to premises comprising of a complete unit which has either one or more studio bedrooms or separate bedrooms; a living room; a kitchen or kitchenette; a dining area; at least one bathroom in the unit for the exclusive use of the occupant(s); and where the occupants share the grounds, common buildings and recreational facilities with occupants of other units. |
| Guest house | BBD $8.75 per day (USD $4.38) |
Typically applies to premises in which sleeping accommodation is provided in three or more bedrooms for a fee, and where meals are offered to the occupant(s). |
| Vacation rental property | 3.75% of daily rate Max. BBD $35 per day (USD $17.50) |
Typically applies to properties valued at less than BBD $3 million which are systematically or periodically rented by guests during the year, with housekeeping services provided at least once a week, and where the grounds and any common areas or recreational facilities are for the exclusive use of the occupants of a single booking. |
| Luxury hotel | BBD $35 per day (USD $17.50) |
Typically applies to hotels which offer 24 hour reception; aesthetically appealing furniture, fixtures and fittings of a high standard, designed to give a greater or higher level of comfort and relaxation; en-suite bathrooms in all hotel rooms with a daily supply of high quality absorbent towels and high-quality toiletries; complimentary Wi-Fi access in all public areas and guest rooms; multiple restaurants with table d'hôte and à la carte menus with extensive food choices; 24 hour full room service; daily housekeeping services; porter services; spacious fitness and spa facilities; complimentary airport and/or seaport transport service using luxury vehicles; room furnishings, fittings and fixtures which provide excessive comfort, rest and relaxation; spacious accommodation facilities with turndown service; and butler services available to at least some of the hotel rooms. |
| "A" class hotel | BBD $19.25 per day (USD $9.63) |
Typically applies to hotels which offer 24 hour reception; such furniture, fixtures, fittings and general décor so as to provide a great or high level of comfort and relaxation; en-suite bathrooms in all hotel rooms with a daily supply of clean towels and toiletries; complimentary Wi-Fi access in guest rooms and in at least two public areas; a restaurant with table d'hôte and à la carte menus with at least three meal options; daily housekeeping services; welcome beverage; porter services; fitness facilities; and minimum room service with hot or cold drinks, and sandwiches or snacks. |
| "B" class hotel | BBD $8.75 per day (USD $4.38) |
Typically applies to hotels which offer staffed reception facilities (may not be 24 hours); such furnishings, fittings and fixtures so as to provide basic comfort; en-suite bathrooms in all hotel rooms with a daily supply of clean towels and toiletries; complimentary Internet access in at least one public area; a restaurant with table d'hôte or à la carte menus with at least three meal options; and daily housekeeping services. |
The rate of the levy is 10% and applies to tourist accomodations of any description, including apartments, hotels, guest houses, vacation rental properties, and villas, which are supplied in Barbados by persons or companies who are not required to be registered for Value Added Tax, or are exempt from Value Added Tax pursuant to Section 10 of, and the Second Schedule to, the Value Added Tax Act, Cap. 87 of the Laws of Barbados.
Effective July 1st, 2025, car and vehicle rentals will be subject to a daily vehicle rental fee of BBD $10 (USD $5). Vehicle rental companies are expected to add this fee to the invoice payable at the time the customer collects their vehicle rental.
The requirement for visitors to obtain a Visitor Driving Permit will be abolished when the daily vehicle rental fee is introduced. However, a valid foreign driving licence will still be required.
The rate of the charge depends on the destination. Airlines typically include the airport service charge in the price of the ticket.
| Destination area | Departure fee | Definition and scope |
| Within the West Indies | Until June 30th, 2025 BBD $70 (USD $35) From July 1st, 2025 until June 30th, 2026 BBD $40 (USD $20) |
Members of the Caribbean Community; the British Antilles (Anguilla, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Virgin Islands); the Dutch Antilles (Country of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, and Saba); the French Antilles (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Collectivité de Saint-Martin, and Collectivité territoriale de Saint-Barthélemy); the Republic of Cuba; the Dominican Republic; the Virgin Islands of the United States; and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. |
| Outside the West Indies | BBD $140 (USD $70) | Any country or territory not listed above. |
Yes, the Room Rate Levy and Shared Economy Levy applies to everyone.
While it is a legal requirement for providers of tourist accommodations or villas to notify customers as to the imposition of the tourism levy, and to inform persons who are offered the option to pay online as to whether or not the payment is inclusive of the tourism levy, it is at the discretion of the providers as to whether the customer is required to pay the levy at the time of paying online, or when checking-in after arriving in Barbados.
If the provider requires that the customer pay the levy in person upon check-in, it is advisable to check whether card payments are accepted. If only cash payments are accepted by a specific provider, or if the customer prefers to pay in cash, the US dollar is highly likely to be accepted for settlement.