| The words "Barbados" and "budget" rarely appear | | | | on island time, the Zed vans zip through the |
| in the same sentence. But if you know how, you | | | | streets like getaway cars from a bank heist. |
| can live large when traveling to this idyllic paradise | | | | 5. Eat on the street in St Lawrence Gap. Every |
| Caribbean island where the palms sway gently, | | | | night you can get fabulous chicken, fish, along with |
| the white sand is warm, and the rum delights. | | | | Bajan macaroni pie, yams, and plantains off the |
| 1. Fly JetBlue. Beginning October 1, 2009, JetBlue | | | | barbecues set up along "the Gap" on the lively |
| will be flying from JFK to BGI. Introductory fares | | | | south coast. Music pours wafts through the warm |
| are especially fabulous and if JetBlue is true to its | | | | night air, the street is alive with happy people, and |
| discount roots it will continue to offer great rates. | | | | the food is great. You can also take your food to |
| 2. Stay in a condo or villa instead of a hotel. You'll | | | | the beach and have a picnic; you'll be getting the |
| get a larger place with a kitchen where you can | | | | same million-dollar view you'd be getting at the |
| save lots by preparing at least breakfasts and | | | | high-end restaurants. |
| lunches, if not dinners, too. Also, you can rent a | | | | 6. Eat at Oistins on Friday nights. It's a tradition: |
| two-bedroom and take another couple and split | | | | everyone goes to Oistins Bay on the south coast |
| the cost. Go to HomeAway and other | | | | on Friday nights for the Oistins Fish Fry. Cooking |
| vacation-rentals-by-owner sites for listings of | | | | stations are set up along the beach there, |
| well-priced holiday rentals in Barbados. | | | | musicians play, people party ... it's a really good |
| 3. Say no to martinis! Enjoy Barbados' rum instead | | | | time and you'll get our famous flying fish. Is the |
| -- in moderation, of course. It's believed rum was | | | | fish fresh, you ask? Um, is still-wiggling fresh |
| developed in Barbados in the early 1700s. It's an | | | | enough for you? |
| ingedient in marinades, sauces, desserts, and | | | | 7. Travel in low season. Between April 16 and |
| beverages, and a tasty, fairly-low-cost libation to | | | | December 15 you will find bargains galore -- and |
| sip. | | | | don't be shy about asking about further discounts. |
| 4. Use public transportation. Barbados has a bus | | | | Come find out why, of all the Caribbean islands, |
| system that's not terrible and only 75 cents a | | | | Barbados has the most repeat visitors. Once you |
| ride. All buses go to Bridgetown before they go | | | | visit, you'll be back, too. Not just for the beaches |
| other places, though, so plan on taking your time | | | | or the warm aqua sea or the friendly people, but |
| getting anywhere. The island also has a private | | | | for ... here it comes ... for your Friday fix of |
| system of "Zed" vans (so-called because their | | | | freshly fried flying fish ... Now, after a couple of |
| license plates begin with the letter "Z") that zip all | | | | rum punches, say that fast three times! |
| over the island. Although the rest of the island is | | | | |