A beach wedding in Barbados at the Crystal Cove Resort.

Originally uploaded by Mrs. Hot T..

The web site idobarbados has tips for getting married in Barbados. No advance planning is even necessary for a wedding in Barbados. Couples can get a license on arrival in the country and an official ceremony can take place immediately after. The site has helpful information for anyone planning a Barbados wedding, such as how to obtain a license, information on fees and a list of churches. There is also a list of wedding planners and service providers.

Here is a brief guide to electric systems used around the Caribbean. If you’re not familiar with the different plug types, you can see illustrations here.

• Anguilla, 110V, 60Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Antigua, 230V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Aruba, 127V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15, European CEE7/7 Schuko
• Bahamas, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Barbados, 115V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Belize, 110/220V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA 5-15, British BS-1363
• Bermuda, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Cayman Islands, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Dominica, 230V, 50 Hz, British BS-1363
• Dominican Republic, 110V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15
• Grenada, 230V, 50 Hz, British BS-1363
• Haiti, 110V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Jamaica, 110V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Netherlands Antilles, 127/220V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15, European CEE7/7 Schuko
• Puerto Rico, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• St. Kitts and Nevis, 230V, 60 Hz, British BS-1363
• St. Lucia, 240V, 50 Hz, British BS-1363
• St. Vincent, 230V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, British BS-1363
• Trinidad & Tobago, 115V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Virgin Islands (British and U.S.), 115V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15

A number of languages are spoken in the Caribbean, most of a European origin. You can get by just about anywhere with English, but it’s fun to explore the islands and hear the local languages.

• Anguilla: English
• Antigua: English
• Aruba: Dutch, Papiamento, English, Spanish, Castilian
• Bahamas: English
• Barbados: English
• Bermuda: English, Portuguese
• British Virgin Islands: English
• Cancun: Spanish, English.
• Cayman Brac: English
• Curacao: Dutch, Papiamento, English, Spanish; Castilian
• Dominica: English, French Patois
• Dominican Republic: Spanish, Castilian
• Grand Cayman: English
• Grenada: English, French Patois
• Grenadines: English
• Guadeloupe: French, Creole Patois
• Haiti: French, Creole
• Jamaica: English, Patois
• Martinique: French, Creole Patois
• Puerto Rico: Spanish, Castilian, English
• St. Croix: English, Spanish, Castilian, French
• St. Kitts and Nevis: English
• St. Lucia: English
• St. Maarten: Dutch, English
• St. Thomas: English, Spanish, Castilian, French
• Tortola: English
• Trinidad & Tobago: Languages: English, Hindi, French, Spanish
• Turks & Caicos: English
• U.S. Virgin Islands: English, Spanish, Creole

Five more satellite island tours were added to the site today. Here is the full list of islands that are now available.

• Anguilla Map and Satellite
• Antigua and Barbuda Map and Satellite
• Aruba Map and Satellite
• Barbados Map and Satellite
• Bonaire Map and Satellite
• Grenada Map and Satellite
• Montserrat Map and Satellite
• Puerto Rico Map and Satellite

Nadine Wright, of the Jamaica Observer, offers travel tips for island residents planning their own summer Caribbean vacation. Wright suggests Curacao for shopping, Barbados for its affordable hotel gems, the Cayman Islands for watersports, St. Maarten for nude sunbathing, Dominican Republic for the Meringue Festival and Jamaica for its large variety of fun spots.

Here is what Wright has to say about Barbados lodging:

Barbados is a great get-away spot for relaxation and fun. The island, with an area of 430 square kilometres, is also one of the cheaper destinations within the eastern Caribbean.

Barbados is great for families and couples, with a lot of waterspouts activities and beaches to choose from.
The Savannah, Silver Rock, Blue Horizon, and Time Out At The Gap are well known hotels.

And, the MV Harbour Master offers night-time party cruises. You are treated to a live band, spectacular floor show and a fantastic dinner buffet.

According to USA Today, high-end resorts in the Caribbean are beginning to sell out for the first time in many years. Except for Grenada and Grand Cayman, the islands have rebounded from last year’s rough hurricane season. There are also a number of new resorts opening this year. I’ve included the list below along with links to their web sites.

• Aruba: Bucuti Beach Resort, now with a new adults-only wing.
• Barbados: Hilton, located near Bridgetown and historic Fort Charles.
• British Virgin Islands: Mainsail BVI, a 230 acre private island located 5 minutes by boat from Tortola.
• Dominican Republic: Sunscape the Beach Punta Cana, a beach front resort on the Eastern tip of the island.
• Turks & Caicos: The Palms, an ultra-luxurious property with 72 two and three-bedroom suites.
• Grenadines: Raffles Resort Canouan Island, set on 300 acres with three secluded white-sand beaches.
• Jamaica: Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa, a 50-acre resort on the south coast of the island.
• Puerto Rico: Paradisus Resort, on the northeastern shore of the island just minutes from El Yunque rainforest.
• West Caicos: Molasses Reef Ritz-Carlton Resort, located on a previously uninhabited 11-square-mile island.