Country code: 1 246. Cardphones and payphones are located across the island; many make overseas calls. Local calls are free (unless calling from a hotel or business).

Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good. Mobile phones can be hired locally.

There are Internet cafes throughout Barbados. Wi-Fi is increasingly available, especially in hotels.

Post offices and boxes are found across the island, including at the airport. Airmail to Europe takes around 10 days.

Post office hours: Variable, but as a general guide Mon-Fri 0800-1700 at Bridgetown main office; other branches Mon 0730-1200 and 1300-1500, Tues-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1515.

Press freedom is an established part of Barbadian life with newspapers privately owned and largely unrestricted. Radio broadcasting benefits from a healthy mix of private and public stations. Although government-owned, the island's sole TV station CBC presents a wide range of political views.

• The main dailies are the Barbados Advocate and The Nation.
• Other publications include Caribbean Week (fortnightly) and the Broad Street Journal, a business journal.
• Foreign newspapers are also available, including the Herald Tribune and Miami Herald.

• Government-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) operates CBC TV...

• Government-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) operates CBC Radio 900 AM, Quality 100.7 FM and The One 98.1 FM.
• Barbados Broadcasting Service operates commercial station BBS FM, and religious station Faith 102 FM.
• HOTT 95.3 FM is a commercial station run by Starcom Network who also operate commercial stations Voice of Barbados, LOVE 104.1 FM and Gospel 790 AM.