Uber has officially launched its services in Barbados, providing visitors with a convenient means of transportation across the island. This marks the company”s inaugural entry into the Eastern Caribbean region. Travelers can easily request rides through the Uber Taxi feature, which connects them with licensed local taxi drivers.
The introduction of Uber Taxi aims to empower local taxi drivers by increasing their passenger access while maintaining the authentic hospitality that characterizes Barbados” tourism industry. Belén Romero, the regional general manager for the Andes, Central America, and the Caribbean, stated, “When people travel, they want to feel comfortable moving around and discovering new places. With the Uber app, visitors can explore Barbados with the same confidence and safety standards they are accustomed to at home, while also supporting local taxi drivers who make the island experience truly unique.”
For tourists, the arrival of Uber signifies a familiar and reliable service they already enjoy in cities worldwide. The app allows users to view driver details, estimated fares, and real-time routes in a user-friendly, cashless environment.
Uber Taxi has already proven successful in various popular tourist destinations. In the Dominican Republic, since 2022, the Uber Select option, which connects users with authorized taxi drivers, has facilitated over 115,000 rides, including more than 31,000 trips to and from Punta Cana International Airport. In France, more than 3,000 taxis are part of the platform, while in the United States, Uber Taxi operates in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington D.C.
In Barbados, the app also includes the Uber Reserve feature, enabling travelers to plan and schedule rides up to 90 days in advance, which is particularly useful for airport transfers or day trips around the island. Additionally, Uber Hourly allows users to book a driver for several hours, make multiple stops, and explore Barbados at their leisure. This makes Barbados the first Caribbean country to offer Uber Hourly, which is uniquely tailored to the tourism sector in Latin America.
The Uber app encompasses over 30 safety features designed to protect both users and drivers before, during, and after each trip. Key features include real-time ride sharing, PIN verification, and the option to record audio. All taxi drivers must undergo a verification process and submit valid documentation before they can accept ride requests through the app.
