Uber launches in Barbados with app-based taxi bookings aimed at tourists
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Visitors to Barbados can now use the Uber app to book taxi journeys across the island, following the company’s first official launch in the Eastern Caribbean.
The service, called Uber Taxi, connects riders directly with Barbados’ licensed taxi drivers. Uber says the app is designed to support the local trade by boosting demand, while retaining the island’s existing tourism experience and driver network.
For visitors familiar with the Uber app, the service promises the same interface and features they would find in other cities. Users can view driver details, estimated fares, routes and arrival times in real time. All journeys are cashless, and drivers are vetted before being allowed to accept bookings.
The app also includes Uber Reserve, which allows travellers to schedule rides up to 90 days in advance. The feature is expected to be popular with tourists booking airport transfers or full-day excursions. Another feature, Uber Hourly, gives riders the option to hire a driver by the hour and make multiple stops during a booking. Barbados is the first location in the Caribbean to introduce Uber Hourly, and the only one in Latin America where the product has been developed specifically for use by tourists.
Uber says safety remains a key focus of the launch. The app includes over 30 built-in safety features, including real-time trip sharing, PIN verification and audio recording. All taxi drivers must upload valid documentation and pass a verification process before being allowed to receive trip requests.
The launch in Barbados follows similar rollouts in other tourist destinations. Uber has been working with licensed taxi drivers in several countries through its Uber Taxi and Uber Select offerings. In the Dominican Republic, Uber Select has been live since 2022, with more than 115,000 rides recorded, including over 31,000 to and from Punta Cana International Airport. France has over 3,000 taxis active on the app, and cities in the United States including New York, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. have long hosted Uber Taxi services alongside traditional ride-hailing.
The move into Barbados marks a continued shift in the company’s approach to regulated markets. By working through licensed drivers and focusing on tourists, Uber avoids the kind of regulatory issues that have previously slowed or blocked entry into similar markets.
Belén Romero, Regional General Manager for Andean, Central America, and the Caribbean, said: "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 know from home, while supporting local taxi drivers who make the island experience truly unique."
