No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-01-23T15:06:44Z
Full advisory →Is Holetown safe? 🇧🇧
Barbados · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Holetown scores 83/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Holetown, Barbados is generally safe for travelers, with official advisories recommending normal security precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Holetown 🇧🇧
Barbados · Assessed 29 July 2026
83
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~90% of countries
What drives this score
Crime74/100GoodCrime index 44.7 / 100
Sentiment83/100GoodGenerally Positive
Advisories97Good
Stability83Good
Health81Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Barbados: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
75 / 100 (Generally Positive)
75
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
1k residents
92
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
7.4 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Barbados7.4Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
55
Robbery / mugging
LowWhile violent crime is not common, there have been isolated incidents, including recent fatal attacks in St. James, the parish where Holetown is located.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePetty theft and pickpocketing can occur in tourist areas, markets, and on public transport.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Generally Positive
83/100
Reported feel75Generally Positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travel advisories consistently recommend normal precautions, indicating a generally safe environment for visitors. Recent news highlights isolated incidents but does not suggest widespread danger for tourists.
Yes — Holetown, Barbados is generally safe for travelers, with official advisories recommending normal security precautions.
Barbados maintains a low crime index and is considered safe by multiple government advisories. However, like many tourist destinations, it experiences petty crime and isolated incidents of more serious crime, particularly in certain areas.
Recent developments
- May 2026A man was charged with murder in St. James.— Barbados Today
- Apr 2026Gunmen killed three people in an attack in St. James.— Barbados Today
- Apr 2026US travel advisories warned of crimes targeting tourists in the Caribbean, while maintaining Barbados at Level 1.— TheTravel
- Feb 2026Police reported American tourists vanishing at sea while jet skiing in Barbados.— ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
Common scams
- Overcharging for taxis or services
- Distraction theft, especially in crowded areas
Full briefing
Holetown, Barbados, is generally considered a safe destination for travelers, with official government advisories from Canada and the UK recommending normal security precautions. The composite safety index for Barbados is high, and crime is not seen as a significant constraint on businesses. However, like any popular tourist area, it is not entirely without risk.
While Holetown itself is a well-established tourist hub, the broader parish of St. James, where it is located, has seen isolated incidents of serious crime, including recent fatal attacks and murder charges reported in May and April 2026 by Barbados Today. These incidents, while concerning, appear to be localized and do not necessarily reflect a widespread threat to tourists. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching, can occur in busy areas, and travelers should remain vigilant.
Travelers should be aware of their surroundings, particularly in less crowded areas or after dark. It is advisable to avoid displaying excessive wealth and to use reputable transportation services. While scams are not heavily detailed in recent reports, common tourist-targeted scams like overcharging or distraction theft can occur. The U.S. has previously flagged tourist crime risks in the Caribbean, though Barbados remains at its lowest travel advisory level.
Given the overall safety profile and the specific advisories, exercising normal security precautions will significantly enhance your safety. This includes being aware of your personal belongings, using reliable transport, and staying informed about local conditions. The CDC has issued global health watches for Dengue and Measles, so travelers should ensure their vaccinations are up to date and take precautions against mosquito bites.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Holetown districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Holetown safety map.
West Coast Road (Holetown stretch)cautionMain road; exercise caution with traffic and be aware of surroundings, especially at night.
Holetown (residential areas)cautionSome residential areas may have higher petty crime rates; stay aware, especially after dark.
Holetown BeachsaferPopular tourist area with good visibility and amenities.
Limegrove Lifestyle CentresaferHigh-end shopping and dining area, generally well-patrolled.
Folkestone Marine ParksaferRecreational area, generally safe during daylight hours.
07 · After Dark
Is Holetown safe at night?
While violent crime is not common, there have been isolated incidents, including recent fatal attacks in St. James, the parish where Holetown is located.
After dark, be most careful around West Coast Road (Holetown stretch), Holetown (residential areas). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Holetown's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight80
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight81
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight81
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight80
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight82
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight82
09 · Questions
Holetown safety FAQ
Is Holetown safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Holetown, Barbados is generally safe for travelers, with official advisories recommending normal security precautions. Barbados maintains a low crime index and is considered safe by multiple government advisories. However, like many tourist destinations, it experiences petty crime and isolated incidents of more serious crime, particularly in certain areas. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Holetown should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Holetown?
- Overcharging for taxis or services
- Distraction theft, especially in crowded areas
How does Holetown compare with other places in Barbados?
Holetown ranks #1 of 2 Barbados destinations we've assessed, scoring 83/100. See the Barbados safety overview for the full list.
How is this Holetown safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
More Barbados reports
1 reportNearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Barbados safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: holetown.json (CC BY 4.0).