Summary
Welcome to sunny Barbados! Here you’ll find a slower, more laid-back pace of life, and after a lively stay in the big city, a mellow break in Barbados is just what the doctor ordered. Spend your days sunbathing on the idyllic Caribbean sands, or relax and luxuriate in the hotel spa.
Had your fill of sun and sand? Explore historic monuments from the island’s colonial past, or get up close to hummingbirds, green monkeys and sea turtles. When the sun goes down, enjoy a rum cocktail as you dance all night to calypso beats, or join in the party at a colourful Bajan festival.
Explore Barbados
Barbados
Description
The beauty of Barbados
Where better than Barbados for a sun-soaked tropical holiday? With its warm climate and crystal-clear waters, this Caribbean island country is the ideal destination for year-round sunshine. Bursting with natural beauty, Barbados has picture-perfect beaches, exotic wildlife and fascinating caves filled with stalagmites and stalactites. It’s no wonder so many rich and famous celebs flock to its shores: the glamorous Platinum Coast is where A-listers like Rihanna and Sir Cliff Richard make their homes.
Historic Bridgetown
Bridgetown is the capital of the Bahamas, and it’s a fascinating place to discover the island’s history. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison are packed with significant buildings and monuments that tell the story of its colonial past. Visit the Independence Arch near Chamberlain Bridge for a photo stop – this was built to commemorate the island’s independence from British colonial rule. When you’ve finished admiring the architecture, head down to Carlisle Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Barbados.
Bajan culture and traditions
There’s always something to celebrate in Barbados. The island’s most famous shindig is the three-month-long Crop Over Festival, a traditional party marking the sugar cane harvest and celebrating freedom from slavery. The mid-February Holetown Festival is another big date in the Bajan calendar, commemorating the first landing of British settlers in 1627. Traditional tuk bands play at every celebration, while the addictive rhythms of calypso, reggae and soca fill the air in nightclubs on St Lawrence Gap.
Getting active
Despite the island’s laid-back character, there are plenty of active pursuits on offer. Swim in the rock pools of the amazing Animal Flower Cave, which opens into the Atlantic Ocean, or go shipwreck diving and explore the wrecks off Carlisle Bay, where green sea turtles abound. Walk around Queen’s Park and visit the island’s ancient Baobab tree, said to be more than 1000 years old. Or go windsurfing at Silver Point and experience the exhilaration of jumping the waves.
Eat, drink and be merry
In Barbados, you’ll be treated to a mouthwatering range of local culinary creations, often flavoured with a characteristic combination of spices and lime juice. Fishcakes and macaroni pie are both popular dishes on the island, while the Barbadian national dish, cou cou and fried flying fish, is a must-try speciality. Thirsty? Fresh coconut water makes a uniquely refreshing accompaniment to your meal.
When it comes to a tipple, Barbados is widely acknowledged to be the birthplace of rum, and the spirit has been distilled on the island for over 350 years. In Saint Peter you can visit one of the first rum distilleries, St Nicholas Abbey, to learn more about this fascinating spirit and its connection with sugar cane production on the island. Afterwards, enjoy a rum punch on the beach as you watch the sun go down.
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FAQs
The best time to visit Barbados is between December and early April.
7 to 10 days is sufficient enough for Barbados holiday.
Barbados Dollar
10 to 15% service charge is often already added to the bill at the restaurants and hotels. Tipping is not mandatory, it should reflect the service customer has received.
Direct flights from UK to Barbados take around 8 hours 30 minutes
United Kingdom is 5 hours ahead of Barbados
Barbados is known for its pristine beaches, festival Crop Over, Harrison’s Cave, St. Nicholas Abbey and Rihanna.
Official language of Barbados is English, but locals speak Bajan, which is English-based creole language.
The national dish of Barbados is cou cou and fried flying fish with spicy gravy.
