Barbados offers all things wonderful. So, even if this tiny island nation in the Caribbean doesn’t feature on your list of places to visit, it would be a great idea to do so now! Besides its history and white sandy beaches, there are so many reasons to visit Barbados. (Have I mentioned that it is the birthplace of Rum?)
Barbados is a beautiful, friendly place steeped in English colonial history. In this post, I am going to tell you the reasons to visit Barbados, best seasons to visit and why, places to stay and things to do.
So, let’s kickstart your journey to Barbados –
Did you know –
- Barbados’s name originates from ancient fig trees
- British colonialism lasted 339 years
- It is the birthplace of rum
- It is home to the oldest Jewish synagogue in the Western Hemisphere
- It is surrounded by coral reefs
7 reasons to visit
- Bridgetown: The capital city and the largest on the island, is steeped in history. On June 25, 2011, Bridgetown and its Garrison was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Harrisons Cave: Step into a hidden world beneath Barbados. This crystallized limestone cave system features sparkling stalactites and underground waterfalls. You can also explore the grottos and blue water pools. ***Tram tours are available for families.
- Flower Forest: If you’re taken with the fascinating sights of nature, this is a must see among our reasons to visit Barbados. This is where botanical garden meets summer forest – enjoy a dazzling variety of flowers in this little fantasy flower-world.
- Beaches: Barbados offers the most diverse coastal experience. Among the best beaches to visit are the Accra Beach, Bathsheba Beach, Browene’s Beach, Cattlewash Beach, Miami Beach and Silver Sands Beach.
- Food: To taste traditional Bajan culture, visit the Oistins fish fry on a Friday night on the south of the Island. The fry takes place on the dock, coming alive just after 7. Sample the dolphin fish, or fresh swordfish with a plate of rice, beans, salad, macaroni and potatoes.
- Chattel Houses: Barbadian term for a small moveable wooden house that working class people occupied. The term goes back to the plantation days when the home-owners bought houses designed to move from one property to another. The word ‘chattel’ means movable property. Today, these small wooden houses are still popular and can be seen throughout the island, resplendent in bright colours. They are affordable, aesthetic and always have a story to tell.
- Birthplace of Rum: The mention of rum and Barbados are forever intertwined. This story cannot be told apart. Believe it or not, rum, the oldest distilled spirit in the world was first produced in Barbados. The story goes that when rum, made from sugar cane that grew on the island became popular with English sailors who crossed the shores and popularized it all over the world. But it wasn’t until 1703, when Mount Gay Rum began distilling the oldest brand of rum in existence, that the world came to recognise Barbados as the true birthplace of rum.
Top 5 things to do in Barbados
- Go on a Cat & the Fiddle Catamaran Cruise
For an unforgettable day on the water, the Cat & the Fiddle Sailing Cruise is a must. This intimate experience ensures a personalized and luxurious family outing. Enjoy swimming with sea turtles, snorkelling over a historic shipwreck teeming with marine life and indulge in a delicious lunch spread in a secluded bay.
- Take a stroll down Rihanna Drive
In 2017, Rihanna’s childhood home became a national monument and officially opened to the public. If you want to see where this singing sensation was born, take a five-minute drive just outside the capital city to what was formerly known as Westbury Rd, now known as Rihanna Drive. Here you’ll find the famous green and yellow house.
Local tip: The home has recently been listed on Airbnb, so you can spend the night there too.
- Go surfing, diving or snorkeling
Barbados is known as the Caribbean’s surfing capital. There are waves coming from every direction, so you may ride them all year round. Best time for surfing is October to March, when the waves can reach a maximum height of 12 ft, while the rest of the year they can only reach 6 ft. The underwater ecosystem is rich and offers opportunities for diving and snorkeling. The warm waters are bursting with life, fish, turtles and stingrays.
- Nature Trails: Barbados is lush. Its botanical landscape with blooming with tropical flowering forests, exotic secluded beaches, and provides a wonderful, safe environment for birds, green monkeys, and other sacred wildlife. The warm, cooling sea is bursting with life, fish, turtles and stingray bask in the shallows.
*Bathsheba Coastal Walk and St Andrew Lookout loop is among the most popular nature walks in Barbados.
5. Animal Flower Cave: Explore the only sea cave on the island. Discovered in 1780 by two English explorers, this cave stands six feet above the high water mark although it was formed at sea level.
In short…
When you are here, don’t sleep in, don’t stay in the same place, don’t sit still for a moment.
Barbados offers golf, polo, snorkelling, diving and fishing. There are National Trust properties, museums, historic houses, gardens, island safaris, rum tours, zip line aerial tours, and designer shops. There is shopping, dining and a vibrant nightlife.
Where to stay on the Island
From family-run small and intimate boutique style properties to the most prestigious luxury resorts, Barbados spoils you for choice. Most of the hotels are located on the west side of the island mainly because of the calm waters or on the southern side for its proximity to the St Lawrence Gap and Oistins.
***For backpackers and budget travellers, Barbados is a bit of a wildcard. Public transport is cheap and reliable but in terms of stay, there is not much of a “cheap bed and breakfast” option – so come prepared with your budget.
Here are two all-inclusive family resorts to stay in:
O2 Beach Club and Spa
This five-star all-inclusive resort in Barbados offers a beachfront experience with 260-degree views of the South Coast. Guests have access to five dining venues, all featuring à la carte options.
For families, the resort provides a dedicated Games Lounge, a swimming pool for children, and daily complimentary ‘How-To’ lessons. These activities include basic culinary skills, domino strategies, and conch shell blowing. The resort is designed to provide a well-rounded stay with both relaxation and engaging activities.
Sugar Bay Barbados
Sugar Bay Barbados is an all-inclusive resort located on a pristine beach, just steps from a calm ocean lagoon. It offers both seclusion and easy access to Bridgetown’s South Coast Boardwalk, nightlife, and attractions, including the UNESCO-listed Historic Garrison. The resort provides family-friendly accommodations, with the first child up to 17 years staying free on an all-inclusive basis, and infants under two staying free. A complimentary crèche is available for infants aged four months to three years, while the free Kids Club caters to children aged four to twelve, ensuring an enjoyable stay for families.
Information on seasons
Given its location, you can expect bright, sunny days, and rain showers during the summer in Barbados. Plan your trip around the weather you want to enjoy. Remember there is a big variation between peak and low seasons. The average high temperature is just around 86F (30C) and the average low temperature is in the mid-to-low 70sF (20-26C).
Before planning your vacation, there are a few things you must know about the weather. The dry season (the most popular) is between December – April. It is also the ideal time to snorkel in the Harrisons cave as the waters are warm.
Just make sure to book your hotels and trips ahead and remember that ‘most popular’ also means ‘most expensive’ time to visit.
May and June (shoulder-season) are ideal for visiting Barbados, as the weather is still pleasant and there will be little rain. Expect a drop of 25% in prices compared to the high season.
July-November is the low season (Hurricane Season) – during this time, the prices drop by almost 50%, making it the cheapest time to travel to Barbados. Although it is called the hurricane season, hurricanes rarely hit the island, but make sure you come adequately prepared and watch out for the news and weather updates. The risk of tropical storms is high in this season.
***Tip:Some of the historic attractions are free to visit, but you’ll end up spending more on a melon or yogurt, so knowing where to shop is vital. Shop at the local markets, or from vans parked up on the road offering home grown fruit and veg.
Festivals
During the peak season, from mid-December to mid-April, Barbados celebrates several cultural events that will keep you entertained. It makes up for the weather with several island festivities, including the Food & Wine and Rum Festival, and the Crop Over Festival.
If you are travelling around Easter time, make sure to attend the Oistins Fish Festival in Christ Church, a cherished annual tradition on the island. The Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup horse race is another prominent event on the Bajan calendar.
other festivals include Barbados Jazz Festival, Barbados Reggae Festival and Holetown Festival.
How to reach
Nonstop flights connect Barbados to many major cities, including New York, Miami, Boston, Atlanta, Toronto and London. Grantley Adams International Airport is about 20 minutes from the capital city of Bridgetown.
