Barbados coastline - from Barbados Tourism Authority
Barbados Destination Guide
by Abigail Cattell
Summary
This beautiful coral isle was a British dependency for nearly 350 years, and although remnants of colonial rule linger, it's retained its cultural identity, providing an intoxicating blend of the familiar and unknown.
The profusion of white-sand beaches, lush, tropical gardens, historic plantations and year-round sunshine are among its most popular attractions, making it ideal for honeymoon holidays.
If it's a luxury holiday that you area after there is a plethora of luxury hotels on the south and west coasts, as well as a number of first-class restaurants for those keen to explore the island's gourmet offerings.
Popular activities include diving, hiking and windsurfing. Those who prefer less active pursuits can enjoy rum tasting and dancing at Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry.
Getting there, getting around Barbados
Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have daily direct scheduled flights to Barbados. BMI flies twice weekly from Manchester.
Car hire is the easiest way to explore the island. Once you've slowed your driving down enough to match the relaxed pace of the locals, driving's a doddle. Like in Britain, they drive on the left, and of course, you'll be driving so slowly, you'll never miss a turn. Taxis are easy to flag down.
Quick facts
Currency: Barbados dollar
Language: English and Bajan
Flight time: 9 hours
GMT: -4 hours
Weather: Temperatures are balmy all year, averaging more than 27C (81F). July is the wettest month
Dialling code: 00 1 246
Electricity: 110V. You'll need an adapter from the UK
Barbados beach cricket - from Barbados Tourism Authority
Beaches in Barbados
Barbados is renowned for its soft, white-sand beaches, and there are numerous idyllic spots to choose. All beaches are public by law, and although some appear to be private, no one can object to your using them. West-coast beaches such as Paynes Bay, Mullins Beach and Sandy Lane Beach are popular for their calm waters.
South-coast beaches such as Accra and Dover Beach are more spacious, with bigger waves and a slight breeze. For a day out, you could explore the east coast's wilder beaches. Enjoy the rugged beauty of Bathsheba's Soup Bowl and watch as experienced surfers ride its lively swell.
Sightseeing in Barbados
Rum aficionados will be in seventh heaven looking around the workings of some of the world's most recognisable rum factories, including Mount Gay, Malibu and FourSquare, while those with children can explore a historic sugar cane factory instead.
If you've never been to Barbados before, a trip is not complete without a visit to Harrison's Cave, a series of sizeable grottos filled with impressive waterfalls, stalagmites and dripping stalactites. In nearby Welchman Hall Gully you're likely to see wild green monkeys cavorting in the thickly wooded ravine.
Other historic sights include Gun Hill Signal Station, and if you enjoy your garden, a tour around Andromeda Botanic Gardens or the Flower Forest of Barbados is a delight.
Family attractions in Barbados
There are numerous attractions that will appeal to children, and most hotels in Barbados offer a range of supervised activities for a variety of ages. Tour Andrew's Sugar Factory, the island's biggest sugar cane processor, and find out how sugar is extracted. Drive up to St Lucy district in the north and visit the unusual Animal Flower Cave, which is like a huge rock pool replete with colourful sea anemones.
See more flora and fauna at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, a walk-through zoo featuring green monkeys, turtles, iguanas and deer. Or explore marine life with an underwater submarine ride past some of the west coast's finest coral fronds.
Day trips in Barbados
The Barbados National Trust runs an open house theme from January to April each year, and every Wednesday you can enjoy a tour of one of Barbados's private houses, many of which date back to colonial times. Colonial houses that are open for visitors year-round include the 17th-century Sunbury Plantation House and St Nicholas Abbey.
On a day trip to Bridgetown you can learn more about Bajan history at the Barbados Museum, and while you're in town, visit the 17th-century St Michael's Cathedral and do some shopping along Broad Street.
Sports fans will enjoy a day out at the Garrison Savannah, where polo and racing events are regularly held.
Barbados Carnival - from Barbados Tourism Authority
Eating out in Barbados
For an authentic Bajan eating experience, Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry is unmissable. This coastal town's fish market is the island's biggest, and on Friday nights locals and tourists alike come to drink rum, eat delicious fresh fish and dance to a selection of soca, reggae and calypso.
You can expect an altogether more genteel but no less enjoyable evening in one of the south or west coast's gourmet restaurants. The local catch of the day features on most menus, such as The Tides and The Mews, both in Holetown. The Cliff in St James has featured in the S Pellegrino list of the top 50 restaurants in the world, while the Restaurant at South Sea in St Lawrence Gap has also won awards for its exceptional food and service.
Shopping in Barbados
The island's duty-free status is not unusual in the Caribbean but does offer an added incentive to leave the beach and shop for local handicrafts. In the island's capital, Bridgetown, stroll down Broad Street, which is home to the island's largest department store, Cave Shepherd, and a number of smaller craft shops.
Don't visit the modern shopping centre of Pelican Village if a cruise ship is in port as it gets very crowded. But it's a good place to buy local arts and crafts such as straw hats, leather goods and brightly coloured pottery.
Nightlife in Barbados
Unlike some Caribbean islands, where the hotel's piano bar is the only place to meet fellow guests after 10pm, Barbados has a lively, well developed nightlife. The southern town of St Lawrence Gap has several bars and nightclubs in which to let your hair down, including After Dark or The Ship Inn.
For nightclubbing Bajan-style, visit the open-air nightclub Harbour Lights on Bay Street. Jazz aficionados can get their nightly fix at the Waterfront Café.
Related destinations
If you're interested in Barbados you may also like to look at these related destinations:
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