Barbados is part of the Lesser Antilles group and this island nation is situated in the western area of the Atlantic Ocean and to the east of Caribbean Sea. It is also just about 400 kilometers north east of Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados is a leading tourist spot in the region and is the most developed among them the other islands in the Lesser Antilles. It has an area of 431 square kilometers and was under the British regime until its independence in 1966.
The History of Barbados
Barbados is a parliamentary democracy and has been modeled after the British government and is a Commonwealth member. Barbados consists of eleven Parishes. Bridgetown is the Capital city of Barbados which lies in the Parish of St Michael. Other major towns are Holetown, Oistins and Speightstown. Barbados has a moderate tropical climate and 90% of the population is of African origin.
Official language is English and a local variant of English known as Bajan is spoken by locals in Barbados. The main religion is Christianity, followed by 95 percent of natives of African and European origin. Cricket is very popular here and Barbados had produced a number of cricket legends. Barbados is economically very strong, with tourism, manufacturing as well as offshore finances and information as its main foreign exchange earners.
Coupled with breathtaking scenic beauty and plenty of entrainment as well as vacation options, Barbados is one of the most frequented tourist spots in the world.
Different holiday Ideas in Barbados
Barbados is a place where there are things that tourist can engage themselves with all round the year. Golfing at top rated courses, snorkeling, diving, swimming in beaches , visiting wildlife parks where you can see thousands of species of plants and birds, enjoying the music and dance at the numerous festivals and enjoying street plays are the popular activities one can look forward to in Barbados. Scenic locations, gardens, beaches, nature trails and historic sites are some other places of interest to tourists in Barbados.
St Laurence Gap
St. Laurence Gap is a road in the Christ Church Parish of Barbados which is known for its numerous shopping destinations, lively night life, great restaurants and variety in Barbados hotel accommodation such as the renowned Escape at the Gap hotel. It is the place for music lovers where the best of Caribbean music such as Reggae, Calypso and Jazz is played in street parties and by live bands all through the night. You have the chance to listen to some very famous Jazz artists playing here. Along with great music, this place also has great dining options that you can enjoy.
Crane Beach
Crane Beach in Barbados
Crane Beach in Christ Church is amongst the best ten beaches in the world. Originally this was a harbor and the name ‘crane’ was taken from the crane installed on the top of the cliff for loading the ships. This is a must visit beach on your trip to Barbados if you want to soak up some sun and enjoy a perfect beach vacation.
Cherry Tree Hill
Cherry Tree Hill is a tourist attraction in the Parish of St. Andrew. This is a village at a height of 850 ft. above the mean sea level and offers an excellent view of the surrounding neighborhood. St. Nicholas Abbey plantation is located here and the St. Nicholas Abbey Rum is a product of the distillery of this site.
The Barbados Wildlife Reserve
The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is a mahogany forest that sprawls across four acres close to the Farley Hill top and is situated in the Parish of St. Peter and is a great place to visit if you love nature and wildlife. The Barbados Primate Research Centre was first set up here to study and conserve the Green Monkeys and it later expanded into a wild life reserve in 1985. There are many other animals also which are allowed to roam freely in and out of the reserve. Some of them are the Red Brockets, Patagonian Maras, Red-footed Tortoises, and Cuban Rock Iguanas.
The Barbados Jazz Festival
Barbados Jazz festival is an event that is held in January every year in St. George Town. Many legendary performers of Jazz and also many upcoming talents can be seen performing during this festival. If you are a jazz lover, you cannot afford to miss this festival.
For those who love fish, on your visit to Barbados, a trip to the Oistins Fish Fry is a must. This is a small fishing village on the outskirts of Bridgetown. There is a street festival where flying fish and rum are served amidst lots of dancing, singing and competitions.
Playing Golf in The Caribbean Sun
The Barbados club in Christ Church is among the best in Barbados with 18 holes at 6,805 yards and a par of 72. This is a favorite attraction of Barbados especially amongst golfers. Barbados is also very well known for its white sandy beaches. For a fun family outing, the Brighton Beach is the best. Sandy Beach is the favorite amongst children as the water is calm and shallow and you can have a great time here.
Scuba Diving and Swimming
The waters around Barbados is also a favorite among scuba divers because there are number sunken ships, different varieties of tropical fishes, barracudas and sea turtles which gives these scuba divers a great scuba diving experience.
Carlisle Bay near Bridgetown is ideal for surfing.
If you love gardening and flowers, Orchid World offers plenty to see and enjoy. This huge garden of orchids is spread across six acres of land on a hill and has orchids in thousands of varieties and colors. Orchid World is also a place where many weddings are held.
Caribbean Cruises
A cruise around the Caribbean is a magnificent way to fully appreciate the islands, not only can you see Barbados but also other islands such as Antigua, Jamaica and St Lucia to name a few. Often your cruise ship will make stop overs at various Caribbean islands so that you can appreciate their beauty and facilities.
Shopping on the Island
For shoppers, Bridgetown, Christ Church and St. Peter have many duty free shops. The International Airport at Bridgetown is also very popular for its duty free goods. You can shop for rare items of handicraft, ceramics and glass in the port area of Bridgetown.
How to get to Barbados
Being an island, air and sea routes are the only way to reach Barbados. The only airport in Barbados is the Sir Grantley Adams International Airport in Bridgetown. Several direct flights to Barbados are available from the US, Canada, Europe and UK. Generally air travel is the most expensive part of your holiday in Barbados.
However if you plan your trip carefully and in advance and if you are flexible it is possible to find cheaper flights that suit your budgets. For this the best time is November to February. If you are travelling from other far away destinations, you may have to take connecting flights from the airports in the above mentioned countries. You can also take cruise ship holidays, with embarking ports in Florida and San Juan. Barbados car rentals and Barbados ferry services are the means of travel for tourists in and around Barbados.
The Cost of a Trip to Barbados
As in every other Caribbean island, cost of holiday in Barbados will depend upon your mode of travel and accommodation selected, season, and places of visit. As Barbados is the most developed among the islands you are likely to be spending more. Most of your expenses will be on travel.
Hotels to Consider
You have the choice between cheap guest houses at $ 40 per day for single rooms in summer to $1600 per day in best hotels in the holiday season. Serviced apartments and luxury villas/cottages are also available. Private vacation rentals at much cheaper rates than hotels are the other options to tourists. You can also opt for time share facilities where you can share the accommodation with other travelers, and still enjoys all comforts at fraction of the rates. Many international resorts offer this facility.
Our Recommendations
Barbados has a mild climate which means that you can visit this island nation any time of the year. Summer and spring are peak tourism periods. To save on your cost, plan in advance and choose your agents and guides carefully and wisely and avoid peak seasons. Like in other islands of the Caribbean, take safety precautions. Dress is casual with minimum warm clothing. If you plan to travel by sea on cruises, taking appropriate first aid medicine kit is also advisable. Follow your hotel management advice about travel within Barbados. You can find out more about the island at Lonely Planet’s guide to the Caribbean.
