Barbados is a beautiful island with long white sand beaches, a different style of sea every few miles and stunning weather. Temperatures sit at roughly 80˚F all year round. The food is delicious, the islanders are welcoming and some of the world’s best hotels are happy to call this little slice of perfection home. If there’s anything that Barbados doesn’t do beautifully, no one has found it out yet.
Average temperatures of 80˚F year round with cooling trade winds. June to November is officially rainy season and low-season for holiday costs.
The island’s spectacular Crop Over Festival runs from late June to the start of August each year.
Only 20 miles long by 9 miles wide, and far less hilly than most Caribbean islands, Barbados is good for bicycling. Buses charge a flat fee of two dollars for all journeys.
Barbados Garrison in Bridgetown is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
English afternoon tea and cricket are as much part of life on Barbados as Calypso and Caribbean cooking.
The west Platinum coast is where calm seas are sheltered by coral reefs and most of Barbados’ exclusive hotels are built, including celebrity haunt, Sandy Lane. A little further south, luxurious family resorts have a more relaxed atmosphere and many are so turtle-focused they have special beach lighting during winter hatching season. The south coast also has the advantage of being less than 20 minutes from the airport and closer to Bridgetown for a wide range of kids’ activities.
Bridgetown is bright and energetic. Its mix of elegant colonial architecture, grand public buildings and ice-cream Caribbean colors is dazzling on a sunny day, and luckily there’s an endless supply of those in Barbados. Go shopping on Broad Street and Swan Street, catch a Bajan Bus for a drive around the cool, green plantation lands, hire a bike and explore the south coast or join a city walking tour and have the chattiest, friendliest guide on earth who will give you the insider’s lowdown on Bridgetown.
Speightstown’s one of the island’s oldest towns and second only to Bridgetown in size. Full of character and charm, filled with historic colonial buildings and intriguing history, it’s the place to visit for great seafood, street parties and parades during Crop Over. It’s also home to pretty specialist shops and local arts and crafts galleries.
The island’s first settlement and one of the most authentic for a glimpse of life in Barbados when boats sailed here for trade not tourism. Visit the Chattel Village to see 18th century mobile homes turned sweet, little stores. Eat at least once on First Street for Caribbean cooking at its finest and spend a few hours on the broad, sun-drenched Holetown Boardwalk – a great view of the original Barbados harbor.
Antigua’s a small island but dense with interesting places to visit, hiring a car is the best way to get about. Cycling is very common too and there are several bike hire shops in St. John’s. The catamaran ferry runs to Barbuda every day and walking on the island is the only way to go.
Discover more
