Planning a visit to Barbados. Here is a Barbados travel guide. It highlights the activities and things you can enjoy. See where to stay and how to get around Barbados.
Barbados is a Caribbean vacation hotspot and the leading tourism destination of the tropical region. You can find the country island Barbados in the Atlantic Sea. That is right. Barbados is not within the Caribbean seas. It is an Atlantic island, but it is still dubbed part of the Caribbean.
An advantage of visiting Barbados is the fact that there is something for everyone. This means that you can enjoy a tour of Barbados alone, as a couple, or as a family or in groups.
Basic Information
- Official Name: Barbados
- Currency: Barbadian dollars is the official Barbados currency. But US dollars are also circulated.
- Population: Over 287000 make up Barbados’ population.
- Capital: Bridgetown is the largest city and the capital of Barbados.
- Language: Barbados’ language is English. Although you will find Barbados people speaking Bajan. Bajan is the local dialect influenced by other Caribbean English dialects.
- Religion: Most Barbadians are Christians. Other practiced faiths are Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam among others.
- Climate: The weather in Barbados is of the tropical monsoon climate. From December to May is the “dry season”. During that time Barbados has an average temperature of 21 to 31 degrees Celsius. While from June to November is the “wet season”. The temperatures range between 23 and 31 degrees Celsius.
- Location: Barbados is the most easterly Caribbean island. It is part of the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies. Surrounding Barbados on the Southern side is the Atlantic Ocean.
- Neighbors: In the Caribbean region Trinidad and Tobago lie to the southern part of Barbados. Located to the northwest is Martinique. Grenada to the southwest while to the west lies Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as well as Saint Lucia.
Explore Barbados
Barbados is boastful of rich culture, history, and attractions. Compared to its neighbors, the island of Barbados is a bit flat. In its north and central areas, you can see rolling hills.
Getting to Barbados
When arriving by air, you will arrive at Grantley Adams International Airport. That is the only airport on the island.
Getting Around Barbados
A trip to Barbados is not complete without a visit to Bridgetown which is the capital. Dining in one of the local restaurants and visiting the shopping areas.
When you want to discover Barbados, there are various modes of transport to use such as taxis and buses. There are bus systems. Government operates the primary bus systems but others are privately owned.
To view Barbados from a different angle, take a water taxi at an affordable cost.
Where to Stay in Barbados
There are many places to stay in Barbados. You can stay at resorts, hotels, guesthouses or villas.
- Darrel Cot Beachfront Cottage is a top vacation home rental.
- Sugar Bay Barbados is an all-inclusive beachfront hotel.
- Bougainvillea Barbados and Radisson Aquatica are two of the best resorts in Barbados. They are top-notch Barbados accommodations with amenities and facilities to engage and keep tourists comfortable.
Things to do in Barbados
When you are in Barbados visit the statues, landmarks, historical sites, and monuments. Those are a great way to experience what the island has to offer.
- There are activities and adventures to engage in depending on your preferences. Such as visiting Harrison’s Cave, surfing, swimming, snorkeling, and playing cricket.
- Caribbean travel is incomplete without a visit to a beach. Barbados beaches are top tourist attractions. You can visit a variety of white sandy beaches as well as beautiful botanical gardens.
- You can also explore colonial buildings and landmarks to see when in Barbados. Also, many attractions and landmarks are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Standing at 1,120 ft, Mount Hillaby is the highest point of Barbados with many small streams.
- Nature-lovers should visit the Flower Forest. It has nature trails through a variety of tropical flora.
- The Andromeda Botanic Gardens overlooks the Atlantic.
- The Farley Hill National Park is perfect for picnics.
- At the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, you get to walk among the animals.
- The Hunte’s Garden is an enchanting must-see attraction.
- The 17th century Sunbury Plantation is one of the best museums.
Barbados Festivals & Culture
Thousands of tourist’s flock to Barbados to experience their festivals and culture. Barbados has a variety of traditional activities and musical competitions.
- Crop Over is the most famous and the largest event on the island of Barbados. Bajans celebrate it from the early week of July to Kadooment Day which falls on the first Monday of August.
- On Kadooment day the crowning of the King and Queen of the crop takes place.
- Other festivals include the Barbados Reggae Festival. As well as Holders Season, Holetown Festival, GospelFest, and Oistins Fish Festival draws tourism.
Food Tourism in Barbados
- Barbados’ national dish is cou-cou and flying fish. Cou-cou recipe combines okra, hot pepper, salt, and cornmeal.
- Other foods include jug jug, conkie, Bajan macaroni pie, or even nut cake among others. Meat and vegetables are also in plenty.
- There is a wide variety of seafood dishes such as lobsters, sea eggs, Bill Fish, Red Snapper, and Barracuda.
- Popular drinks are such as Mauby drink as well as the Sorrel drink and the Ginger Beer drink
Barbados FAQ
01. What do you call someone from Barbados?
You call Barbados people Barbadian or the colloquial form Bajan.
02. Where is Barbados located?
You can find Barbados in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea. It is part of the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies. Barbados’s neighbors are Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique, and Grenada. St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia and North America are nearby Barbados.
03. What to do in Barbados?
You can expect to enjoy the holidays in Barbados. Barbados has many historic sites and tourism activities to enjoy. You can visit a variety of historical museums, sugar plantations, and colonial buildings.
04. What time is it in Barbados?
Barbados time zone is UTC−4 (AST) or Greenwich Mean Time. It is not adjusted for daylight saving time.
05. Which country did Barbados gain its independence from?
Barbados was once a British Colony. Although independent, the island is a Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as its head. Later 2021, Barbados will remove Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state.
06. How big is Barbados?
Barbados is 439 km2 or 169 square miles in size.
07. What continent is Barbados in?
Barbados is not situated on a continent. It is an island country found in the Atlantic Ocean close to the North American continent.
Official Websites
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