Known as the "Pearl of the Caribbean", holidays in Barbados offer tourists a gorgeous tropical paradise. The island, particularly the western side, is dominated by beautiful beach resorts, filled all year round by keen holiday makers looking for some sun, sand and sangria on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. A Barbados holiday is one of the most popular winter sun holiday destinations in the world and is a de rigueur stop on any Caribbean cruise holiday.
With a unique mix of the exotic and the familiar, Barbados, the 'Little England' of the Caribbean has a bit of everything - superb beaches, fine dining, rowdy street parties and cricket matches. Let the short video clip inspire you and take you on a journey to the last authentic Caribbean experience.
| 5 must-do things in Barbados | ||||||||
| 1Indulge in some authentic island food, such as breaded flying fish and the Barbadian speciality 'pepperpot'. |
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2Families traveling in Barbados will absolutely love Ocean Park, with over 26 displays of Caribbean marine life. |
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3Take a tour of the 4-Square Rum Distillery and Heritage Park, located on the site of an old sugar plantation. |
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4Try your hand at wind surfing or kite surfing in the Soup Bowl, located on the island's eastern coast. |
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5Head to the Platinum Coast to the west of the island, and enjoy the sight of Caribbean waters lapping the golden sands. |
Where to go...
| Bridgetown is the capital and commercial centre of Barbados. Originally named 'Indian Bridge', it's a busy port with a natural harbour inlet well utilised by yachts, catamarans and fishing boats. Broad Street is the main street of Bridgetown and consists mainly of banks, department stores and duty free shops. At the top of Broad Street you'll find the Parliament Buildings of Barbados. Opposite this, you'll find the old "Trafalgar Square" and a statue of Lord Nelson. Interesting note: this statue erected on 22 Mar 1813, is older than the statue in London's Trafalgar Square! |
| Christchurch, on the southern coast of Barbados is home to many beach resorts. The beaches on the west coast of the parish have calm, calm Caribbean waters perfect for snorkelling and water sports, while the beaches on the east coast, such as Silver Sands, feature large surf and ocean breezes.Oistins is the main fishing town in the parish and is famous for its Friday Fish Fry on the beach. |
| Hastings, a short ride east of Bridgetown became the first tourist resort in Barbados is home to the magnificent Accra Beach. This lively beach is popular due its huge expanse of white sand and is the perfect place for people watching and water-sports. Buy some of the local crafts or have your hair braided, or just relax in the sun and soak up the Bajan atmosphere. |
| St. James lies on the west coast of Barbados and is hard to beat for sunbathing, water-sports, and a seemingly endless choice of man-made and natural attractions. Folkestone Marine Park is a popular attraction combining a museum and an aquarium. Formed by the sinking of the ship Stavronikita it's home to numerous fish, sea anemones, sea lilies, corals and sponges providing great snorkeling and diving. |
| St. Lawrence commonly known as "The Gap”, is famous for its white sands, clear waters, many restaurants, great shopping and lively atmosphere. You can enjoy the many water sports available from the beach and later enjoy the fine restaurants that provide a wide range of specialty foods. And there are a number of lively bars and nightclubs offering a Barbadian experience not to be missed. |
| Maxwell Coast, just east of St. Lawrence Gap is a bit lively. However the waters are still calm enough for safe swimming, especially for those with children. The wide, white coral sands leads down to shimmering turquoise waters that invite you in for a dip. Rent beach chairs and umbrellas or relax on the picnic benches and enjoy the views and cooling tropical breezes. |
Best time to go?
Between January and June is the dry season making Barbados your perfect winter sun holiday destination. With cheap flights to Barbados on the major airlines, you can soon be enjoying the dramatic landscapes and breathtaking scenery.
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