Long renowned for its distilleries, Barbados offers can’t-miss experiences for nature lovers, history buffs, and gourmands.
While theCaribbeannation of Barbados is well known to some asthe place of origin of Rihanna , there ’s far more to the island than its artistry at launch spheric pappa sensations . The island ’s craggy ocean caves and sprawling belowground caverns offer plenty of adventure for daring travelers to research . To sweeten the deal , Barbados offer a plethora of Lord’s Day - imbrue beach and riotous forests for nature lover who favor their excursions above ground .
Amidst the vegetation , animate being , and innate landscapes , the island feature a vibrant culture unlike any other in the Caribbean . From the historic chapiter city of Bridgetown to the quiet fishing village of Bathsheba , the state ’s many community offer glimpses into the complex account of the island .
Although Barbados tie visitors in drove thanks to its high - visibility still and has earned international acclaim for its rummy scene , the country ’s culinary offering can not be ignored . The island suffice up a wealthiness of savoury , sweet seafood stunner all along its shoring that will be sure to fulfill the cravings of even the pickiest of gourmand .
Roberto Moiola/Sysaworld/Moment/Getty Images
Though it may be small in size , Barbados offers something for visitant of all types , whether you ’re looking for adventure or humoring . Here ’s how to make the most of it , while avoiding the bunch at the island ’s considerably - acknowledge site .
Your trip isn’t complete until you…
See : The deepness of Harrison ’s Cave . While it is a popular site for visitors to feel , this ancient cavern also acts as a important lifeline for the people of Barbados , with much of the island ’s drinking piddle purified within its limestone aquifer . As an add incentive , it ’s also underappreciated as a top spot for key out native Caribbean flora and fauna , with nonmigratory mintage ranging from colored birds include the light-green - throated carib and Antillean crested hummingbird to autochthonic reptiles like the Barbados American chameleon .
Touch : The soft sand between your toes at Brownes Beach . This strip of shoreline can be found just south of downtown Bridgetown , and while it ’s bed as a address ideal for sunbathing and super C skiing , challenging visitor can dive alongside its many coral reefs as well , with all sorts of tropic fish and even ocean turtles calling the Bajan shores home .
Smell : A pour of aged Bajan rummy . A tangible monitor of the island ’s once - mighty carbohydrate manufacture , this intent has been produced across Barbados for centuries . prestigious still Mount Gay has been in business for well over 300 years , while other lesser known but every bit vibe - filled destinations span from Foursquare — a relaxed still with an open sign of the zodiac policy for tours — to the West Indies Rum Distillery , a storied site that dates back to the 19th century .
Fishing, Speightstown|Bob Sacha/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images
Hear : The nightly chorus line of the Barbados whistling salientian . These tiny animals flourish in blossom gardens and forests likewise , imbuing the island with a distinctive , luxuriously - pitched call that carries into the early hours of the dawn each nighttime .
mouthful : Coucou and flying fish , the national dish of Barbados . While this lusty photographic plate is traditionally prepared on Fridays and Saturdays , advanced - day visitors can taste it seven days a hebdomad , with venues traverse from the east coast’sDis Ole Houseto the dear Friday night fish fry in Oistins .
Things to do for a gastronome
The Caribbean is no stranger to vibrant dining scene — island like Puerto Rico and Jamaica have rightfully earned plaudit for their many contributions to North American cuisine — and Barbados is no elision . The effervescent waters surround the nation are famed for not just their beauty , but also their bounty , offering a diverse regalia of marine species that play a cardinal role in what the locals are service up . Though darling national dishes brace from fish cakes to macaroni Proto-Indo European , flying fish is by far the star of the Bajan food scene .
While these fish are for sure a tidy sum to find in action mechanism — they come equipped with prolonged annexe - similar fins that allow them to glide above the airfoil of the H2O in short bursts — they’re an island sensation thanks to their rich flavor . The animals can be fried , steamed , or grilled , and they ’re typically paired with coucou , a hearty portmanteau of Abelmoschus esculentus and corn meal that can be found in teemingness across the island ’s many restaurants . Barbados residents love to accompany their meals with a pour of local rum but the island also surpass at the artistry of brewing , with wanted local beers like money box and 10 Saints usable at bars all across the nation .
9:30 am – recoil off your morning with a head trip toCalma Beach Club , an receptive - air venue in the heart of Holetown . During morning hour , it ’s a top spot for trying local staple fibre like Bajan Pisces cakes as well as salt sugar , a popular side knockout that ’s observe for its lack of sweetness .
Fishing, Speightstown|Bob Sacha/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images
" When you visit Barbados , you have to sample our Pisces cake — they’re a dead on target Bajan deary . Made with salted Pisces the Fishes — perfectly veteran — then fry until crispy , ” Tenisha Holder , senior growth officer at Barbados Tourism Marketing , state . “ For the full culinary experience , ask for ' bread and two , ' which is fish cakes in a salt bread roam with plenty of pepper sauce . ”
11 am – sweep up on your kitchen skills with a workshop atExplore Accent . Operated by Bajan native Melanie Trotman , this body process provides guests with an chance to craft a traditional bag packed full of locally - source ingredients — like saltfish or cocoanut Elmer Rice — all while gain insight into the rich cultural inheritance of the island . It is customary to cap off your form here with a local beer , mauby , or sorrel drink .
1:30 pm – Enjoy an upscale lunch at Colony Club’sRum Vault . While Barbados is celebrated for its rummy , few venues can match the sophistication of this berth . establish in 2018 , this polished infinite provides Edgar Guest with an opportunity to enjoy high-pitched - goal dining and a mystifying diving on the history of rummy , with more than 150 dissimilar alternative from across the globe all up for grabs .
Calma Beach Club|Photo courtesy of Calma Beach Club
4:30 pm – Take in the sunset withappetizers atFusion Rooftop . Once you ’ve got a good buzz conk out , you may head south . While this upscale locus guarantees a bird’s - centre view of Holetown , it also offers a glimpse into the island ’s artistry at Nipponese culinary art , with salmon and cream cheeseflower - impregnate Alaska bankroll , half-baked tuna nigiri , and unagi mango rolls being just a few of the seafood dishful set up on the computer menu .
8 pm – make the township in Oistins . After an elegant dinner , it ’s clip for a occasional night out in Oistins . This southerly Barbados village come equipped with bars likeCocktail Kitchenand Johnny Cools Bar , but for a truly memorable night out , be sure to head to the Friday night fish fry . " The Pisces nestling is n’t just about the food . It ’s where the whole island come together , ” Holder says . “ You ’ll find fresh , seasoned fish directly off the grill . The vibration of island music . Locals and visitor sharing a laugh , trade story . It ’s the real Barbados . ”
In improver to plenty of musical performances and souvenir Booth to peruse in the village , guest can also dine on fresh swordfish , mahi - mahi , and flying Pisces all ready right in front of you on a flare grill .
Colony Club’s Rum Vault|Photo courtesy of The Rum Vault
Things to do for a nature lover
Barbados stands out from its Caribbean counterparts in many ways , including how it was formed . Rather than being the solution of volcanic activity , like Martinique and St. Lucia , Barbados is the result of myriad layer of coral limestone being thrust to the surface of the sea — and the island ’s singular composition has pave the manner for some unfeignedly dazzling natural sites to brandish .
In the Interior Department of the island , visitors can encounter a whole host of fascinating creatures during a stroll through its many botanical gardens . The island appeals to birdwatchers in particular thanks to its many colorful hummingbird and passeriform bird . And of course , the perimeters of the island are equally as gorgeous as its inner depths . Barbados is prevailing with idyllic beaches spanning from Brownes Beach to Morgan Lewis Beach , and just beyond the shoreline , its waters are pullulate with colored Witwatersrand fish like the queen triggerfish , spotted scorpion fish , and rock sweetheart — and lucky visitor might be able to get a glimpse of the region ’s native green sea turtles laze atop the pee as well .
9 am – begin the day with a tour ofWalkers Reserve . This sprawling conserve was established to roleplay as a “ oasis for aboriginal biodiversity and a testament to sustainable tourism ” in the run-in of Kierra Clarke , communications military officer at the preserve ’s Walkers Institute for Regenerative Research Education and Design . The preserve plays server to score of native hummingbirds and lizards — but for visitors in picky , the local honeybee are the independent drawing card . During the reserve ’s Bajan Bee Experience , guest will venture over to the taciturnity ’s hives in full beekeeping raiment , earning an chance to get an up - tightlipped position at the honey - making process and even hold a honeycomb in their hands .
Cocktail Kitchen|Photo courtesy of Cocktail Kitchen
11:30 pm – Take it all in atCoco Hill Forest . After amount facial expression - to - face with Bajan bees , it ’s time to head south to one of the island ’s top spots for ecotourism . This jewel comes equipped with nearly two air mile of hiking trails , and while native bird species like the bananaquit and Barbados Charles Bullfinch burst across the preserves , it ’s best known for its nonmigratory green monkey . An introduced species from West Africa , these curious mammal can be obtain all throughout the timberland during a rise .
2 phase modulation – Admire the scene atFlower Forest Botanical Gardens . Once you ’ve had your filling of the woods , it ’s time for a point next door to get a closer look at the island ’s florals . measure in at 53 acres , this colorful attractiveness bluster towering trees and a whole lot of vivacious lily , roses , and begonias — all of which are everlasting for pull in the island ’s native hummingbird . After explore the quad , be trusted to swing out by the on - site Forest Cafe for a hearty lunch of fish cakes and sandwiches .
3:30 postmortem examination – Bask in the beauty ofAnimal Flower Cave . While this seaside cavern brag some of the most stunning cliffside views in all of northern Barbados , it also declare oneself some much - needed relief from the high noon sun . visitor are welcome to take a dip in the unagitated waters of the cave , with some section reaching up to eight feet in deepness — and post - swim , the on - website eating place is perfect for a novel rum punch .
Walkers Reserve|Photo courtesy of Walkers Reserve
6 phase modulation – Enjoy an elegant dinner atThe Cliff , one of the island ’s most extremely respected restaurants . The property is best known for its gorgeous seaside views and in high spirits - end dishes traverse from melanise snapper to Dover sole meuniére , but be sure to keep watch for nautical life down by the beach below , with native sharks and fish seen surging through the water at all hours of the nighttime .
Things to do for a history buff
While Barbados traditionally work host to diminished Indigenous settlements over the centuries , the early 1600s saw the comer of English settler en masse , in the end conduct to the permanent settlement of Bridgetown — the national uppercase — in 1628 . Throughout the centuries , this seaside city has amassed its fair part of historic bodily structure and landmarks , ultimately gain its historic marrow identification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 — but there ’s far more to research across the island than just its largest city .
In 100 past tense , Barbados was a big musician in the sugar trade across the Americas , and this legacy is always interlace with the res publica ’s colonial past and century of participation in the transatlantic striver trade . This account is carry on and can be explored atthe Barbados Museum & Historical Society , and there are currentlyplans underwayfor a Modern Historic District featuring a young museum , memorial , and inquiry heart and soul consecrate to the island ’s history of thrall .
The magnanimous - graduated table sugar production process in Barbados unknowingly extend a second industry to take precedence in later year — distillation , to be precise . Rum reigns supreme across the island , with the oldest still - outlive rummy party on the planet operate in its northerly compass . While sugarcane - acquire conditions are optimal on the island , Barbados also profit from its interior caverns , with the porous limestone move as a filter that imbues its hugger-mugger aquifers with bracing weewee that ’s pure for both drinking and using as a base in the local rum .
Coco Hill Forest|Photo courtesy of Coco Hill Forest
9 am – Walk among historical sites in downtown Bridgetown . The banks of the Constitution River play host to landmarks like the 1870s - epoch Parliament Buildings and picturesque Independence Square , while theNidhe Israel Synagogueshines a glare on the island ’s Judaic history . Founded back in 1654 , this institution serve well as one of the oldest temple in all of the Western Hemisphere .
1:30 pm – plunk into Bajan history at theBarbados Museum & Historical Society . While downtown Bridgetown is a treasure trove of storied internet site , newcomers can get ahead rich insight into the inside workings of the island ’s complex story at this esteemed institution . It ’s home to exhibit highlighting African customs within the Bajan diaspora and the island ’s autochthonal account . Post - visit , guest can make their way next door for luncheon at George Washington Coffee House , a locale that ’s clap for its ultra - sapid arepas .
3 post-mortem examination – Head to the heart of the state to exploreHarrison ’s Cave . “Harrison ’s Cave is more than just a stunning natural marvel ; it ’s a vital part of Barbados ’ water filtration system , ” Holder says . During a Signature Tram Tour here , guests can assume laborious hats and pile into a power train car to descend deep into the internal cavern , with natural formations like the 50 - foot - improbable Great Hall and The Altar — a pair of stalagmites that pay a flimsy resemblance to a couple in the midst of a union proposition — serving as two particularly notable stops .
Flower Forest Botanical Gardens|Photo courtesy of Flower Forest Botanical Gardens
And while the depths of Harrison ’s Cave are certainly impressive , visitors should be sure to spend some time exploring the lush gardens and forests find oneself outside the mouth of the complex body part . The many towering trees act as a haven for aboriginal bird coinage , many of which can be spotted from over 100 base in the air during a ride on the on - internet site zippo line .
5 pm – Get a predilection of Bajan history at theMount Gay Visitors ' Centre . Once you ’ve go forth from the depths of the cave , channelize back to Bridgetown to sample the offerings of the oldest operating rum manufacturer not just in Barbados , but on the entire planet , with concrete grounds in the form of a deed date back to 1703 . “ This is more than just rum ; it ’s the very core of Barbados , ” says Trudiann Branker , master liquidizer at Mount Gay .
While sugarcane distillate is certainly the main attraction for go participant , this polished adeptness is also a top spot for cocktails , with the on - website mixology workshops offering a opportunity for visitor to brush up on their bartending skills . During a grade , guests can savor a mystifying dive on the history of rummy production at the facility ’s museum before sitting down for a tasting , then make their way into the cocktail - crafting space to attempt their hand at beloved island favorites set out from the mojito to the rum lick .
Barbados Museum & Historical Society|Photo courtesy of Barbados Museum & Historical Society
8 pm – hoist down your day atRound House . On the island ’s idyllic eastern shore , the community of Bathsheba is renowned for its top - tier surfing opportunities — and when it comes to dining , this local restaurant is an essential daub . In business organisation for just under 150 twelvemonth , the beachside venue has had plenty of sentence to master the art of classic Bajan culinary art , with dishes like fell fish pâté , ital curry , and jerk pork and plantain skewers all come out on the menu .
What to know before you go
The currency
Barbados uses the Barbadian Dollar , a type of currency that was adopted in 1973 . The Barbadian Dollar is pegged to the United States Dollar at an exchange pace of roughly two to one , so just divide the local price in one-half and that will tell you ( almost exactly ) how much it costs in USD .
International adapters you’ll need
None , if you ’re traveling from the US .
When to plan your visit
December to April is often considered peak season in Barbados due to the lower chance of rain , but you’re able to visit year - round without issue .
Do’s and don’ts when visiting Barbados
Do:
Don’t:
Your Barbados dinner party fact
George Washington left the modernistic - solar day United States just once in his biography , and his goal was Barbados . Back in 1751 , the future president left the East Coast to accompany his brother on a journey to the Caribbean , drop six weeks on the island in sum before heading back to Virginia .
Harrison’s Cave|ICW/Shutterstock
Round House|Photo courtesy of Round House
Holetown, Barbados|Frank Fell Media/Shutterstock
