Recent Blogs Created

Recent blogs created by our users

There are currently 0 users online.

Jan

10

Barbados Holiday & Sightseeing Guide

Filed Under Caribbean

A trip to Barbados

Barbados is widely known as being a top Caribbean destination. It has so much to offer to seize your breath including year-round sunshine, impeccable beaches and amazing scenery, to a happening nightlife scene and the best in modern amenities. Luxury resorts feature as one of the main accommodation options for European and North American travellers, while the spectacular coral reefs surrounding the 15-mile long island draw visitors from around the world.

Flights to Barbados
Grantley Adams International Airport, located about a 30-minute drive from the centre of town, receives air traffic from both international and national carriers. Trans Island Air is the island’s national airline, which also services the airport. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Barbados try Ebookers. Regular bus services run from the airport into town, but most tourists choose the easy option and get a taxi from in front of the Arrivals area. Taxi fares are government regulated and signs can be found listing the government suggested fares to certain areas.

Few people will argue that car hire is one of the best options for transportation around Barbados. The island is compact and easily navigated, and offers stunning scenery that you will not want to miss. There are a number of car hire companies on the island and most will deliver a car directly to your hotel. Bus is the cheapest public transport option and routes cover the entire island, while taxis can be flagged down at most points across the island.

Barbados

Out and about – sightseeing
Visitors to Barbados will have a full itinerary. Once bored of the beach, there are endless options to get you up and going. From water sports, horseback riding and golfing to wildlife sanctuaries, plantations and scenic drives, there will be little time to get bored. Those looking to delve into the art and culture of the island will have a nice treat in store, with a number of excellent museums offering an insight into the proud heritage of the island’s Bajan people.

Bridgetown is the main centre on the island and everywhere else is easily accessed in a short time from this commercial hub. You will discover an array of charming treats if you take the time to explore the island. From quaint fishing villages and caves that have been forming for thousands of years, to excellent museums and historical mansions, each site is surrounded by stunning coastal views.

Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Bridgetown is not only Barbados’ major party hub, it is also well known as one of the Caribbean’s best places for all-night raging. The offerings are diverse, from large international standard discos and charming open-air clubs featuring top DJs, to live music venues offering the best in local Caribbean reggae.

The island also has a strong culture in performing arts. Stage One Theatre Company is one of the best known, specialising in bringing traditional arts of the region to both local and foreign audiences, while locals dance groups also impress with their colourful and lively performances.

Eating in Barbados is always a treat. Whether you choose to pick something up at one of the many street side stalls or are more interested in a sophisticated dining experience, Barbados can provide. Flying fish and a mash of corn meal and okra are among the two more popular local specialities. International cuisine is also widely available.

Fun by day – shopping and activities
Barbados offers its visitors a wide range of activities from nature excursions to the best in shopping. Bridgetown is the main centre for shopping, with a range of shopping centres and markets to ensure that you don’t return home empty handed. Quaint fishing villages offer an insight into a way of life that has changed little over the years, while tropical gardens are the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon stroll.

Daytrips
Barbados is perfectly laid out for daytrips, as all of the destinations are conveniently located within a short distance of one another. Outside of major towns like Bridgetown, there are several parks and natural attractions that belong on every tourist’s itinerary. The Animal Flower Cave in St Lucy parish is one such place, with cavernous pools where swimmers can come face-to-face with sea anemones.

Folkestone Park is another area worth visiting. Found in St James parish, this area is especially well-suited for scuba divers as a ship was intentionally sunk here in the 1970s. Snorkelling is also recommended in Folkestone as the coral reefs host a colourful variety of marine life.

A trip to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve (St Peter parish) reveals stands of mahogany trees inhabited by colonies of rambunctious green monkeys. Visitors can stroll through the park at their own pace and enjoy viewing these and other animals in their natural habitat.

Must-see attractions
Many of Barbados’ visitors base themselves in the capital city of Bridgetown, with its bustling commercial centre and busy port, the Careenage. The 17th-century Parliament Building is Bridgetown’s most prominent feature. Situated at the crest of Broad street, this neo-Gothic building is open for tours whenever parliament is in session.

While sightseeing in Bridgetown, be sure to take in the enormous baobab tree, which was carted over the Atlantic from Africa and planted here in 1738. It takes 15 average size adults to encircle the tree with outstretched arms.

Sleepy fishing villages are posted on the outskirts of the island’s major town centres. Bathsheba is a particularly well-known village characterised by rocky terrain that works its image onto countless post originating from Barbados. Bathsheba is known for its pounding, frothy surf, and the village hosts an annual surfing competition.

Beautiful tropical gardens are open to visitors across Barbados. The Ayshford Ratite Gardens operate an upscale restaurant with exceptional views over the lush foliage. This garden remains open after sunset and is spectacularly illuminated at night. Lazaretto Garden is found in St Michael parish (close to Bridgetown) and features a picturesque waterfall.

Best time to go
Temperatures in this tropical destination range from 25-30°C throughout the year. Most tourists travel to Barbados between the months of November and March, when temperatures are refreshing and comfortable. The dry season also coincides with this period of travel so sightseeing and sunbathing remain viable options. Tropical storms consistently crop up during the summer months, bringing heavy (though relatively brief) periods of rainfall.

Rainy day suggestions
Those visiting during the summer will definitely need a backup plan in case of rain. The Barbados Museum in St Michael parish is housed in a former military prison that dates to British colonisation. Exhibits here include artefacts dating back as far as the 5th century BC along with botanical displays and a display of 20th-century artwork. Much of the art here reflects the work of local painters and engravers.

Share and Enjoy: