Top 10 Activities

#1. Water Sports
The isle of Barbados is renowned for being a haven for lovers of water sports. The rugged south and west coasts offer ideal conditions for windsurfing, jet skiing, parasailing and water skiing. However, if you'd prefer to spend some time riding the waves, then the surf is great over at Soup Bowl, South Point or Rockley Beach.

#2. Rum Tour
Get into the pirate atmosphere of the island and visit the Mount Gay visitor's center. See how the best rum in the Caribbean is made on a free tour around the distillery and sample all they have to offer.

#3. Snorkeling
The beaches around Barbados aren't always just for the surfers. The spectacular undersea displays of dazzling coral and teeming schools of fish make them ideal for snorkeling among the reefs.

#4. Hike in Welchman Hall Gully
Welchman Hall Gully is a lovely hiking trail surrounded by lush green vegetation, spice trees and stunning displays of wild flowers. While you walk, keep your eyes on the trees and you'll spot a curious monkey or two watching you while you walk.

#5. Barbados Pirate Inn
Ahoy there, matey! When the sun goes down, throw on your best pirate costume and join in the theme party at the Barbados Pirate Inn. The Inn specializes in offering travelers the opportunity to join in as a swashbuckling buccaneer during their theme evenings.

#6. Calabaza Sailing Cruises
Take a personalized Catamaran Sailing Cruise out of Bridgetown and view the isle of Barbados from the coast and harbors. You're able to book evening sunset cruises or day trips that include a lavish lunch and free drinks.

#7. St. Nicholas Abbey
The St. Nicholas Abbey is a Jacobean plantation house surrounded by sugar cane fields. This elegantly restored 17th century colonial building is surrounded by stunningly manicured gardens and offers a lovely lunch on the terrace. This day trip is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the history of Barbados.

#8. Take an Island Safari
The Island Safari tour takes you out to parts of the island not usually included in most tourist destinations, but it's definitely worth the trip. Trek up to the northern cliffs and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Atlantic crashing onto the rocks below. There are also many churches and historic sites along the way that you'd otherwise miss.

#9. Animal Flower Cave
In North Point, down at the sea level are a series of caves created by the sea over centuries. It's now populated with anemones and strange living growths that resemble animal shapes. From inside the caves there are several 'windows', or openings in the cliff that allow shafts of sunlight in to illuminate the rock formations.

#10. St. Lawrence Gap
In Christ Church you'll find a 1.3km stretch of road called St. Lawrence Gap and it's renowned for its many fine restaurants, excellent nightlife and great shopping. You'll also find this is an excellent location for good accommodation close to Dover Beach.

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Best Time To Visit

Barbados enjoys a lovely climate and is usually warm and sunny for most of the year. The island's dry season runs from December through to May when the northeasterly trade winds provide cool breezes to help travelers cope with the day time temperatures ranging between 75F and 85F.

The hurricane season runs from June to October. Even though Barbados hasn't been struck by a major hurricane in more than 60 years, the island may still experience rain from passing storms out at sea.

When you're searching for the best Barbados travel deals, be sure to consider how the weather will affect your plans.

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Travel Shopping

St. Lawrence Gap is the primary shopping district for most visitors to Barbados. Featuring 1.3km of street-shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to see and do here. If you remember to show your passport at many shops then you may find that some of your purchases are tax/duty free. If you do purchase duty free items, you will need to fill in some forms regarding your purchases and leave the paperwork at the airport before you leave.

You'll find plenty of quality jewelry, ceramics, locally made clothing, rum, prints and traditional local woodcrafts all over the island.

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Festival Events

Barbados Jazz Festival:
In mid-January, the island becomes host to local and international jazz artists to play at various locations around Barbados.

Holetown Festival:
During February, St. James celebrates the Holetown Festival to commemorate the founding of Barbados' first European settlement. This festival is celebrated for a week and includes street fairs, concerts, parades and sporting events.

Gospelfest:
Gospelfest is held in May right across the island and attracts thousands of visitors to enjoy this popular musical event.

Crop Over Festival:
The Crop Over Festival is celebrated island-wide from late July through to early August and everyone joins in on the party with fairs, dancing, concerts and plenty of rum drinking. The festival ends with a street carnival on Kadooment Day, which is the first Monday in August.

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Basic Bajan Phrases

You should find you're relatively easily understood throughout the island of Barbados. The pidgin English may have a strong accent to it, but you'll be able to make your meaning clear without problems. You will often hear "Bajan" dialect, which is Barbadian's English-based version of Creole.

You mekking mock-sport! - You've got to be joking!

Bird-speed - Very quickly

stingy-brim and shades - trendy hat and designer sunglasses

Tink seh is - Think that is

Bulla cake - sweet flat cake

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Explore Barbados

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