Barbados is considered the ultimate island of fantasy and the pearl of the Caribbean. With sunshine throughout the year, exotic resorts, golden beaches, excellent services and a lively nightlife, Barbados is one of the most sought after holiday destinations in the world. Though the climate and surroundings couldn't be more different from England, you'll certainly feel a sense of home traditions as much of Barbados is filled with English cultures including many Anglican churches, and cricket being constantly played on the beaches. Indeed even some of the town names have a vibe of "Little England" including Hastings, Dover and Brighton. However, ultimately this is an island that maintains the West Indian vibe thanks to the Calypso atmosphere, the drum music and the Reggae rhythm. The typical climate should play a part in the time of year you choose to travel with a dry season from January to June, and hurricanes occurring on occasions generally from June to October. Flights take about eight hours from many UK airports.
Any holidaymaker keen on rest, relaxation, soft sands and warm waters will fall in love with Barbados…
Anyone who wants to soak up the sun and relax on the sand will not be disappointed by Barbados. The island is full of swimming and sunbathing opportunities but it does have enough charm aside from the waterfront to attract you away from the lazy days, including to the mountain areas where there is some spectacular scenery. As the people of Barbados are sports mad this is an island to satisfy the most active of holidaymakers, and particularly families with children who want to enjoy comparatively safe activities. The island has a thriving nightlife for partygoers with the additional advantage of an authentic Caribbean vibe. There is also a range of accommodation choices with five-star and luxury hotels as well as self-catering options.
It will be difficult to draw yourself away from the beaches on Barbados, particularly along the West Coast, which has the calmest and safest bays on the island. The waters are generally calm, although there are seasonal variations, but this is the ideal place for family bathing. The south by contrast is the best area of Barbados for watersports with body surfing and tumbling particularly popular. Windsurfers will thrive here and there are annual surfing competitions on both the south and east coast. Be wary of the east and north because it is here that the seas are at their wildest.
There are many beaches that go relatively undiscovered, including Long Beach, despite the fact that it stretches for about a mile. Dover Beach is vastly popular among visitors to the south coast, while Paradise and Brighton Beach are only separated by a small stand of woods. Bath is one of the safest beaches, with a lifeguard usually on hand, while Enterprise/Miami Beach has crystal clear waters that always prove popular among locals.
Away from the beach it's worth heading into Bridgetown, the capital of the island, where you will find many remnants of Barbados's British heritage. There is a large Anglican cathedral, gothic parliament buildings, and a distinctive synagogue. It's also the best place to shop on the island with lots of side streets filled with rum stores.
If you want to keep active you can join in with a game of cricket on the beach or try and grab tickets for a Test match. Barbados is also expanding as a golfing location and there are cruise ships that run throughout the day giving visitors the chance to explore the Leeward and Windward Islands.
After a long day at the beach you'll probably fancy something to eat, and while the restaurants are generally not cheap, the standards are invariably high. Between Holetown on the west coast and St Lawrence Gap on the south coast you'll find a wide variety of international restaurants including Japanese, Mexican and Indian. Bridgetown is the best place to go to find a bargain with several cheap canteens.
The nightlife in Barbados is a major attraction with beach bars a particular hotspot with lots of live music and dancing. St Lawrence Gap in particular has earned a reputation as the "hip strip" with lots of live DJs, around 40 bars and clubs, and lots of late night entertainment. For something more authentic try one of the traditional dances or head to the fetes, which attract a younger crowd and buzz with the Jamaican styled dub music - the leading venues include Penthouse and De Base in Bridgetown, along with Liberty in Black Rock and Cactus in Silver Sands.
