The Ultimate Things to Do in Barbados Guide

Are you planning a trip to Barbados? If so, you’re likely picturing pristine sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, fresh fish and so much rum punch. Let me be the first to assure you that this Caribbean paradise offers all that and so much more. I spent a few days in Barbados while travelling through this part of the world. While it took a while for the island to grow on me, I enjoyed my time in Barbados and highly recommend it to those looking for an island getaway filled with plenty of tourist attractions. There’s genuinely so much to do in Barbados. I definitely didn’t get to do it all on my trip, but in this post I’m going to give you an idea of some of the best things I did experience during my stay.

A Bit About Barbados

Barbados is a relatively small, pair shaped island in the East Caribbean. It is actually the easternmost island in the entire Caribbean. If you look at a map of the region, you’ll see Barbados jutting out from the main Lesser Antilles chain. Its located due east of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Barbados covers an area of only 167 square miles, though I found it actually took much longer to get from one side of the island to the other than expected.

Barbados was originally inhabited by Arawak people, however they were displaced around 1200 AD, following the arrival of the Caribs. They also left the island around the time of European discovery, and Captain James Powell claimed Barbados for England in 1625. An English settlement was established on the island two years later at Jamestown (now called Holestown), which by the 1640s had become one of the first sugar plantation settlements in the Caribbean. The British imported large numbers of African slaves to their new colony, while the sugar industry boomed.

While slavery was abolished in 1834, Barbados’ plantations continued to prosper. This was due to the owners of the plantations owning most of the land on the island, forcing the freed slaves to continue to work on the cane fields. The tide began to shift with the 1930s as tourism became the island’s main industry, and the political system became more accessible to the Black population. Attaining self-governance in 1961, Barbados became an independent nation on 30 November 1966. Erol Barrow became the first prime minister, and a stable democracy has continued since.

When to Visit Barbados

As with most Caribbean nations, the main factor to consider when planning a trip to Barbados is hurricane season. It spans from July to November, though September and October are generally the peak months. In saying that, Barbados generally doesn’t see as much in the way of hurricanes as its other West Indie counterparts. Being further east, it tends to escape the main storm path, meaning Barbados is actually a pretty good choice to visit most times of the year.

The peak tourist season is from December to April. This coincides with the dry season, so you’ll typically get less rain if you come to Barbados at this time of year. On the downside, its also when accommodation prices soar. I actually came to Barbados in July. While it was the wet season, I found the rain didn’t tend to last long on the island, and often cleared up within half an hour. Regardless of the time you visit, you’ll be greeted by warm tropical days in the 30s (Celsius).

How to Get to Barbados

The Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) is the only airport in Barbados. Its in the south east of the island, about 16 kilometres to the east of Bridgetown, the capital. As the largest airport in the Eastern Caribbean, Barbados receives flights from North America and the United Kingdom, as well as other closer locations in the Caribbean and Latin America. The airport is small, but has modern amenities, including a food court and retail outlets. I flew into Barbados from Antigua and Barbuda, which was only about an hour flight on a fairly small plane.

As always when travelling internationally, you need to check the entry requirements depending on your country of origin. Generally speaking, you won’t need a visa for Barbados if you’re a citizen of a western nation, though you will need to show proof of onward travel (i.e. your departing flight) when coming through immigration.

• You can check the current entry requirements for Barbados on the official tourism website HERE.

Depending where you’re staying in Barbados, you should be able to get there from the airport by public transport. There are a number of bus services that run along the main road for a fixed fee of $3.50 BBD (about $2.50 AUD). It will take about 35 minutes to get from the airport to Bridgetown. Alternatively, there are plenty of taxis available at the airport, though they will cost upwards of $40 BBD (about $30 AUD) or more, depending on where you’re headed.

Where to Stay in Barbados

There’s resorts and hotels all over Barbados, with most located around the coasts of the island. While Barbados is a fairly expensive destination, accommodation options range across all budgets. Many of the island’s famous luxury resorts are located on the west coast and are very pricey. If you’re looking for a more budget friendly place to stay, the southern coast of the island around St Lawrence’s Gap offers affordable options in a relatively central location.

As a rough guide, you can expect to pay the following per night for a double room in Barbados:

• Budget: less than $85.00 USD.
• Mid-Range: $85.00 USD to $200.00 USD.
• Luxury: more than $200.00 USD.

I stayed at a guest house called Beach Vue Barbados in Worthing on the island’s south. While it wasn’t the quietest spot at night (it was directly across the road from a fun bar with live music called Mojo’s), it was a really good place to stay for what I paid. For a relatively affordable price, you get a beachside apartment with a communal terrace area, and plenty of deckchairs and other beach equipment that you can use whenever you like. I particularly liked being able to sit on the deck with other travellers overlooking the beach nearby.

How to Get Around Barbados

Getting around Barbados is fairly easy. There’s a regular bus service that goes along the main highway on the coast of the island. Buses run from 6am to midnight. Wherever you’re headed, there’s a fixed fee of $3.50 BBD. Note that they generally won’t give change, so make sure you have the right fare. If you’re going further afield, to use the bus network, you’ll likely have to connect through Bridgetown or Oistins.

As of the time of writing, Uber doesn’t operate on Barbados, although there is the local PickUpBarbados app, which works in a similar way. I found it useful to get out to some of the tourist spots further north. If you do use the app, you’ll want to grab the contact details of your driver before getting out at your destination, as internet reception can be a bit patchy the further north you go. Of course, you can also take taxis if you get stuck, but they tend to be more expensive.

Other Things to Know About Barbados

The official currency of Barbados is the Barbadian Dollar (BBD), however the US Dollar (USD) is also readily accepted across the island. The BBD is pegged to the USD at a 2:1 exchange rates, which makes currency conversion quite easy. You’ll find most tourist destinations will quote prices in both currencies. ATMs are widely available, especially in Bridgetown, though you’ll want to check withdrawal fees for foreign cards. The best ATMs tend to be those operated by the Republic Bank.

Given Barbados’ British past, it should come as no surprise that English is the official language.

I found Barbados to be extremely safe. I never felt uncomfortable during my stay, though you’ll want to exercise the same common sense precautions that you would anywhere in the world. One thing I did notice is that along the main highway, I was frequently offered drugs by local taxi drivers and vendors. Barbados has strict drug laws, so I’d strongly recommend declining such offers.

Things to Do in Barbados

Its no wonder that tourism is booming on this island – there are so many things to do in Barbados. Whether you want to get away from it all and soak in the sun, or you want to dig deeper and experience everything that the country has to offer, you’ll need at least a few days to get the most out a stay on the island. While there’s plenty more things you could do than what I’ve covered in this post, I’ll now list some of the things I did while staying in Barbados.

Relax on the Beach

Okay lets face it. When you think of Barbados, you’re picturing yourself on a pristine beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying the warm Caribbean waters. With so many amazing beaches around the island, you’ve got quite the choice here. The most popular with tourists is at Carlisle Bay, and for good reason. This stretch of sand sits just of Bridgetown. The waters are calm and shallow, making for a family friendly day (or days) at the beach. You can participate in water sports, rent a deck chair and umbrella, or stop in at one of the many beachside bars. I don’t need to tell you how to enjoy a day at the beach, but know that there are many waiting for you at Carlisle Bay.

• One excellent (albeit touristy) spot to relax at Carlisle Bay is the Boatyard Beach Club. I’ve written about my experience there HERE.

If you’re looking to get off the tourist trail, you might want to try Miami Beach. Near Oistins on the island’s south, its a small and shady hidden gem when it comes to Barbados’ beaches. The same crystal clear waters can be enjoyed here (though admittedly they get deeper quicker), but with significantly less crowds. In between the two, you’ve also got Rockley Beach, which you can get to by following the boardwalk towards Bridgetown as you pass through Hastings. My hotel backed onto Worthing Beach, which also a quiet spot to relax.

Swim with Turtles in Carlisle Bay

• Where? There are numerous providers, but I booked with Tranquility Cruises. Their cruises depart from Pier Head Lane, Bridgetown.
• When? Tours depart daily at 10.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm (bookings essential).
• Admission: Tours cost $30.00 USD for adults ($60.00 BBD).
• Website: https://www.tranquilitycruises.com/

Swimming with turtles was the absolute highlight of my trip to Barbados. If you only have time to do one thing when you’re in the country, make sure you book a tour to swim with Barbados’ famous turtle population just off shore in Carlisle Bay. There’s tons of tour operators that run similar trips, but I absolutely loved the snorkelling cruise that I did with Tranquility Cruises. We had a relatively small group, and an excellent crew as we boarded a small vessel and sailed out into the Carlisle Bay Marine Reserve.

My Tranquility Cruise experience lasted just over an hour, and it was amazing, especially considering how affordable it was. We got to snorkel at two spots in the bay (equipment was all included). At the first stop we saw a shipwreck, before moving on to the area where the turtles tend to hang out. While there’s no guarantee that you will see turtles when you book a tour, my understanding is that its pretty rare that you don’t. We saw a fair few, and our guide was great at pointing them out from in the water. We also saw tons of other marine life. When I look back on my time in Barbados, this tour is one of the first things that I think of.

• I’ve written about my turtle tour with Tranquility Cruises in more detail. You can read about it HERE.

Wander the Streets of Bridgetown

I always like to visit the capital when exploring a new country. Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados, and is located in the south west of the island. The town centre is a short walk north of Carlisle Bay. For a Caribbean city, is fairly built up and there are tons of shops and restaurants. The main draw for me was the colonial architecture, with the entire downtown and Garrison area being a UNESCO World Heritage site. The most striking example of Bridgetown’s architecture is the Parliament Building, which bears something of a resemblance to London’s Westminster Palace (though obviously on a much smaller scale). I just strolled past and took some photos of the clock tower, but there’s a small museum inside that details the nation’s democratic governance.

While you probably didn’t come to Barbados to spend the day inside museums, there’s a few decent ones worth checking out in and around Bridgetown. The Barbados Museum is housed in an old military prison and chronicles the history of the island to the modern day. Sports fans may want to check out the Cricket Legends of Barbados Museum, while the George Washington House is notable for capturing the spirit of Barbados during the 1750s, during which time the first President of the United States stayed in the now restored house.

Discover Harrison’s Cave

• Where? Allen View, Saint Thomas.
• When? 9.00am – 3.00pm daily.
• Admission: Basic admission (including tram tour) for adults is $57.00 USD or $115.00 BBD.
• Website: https://chukka.com/destinations/barbados/harrisons-cave/

One of the most popular tourist attractions on the island, Harrison’s Cave takes you deep into the heart of Barbados. Located in the central hillside, the main reason to come here is to take the tram tour, which is included with your admission. On board, you’ll be driven through a number of large open caverns amongst limestone stalactite and stalagmite formations, which were created by erosion and exploration. The caves are beautiful, and are filled with natural streams and pools, which contribute to the island’s supply of fresh water. One chamber that you’ll see on your tour is even rented out for private wedding ceremonies!

In addition to the tram tour, the new operators of Harrison’s Cave have established an eco-park filled with additional activities you can participate in. There’s zip line trails and adventure courses, with much more to come in the future. You’ll need to get a driver to take you to Harrison’s Cave (it took about 45 minutes to get there from the south side of the island). Be aware that internet reception at the site can be quite patchy, so I highly recommend paying your driver to stay, or getting their contact details so they can pick you up later.

• I’ve written about my trip to Harrison’s Cave. I loved it, and you can read more HERE.

Visit St Nicholas’ Abbey

• Where? Cherry Tree Hill, St Peter.
• When? 9.30am – 5.00pm Sunday to Friday (closed Saturdays).
• Admission: General admission for adults is $30.00 USD or $60.00 BBD.
• Website: https://www.stnicholasabbey.com/

Those wanting to delve deeper into Barbados’ colonial history will want to make the trip up to St Nicholas’ Abbey. Located in the island’s north, the property was never the site of a church (despite the name), however what you will find is one of the oldest houses in all of Barbados, dating back to 1658. Built in the Jacobean style, the mansion was part of one of the Caribbean’s first sugar plantations, though nowadays it operates as a rum distillery (which means a tasting is definitely on the agenda!).

I highly recommend taking a tour of the Great House at St Nicholas’ Abbey. While you’re free to wander around at your own pace, the staff will be more than happy to show you around. I spent about an hour learning about the history of the property with my guide Asha (who was equal parts knowledgeable and hilarious). After finishing up with some rum, you can stop by the small terrace cafe before going on with your day. You can also pay extra to take a trip around the property aboard a steam train.

• You can read more about St Nicholas Abbey in my post HERE.

Sample some Mount Gay Rum

• Where? Mighty Grynner Highway, Exmouth Gap, Bridgetown.
• When? Tastings run hourly from 9.30am to 2.30pm Tuesday to Friday (closed Saturday to Monday).
• Admission: Rum tastings start at $25.00 USD or $50.00 BBD.
• Website: https://www.mountgayrum.com/tour-mount-gay/

Speaking of rum, there’s no brand more famous in Barbados than Mount Gay. You can’t come to Barbados without trying it, and if you’re keen to learn more about how its distilled, I really recommend taking part in a tasting experience at the Mount Gay Visitor’s Centre. Just north of Bridgetown’s main harbour, you’ll learn everything you ever wanted to know about this national liquor. The servings are quite generous as well (if you’re renting a car, you do not want to drive to this one!). Of course, you’ll have ample opportunity to buy some bottles after the tour (and might I say that the rum is an excellent choice to enjoy on your hotel veranda after a busy day on Barbados!).

Experience the Animal Flower Cave

• Where? North Point, Conneltown.
• When? 9.30am – 4.00pm Tuesday to Sunday (weather permitting).
• Admission: $20.00 USD or $40.00 BBD.
• Website: https://www.animalflowercave.com/

If you hadn’t heard of an animal flower before coming to Barbados, you’re not the only one. The term is used to describe the brightly coloured sea anemones found in the waters of this cave at the very northern tip of Barbados. The cave was formed from erosion, with its heart shape ‘window’ to the sea carved out from the rough Atlantic waves smashing up against it. If you’ve ever seen Peter Pan, the cave gave me those kinds of vibes, and it was actually used historically as a base for sea smugglers.

The Animal Flower Cave is a dream destination for photographers, and those wanting to cool off can also take a dip in the calm waters of the cave’s natural rock pool. Bring a towel and reef shoes. Note that depending on the weather, the pool may be closed, as waves can enter the cave in rough conditions. You can also learn more about the cave’s ecosystem by taking one of the guided tours, which run sporadically throughout the course of the day. If you’re hungry, dine at the excellent on-site restaurant, which overlooks the cliff face.

Dine on Bajan Delicacies

Did I mention being hungry? I ate some of the best fish that I’ve ever tasted during my time in Barbados. The national dish is the flying fish (yes, its a thing, and its super tasty), but there are so many kinds you can try on this tropical island. They all taste so fresh! If you’re staying on the southern side of the island like I did, there’s a great number of restaurants at St Lawrence’s Gap, which is something of a nightlife hub on weekend’s. I especially enjoyed my meal at the Castaways Restaurant here. For something less fancy, there’s a number of beachside bar and grills, such as the Chill Cafe near Hastings.

If you’re in Barbados on a Friday night, you have to grab a feed at Oistins Fish Fry. This is where the locals come to celebrate the end of the week. Prices are affordable and the rum flows strong here. You’ll find a festival like atmosphere if you stop by, with dancers and musicians among the various food stalls. I definitely recommend it.

With so many things to do in Barbados, hopefully this post has helped you decide how to spend your time in this wonderful country. There’s no doubt more to do on the island, but I found that this list saw me through the few days I spent here on my trip. If you’ve been to Barbados and I’ve missed your favourite thing to do, or your best tip for enjoying a stay, please let me know. If you haven’t been, hopefully you’ll have the chance to experience Barbados some day soon.