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Barbados

Barbados

Calm west-coast bays, Atlantic surf at Bathsheba, rum shops and cricket.

Photo: Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • AirportGrantley Adams (BGI)
  • CurrencyBarbados dollar (BBD), pegged 2:1 to the US$
  • LanguageEnglish, Bajan
  • Best timeDecember to April

Barbados sits a little east of the main island chain, which gives it two personalities: the calm, turquoise Platinum Coast on the west and the wild Atlantic coast on the east, where surfers ride the Soup Bowl at Bathsheba.

It's an easy island to love. The capital, Bridgetown, and its Garrison are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rum shops dot every parish, and the Friday-night fish fry at Oistins is a weekly institution.

Top things to do

  • Take the tram through Harrison's Cave
  • Watch the surf and boulders at Bathsheba
  • Join the Friday fish fry at Oistins
  • Tour Mount Gay or St Nicholas Abbey rum distilleries
  • Swim with turtles off the west coast

Tours & excursions on Barbados

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Landmarks on Barbados

Map

Where to stay

West coast (St James)

calm sea, upscale hotels and villas

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South coast (St Lawrence Gap)

lively, good value, near Oistins

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East coast

rugged, quiet guesthouses for surfers and walkers

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Getting there & around

Grantley Adams has direct flights from the UK, North America and other Caribbean islands. Buses and route taxis are cheap and frequent; driving is on the left.

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Cross over: nearby islands & regions

Combine Barbados with a neighbour. Distances are straight-line.

Header photo: Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0

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