The identify Barbados mechanically conjures up tantalizing pictures of white sand seashores, crystal clear water, palm bushes and rum punches. Whereas the island has all of these superb issues, it additionally has way more to supply!
In your journey to Barbados, attempt to peel your self away from the idyllic seashores to discover a few of the island’s lesser-known areas and in addition benefit from the nation because the native Bajans do.
15 Distinctive Issues to Do in Barbados
After residing on the island for two months, and returning to journey there for per week, I do know the place nicely. We really discovered many distinctive issues to do in Barbados throughout our keep and I’m right here to share the very best Barbados excursions with you.
Listed below are 10 belongings you gained’t wish to miss in your journey to Barbados.
1. Hit Up a Barbecue
Bajans love their grills and the smokey aroma of grilled meats and spicy sauces may be smelled wafting all around the island, particularly on weekends. Simply observe your nostril to one of many many roadside or beachside barbecues and style a few of the nation’s greatest meals.
This is among the issues to do in Barbados that you just gained’t probably discover on different lists, however it’s the easiest way to satisfy locals and luxuriate in some conventional barbecued meats. After we had been in Barbados, we at all times hit up the roadside locations, and the meals was at all times scrumptious.
A few barbecues to strive embody the Sunday Lunch at Crystal Waters, the place you’ll be able to be part of the older crowd and luxuriate in reside music and a wholesome portion of barbecued lamb, rooster or fish with plenty of sides.
Additionally, when you don’t thoughts travelling a little bit method on your meal, head to St. George and simply up the hill from the Cheffette Restaurant, you’ll discover Stomach Full Barbecue, arguably essentially the most pleasant and flavourful meals stand on the island. We ate right here quite a few instances and beloved it.
Aspect of the highway BBQs are one of many high locations to go to in Barbados — don’t miss out!
2. Eat a Flying Fish Cutter
You actually haven’t been to Barbados till you’ve eaten the well-known Flying Fish Cutter. Whereas this tasty sandwich may be discovered with swordfish, marlin and mahi-mahi, the unique (and presumably the very best) is with flying fish.
The sandwich is made with a freshly baked salt roll. This scrumptious bread isn’t salty in any respect and it’s sometimes crunchy on the skin, and smooth and fluffy on the within. The roll is minimize in half and crammed with scrumptious grilled fish, lettuce, tomatoes and your alternative of sauce (don’t cross on the spicy Bajan Pepper Sauce).
My favorite Flying Fish Cutter may be discovered at Cuz’s Fish Shack proper off of the parking zone on the beautiful Carlisle Bay Seashore close to Bridgetown. If you happen to’re a fish fan, consuming a cutter is one thing you don’t wish to miss in your journey to Barbados.
3. Go On a Rum Tour
I feel I’ve listed sufficient consuming in Barbados to this point! Now it’s time to speak about drinks. The island as soon as earned a lot of its fortune from scrumptious rums, and you’ll be part of a rum tour to see how this cane sugar liquor is made.
Mount Homosexual Rum is the nation’s pleasure and pleasure and the Mount Homosexual Distillery places on wonderful rum excursions the place you’ll be able to study concerning the historical past of rum manufacturing in Barbados whereas making an attempt a couple of samples alongside the best way.
The Signature Tour affords a tasting of three rums and a historical past lesson for $25, and so they additionally provide many different excursions and workshops. Verify their web site for particulars.
If you happen to’d like a wider sampling of rum than simply Mount Homosexual, then take a look at this Barbados Rum Distillery Tour. It takes place on the Foursquare Rum Distillery, situated on a former sugar plantation that dates again to 1720. The tour ends on the Mount Homosexual customer heart. Click on right here for extra particulars.
4. Go to Harrison’s Cave (one of many high locations to go to in Barbados)
Harrison’s Cave is really one of many pure wonders of Barbados. Positioned within the central uplands, the inside of this cave boasts breathtaking, crystallized limestone that drips water into impossibly clear swimming pools.
The cave is much away from a lot of the vacationer motels, however there are various excursions that may take you to the cave, or you’ll be able to lease a automotive and head there by yourself.
A visit to Harrison’s Cave is among the high Barbados excursions, and for good purpose. Click on right here to find out about a enjoyable tour to the cave, which additionally makes a cease at Hunte’s Gardens.
If you happen to’re on a price range, contemplate taking the native bus for simply B$1.50. The bus system in Barbados is absolutely environment friendly, with buses leaving Bridgetown each half-hour. You may take the Route 4, Shorey Village bus or the Route 4, Chalky Mount bus which runs at 8:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. The journey is about 1 hour.
5. Discover St. Nicholas Abbey
At St. Nicholas Abbey you’ll be able to study a bit about Barbados’s 350+ years of historical past at a splendidly preserved plantation house. Such a architectural heritage is a superb method for guests to know what Barbados seemed like a couple of centuries in the past.
The previous plantation house is ready on a lovely property of tranquil gardens, gullies and orchards with the adjoining Cherry Tree Hill. The house itself has some beautiful vintage furnishings and decorations.
You may as well go to the boiling home and rum distillery, which continues to be working day by day to supply the well-known St. Nicholas Abbey Rum.
A enjoyable method to go to St. Nicholas Abbey is to affix a tour that takes you there and to different Barbados points of interest. On this 5-Hour Island Tour, you’ll additionally discover the northern tip of the island and Speightstown, the second-oldest city on the island. It contains lunch and drinks. Click on right here for more information.
6. Calm down on Carlisle Bay Seashore
Up subsequent is Carlisle Seashore. I needed to put one seashore on the checklist of issues to do in Barbados!
There are many blissfully good seashores on the island of Barbados, however my private favorite is the powder stretch of white sand at Carlisle Bay — this is among the greatest seashores within the Caribbean.
The water right here is at all times calm, and there are a couple of locations on the seashore (and close by) the place you’ll be able to decide up snacks and low cost beer. Cuz’s is a superb place to strive cutters and the Boatyard Seashore Membership serves up tasty meals as nicely.
*Insider tip: when you’re staying on the island, relatively than simply visiting for the day, you should buy a day cross ($35) to the Seashore Membership which incorporates $22.50 in restaurant credit score, and use of their facilities — SUP, kayaks, seashore chairs and umbrellas, volleyball, snorkelling and WiFi.
If you happen to stick round Carlisle Seashore lengthy sufficient, you’ll be able to take pleasure in sundown from right here as nicely. Take a look at our full assessment of Carlisle Bay Seashore on Virgin Holidays’ Trending Journey Information.
7. Stroll the Boardwalk
The boardwalk stretches for 1.6 km between Camelot and Accra seashore. This lovely picket walkway wanders alongside the ocean and previous many bars and eating places. It’s nicely lit in some components, however there are stretches of darkish areas at evening and it’s not advisable to stroll late within the night.
Nonetheless, throughout the day this makes for the right place for a stroll alongside the water.
I like to recommend beginning in Camelot within the late afternoon and arriving at Accra Seashore for sundown. That is additionally a implausible place to go swimming and you’ll both convey your personal drinks and sit on the sand, or head into Tiki Bar (for $15 you get use of their umbrellas and chairs, and that $15 goes in the direction of bar credit score). Click on right here for instructions to the boardwalk.
8. Verify Out Fish Fry Fridays
Oistins Fish Fry Friday is an absolute should when visiting Barbados. This weekly get together and fish pageant is held on a serene seashore on Barbados’ southwest coast and it’s the right place to satisfy new buddies, each overseas and native.
You gained’t discover a higher plate of fish anyplace on the island. The meals is scrumptious, the ambiance is nice, and there’s a lot of dancing and music. Everyone appears to be in a great temper — it is Friday in any case! Going to the Oistins Fish Fry is among the greatest issues to do in Barbados at evening.
To get to Oistins, you might want to take an Oistins, Airport, Silver Sands, Sam Lords Fortress, Fairy Valley or St. Christopher bus, relying on the place you’re staying. Both method, the associated fee is $2 BBD per particular person per experience.
9. Caribbean Crop Over
The Crop Over Summer season Pageant takes place on the finish of every sugarcane season. It’s the island’s hottest and vibrant get collectively and its origins may be traced all the best way again to the 1700s when Barbados was the world’s largest sugar producer.
When the sugar business on the island declined within the Nineteen Forties, this well-known pageant adopted swimsuit, however fortunately it was revived together with different components of Barbadian tradition in 1974. At the moment it’s a culture-infused extravaganza that draws a whole bunch of get together lovers from world wide.
The pageant occurs yearly from Could to August, with the most important celebrations occurring on the finish with carnival celebrations. If you happen to plan your journey to Barbados at the moment, chances are you’ll not solely get to get together like loopy, however chances are you’ll share the streets with world-famous Bajan pop & hip hop star Rihanna!
10. BH3 Barbados
When you have learn our articles about Hashing in Grenada, you’ll know that we love these worldwide social mountaineering teams. BH3 Barbados is owned and run by Hash Home Harriers and it’s one other nice method to meet native folks, get some train and luxuriate in some native rum shack tradition on both finish of the stroll!
Click on right here to seek out out about upcoming hikes and runs in several areas across the island. Going hashing is certainly one of many extra adventurous issues you are able to do in Barbados.
11. Go Kayaking
Going kayaking is among the most enjoyable Barbados excursions, and there’s heaps to see when you’re out on the water.
On this tour from Carlisle Bay, you’ll paddle over three shipwrecks, getting good views by crystal-clear water. Your information will inform you the historical past of the wrecks, and the tour ends with a complimentary rum punch. Click on right here for extra info.
If you happen to’re extra into pure magnificence, then take a look at this Sundown Turtle Recognizing Clear Kayak Tour, additionally from Carlisle Bay. Because the solar goes down, you’ll paddle out to Reeds Bay whereas recognizing an abundance of sea turtles and different marine life by your see-through kayak. Click on right here to study extra about this journey.
12. Sail in a Catamaran
Crusing is among the most iconic actions in Barbados. The historical past of the Caribbean is carefully linked to the historical past of the sailboat, and Barbados is a superb place to affix in on this basic journey.
And the way might you make it much more enjoyable? How about together with limitless drinks? There are a number of excursions to select from that take you on a cruise in a catamaran, a two-hulled sailboat.
In addition to your limitless drinks, this tour contains lunch and stops for snorkeling with turtles and over shipwrecks. Click on right here to study extra.
If you happen to’d like one thing a little bit extra romantic, this tour takes locations at sundown. You may swim with sea turtles and luxuriate in an open bar.
13. Journey in a Submarine
One of many extra uncommon actions in Barbados is to take a experience in a submarine. If by now you’ve had sufficient pleasure on the water, why not strive getting beneath it?
After a scenic boat experience, this submarine tour spends 40 minutes underwater and goes to depths of 120-150 toes. You’ll see coral reefs and a surprising quantity of marine life. Click on right here to seek out out extra about this once-in-a-lifetime expertise.
14. Immerse Your self in Nature
As a tropical island, Barbados has a number of lush botanical gardens and wildlife reserves which are nicely price exploring.
Flower Forest Botanical Gardens has 53 acres, and flowers bloom there 12 months spherical. It’s filled with walkways and paths, and it’s a bird-watcher’s dream.
An alternative choice is the Andromeda Botanic Gardens, which has 8 acres of cultivated gardens with many distinctive species.
If you happen to’d prefer to see the native Barbados inexperienced monkeys, then the Barbados Wildlife Reserve is the place for you. Different animals to identify are deer, agouti, caiman, and all kinds of birds.
So as to go to a number of of those locations in at some point, take a look at this 4-Hour Personal Personalized Island Tour. You may select from the above locations and lots of the different fantastic locations to see in Barbados. Click on right here to study extra.
15. Wander Round Bridgetown
The capital and largest metropolis, Bridgetown is among the greatest locations to go to in Barbados to get an concept of the island’s trendy tradition and colonial historical past.
Locations of curiosity within the colourful city embody the stately Parliament buildings, a number of previous church buildings, and (in fact) bridges.
You’ll see these and lots of extra on this highly-rated strolling tour. It lasts two hours and features a information in addition to audio gear. There’s little doubt that the historic sights of the capital are a few of the most fascinating issues to see in Barbados, and also you’ll take a look at lots of them on this tour.
FAQs About Actions and Points of interest in Barbados
Nonetheless questioning what to do in Barbados? Take a look at the next FAQs.
Among the most well-known locations to see in Barbados are its seashores, particularly Carlisle Seashore. And naturally, Barbados is well-known the world over for its rum.
In addition to its seashores, well-known locations to go to in Barbados embody St. Nicholas Abbey, Harrison’s Cave, the Mount Homosexual Distillery, and the boardwalk. Some well-known Barbados excursions are to discover the encompassing sea by sailboat, kayak, and even submarine.
Sure, it’s. Bridgetown is among the greatest locations to see in Barbados due to its lovely seaside views, colonial structure, and interesting historical past.
Cou cou (corn meal and okra, just like grits) served with fried flying fish is the nationwide dish of Barbados. One other method to take pleasure in flying fish is in a Flying Fish Cutter sandwich.
Head to Carlisle Bay for a few of the greatest seashores in Barbados with the clearest water. My favourite is Carlisle Seashore, among the finest locations in Barbados to loosen up within the sand.
Now You Know What to Do in Barbados
This 430 km² island has dozens of seashores and mile after mile of pristine shoreline, however there’s extra to Barbados than solar loungers and seashore bars. When you get away from the sand, you’ll begin to perceive the island a little bit higher and also you’ll have a chance to satisfy extra of the nation’s pretty folks and discover its numerous landscapes.
With quite a few excursions in Barbados, implausible delicacies, and straightforward transportation choices, a visit to Barbados ought to positively be in your checklist!
Have you ever ever been to Barbados? What had been your favorite issues to see and do? Please share with us within the feedback beneath so we might help different travellers to higher take pleasure in this lovely Caribbean island. For extra about Barbados, take a look at VisitBarbados.org.
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