Barbados is for those who have the passion for exploring. Barbados is an island off the coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea. It is an English-speaking former British Commonwealth country (became a Republicon November 30th 2021) located between the Caribbean Sea and West Indies. Bridgetown, its capital, is also a great cruise-vessel port with old colonial structures. Around the island are beautiful beaches, tropical gardens, museums, markets, and even a historic castle.
One of the reasons why Barbados has become a popular tourist destination is its wonderful beaches. There is a wide variety of beaches for travelers to explore, including ones that offer privacy and tranquility. One of the most beautiful and picturesque beaches is Capuana Beach, which is only about one hour's drive from the capital city of Barbados, Bridgetown. If you are planning to stay in Bridgetown for a couple of days or longer, you can try to discover the secret hideout of the 'Queen of Diamonds' an eight-story building known for its unparalleled beauty and serenity.
In addition to the great beaches, Barbados has some beautiful parks and gardens to visit. In fact, almost all the major cities of Barbados have large public parks, many of which are open all throughout the year. Some of the attractions in Barbados during the rainy season include the Royal Antiguan Golf Club, Dingle Peninsula Park, and the Botanic Gardens.
Dingle Peninsula Park is another favorite attraction on Barbados, which is located on the northern tip of the island. If you are looking for a fun-filled beach, then the Dingle Peninsula is definitely the place you want to be. The lush green surroundings of the island make it a haven for nature lovers. One of the top things to do in Barbados when the rainy season is over is to head to the Dingle Peninsula for a day of water sports and island fun.
For tourists interested in history and culture, there are several museums on the island, such as the Barbados History Museum and the Barbados Historical Museum. The historic buildings in the city are designed in a traditional Barbados style, which is reflected in the architecture. Some of the most popular Barbados beaches include Dingle Peninsula, Ocho Rios, Palm Beach, Sandals, and St Ann. Palm Beach, located on the north coast of Barbados, is a famous site for wind surfing and scuba diving. The nearby beaches offer activities such as snorkeling, banana boating, sailing, water skiing, swimming, and fishing. For those who prefer to spend their days relaxing on the sandy beaches of Barbados, there is no shortage of things to do in this city.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Barbados are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from Barbados
The best time to visit Barbados is between December and June, when the weather is driest. The island has a warm, tropical climate year-round, with temperatures averaging highs of 30°C and humidity levels of 70% to 75%.
British passport holders don't need a visa to visit Barbados. On entry, you will normally be granted a specified period to stay.
See which forms you may need for entry into Barbados.
The official currency of Barbados is the Barbados Dollar (BBD). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Barbados you can grab amazing Barbados Dollar deals via Wise.com (GBP to BBD).
Apart from the green monkey, other animals found in Barbados include the mongoose, eight species of bat, the rarely seen European hare, red-footed tortoise, various species of lizards, whistling frogs and toads. While there are very few snakes in Barbados, the island is home to the smallest known snake species.
Bajan food? The national dish of Barbados is cou-cou and fried flying fish with spicy gravy. Another traditional meal is pudding and souse, a dish of pickled pork with spiced sweet potatoes. A wide variety of seafood and meats are also available.
You can typically expect to pay around £2.20p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
English is the official language of Barbados, and Bajan is the local dialect. You can learn some basic Bajan before you travel to Barbados and really impress the locals!
The currency in Barbados is the Barbados Dollar (Tipping is always appreciated and the standard rate of tipping in Barbados is around 10%. There is no need to tip bar staff or housekeeping staff but of course you can if you wish – a good tip for these services would be a few dollars.).
The GMT time difference is -5 hours