Experience the Lively West Indian Culture in Barbados
The friendly British West Indian island of Barbados offers relaxing days, energy-filled nights.
The island of Barbados, located near South America, is decidedly British. With an abundance of establishments still serving afternoon tea and many residents sporting a strong British accent, the island is sometimes dubbed "Little England."
Yet Barbados boasts a culture of its own, and many visit to enjoy the colorful West Indian heritage, music, and art found on this island, in addition to relaxing and playing on the pretty beaches and in the warm blue waters.
Things to Do
If you're traveling to Barbados for the kind of sports activities that an island in the Caribbean offers, you won't be disappointed. You may even get to try your hand at a few sports that you won't find on a lot of other islands, like the British sport of Cricket.
The water and beaches, of course, are the main attraction here. There are many beaches from which to choose, some on the Caribbean side of the island and others facing the Atlantic.
All beaches are open to the general public and access is cordially provided. Atlantic coast beaches are a bit rugged so most stick to the Caribbean side. Check out favorites like Crane Beach on the southeast coast; Sandy Beach in the south, perfect for families; and Mullins Beach, a snorkelers paradise, on the popular west coast.
Once you've settled on a beach, choosing an activity to enjoy might be the toughest part of your trip to the versatile island of Barbados.
Scuba diving is popular among visitors, thanks to the clear waters and shallow reefs that allow for easy exploring. Dive outfitters are plentiful and many hotels and resorts offer certification courses by PADI instructors. If you prefer to stay on top of the water, the snorkeling here is perfect, too.
Of course, you can also go windsurfing, parasailing, jet skiing, boating, or fishing and you can even swim with the hawksbill or leatherback turtles that are abundant here. Glass-bottom boat rides also give guests a good view of the turtles and other marine creatures.
Away from the water, there are 6 golf courses, including championship courses designed by Tom Fazio and Robert Trent Jones, Jr.; lots of riding centers that offer exciting scenic rides; hiking trails; and both tour and mountain biking.
Sightseeing
Barbados is much more cultural than most Caribbean islands and guests here will enjoy taking a day or two away from the beach to visit some great sites.
Harrison's Cave is the most visited attraction on the island. Guests will view stalactites, stalagmites and other natural formations found in this underground world via a trip on an electric tram.
Visitors should also check out the Barbados Museum for an excellent look at the history and heritage of the island. Others may want to visit some of the majestic plantations that dot Barbados.
The botanic gardens here are splendid as well. Check out Andromeda on the eastern side of the island and the lush tropical garden known as Welchman Hall Gully, which boasts specimens of plants that were here before the British arrived in the early 17th century.
For something truly Barbadian in nature, take a tour of a local rum factory and stay for the tasting at the end of the tour.
When to Visit
Barbados' daily temperature rarely varies, averaging 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit through most of the year. Evenings are cooler and the trade winds that grace the island keep it from being unbearably hot.
January to June is the dry season and the highest percentage of rainfall occurs between late June and October, during hurricane season. Vicious storms usually miss Barbados, and the island hasn't had a direct hit from a hurricane in more than 50 years.