ISLE OF PLENTY
Barbados is famed for its white beaches and brilliant turquoise bays, but there’s so much more to enjoy on this paradise island
From vibrant nightlife and a UNESCO-listed capital to sugar plantations, historic monuments and natural botanical gardens, there’s an unforgettable array of sights, sounds and experiences awaiting visitors to Barbados.
Surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, the island has more than 70 miles of sun-soaked sands, including the legendary east-coast surf beach Bathsheba and the light-pink Miami Beach on the sheltered south side. A dip in the ocean while paddleboarding or snorkelling presents the opportunity to spot hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles as they ride the warm blue waves.
If you’re not someone who enjoys lounging on the beach, there are many more riches to experience. History buffs will love walking the storied streets of the island’s capital, Bridgetown, established in 1628. Don’t miss Cheapside Market, bursting with locally grown produce, and take a trip to the Garrison District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On the east coast, you can take a horseback ride through cane fields, coastal communities and tropical forests buzzing with hummingbirds, or hike a scenic old railway track to the settlement of Cattlewash. In the central uplands you’ll find an interior dotted with beautiful gardens and the fantastic crystalline formations of Harrison’s Cave.
All this exploring can be thirsty work, so be sure to stop off to try some local rum at Mount Gay Distillery or a refreshing cocktail at Braddie’s Bar. You can’t leave the island without experiencing a Friday fish fry at Oistins, where cold beers, fresh mahi-mahi, spicy jerk chicken, rice and peas and macaroni pie are served to a soundtrack of calypso, reggae and soca.
Wherever you travel in Barbados, you’ll experience a laidback way of living and a proud and welcoming populace — just some of the reasons why people return to the island time and time again. And with experiences like nowhere else on earth, who can blame them? It really is the destination that has it all.
Take a horseback ride through cane fields, coastal communities and tropical forests