Barbados holidays

GMT -4 hours

English and Bajan

Barbados dollar. US and Canadian dollars are also accepted.

The Statue of Horatio, Lord Nelson
This bronze monument dates back to 1813 and is the island’s most famous photo backdrop.

Arlington House Museum
This interactive, three-story museum is a restored 18th-century merchant’s house. As you learn about the island’s swashbuckling history you can pilot a ship, meet a pirate and explore a cane field.

Blackman’s Gully
Visit this green gully, teeming with beautiful flora and fauna. Here you’ll also discover the famous 17th-century Blackman’s Bridge.

Drax Hall
One of just three Jacobean mansions left in the western world, it’s thought that William and James Drax built this beautiful landmark in the 1650s.

Fisherpond Great House
Revisit Barbados’ old world charm at this 350-year-old plantation house. Full of stunning antiques and set in breathtaking gardens, here you can taste local delicacies as you soak up the history.

Harrison’s Cave
Discover spectacular rock formations, glistening pools and a 40ft waterfall as you journey through this incredible natural paradise by solar-powered tram.

The Baobab Tree
This is the oldest living tree in Barbados, and one of only two Baobab trees on the island.

On the west coast you’ll find white-sand beaches lapped by calm waters, while the east coast boasts vibrant coral reefs and crashing waves perfect for surfing. In the south-east you can bask on pink sands against a backdrop of dramatic cliffs.

Religion
Christianity

Dialling code
+1 246

November
Food, Wine & Rum Festival
Meet renowned chefs and wine experts at this celebration of Barbadian cuisine. Let your hair down at a late-night party, taste delicious delicacies and see local artists in action.

A duty-free shopping paradise, in Barbados you can browse for designer fashion, jewellery and anything else you can think of, plus local handicrafts at the markets and galleries that dot the island.

8½ hours

Watersports
Hit the island’s pristine beaches for deep-sea fishing: kite-, wind- and board-surfing; scuba diving; and snorkelling.

Food
• Bajan cuisine centres around fish and seafood – including lobster, shrimp and red snapper – and Barbadians also eat a lot of the island’s delicious fresh fruit.
• Speciality dishes include ‘pepperpot’, a pork and beef stew, and flying fish, lightly fried and served with lime wedges and tartar sauce.

Drink
• Tap water is considered generally safe to drink, but bottled mineral water is advised.
• And, of course, you can’t come to Barbados without trying its signature rum!

16th century

Barbados is discovered by Portuguese explorer Pedro a Campos in 1536. He names it ‘los Barbudos’ (“the bearded ones”) after the island’s hoary-looking banyan trees, whose hanging roots resemble beards. But Portugal is not particularly interested in Barbados and establishes no permanent outposts there.

17th–18th centuries

An English vessel sails by and claims Barbados for Great Britain in 1625. Englishmen from the ship ‘William and John’ found Barbados’  first settlement, Jamestown (later renamed Holetown), in 1627. Large tobacco, cotton and sugar cane plantations are set up. Thousands of slaves are introduced to work the fields.

19th century

Both black and white Barbadians enter the new century with optimism as Great Britain ends the slave trade in 1806 and abolishes slavery completely in 1833. But the island passes through hard times, periodic massive destruction from hurricanes and a decline in the value of sugar, the principal cash crop, whose price plummets more than 50% in 50 years.

20th century–present

Great Britain takes steps to improve the economies of its West Indian dependencies, inaugurating an agricultural revolution on Barbados that brings new prosperity. The island begins to diversify its economy, adding sectors such as light industry and tourism. Barbados achieves full independence within the British Commonwealth and joins the United Nations in 1966.

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Head to the bars, restaurants and nightclubs of St Lawrence Gap on the south coast; or party through the night on Baxter’s Road in Bridgetown. All over the island you’ll find beach bars, sports bars and venues playing jazz and reggae beats.

Zip-line through tropical forest and go hiking through stunning surroundings.

If a service charge isn’t added to your bill, tip about 15%.