Barbados Sugar & Rum Season

The exotic allure of the Caribbean island of Barbados ventures far beyond its beautiful beaches and turquoise bays. Amid the spectacular natural scenery, you’ll discover a rich cultural haven of intriguing historic sights, a UNESCO-listed capital, age-old plantation houses, and an exciting cultural calendar filled to the brim with festivities and island celebrations.

Right at the heart of the Bajan calendar is the island's celebration of sugar and rum heritage. Running across the early months of the year, this seasonal programme pays tribute to the rum and sugar traditions for which Barbados is so well known. Since the island’s sugar revolution in the 17th-Century, sugar and rum have become two of the most recognisable hallmarks of Bajan culture. Sugar cane fields helped shape one of the Caribbean's most succesful sugar industries, while Barbados is widely regarded as the birthplace of the regions favourite spirit.

Visit the island during this celebratory season to enjoy all things sugar and rum, with a varied calendar of activities and experiences including cooking classes, tasting tours, distillery visits and pop-up events. Here are some ways to immerse yourself in the island's heritage.

Pay a visit to a Jacobean rum distillery

With rum such a fundamental part of the island’s culture, you can’t visit Barbados without seeing the origins of its production. Take a tour of the historic St Nicholas Abbey, one of the oldest plantation houses in the Caribbean, and experience the daily operations of a working plantation. One of only a handful of working distilleries on the island, this Jacobean gem also entices with its gorgeous grounds and sugar and rum museum. Not only will you gain a fascinating insight into the island’s history, but there’ll be plenty of opportunities for you to sample the rum, too.

Mingle with a world-class mixologist

Tantalise your taste buds with a Bajan-style cocktail session, where you can learn and taste all things rum. Follow exciting demonstrations by some of the island’s best mixologists, and learn how to master these original recipes using some of the island’s finest rums.

Go for dinner at a 300-year-old Plantation House

Take island dining up a notch and book onto this exceptional experience at the Sunbury Great House. The epitome of old plantation life, you’ll start the evening with a cocktail and tour of this historic plantation house, before taking your seat at the 300-year-old dining table to enjoy a sumptuous five-course dinner and unlimited drinks.

Take a tour of a UNESCO-listed capital city

Steeped in history, take a walking tour of vibrant Bridgetown, Barbados’ outstanding example of British colonial architecture. See the serpentine streets, walk the Amerindian Trails and visit the captivating city sights that revere to the island’s compelling past legacy. We recommend a trip underground to the secret network of Garrison Tunnels, or a visit to George Washington House to see where the American president stayed during his only trip outside of the USA.

Sugar and spice, and all things nice

For something a little different, treat yourself to a specialised sugar and rum spa treatment. Using locally produced rum, sugar and spices, these indulgent experiences draw on the island's natural ingredients. Sugar treatments can be found at several of our handpicked Barbados hotels. Try a Sugar Cane Signature Milk Bath at Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa or a relaxing Bajan Sugar Cane Scrub at Sandy Lane, expertly made using the island’s raw brown sugar.

What to do at the end of the season

As the early-year celebrations draw to a close, Barbados continues to burst with activity and exploration year-round. At the heart of the island, Harrison’s Cave is one of Barbados’ greatest natural wonders; explore this formation by electric tram or on foot, and delve deep underground for a subterranean tour of this spectacular limestone cavern. For cultural delights above ground, we recommend exploring the old colonial charms of laid-back Speightstown, or visiting Bussa, the emancipation statue erected to honour the 150th anniversary of the island’s abolition of slavery.

For an island with such a big personality, it’s also well worth visiting between June and August to experience the vibrant and colourful Crop Over Festival, a yearly party loved by celebrities, islanders and tourists alike. Expect lots of dancing, food, masquerade parties and costumed spectators at this two-month party, which is annually celebrated to mark the end of the island’s successful sugar cane season.