Barbados

Ideal stay

7–10 nights

The vibe

Easy-going, rum-scented, sea-soaked

From our guides

1. 01

   Oistins fish fry

   A Friday night institution in a south-coast fishing village, with grilled marlin and flying fish, loud music and dominoes. Locals and visitors in roughly equal number.

2. 02

   Carlisle Bay wrecks

   Six shipwrecks lying in shallow, calm water just off Bridgetown, snorkellable from a boat and full of fish. Turtles are near-guaranteed on the same trip.

3. 03

   Bathsheba

   The east coast's photogenic centrepiece, with mushroom-shaped boulders, rolling Atlantic surf and a reef break that hosts competitions. Look, do not swim.

4. 04

   Harrison's Cave

   A limestone cavern system of flowing water and stalactites, toured by electric tram. A reliable option on a rainy afternoon and popular with children.

5. 05

   Bridgetown and the Garrison

   A UNESCO-listed capital of Georgian and Jacobean buildings, a synagogue dating to the 1650s and the old military garrison around the racetrack.

6. 06

   Animal Flower Cave

   A sea cave at the island's northern tip with openings straight onto the Atlantic and rock pools inside. The clifftop above is one of the best whale-watching spots.

1. Fly to

   Bridgetown (BGI)

   Nearest airport to Barbados, about 9km away as the crow flies.

2. Then

   To Bridgetown

   Grantley Adams (BGI) takes direct UK flights and is about twenty minutes by taxi to the south coast, half an hour to Bridgetown and forty-five minutes to the west-coast hotels.

3. On the ground

   Getting around

   The west and south coasts are strung along a single coastal road; taxis, buses and hire cars all work, and a car helps for the wild east coast and Oistins on a Friday.

Public transport: Genuinely useful: government buses and the privately run minibuses cover the coasts and the interior cheaply, though they thin out late.

All-inclusive and boutique beach hotels, a large apartment and villa market, and small guesthouses inland. Chains are few, and most places are independently run.

• Best base overall

  St Lawrence Gap and Dover, south coast

  Restaurants, bars and beaches within walking distance, with buses along the coast road. The Gap can be noisy at night, and the sea here has more swell than the west.

  Find stays in St Lawrence Gap and Dover, south coast →
• Best for couples

  Holetown and Paynes Bay, west coast

  The platinum coast, with calm clear water, smart hotels and good restaurants. Expensive, and the beach narrows in places.

  Find stays in Holetown and Paynes Bay, west coast →
• Best with children

  Worthing and Rockley

  Calm, shallow south-coast beaches with a boardwalk and easy self-catering. Busy roads behind, and less polished than the west.

  Find stays in Worthing and Rockley →
• Quietest

  Bathsheba, east coast

  Surf, rock formations and a handful of small guesthouses. Genuinely beautiful and genuinely remote, and the sea is not for casual swimming.

  Find stays in Bathsheba, east coast →

Worth knowing before you book: December to April is peak with high rates and minimum stays over Christmas. The blue buses are cheap and frequent along both coasts, so a car is optional.

Beaches

All beaches are public by law, including those in front of the west coast hotels. Access paths exist even where the signage tries to discourage you.

Driving

Traffic drives on the left and a local permit is issued with hire cars. Roads are narrow and junctions are signed by roundabout names rather than numbers.

Cash or card

The Barbados dollar is pegged to the US dollar, and US notes are accepted almost everywhere. Cards are standard, but rum shops and beach vendors want cash.

Timing

Hurricane season runs June to November, though direct hits are uncommon. Crop Over peaks in late July and early August and fills flights and hotels.

Sea safety

The east and south-east coasts have powerful currents and are not for casual swimming. Stick to the west and south for calm water.