For lovers of sports, history, and exotic golf courses, Barbados is no less than a la-la land. It is an ideal vacation spot in the Caribbean with umpteen of colonial buildings, beaches, and botanical gardens. The synagogue receives thousands of tourists every year. If you’re planning a trip, then you can scroll down to find some of the best things to do in Barbados.
Courtesy of the various shipwrecks and abundant wildlife, a number of scuba divers flock around in summers to explore the marine wildlife. The sunbathers line the sunny beaches and spend some time lazing around besides crashing waves. Surfers test their surfing skills by riding the iconic waves of the Bathsheba Bay.
All these above-mentioned things are the tip of the iceberg. Not to forget the uber-luxurious, jaw-dropping, all-inclusive hotels that exude extravagance. The mouthwatering local cuisines are worth taking a trip for. Also, the amicable locals are very welcoming with a perennial smile on their faces.
Best Things to Do in Barbados
Here are some of the best things you can do in Barbados. You can enjoy them even when low on budget and short on time.
#1. Soak in the Sun at Bathsheba Beach
You can take up your surfboard and conquer the iconic waves at Bathsheba Beach. If you’re not an adventure lover, you can spend some time soaking in the sun at the beach. Channel your inner photographer, and click those striking cliffs lining the beach and protruding rocks that sprawl the mirrorlike sand.
Without any doubt, Bathsheba Beach is one of the most-visited spots in Barbados. However, swimming isn’t recommended in the waters since the rip tides can be quite tough to handle.
Here are some other important details that you need to know about Bathsheba Beach, Barbados.
Address: Sandy Beach, Bathsheba, Barbados
Time: Since it’s a beach, the best time to visit would be between sunrise to sunset.
Nearest Bus Terminal: Fairchild Street terminal
Fee: There is no fee to enjoy some quality time at Bathsheba Beach.
#2. Surfing at Dover Beach
Dover Beach is another happening location in Barbados Island. The south coast’s Dover Beach can be found in Oistins. Due to rough tide, the place is not the very preferable location for paddleboarding and kayaking. However, the waters are adventurous enough for surfing and bodysurfing. Hobie Cat sailing, Jet Skiing, and windsurfing are other activities enjoyed at Dover Beach.
Unlike Bathsheba, Dover Beach has a separate swimming area away from the rip currents of the bay. Many tourists like to visit Dover Beach more than Bathsheba Beach. Another add-on is the fact that most of the beach bars offer happy hour deals that attract many tourists.
Here are some other important details that you need to know about Dover Beach, Barbados.
Address: St. Lawrence Gap BB15026, Barbados
Time: Since it’s a beach, the best time to visit would be between sunrise to sunset.
Nearest Bus Terminal: Lawrence Gap terminal
Fee: $75 for each surf lesson.
#3. Snorkeling at Carlisle Bay
This beach is located on the southwestern coast of Barbados. Unlike the Dover Beach and Bathsheba Beach, Carlisle Bay makes for an ideal place to enjoy the calm waters. There are no riptides; due to which it is the perfect spot for snorkeling. You may be paid a visit by marine animals like rock lobsters, turtles, and fishes while snorkeling.
The clean surroundings and safe waters of Carlisle Bay make it one of the most preferred spots for children and families. Also, adventure junkies like to enjoy a plethora of activities offered by the beach. They can rent sports gears like kayaks and Jet Skis at a budget–friendly cost to enjoy the pristine waters.
One can also rent a horse for a horseback ride along the beachside to realize their fairy-tale dream. For soaking the sun and enjoying quality time with family, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and towers are available from local vendors at a minimal fee.
Here are some other important details that you need to know about Carlisle Bay, Barbados.
Address: Bay Street, Bridgetown, Barbados
Time: 12:00 AM–11:59 PM
Nearest Bus Terminal: 2 km away from Bridgetown
Fee: Around $25
#4. Sip Rum at St. Nicholas Abbey
Apart from the large-scale rum distilleries like Mount Gay Rum and West Indies Rum, you can enjoy some traditional rum at St. Nicholas Abbey. They distill their rum in small batches. It also has a three-century-old plantation home, which is now a museum with various antiques. The gardens on the premises are a sight for sore eyes with its colorful flowers and perfectly mowed green grass.
You can spend a couple of hours at St. Nicholas Abbey tasting rum and enjoying the scenic beauty. The rum samples are included with the entrance fees and are served throughout the tour. The architecture of the abbey attracts the history fanatics who gawk at the tall, white piers and traditional white stones. The best time to visit is on a Wednesday or Thursday.
On these two days, the plantation receives the ground sugarcane in the house. Additional sandwiches and food are served at an extra cost.
Here are some other important details that you need to know about St. Nicholas Abbey
Address: Saint Peter, Barbados
Time: 10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Saturday closed
Nearest Bus Terminal: Speightstown Bus Terminal
Fee: BB$40 (about $20) for adults
#5. Visit Hunte’s Garden
Located close to Bathsheba Beach, Hunte’s Garden is a paradise for nature lovers. It offers an array of plants within a gully to give a dose of a green rush to your eyes. The garden is owned and maintained by Bajan horticulturist Anthony Hunte, who is popular in the locality for his personality.
The tourists appreciate Hunte’s natural beauty and the owner’s wealth of knowledge about the plants. Some enjoy watching animals like hummingbirds, monkeys, and the owner’s dog. You can even pack a picnic lunch to enjoy amid the lap of nature. There’s no restriction on bringing outside food on the property.
Here are some other important details that you need to know about Hunte’s Garden.
Address: Highway 3A, Barbados
Time: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Nearest Bus Terminal: Castle Grant
Fee: BB$30 (about $15) for adults
#6. Stroll Around at Bridgetown
The capital city of Barbados never fails to impress. For the shopaholics, there are plenty of treasures at Bridgetown Broad Street. Apart from this, it is lined with many historic sites like the Chamberlain Bridge and the picturesque neo-Gothic Parliament Buildings built with the signature Victorian style of England.
There are statues of some historical figures, including Nelson, that is seated elegantly on the sunlit squares. If you have some spare time on your hands, you can stop by Bridgetown and soak in the Bajan air just like the locals do.
Here are some other important details that you need to know about Bridgetown.
Address: Bridgetown, Barbados
Time: 24 hours every day
Nearest Bus Terminal: Port of Bridgetown
Fee: NA
#7. Visit Animal Flower Cave
Named after its sea anemones, Animal Flower Cave is Barbados’s only accessible sea cave. It is situated just under the North Point cliffs in St. Lucy Parish. Though it is not as popular as Harrison Cave, it is definitely worth your time. You can stroll around the cave for around an hour to explore the true Bajan atmosphere.
Getting to Animal Flower Cave is not an easy task though. Also, the cave offers very little to do apart from the sea cave. The Animal Flower Cave is not appropriate for the elderly or the ones with mobility issues. Since the steps of the stairs are steep, one needs to be extra cautious.
Here are some other important details that you need to know about Animal Flower Cave.
Address: Northpoint, Conneltown BB27003, Barbados
Time: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Nearest Bus Terminal: Prescod Boulevard
Fee: $10
#8. Visit Harrison’s Cave
The most popular destination of Barbados, Harrison’s Cave, is full of streams, stalactites, stalagmites, and other kinds of calcite deposits. The location of this cave makes it one of the most preferred locations in the Caribbean. The cave is situated in the middle of the country with a couple of miles of distance from Bathsheba Beach.
The Harrison’s Cave got its name from Thomas Harrison, who was a famous landowner in Barbados during the eighteenth century. While there are no proofs of Mr. Harisson ever being there, the locals believe that the cave was named after him. The chambers inside the cave are as high as fifty meters with geological formations that have formed from millions of years of mineral deposits.
Here are some other important details that you need to know about Harrison’s Cave.
Address: Allen View, Barbados
Time: 8:45 AM to 3:45 PM
Nearest Bus Terminal: Welchman Hall
Fee: $30
#9. Go Rum Tasting at Mount Gay Distillery
No amount of rum can be too much rum. After taking a tour of St. Nicholas Abbey, you can stop by Mount Gay Distillery to taste some more rum. This gem is hidden amid the Lesser Antilles chain. Also, it is the island’s most popular liquid export. The distillery can be found on the harborside of the historic Bridgetown.
The distillery even organizes exhibitions to showcase rum that is made with a technique dating back to three centuries ago. The tours are inexpensive but informative. Within a couple of hours, you can learn the science behind Mount Gay’s iconic rum taste. There is also a souvenir shop from the branded merchandise of Mount Gay.
Here are some other important details that you need to know about Mount Gay Distillery.
Address: Bridgetown, Barbados
Time: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Saturdays, and Sundays closed
Nearest Bus Terminal: Lower Deacons Road
Fee: $15
#10. Wildlife Safari at Barbados Wildlife Reserve
After some rum tasting and shopping, you can give a visual relaxation to your eyes by enjoying a wildlife safari at Barbados Wildlife Reserve. It is situated on the edge of the historic Farley Hill National Park. If you happen to be at St. Nicholas Abbey, you can head straight to this Wildlife Reserve to spend some time.
If you enjoy such low-key locations that are rich with the magical elements of Mother Nature, this site can be the perfect way to conclude your day. This natural reserve is home to many green monkeys, flamingos, iguanas, turtles, and do not forget the multicolored parrots.
The location also includes a Grenade Hall, which is an old signal station dating back to the nineteenth century. For history lovers, this place is enough to give you chills.
Here are some other important details that you need to know about the Barbados Wildlife Reserve.
Address: Benny Hall, Barbados
Time: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Nearest Bus Terminal: Speightstown Terminal
Fee: $15
#11. Witness the Eeriness of Farley Hill
To experience the long-lost history of Barbados, Farley Hill can be your place. The ruins are now transformed into a national park. Due to dilapidation, the place has a truly eerie experience amid the mahogany coves in the middle of Barbados.
At the center of the ruins sits a dilapidated manor house, which was devastated by the fire in the 1960s. Today the ruins stand tall, giving testimony to its glorious past. It echoes the time when it was a home of rich colonial landowners like Sir Graham Briggs.
You can also channel your inner photographer for some Instagram-worthy pictures at Farley Hill. The panoramic lookouts over the coast and al fresco reggae concerts are the magnets that attract thousands of tourists to the place every year.
Here are some other important details that you need to know about Farley Hill.
Address: Highway 2, Benny Hall, Barbados
Time: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Nearest Bus Terminal: Speightstown Terminal
Fee: $6 approximately
Barbados gives you everything that you need to have a perfect holiday. Escape the upcoming winter blues while soaking sun at the Bajan beaches. The above guide will help you go places. The best part of this island is that you don’t need to shell out loads of money to enjoy some quality time beside the sea.
