Calm west-coast swimming, Atlantic surf on the east, and the most developed tourism infrastructure in the eastern Caribbean.
Before you go
When to go
December to April is dry and peak. Hurricane season runs June to November.
- Dry Dec–Apr
- Hurricane season Jun–Nov
- Warm year-round
- Crop Over festival in August
How long you need
Seven to ten days on one base — the island is small.
- 7–10 days
- One base is enough
- West coast for swimming
- East coast for surf
Getting around
Hire car or taxis; the island is compact and driving is on the left.
- Drive on the left
- Small island
- Bus network is cheap
- Bridgetown is walkable
What to do
Harrison's Cave, the Animal Flower Cave, Oistins fish fry on a Friday, and rum distillery visits.
- Oistins Friday fish fry
- Rum distilleries
- Harrison's Cave
- Bathsheba on the east coast
Highlights
Two coasts
The Caribbean west coast is calm and clear for swimming; the Atlantic east coast at Bathsheba has surf, rock formations and almost nobody.
- West for swimming
- Bathsheba for surf and scenery
- South coast for value
- Carlisle Bay wrecks
Food and rum
Oistins fish fry on a Friday night is an institution, and Barbados is the birthplace of rum with distilleries still working.
- Oistins Friday fish fry
- Mount Gay and Foursquare
- Flying fish and cou-cou
- Rum shops island-wide
Inland
Harrison's Cave by tram, the Animal Flower Cave in the cliffs at the northern tip, and restored plantation houses.
- Harrison's Cave tram
- Animal Flower Cave
- St Nicholas Abbey
- Welchman Hall Gully
Planning notes
Barbados has the most developed tourism infrastructure in the eastern Caribbean and is small enough that one base serves the whole island. It is also more expensive than its neighbours. December to April is dry and peak; Crop Over in July and August is the big cultural festival. Driving is on the left and the bus network is cheap and genuinely usable.
Where this leads
Blog attracts, things to do informs, tours convert — in that order.
- Journal in Barbados
- Things to do in Barbados
- Tours in Barbados
- Talk to a Cooee travel specialist