Welchman Hall Gully, tropical forest in Barbados. Photo Courtesy: caribvacationsguide.com
Bask in some of the purest waters on the planet, filtered through coral and gleaming like sparkling crystal as you sip specially crafted Rum with lineage stretching all the way back to 1703. Chow down on the fresh, local flying fish sandwiches and let the rhythms of calypso wash over your ears.
Enveloped by the Atlantic Ocean, Barbados is the easternmost island in the Caribbean tucked northeast of Trinidad and Tobago and further east from the Windward Islands, like St. Lucia and Grenada. This sun-soaked utopia spans 166 square miles and bathes in 3000 hours of sunshine yearly. Previously under British rule, Barbados is heavily accented with many of its forefather’s traditions, like engaging games of cricket and polo, and rounding out an afternoon with a cup of tea. English is the official language of Barbados, with the local Bajan dialect sprinkled throughout the island.
Welcoming a wide array of travelers, Barbados entices posh and conservative tastes alike. Along the west resides the Platinum Coast, soothing turquoise sea and natural coral reef dominate the area, dotted with world-class luxury resorts, refined restaurants, spas, and sculpted greens for golfing. To the south lay some of the best beaches Barbados has to offer, with sands as soft as powdered sugar. Undulating hills crawl up the northern side, etching soft ripples into the landscape and highlighting the flat grounds found on the rest of the island. Bombarded by fierce Atlantic waves, the east coast is more rugged and left in its naturally rocky state. Many surfers flock to this side of Barbados for the competitive backdrop and active waters.
Satiated with ever-flowing sea breezes, the tropical setting is sunnier and drier than most. Brief rain showers, tropical storms, and hurricanes make slight cameos during their “wet season” spanning from June to November.
Like many other Caribbean islands, Barbados began its days with the footholds of Arawak Indians in the fourth century, who were said to have paddled from Venezuela by canoe. As the 13th century approached, the notoriously cannibalistic Carib Indians overran these Amerindians, and the Caribs were later enslaved and decimated by Spanish arrival in the 1400s. Possibly due to the bearded physique of the island’s long hanging fig tree roots, the Portuguese later named the land “Los Barbados” while en route to Brazil in the 1500s. In 1625, the British took claim of Barbados and brought plantation agriculture with them, fostering sugar cane, cotton and tobacco on the island. Local Bajans and African slaves worked on these plantations until slavery was abolished in 1834. In 1966, Barbados broke free from British rule and claimed independence.
Get intimate views of nature and history by visiting some of Barbado’s treasured sights, like Flower Forest, which blankets over 50 acres of the island and boasts some of the best vistas of the east coast. Native flora and fauna bloom year round, with miles upon miles of walking paths weaving through the area and secret gardens ready in waiting for private picnics. Or visit the birthplace of rum and tour the Mount Gay Rum distillery with a hearty foothold of 300 years in the industry, made from sugar harvested directly from the island and coral-filtered water. Witness thousands of stalactites and stalagmites interchanging formations as you patrol Harrison’s Cave. Explore Welchman Hall Gully, one of the last surviving tropical landscapes on the island. For a taste of British colonial history and to check off another UNESCO site off your list, cast your historical appetite toward Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados. You absolutely must savor the local flavors at Oistins Fish Fry on a Friday night. Here you can indulge in the freshest tuna, swordfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, flying fish, lobster, chicken, etc., in a fun, upbeat setting complete with music, arts and crafts vendors, and locals.
Home to vibrant enclaves coral reef and the astounding species that inhabit it, Barbados is an excellent diving destination. Hundreds of underwater shipwrecks and sunken treasures loom underneath the water’s surface. This pristine, coral reef filtered water also lends itself as a fantastic spot for snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, submarine tours and surfing. Float above the ocean, parasailing and catching views of the island at angles you simply can’t get on foot. Or get acquainted with the quirks of the island with segway and horseback riding tours.
Like many will say, “Life didn’t begin in Barbados. It was just perfected here.” Book with Go Travel to see what they mean!
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