Barbados is a lovely island located in the Caribbean Sea Windward islands. The word “Barbados” means “bearded ones,” and it refers to the fig trees that explorers were drawn in by during their excursions to the region several centuries ago. Barbados is often referred to as “Little Britain” due to its strong historical ties to the U.K. Indeed, the British first settled it way back in 1627. Since then, the island has flourished as a premier vacation destination. Tourism helps keep its economy afloat. Most of the resorts are on the west coast. In addition to boasting several amazing beaches, Barbados offers rum distilleries, caves, surfing, scuba diving, catamaran cruises, golf and much more. The cuisine here is incredibly eclectic; be sure to try flying fish, which features a very spicy sauce, and pepperpot, a delectable pork stew. You will most likely arrive either via boat or by plane at Sir Grantley Adams International Airport, which is near the capital city of Bridgetown.
- Capital city – Bridgetown
- Language – English
An Introduction to Barbados
Barbados is a nation that is located in the Lesser Antilles, and with an area of 167 square miles, the island has a width of approximately 14 miles and a length of more than 21 miles. Situated in the Caribbean Sea, the country is especially close to Martinique, Montserrat, Dominica, Guadeloupe and Grenada. The island has a population of more than 280,800 people, and the country’s population has been rising steadily during the last 50 years. The nation was established in 1654; however, the island appeared on several maps that were created before 1620. English is the country’s official language, and the nation has a literacy rate of almost 100 percent.
The Country’s Geography
The nation’s western section features numerous hills and rolling plains, and the highest hill has an elevation of 1,120 feet. The surface of the eastern region has a gradual incline and features multiple caves that were created by rivers that modified the layout of the limestone. The coastal erosion is also forming sizable cliffs that are situated next to many of the country’s beaches. These cliffs provide picturesque views, and the eroded areas are close to mangroves, small coves and winding streams. In addition, the cliffs are generally near formations that are made of limestone and shale.
The nation’s surface primarily consists of coral that has a thickness of 90 feet. Barbados is also surrounded by coral reefs that attract divers, and according to several reports, the nearby reefs are positioned at a depth of 30 feet to 150 feet.
The Environment
Barbados has two environmental organizations that are attempting to prevent soil from eroding in the island’s eastern section, and this trend has caused hundreds of people to relocate to other parts of the country throughout the past 30 years. Additionally, oil slicks pose a substantial threat to Barbados. The country’s environmental agencies have equipment that is able to position devices that block oil, and the groups of experts can swiftly remove any oil from animals or utilize compounds that disperse oil slicks. Numerous reports have shown that the nation’s air is substantially less polluted than the air of 70 percent of the world’s countries. However, the nation’s air is slowly being polluted by chemicals and particulates that originate in nearby nations, such as Venezuela, Colombia, Haiti and Grenada.
The Beaches in Barbados
The island’s eastern section features numerous popular beaches, such as Sandy Lane Beach, Batts Rock Beach and Bayshore Beach. Many guests explore Brighton Beach, which is located within 2 miles of Bridgetown and the Spring Garden Highway. The beach is near coral reefs and several long boardwalks that provide picturesque views of the area. Visitors frequently explore Carlisle Bay, Cove Bay and Belair Bay, and these destinations feature numerous lagoons, several caves that divers commonly explore and picnic areas. Surfers and kayakers regularly visit Lakes Beach, yet the destination is substantially more secluded than most of the country’s beaches. This attraction is also close to Barclays Park, which contains several trails, a picnic area, numerous campgrounds and hills that hikers commonly visit.
The Economy of Barbados
During 2015, Barbados had a nominal GDP of more than $4.3 billion, and the nation’s main industries are related to tourism, sugarcane, manufacturing, agriculture and mining. According to various reports, the country’s economy has been growing consistently since 2004. During 2017, the nation’s GDP will likely rise by approximately 2 percent. The country primarily exports watches, electrical resistors, cosmetics, perfumes, petroleum, buses of all sizes, bakery and margarine. In general, the nation’s exports increased substantially between 2014 and 2016. During the next three years, the annual revenue from exports may rise by 2 percent to 5 percent. In 2015, the nation imported goods with a cumulative worth of at least $1.6 billion, and Barbados exported products that have a combined value of around $491 million. The country sends more than 21 percent of its exports to Trinidad and Tobago, and the nation’s companies deliver approximately 11 percent of exported goods to the United States.
The Climate of Barbados
Barbados features a tropical monsoon climate and has an average temperature of more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter months, the nation receives especially high levels of rainfall, yet between December and April, the island gets 35 inches to 70 inches of precipitation during each month. Furthermore, the country receives more than 2,993 hours of largely uninterrupted sunlight annually
Bridgetown, the Capital city of Barbados
Established in 1628, Bridgetown is situated in the southwestern section of the country and contains more than 110,000 residents. The city features a harbor with particularly deep water, and during 2002, a well-known company dredged the harbor. Consequently, the port is able to accommodate especially large cruise ships that may not travel into the country’s other harbors. Numerous analyses have indicated that the modification has augmented the amount of tourists who visit the city annually by at least 15 percent.
Bridgetown has many popular destinations, such as the Barbados Museum, the Frank Collymore Hall of the Performing Arts, the Cathedral Plaza and the Sagicor Plaza. Moreover, the city features the Garrison Historic Area, which allows guests to view numerous monuments, a small amount of historic cannons, a well-known clock tower and a building that was used by Barbadian soldiers.
Traveling to Barbados
By plane
If a visitor takes a flight to Barbados, the individual will generally arrive at the Grantley Adams International Airport, which handles more than 30,500 planes during each year. The airport is positioned within 11 miles of Bridgetown, and the hub is located close to the Silver Rock Beach, Long Bay, the Chancery Lane Swamp and Culpepper Island.
By car
After arriving at the nation’s main airport, guests can travel on Route H7 or Route H10, or visitors may drive on Route H6 in order to reach the Errol Barrel Highway and the country’s eastern section. Once a visitor wants to explore the island’s western districts, the individual may drive on Route H5, and this highway offers access to Crane Beach, Golden Grove and the Spring Bay Villa.
By boat
When ships travel to Barbados, the boats will typically dock at the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal, which is situated in the capital’s southwestern district. The dock is close to Princess Alice Highway, the Kensington Oval and Carlisle Bay, and the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal is near more than 20 stores that provide agriculture goods, jewelry, souvenirs, maps and electronics.
Points of Interest and Factors That Attract Visitors to Barbados
Barbados contains a large number of well-known attractions, and some of these include:
- Flower Forest,
- Andromeda Gardens,
- the George Washington House and
- the Animal Flower Cave.
Tourists commonly explore Harrison’s Cave, which has stalagmites and stalactites that have been created by high levels of calcium within the underground rivers. The country’s technicians built a tram that allows guests to explore sinkholes, hidden waterways and narrow caverns, and the visitors may tour a sizable section with a height of more than 50 feet. When exploring the country, you may visit the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, which was founded during 1933. The museum contains fossils, exhibits that describe historical events, old photographs and multiple maps that were created in the 19th century. The facility also features more than 500,000 artifacts and several sculptures. Numerous reports have shown that Barbados has more than 80 sizable lagoons, and the country features relatively secluded streams and coves that attract divers and individuals who enjoy boating. Additionally, multiple shipwrecks are located within 8 miles of the island’s shores, so many visitors enjoy scuba diving and visiting historic wrecks.
Features That Encourage People to Live on the Island of Barbados
Barbados has a relatively low cost of living, and the country features a per capita income of slightly more than $15,200. However, the nation’s residents benefit from outstanding health care, the country’s high-quality infrastructure, free media and especially low levels of pollution. Various reports suggest that the nation’s citizens also experience less stress than the residents of most countries. The country’s inhabitants have a life expectancy of approximately 74 years, and as the nation’s largest hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital contains more than 600 beds and provides specialized care that is related to pediatrics, cardiovascular health, many surgical procedures, ophthalmology and neurology. The hospital also offers dental care, and some guests visit Barbados in order to undergo dental procedures.
Barbados Nation’s Culture
Sports
Many Barbadians enjoy cricket, basketball and tennis, and the country’s young residents commonly participate in soccer matches. Several reports suggested that the popularity of golf is rising steadily, and various companies are planning to establish at least three new golf courses during the next 15 years. Likewise, volleyball is especially popular in Barbados, but despite the country’s long beaches, volleyball games typically take place in enclosed facilities.
Music
Some residents regularly play music that requires kettledrums, bass drums and distinctive types of flutes. These citizens commonly play songs during the evenings, and the musicians perform near piers, restaurants and beaches. In addition, the bands typically provide entertainment during carnivals and weddings.
Popular festivals
Barbadians enjoy a wide variety of popular festivals, such as the Oistins Fish Festival and the Holetown Festival. Many residents attend celebrations for the Crop Over Festival, which commemorates harvests of all types. During the event, citizens dance, sing, create crafts, listen to stories about the history of Barbados and try dishes that are common on the island. Furthermore, many citizens participate in a sizable parade that occurs near the end of the festival.
National holiday
The nation’s residents celebrate Errol Barrow Day on January 21, and the citizens honor the man who helped the country to achieve independence from the United Kingdom in the 1960s. During the holiday, many residents attend carnivals, play cricket and watch tennis matches. Additionally, some citizens visit museums that feature paintings and sculptures because Errol Barrow enjoyed many types of art.
A Guide for Barbados Travelers
Average price of a night in a hotel in barbados
Currently, relatively inexpensive hotels charge $90 to $135 per night, yet if you choose to stay at a hotel with a rating of four stars, you will typically pay $200 to $380 during each day. When guests select resorts that have a rating of five stars, the visitors may pay $380 to $800, and the prices typically rise during the winter months due to the dry season.
Traveling From New York City
If you’re departing from New York City, you can generally take a flight to Barbados for a price of $250 to $520, and when you select a nonstop flight, you will typically arrive in the country within less than five hours of your departure. Once a visitor chooses a flight with one stop, the guest may travel for seven hours to 14 hours in order to reach the destination.
Visiting the Country for Seven Days
If you and a friend are planning to take a flight and to visit Barbados for seven days, you may pay a total price of approximately $825. Throughout the country, the prices of services are significantly lower than the costs of similar activities in Montserrat, most countries of the Bahamas, the Florida Keys and Grenada.
Attracting Guests From Various Countries
Barbados primarily welcomes visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia and Japan. The island also attracts thousands of visitors from Canada, and according to several reports, the amount of Canadian tourists has increased by approximately 15 percent throughout the last decade. The nation also welcomes thousands of tourists from China, and primarily, the visitors travel from the southeastern region of China.
Marinas and Resorts in Barbados
When searching for hotels, you may evaluate the Palms Resort, the Treasure Cove Hotel and the Fairmont Royal Pavilion. You can stay at the Hilton Barbados Resort, which is located within 1 mile of a well-known museum. The resort has a spa that features a sauna, a sizable Jacuzzi and a room that provides heated sand, and visitors may enjoy manicures, pedicures and relaxing massages.
If you’re searching for an all-inclusive hotel, you may visit Almond Beach Resort, which contains a large spa, six pools, three restaurants, a gift shop, several tennis courts and an area for children. The hotel also has instructions that help guests to master various water sports, and visitors can enjoy paddleboarding, snorkeling and kayaking. After guests make reservations at the resort, the hotel’s experts are commonly able to reduce the price of a rental car by 10 percent to 20 percent.
Many visitors stay at the Crystal Cove Hotel, and this facility offers rates that are significantly lower than the prices of most resorts in the country. Located in the nation’s western section, the Crystal Cove Hotel has three pools, a spa and two restaurants. The facility also offers all-inclusive packages that help guests to relax on sailboats and ride on watercraft. Additionally, visitors can utilize free Wi-Fi, and the resort provides a conference room and a business center.
If you’re searching for a marina, you may visit the Port Ferdinand Resort and Residence, and this yacht club features a bar, several restaurants, a business center, a private beach and a virtual golf course. The facility also contains a fitness center that has treadmills, a large collection of dumbbells, stationary bikes and soft mats. Moreover, tourists can visit the spa, which features a sauna, a hot tub, various soothing lotions and many types of candles.
Bridgetown is the capital city of Barbados. There are 11 parishes on the island of Barbados, which are:
- Christ Church, Oistins is the capital
- Saint Andrew, Greenland is the capital
- Saint George Bulkeley
- Saint James, Holetown is the capital
- Saint John, Four Roads is the capital
- Saint Joseph, Bathsheba is the capital
- Saint Lucy, Crab Hill is the capital
- Saint Michael, Bridgetown is the capital
- Saint Peter, Speightstown is the capital
- Saint Philip, Crane is the capital
- Saint Thomas, Hillaby is the capital
Useful Facts and Information of Barbados
According to multiple analyses, the costs of reservations generally drop during the summer months because of the reduced number of guests, and usually the prices rise swiftly in November. Moreover, the wet season notably decreases the demand for many types of watercraft. Therefore, guests can rent boats for much lower prices between June and October. Throughout Barbados, the price of a rental car is substantially lower than the cost of rental vehicles in nearby countries; however, one gallon of gasoline usually has a price of $4.20 to $8.30. In the nation’s eastern section, some companies allow guests to rent cars for substantially lower prices because the eastern districts welcome a lower number of tourists than the country’s western section.
Bridgetown, the Capital city of Barbados
Bridgetown is not just the capital of Barbados; it is also the island’s only city. More than 110,000 people call Bridgetown home, and it is the cultural, political and economic heart of the island nation. The city boasts beautiful architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage site, terrific shopping and world-class restaurants, all in a paradisiacal setting with blue skies, palm trees and the country’s only natural harbor.
The harbor made Bridgetown a key hub for commerce and trade during the 17th century, but it also made Barbados a target. The colonial powers of Spain, England, Holland and France were often battling over the Caribbean’s prosperous islands, and Barbados soon was dotted with fortifications to protect the island. The largest fort is the Barbados Garrison, built in 1705. Today, the garrison’s walls surround Bridgetown’s historic district, whose serpentine layout and buildings are outstanding examples of colonial architecture. The Garrison district is now a perfect blend of historic buildings and modern amenities. There are many restaurants, beaches, galleries, boutiques, cafes and villas in the area, making it a favorite destination of both travelers and locals.
The Chamberlain Bridge is just two miles south of the garrison in the capital’s center. Originally built between 1865 and 1872, the bridge separates the outer and inner basins of the harbor, creating a safe space for fishing boats, catamarans and pleasure crafts. The Bridgetown boardwalk runs along the west side of the bridge and makes for a lovely waterfront stroll. At the west end of the boardwalk is a small park dedicated to the country’s maritime history. Visitors can see some of the island’s oldest cannons and read posters with fascinating facts about Barbados’ pirates.
The east end of the boardwalk leads to Independence Square, a quiet respite in the center of the city. The square has many benches that offer beautiful waterfront views of some of Bridgetown’s most historic buildings, including the Parliament Building. The Museum of Parliament offers visitors a riveting inside-look at politics in Barbados, and the nearby National Heroes Gallery traces the lives and work of many influential citizens, including doctors, sportsmen, politicians and artists.
The beaches that surround Carlisle Bay are considered to be some of the best in Barbados. The waters on the west side of the island are generally calmer and more suitable for swimming and diving than those on the east or north coasts, and what lies underwater is even more beautiful and intriguing than what is on land. Carlisle Bay is home to several species of exotic and brilliantly colored marine life, including reef squid, sea horses, barracudas, frog fish, moral eels, octopi, mackerel and more. The bay also contains the wrecks of six ships, including the coral-laden Berwyn, the country’s first tugboat and a Canadian freighter sunk in World War II by a German torpedo.
Bridgetown’s nightlife is quite active, and although most bars and nightclubs do not open until later in the evening, they usually keep the party going until dawn. The beaches often play host to bonfire parties, where guests are treated to steel drum music and mouth-watering barbecues, and most establishments only charge a cover fee. After that, the drinks flow like water all night and you do not have to pay a single penny.
Bridgetown Geographical Location
Bridgetown is located in the southwest of Barbados on the Constitution River.
The approximate population of Bridgetown is 100,000 and is Barbados’ largest city.
Bridgetown Language
English is the official and primary language of Barbados although it is a regional variant.
Bridgetown Predominant Religion
- 63% Protestant
- 21% None
- 7% Other Christian
- 5% Other
- 4% Roman Catholic
Christianity is practiced by most of the population but there is a minority of Hindus, Muslims, Baha’i Faith, and Jews.
Bridgetown Currency
The official currency of Barbados is the Barbadian Dollar.
Bridgetown Climate
Bridgetown is consistently hot throughout the year with pleasant winds that cool down the perceived temperature.
Bridgetown Main Attractions
- Barbados Museum
- St Mary’s Church
- Careenage
Other Attractions in Bridgetown
- Parliament
- Atlantis Submarine
- Mount Gay Rum Refinery
- St Michael’s Cathedral
Barbados island guide video by Virgin Atlantic
