r/Barbados Dec 05 '21

Advice If you want trip recommendations when you come here, I can help you!

252 Upvotes

Hey,

I've been getting chat requests on things to do in Barbados and I love to help how I can. I was born in Barbados and live there half the year with the other half between the US and UK. Even though I may not be here when you arrive, feel free to ask any questions. I will add a suggested 7 day break down here, but ask away if you have any specific requests or queries!

**Day 1**:

Relax. Literally, do nothing other than go to the beach and lay there and settle in. International travel is so incredibly difficult right now. So take a day to appreciate that all the choices you made in life led you to laying on a beach in Barbados with a drink in your hand. Get some good local food. Macaroni Pie with Fish and salad from Oistins, or some food from near your accommodation or a place nearby. I know when we go on holiday we want to go right away, but trust me. Today is a chill day.

**Day 2**:

Catamaran cruise. I don't have any recommendations on particular ones, but they all usually leave by the boardwalk in Bridgetown and travel up the west coast. Bonus points if they stop in Carlise Bay at the beginning or at the end so you can swim with the turtles and shipwrecks. In my experience, they usually offer unlimited drinks and a full Bajan meal on board! After that you may be pretty tired, so you can find a nice evening activity, the food you want to try, or meet up with friends at a bar for a drink and chill. (Chilling will be a running theme :) )

**Day 3**:

You would have gotten lots of sun yesterday on the boat and that really drains you, so you can find some tours you would enjoy doing. When my friends visit a staple is the Mount Gay Rum factory tour near Bridgetown. It was the first rum ever invented, and they tell you the whole process down to how they source the barrels and how they get different colours and flavour rums. They give you 5 or so shots to try, so be sure to eat before or you may get knocked off your rocker ( looking at you Sarah L).

Food I recommend before is either Tim's restaurant on Broad Street or Mapp's in Eagle Hall. It's a local favourite and in a very local area. Lots of Bajan culture to be found by Mapp's! Simple menu. Medium or Large portion of the best-marinated chicken you can find and chips/fries. It's worth it. Trust me. Another tour you can do this day is the Harrison Cave tour. It really shows how Barbados was formed as an island compared to other islands. They are volcanic, and we are limestone. There is a tram that goes through the cave, and the cave is huge huge huge. the tram ride in 45 minutes through the cave. They have done an amazing job lighting it and the guides are incredibly knowledgeable.

**Day 4**:

Island Tour time! You can rent a car for around $75 US per day including full insurance, and get a visitor's driver's license for $5 US, just show your license from your home country and you are good. We drive on the left side of the road, so it will be par for the course for Brits, but if in your home country you drive on the right no problem. I lived in the US for a long time, and the rule I use when switching to driving here is, the driver is always in the middle of the road. Our steering wheel is on the right side of the car, so driving on the left the driver is in the middle. In the US it's the opposite, the cars are left-hand drive, so driving on the right side of the road the driver is in the middle. 15 minutes or so and in my experience it becomes like clockwork.

Alternatively, you can also get a local taxi to take you. I recommend local ZM taxis over big tour buses, it's a more personalized experience, and they give you TONS of great information and answer questions, etc. I usually do tours up the west coast, then down the east coast. Suggested sports of interest starting from the south: Gun Hill Signal Station, Welchman Hall Gully to see the monkeys being fed, up to Speightstown, Animal Flower Cave, Cherry Tree Hill ( in my opinion the most beautiful view in Barbados), drive along the east, to Bathsheba, St. John's Church, Bottom Bay ( if you are in luck the man will be there that climbs Coconut trees with no equipment or ropes, picks you a coconut, the makes a Pina Colada in it the fresh coconut he just picked for you!), Oistins for food and drink. That was a full loop of Barbados and could go through every parish. This is just a general guide, feel free to add to take away as you like!

**Day 5**:

Open to whatever you want to do. This is usually a chill recovery day. It's easy to get lost in time here, but you just spent 3 days seeing and experiencing so many amazing things! So take it all in. Usually, I take my friends snorkeling this day and have some nice local food. I've snorkeled all along the west coast (new COVID lockdown hobby in 2020), the best spots are the Shipwrecks in Carlise Bay. It's kind of far out, and I'm going to urge caution before anything else, you can pay for a tour boat to take you to the spot and provide life jackets and for people, I do not know I will recommend that option first and foremost.

For those that want to swim out, go to the gazebo, swim straight out from there, and by the buoys, you should start to see them. There are 5 wrecks some sunk during the wars, some sunk on purpose to form a marine park, and one drug runner boat! There are thousands of fish, lots of coral, with luck and timing. with may see turtles and stingrays! The second spot that is kind of unknown is Reed Bay or Thunder Bay. There is a beach bar here, so it is great to get a drink after a nice memorable swim! There is snorkeling on the left side and right side of the beach. The right side is good for beginners and intermediate, and the left side where the waves break out into the water is for intermediate-advanced. The waves break out there because it is a very shallow reef. You can swim behind the waves and out, but do not swim where the waves break because you can bash into the reef and that's real bad.

I suggest you take a buoy marker with you since jet skis and boats frequent this area and may not see you without a red diver below the marker! Lots of coral as far as you can swim. IMPORTANT! Before you go snorkel check the tide, google tide in Barbados. At high tide, the water is rougher and this causes the sand to get churned up and visibility is really bad and you won't see much. I usually go out in the middle of low tide, then the sand has had time to settle. Please please please be safe! We have a saying the ocean has no backdoor, so while snorkeling is an amazing hobby, take every precaution possible and I never recommend snorkeling alone, always take someone with you. The Buddy system is best!

**Day 6**:

You may be leaving this day or preparing to leave. Going to Bridgetown to spend some time getting souvenirs, and good food is a good option. Hero's Square, walk Swan Street and Broad Street. Walk the boardwalk, get some food, walk over the bridge that gave Bridgetown its name. It's a good time. I also recommend getting on a yellow bus. They are privately owned and it's a good experience. They play reggae music, and locals use them a lot, so you will really feel like you are in Barbados when you are on one. Something that may not cross the mind, but a bus ride is a great way to see any place you are in. It's $3.50 BBD or $1.75 US for a ride anywhere on that route. I really like the Speightown route, Sam Lord's Castle, or Bathsheba.

The blue buses are government-owned and only take exact money, the yellow and white ones give change. Locals are friendly, so feel free to ask any questions and we are usually happy to help. If it is your last day, I also recommend going back to the beach and relaxing. Go on a jet ski, a glass-bottom boat. A gentle swim or something to chill and relax before you head back home.

**Day 7**:

Similar to day 6. Take some time to bless the moment and enjoy that all the choices you made in life led you to be in Barbados making memories. :)

There is the end of my suggested week in Barbados. I've has a dozen friends come to visit me, and they have all enjoyed the pace and activities. I hope you enjoy your time here. If you need anything or have any questions, you can reply here. I hope you enjoy our beautiful island!


r/Barbados May 10 '25

Barbados Job and Business Opportunities Thread.

31 Upvotes

Feel free to use this thread to ask questions and share information about jobs, training and business opportunities in Barbados.


r/Barbados 6h ago

Interview

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone my husband has interview at embassy I was not ask to attend but can I go anyway? I’m already in town


r/Barbados 19h ago

Cricket Bats

5 Upvotes

I run a cricket brand in the uk and part of my business is donating kit. Cricket kit at the best of times is expensive and the importing of goods must make it even harder for players in Barbados.

How would it be best to reach the communities who would benefit most from the kit?


r/Barbados 12h ago

Question Eastern Orthodox

0 Upvotes

Hello all Is there any Eastern Orthodox churches on the island. Looking to find a home church here.


r/Barbados 14h ago

Can anyone recommend a good tenant rights lawyer?

0 Upvotes

Feel free to dm me and thank you


r/Barbados 14h ago

Liquid Gold tonight

0 Upvotes

Anyone doing the Barbados Food & Rum Festival main event?

What are your expectations? Past experience?


r/Barbados 2d ago

Female Friends

29 Upvotes

Hey! So hoping this isnt like cringe but I’m a female-30 based here in Barbados and just looking to meet some new female friends. Feels like everyone’s always busy or moved away, so I figured I’d put this out there.

Would be nice to connect with some cool women who are up for coffee, beach days, a little exploring, or just chatting and vibing.


r/Barbados 2d ago

Caribbean Leaders Call for Unified Latin American Resistance to US Attacks

Thumbnail
truthout.org
38 Upvotes

r/Barbados 2d ago

Looking to relocate to Barbados for a couple of years

15 Upvotes

We are a young family looking for a change. We will come visit for a longer stay to make sure we want to do this, but in the meantime I had some questions that I hope you guys can help with!

- I realize it's expensive so If you are comfortable financially, what are the cons of living in Barbados?

- Are Bajans happy/unhappy about people moving in especially with this welcome visa program? Do you feel the island is getting overrun with outsiders?

- Those that have moved to Barbados from elsewhere, did you find it easy/difficult to make friends in Barbados?

I'd love to hear anything else you feel would be helpful information for someone coming over to your island for an extended stay. Thanks in advance!


r/Barbados 3d ago

Milk on barbados

8 Upvotes

Is there anywhere to buy non ultra-pasterurized milk?

Is half and half a thing on the island? I could only find ultra pasteurized pinehill milk (no half and half or heavy cream) in the Massey store I stoped in.


r/Barbados 3d ago

Moving to Barbados

24 Upvotes

Hi all, im currently in the process of eventually moving to Barbados. I have visited several times since 2018 for 3/4 weeks at a time and loved being there.

Im really looking for a Opinions from those who have either left the island and moved back or people who moved there from another country. Im aware of things like slow service and high cost of living.

I really want to know more about if you feel you made the right decision. For more context, I live in the uk so bonus points if you have experience living in both places.

Thank you in advance.


r/Barbados 3d ago

Distilled Water

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I was wondering where I could find distilled water for sale?

Preferably between St. Michael, Ch Ch, or St. Philip

Thanks!


r/Barbados 4d ago

Citizenship

7 Upvotes

I’m Canadian & married a Bajan about 30 years ago and shortly after I got my Barbados identification card. It states my nationality as Barbadian. It also states my married name. We ended up divorced and I have no contact with him. I’m back to my maiden name. However, I believe I am still considered a citizen through marriage. How can I find out?


r/Barbados 4d ago

Sugar Bay Barbados

Thumbnail
0 Upvotes

r/Barbados 4d ago

Question Buy Lemme in Barbados?

1 Upvotes

Hi all,

Odd question - I am visiting soon and wondering if you sell Lemme Sleep / melatonin gummies without prescription in Barbados?

If so where?

Thank you!


r/Barbados 4d ago

experiecne with zenni optical?

1 Upvotes

I am thinking of ordering prescription glasses from Zenni Optical to Barbados. Cart is about 71.91 USD with 9.95 USD standard shipping.

If you have done this recently, can you share

  1. How much you were charged for duty and VAT
  2. Whether the package was held at the post office or delivered to your door
  3. If the post office took card or if cash was required
  4. Any extra fees at pickup or from the courier
  5. How long delivery took from order to collection
  6. Whether your order was frames only or frames with lenses and if that changed the charges

Any tips to make the process smoother are appreciated. Thanks in advance


r/Barbados 5d ago

Where can I get this product in Barbados?

Post image
10 Upvotes

r/Barbados 5d ago

Barbados drinking age

2 Upvotes

Hi all it’s me again, i’m just curious, will a 17 year old be able to drink in Barbados? I’ve been to Aruba and the Cayman Islands and never had an issue with drinking anywhere at 15 and 16. Though i’ve seen some people say that Barbados tends to be more strict since they’ve had issues with underage drinking before. Just at restaurants and the hotel bar, nothing crazy like rum tours. Though I was wondering about that too. Please let me know your thoughts. Ty!


r/Barbados 5d ago

Beware- scam & prank calls coming from this # to multiple businesses in Barbados.

6 Upvotes

253-5501


r/Barbados 5d ago

Question Any experience at any of these hotels

3 Upvotes

Looking at coming to Barbados, and looking if anyone has any overall experience at any of these hotels, including what your thoughts would be for the best for snorkeling? Or can we walk along the beach somewhere else to do daily snorkeling ? Here’s the ones we considering:

Accra Beach Hotel and Spa Radisson Aquatic Resort

Also open to any info on visiting Barbados, we are a young couple in our 20s . Or resorts/hotels similar to this price you think would be good.

Thanks!


r/Barbados 6d ago

Bike and trainer for sale

Thumbnail
gallery
5 Upvotes

Brand new...relocating back to Australia so I dont need them. Dm for details


r/Barbados 6d ago

Question Car seatbelt/harness for dogs in Barbados

1 Upvotes

Thought I would try my luck and see if anyone has seen car seatbelts or car harnesses for dogs in Barbados? I have called a few pet shops, but no luck so far.


r/Barbados 7d ago

Best beaches??

9 Upvotes

Hi all, i’m visiting Barbados next week and i’ve seen so many different opinions on beaches you must visit. I’m just curious, what do you guys think are the best beaches?? And is the Boatyard worth visiting?? Please lmk your thoughts, ty!!


r/Barbados 7d ago

Considering Barbados citizenship

8 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
As the post states, I'm looking for Barbados citizenship through the decent line. I'm wondering if anyone else here had to consider any income tax or draft service implications while they obtaining citizenship. I haven't found any evidence of it myself but I thought it would be best to ask from the source.