Barbados Travel Guide: Barbados.org Recreate and relive your Barbados memories with these tantalizing Barbados dishes. Read more ›› A Barbados Briefing ›› Barbados is a coral island, pushed out of sea by volcanic activity in a far away time. On the West Coast of Barbados , coral shore beaches of fine white sand stretch along a blue-green sea. Coral reefs fringe the Barbados shoreline to provide excellent snorkeling and Scuba Diving . Along the East Coast a lively surf is blown briskly by the strong and constant trade winds and the waves pound against a rocky shore. The constant breeze of the trade winds give Barbados a mild and pleasant tropical climate . When you visit Barbados, you will see it is mostly a flat coral island with excellent beaches , but there are rolling hills and many deep ridges and gullies, with an interesting distribution of flora and fauna . Within the Barbados coral core there is a vast array of caves and underground lakes which provide an excellent supply of drinking water that is amongst the purest in the world. Geologically Barbados is unique, being actually two land masses that merged together over the years.

This and other anomalies make this Caribbean Island quite phenomenal, and there are geological structures that you will find only in Barbados. Barbados Expectation ›› Barbados is a very beautiful island, with lots of art , activities , night life , music , history and some of the best restaurants to be found anywhere. But what makes Barbados even more special, and the reason why so many visitors keep returning to the island year after year, is the people . Barbadians, called Bajans, are warm and friendly souls, always ready to greet you with a sincere smile. Barbadians make you feel welcome and special, in this lovely Caribbean Island. You will feel its your home and will want to come back again and again to Barbados: A unique Caribbean paradise, surprisingly sophisticated, friendly, fun and always Naturally Charming! Barbados Island - This Little Bitty Island in The Caribbean "A Little Bit About My Little Bitty Island In The Sun" Geographical Information About The Barbados Island When looking for the island of Barbados on the world map it is often missed by those who don't know that it isn't located along the main chain of Caribbean islands.

This is because the island Barbados is slightly to the east of this chain of islands. So exactly where is Barbados located ? Grab the world map and take a look at the Caribbean again. I have provided you with one below if you don't have one. This time follow the chain of Caribbean islands south until you reach St.Lucia. Now take a look slightly to the east (yes that is to the right) and you will see my little bitty island of Barbados! Did you find it??? What is the exact longitude and latitude of the island of Barbados? This position we have to the east of the Caribbean island chain gives a longitude of 13.10 degrees North of the equator and a latitude of 59.4 degress West. This places my Caribbean island in a perfect position to get sunny weather all year round. This has made it a wonderful tropical destination and a 2nd home to visitors around the world. Is Barbados a part of The Antilles? OK now that you know where the Barbados island is..Did you know that Barbados is a member of the group of islands known as the Antilles? Now you are probably wondering what the heck the Antilles even are!

Don't worry I will tell you. The Antilles is a group of islands located in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. This group of islands is divided into The Greater Antilles and The Lesser Antilles. The Greater Antilles are made up of the larger islands of the northern region of the Caribbean island chain. These islands include Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic) and Puerto Rico. The Lesser Antilles are made up of the smaller islands to the south of the Caribbean island chain. These islands are divided into two groups, The Leeward Islands and The Windward Islands. The Leeward Islands are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles while The Windward Islands are the southern islands of the Lesser Antilles. The island of Barbados is a member of the Windward Islands. These islands are the Caribbean islands from Martinique down south to Grenada, and are named after the prevailing trade winds that blow from the east to the west off the Atlantic Ocean. Which Caribbean islands are the closest to the island of Barbados? The nearest island to Barbados is St.Vincent. This island and its neighbouring islands, The Grenadines, are located approximately 160 kilometres to directly west of Barbados.

The island of St.Lucia is just a tad further north west of Barbados. Grenada is the nearest island to the south west of Barbados while Trinidad and Tobago are the closest islands located to the south of Barbados. How big is the Barbados island and how many people live on this tiny Caribbean island? The island is only 430 sq km or 166 sq miles in size. You could drive around the island in under 3 hours! As of mid 2008, the Population Reference Bureau estimates there to be approximately 300, 000 people living on this island. Thats quite a few for our 430 sq km size. This has placed Barbados as the 16th most dense country in the world with approximately 650 person per km. Don't worry though, we have enough room for you and your family to visit : ). How many cities are there in the island of Barbados? The Barbados island is divided into parishes as opposed to cities. There are 11 of these parishes called: • St. Lucy, Barbados • Christ Church, Barbados (No.

1) Most of the island's hotels are located along the south and west coasts in the Barbados parishes of Christ Church, St.Michael and St. James. You will however find a few hotels along the Barbados north and east coast more geared toward the adventurous and those seeking tranquility. What is the shape of the Barbados island? If you look at Barbados on the world map you will see that this Caribbean island is some what shaped like a pear with the stem end pointing towards the north. What is the island of Barbados made of ? The island is mostly made of limestone coral and is not volanic like many of The Leeward Islands to the north. This charateristic of the Barbados island is the reason for many of our beautiful coral reefs, as well as many of our underground cave formations. This allows you to enjoy scuba diving as well as do some cave exploring during your Barbados vacation. The most popular cave on the island explored by tourists is Harrison's Cave. This is a 2.3 km long, limestone cave in the central region of the island, in the parish of St. Thomas. You can take tours through this cave aboard an electric tram for $20 USD per person.

Is the Barbados island hilly and mountainous? The coastline of Barbados is generally flat with its highest points being towards the island's centre. Mount Hillaby is the highest point in Barbados with a height of 340 metres or 1110 feet above sea level, located in the parish of St.Andrew. If you would like, you can visit Mount Hillaby during you trip. From this hill top you will have an amazing aerial view of the island's landscape and coasts. There are also many sedimentary rock formations in these central regions. The Geography of Barbados | FunBarbados.com Overview | Weather & Climate | Barbados Information The Geography of Barbados The Island of Barbados is the most easterly in the Caribbean chain of islands (Lesser Antilles). Its splendid isolated location is at Latitude 13 10 N and Longitude 59 32 W. Measuring 23km (14 miles) at its widest point, 34km (21 miles) long and a mere area of 430 square km (166 sq miles).

The highest point is 1,100ft (336m) above sea level at Mount Hillaby in St Andrew and the lowest is the Atlantic Ocean (0 m). The population> is approximately 280,946 (2007) and growing. Racially, the island is predominantly African slave-descended blacks. The main religion is Christianity with small groups of Hindus, Muslins and Jews. Geographically Barbados is north-east of Venezuela or south-east or Miami and is not a part of the Arc of Caribbean islands since only the West Coast of the Caribbean lies in the Caribbean Sea. The North and East Coasts however lie in the Atlantic Ocean. For this reason, these coasts are known to be really dangerous with very high waves and strong currents but the South Coast has some decent swells making it excellent for any form of surfing. The island is largely surrounded by coral reefs extending in some places 3 metres seaward which results in the fine, white sand that makes up our beaches . These coral reefs also protect our coastlines. Before Barbados was settled by the British in 1627, numerous Mangrove swamps surrounded the island and protected the reefs.

Unfortunately, many of these swamps have been destroyed so hotels could be constructed. Fortunately (2) of them remain today; the Chancery Lane Swamp and the popular Graeme Hall Swamp . These are Barbados' wetlands and are of international significance because they are important migrating Fish and Bird areas. Recently steps have been taken to preserve the precious swamps and coral reefs with several ships been sunk at strategic points along the island to make artificial reefs. Barbados Topography The topography of Barbados is divided mainly into the Limestone lands and the Scotland District. The Limestone Lands cover most of the island and is divided into 5 sub-regions. Flatlands - St Lucy A wide flat region stretching across the northern part of the island. Uplands - Central This stretches from Mt. Gilboa in St. Lucy to Chimborazo in St. Joseph reaching a height of approximately 1,116ft (340m). The landscape dips in St George forming the St. George Valley, separating the main limestone areas in the northeast from the lower limestone ridge at the south in the Christ Church area.

(Elevations in Christ Church Ridge: approximately 60 - 120m [400ft]) Terraces and Cliffs - West & South These surface features are on the western and southern side of the island and stretch from the north in St Lucy to the south in Christ Church. West side: Rises from the west coast upwards to the central region causing a staircase effect.Â South side: The effect is not as developed on its way to Bridgetown, due to the obstruction of the St George valley meeting the Carlisle Bay coastline. Valleys - St George & St Philip This is a wide lowlands area which crosses the widest section of the island, separating the central uplands from the southern region. Dome - Christ Church A low dome shaped upland rises from the south to approximately 400ft at Mt. Friendship in St. Michael. Relatively flat compared to its volcanic neighbours, Barbados is one of the few coral capped limestone islands in the region. The fact that the island is made up of over 85% coral limestone, about 20 - 30m thick and underlain by sedimentary rock means that most of its surface water runs off underground.

The limestone rocks act as a filter for the underground water so when the water passes through these rocks, it is filtered. This is the main reason why the water in Barbados is of such a high quality. In its configuration the island is elevated but not mountainous with elevations ranging from 180 - 240m (589-786ft) above sea level. Near the centre is its apex, Mount Hillaby 336m (1,100 ft.), from which the land falls on all sides in a series of terraces to the sea. Hillaby is just west of the breathtaking Scotland District in St. Andrew, St. Joseph and St. John. So gentle is the incline of the hills that in driving over the well constructed roads the ascent is scarcely noticeable. This dramatically rugged area comprises one sixth of the island and meets the Atlantic Ocean in the northeast coastline. In the Scotland District located on the eastern side of the island, the erosion of the limestone cap means that the area is made up of clay, sandstone and shale with jutting rocky spikes and ridges. Small streams can be found in this area along with lots of soil erosion and crop loss due to landslides.

The Scotland series sandstones and clays were laid down under the sea over 60 million years ago. The Oceanic series rocks are fine white clays, locally known as chalk which was laid down in deep sea conditions. The coral limestone cap was formed as the island was uplifted by earth movements over the past 600,000 years. It has been arched upwards to form two broad anticlines, one in the centre of the island and one in the south. Several deep Gullies dot the island, which channel rainwater down to the coast. This is one of the reasons why there are not many rivers since water does not stay on the surface for long. One of the island's more popular gullies, Welchman Hall Gully is home to numerous indigenous trees and shrubs and both migratory and indigenous birds. Another would be Jack in the Box Gully (Jack-in-the-box) located in St Thomas. There are a few Rivers and with the exception of the Constitution River in Bridgetown, all are located in the hilly parishes of St Andrew and St Joseph. This is because the rocks of the Scotland District are not permeable, forcing the water to settle on the surface.

The rivers of Barbados are: the Long Pond River in St Andrew, Joe's River in St Joseph and Bruce Vale River in St Andrew. The island is also home to several Caves , the most famous being Harrison's Cave and the Animal Flower Cave. The parish of St. Lucy, in the north, is known for its sea caves which are said to have been formed over 500,000 years ago. Prior to the settlement of Barbados in 1627, the island was covered in dense Tropical Rainforest. Unfortunately, almost all of this forest was cut down. Only two examples of this forest remain: Turner's Hall Woods and Joes River Rain Forest. Barbados was geographically divided into (6) parishes in 1629: St. Lucy, St. Peter, St. James, St. Thomas, Christ Church and St. Michael. Later in 1645, it was divided into the present 11 Parishes: St. Lucy, St. Peter, St. James, St. Thomas, Christ Church, St. Michael, St. Joseph, St. Andrew, St. John, St. George and St. Philip.

In Bridgetown, the capital can be found architectural monuments looming side by side, along the main street and principal commercial centre. It is also the largest and liveliest city in Barbados. Barbados also has outlying urban areas. In the south, the main town is Oistins, a busy little fishing village with a number of Rum Shops where you can experience the true Barbadian culture. Moving northwards along the west coast is first Holetown, which is very commercially developed with lots of shopping facilities and an area of historic significance as this is where the British first settled when they came. Further North in St. Peter is Speightstown, a fishing village which is still very reminiscent of its bygone days. It is a true blend of old and new with modern shops sitting between old time balconied wooden buildings. The only natural harbour is Carlisle Bay on the south-western coast, which is only accessible to light draught vessels Copyright © 1998 - 2017 FunBarbados Inc., All Rights Reserved. Barbados travel guide - Wikitravel Understand[ edit ] Barbados has experienced several waves of human habitation.

The first wave were of the Saladoid-Barrancoid group, farmers, fishermen, and ceramists who arrived by canoe from Venezuela's Orinoco Valley around 350 AD. The Arawak people were the second wave, arriving from South America around 800 AD. Arawak settlements on the island include Stroud Point, Chandler Bay, Saint Luke's Gully, and Mapp's Cave. According to accounts by descendants of the aboriginal Arawak tribes on other local islands, the original name for Barbados was Ichirouganaim. In the 13th century, the Caribs arrived from South America in the third wave, displacing both the Arawak and the Salodoid-Barrancoid. For the next few centuries, they lived in isolation on the island. The name "Barbados" comes from a Portuguese explorer named Pedro Campos in 1536, who originally called the island Os Barbados ("The Bearded Ones"), after the appearance of the island's fig trees, whose long hanging aerial roots resembled beards.

Between Campos's sighting in 1536 and 1550, Spanish conquistadors seized many Caribs on Barbados and used them as slave labor on plantations. The others fled the island, moving elsewhere. Barbados was formally settled by the British in 1627. After several failed crops of cotton, sugarcane was introduced, and the colony established itself as a profitable plantation economy. Enslaved Africans were the primary source of labour on these plantations until 1834, when they won their freedom through several years of rebellion, supported by increasing pressure from anti-slavery movements in Britain. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum and molasses production through most of the 20th century. Though the shackles were removed, much of the repressive labour conditions of slavery remained on the island until the 1930s, when the educated black middle class fought for universal adult suffrage and took the control of the country's local governance away from the British-descended local aristocracy. The country began a process of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s which led to complete independence from the United Kingdom in 1966.

In the 1980s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Barbados has developed into a stable democracy with one of the highest rates of literacy in the Western Hemisphere. Locals refer to themselves as Bajans and things Barbadian as Bajan.

Map of Barbados with regions colour-coded The island of Barbados has eleven parishes which can be sensibly divided into four regions: Get in[ edit ] Citizens of the following countries will not need visas to enter Barbados: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Republic of Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis , Saint Lucia , Saint Vincent and

 the Grenadines , Samoa , Seychelles, Sierra Leone , Singapore , Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname , Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

If you require a visa, you can obtain one from a Barbadian embassy, high commission or consulate. The form for a visa must include 2 passport size photographs. The visa costs BBD50 for single entry and BBD60 for multiple entry. If you require a visa to enter Barbados, you might be able to apply for one at a British embassy, high commission or consulate in the country where you legally reside if there is no Barbadian diplomatic post. For example, the British embassies in Al Khobar [1] , Amman [2] , Belgrade [3] , Budapest [4] , Helsinki [5] , Jakarta [6] , Jeddah [7] , Moscow [8] , Pristina [9] , Qatar [10] , Riga [11] , Riyadh [12] , Rome [13] , Sofia [14] , Tallinn [15] , Vienna [16] , Warsaw [17] and Zagreb [18] accept Barbadian visa applications (this list is not exhaustive).

British diplomatic posts charge GBP50 to process a Barbadian visa application and an extra GBP70 if the Barbadian authorities require the visa application to be referred to them. The Barbadian authorities can also decide to charge an additional fee if they correspond with you directly. By plane[ edit ] Sir Grantley Adams International Airport ( IATA : BGI) is a large international airport for Barbados's size and boasts dozens of flights arriving in the high season from the UK and Canada , as well as the United States . British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have many flights from the United Kingdom, while American Airlines is the dominant carrier from the United States ( Dallas , Miami , and New York ). Air Canada and Westjet fly from Canada. The airport is 13km (8 mi) east of Bridgetown. Buses and minibuses run from a stop across the road from the airport up the coast to Bridgetown , Holetown , and Speightstown for BBD2 per person, but a taxi is the most convenient way to get to your hotel on arrival. By boat[ edit ] Many cruise ships dock in the Bridgetown deep water harbor, just expanded to accommodate even more vessels.

The terminal is served by an army of taxis, as well as shuttle "buses" to/from downtown Bridgetown for BBD2 each way per person. Private moorings are available around the island. Note that stiff penalties prohibit the dropping of anchors on coral reefs. Get around[ edit ] Driving is on the left. The bus system is extensive, cheap and fast if you are headed to somewhere on the main route, but a car (or mini-moke) is the only way to see many of the out-of-the-way sights. Many drivers will hold a bus for you if they see you are from out of town, reflecting the typical welcoming spirit. Buses are run by the Barbados Transport Board (blue) and are quiet. Private operators include the yellow buses, which play very loud music, and private mini-vans (white), which are usually cramped and crowded. The two privately run means of transport are often driven very fast and recklessly. All charge the same fare (BBD2.00). Yellow buses and minivans offer change and even accept US dollars. BTB buses accept Barbados dollars and do not give change.

There are also more than enough taxis to take you wherever you need to go on the island for reasonable prices. They do not use meters and it is best to negotiate the price before you get in. However, most taxi drivers are honest and you are unlikely to be overcharged. Be sure to ask the management of the hotel or the friendly locals what the going rate is for a cab ride to your destination. Renting a car is expensive. If you are driving, be aware that the roads on the island are generally quite narrow, with the exception of the ABC highway. It is advisable to be extra cautious as many roads on the island have sharp turns, steep inclines, and are generally quite bumpy, although most are paved. Many of these "highways" do not have sidewalks, so there can be pedestrians on the street sharing the road. Many bus stops are also on the side of roads where there are no sidewalks. Additionally, beware of impromptu passing lanes as slow drivers are often passed by others behind them when on two lane roads. Road signs can be fairly confusing, so be prepared to get lost: just keep your petrol tank topped up and keep asking the way as people are always eager to help.

At most all of the local car rental agencies, a full collision damage waiver policy is automatically included with the rental, except for any damage incurred to the car tires, a testament to the poor condition of the smaller roads and tendency of foreign drivers to miscalculate driving lanes and hit curbs. Mopeds and bikes can also be rented to explore sites not easily reached by cars. This not recommended however due to the poor condition of many of the secondary and residential roads. Except for the main highway, all the other roads provide a hazardous journey to the moped or bike rider due to no sidewalks, frequent pot holes, sharp corners and speeding local buses. Another fun way to get around is to rent a moke available from any number of local car rental agencies. Talk[ edit ] The official language in Barbados is English. Bajan (occasionally called Barbadian Creole or Barbadian Dialect), is an English-based creole language spoken by locals. Bajan uses a mixture of West African idioms and expressions, such as Igbo , along with British English to produce a unique Barbadian/West Indian vocabulary and speech pattern. There are a few African words interspersed with the dialect.

Communication will not be a problem for any English speaker, and Barbados has one of the highest literacy rates in the Western Hemisphere. See[ edit ][ add listing ] The west coast holds numerous deluxe resorts, and it and the interior highlands have several historical sites with picturesque views. Numerous web sites offer details. Botanical Garden, [19] . In the interior there is a beautiful Botanical Garden with more fauna information than most similar places across the planet. edit Cricket, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown. Check for if there's a game to experience west indies cricket. edit Mount Gay Rum Distillery Ltd., Spring Garden Highway, Bridgetown, Saint Michael, [20] . The tour takes about 45 minutes and includes a rum tasting. There is a bar in a veranda. There are more expensive (B$75) lunch tours which include transportation as well as food. B$16 for basic tour. edit Harrison's Cave, Welchman Hall, St.Thomas, [21] . 8:45 am - 3:45 pm. 2nd most popular attraction in Barbados (after Oistins Fish Fry).

Underground cave with stalactites, stalagmites, small waterfalls and pools. Ride by tram through the cave; you can disembark at some points. $30. (13.182375,-59.574022) edit Do[ edit ][ add listing ] World class water sports including surfing at the Soup Bowl on the east coast and various breaks along the west when the swell is up. The south coast has great surf and a spot on the world windsurfing tour at Silver Sands. Travel inland to various plantation houses which put on meals and exhibitions. Visit the animal flower cave or Barbados wildlife reserve. Barbados has amazing conditions for Kitesurfing. The wind blows most of the year but the best months are January to July. Main kite beach is at the south part of the island at Silver Rock. A catamaran cruise with opportunities to snorkel with sea turtles and snorkel above shipwrecks. The tours usually include transportation to and from the harbour as well as all drinks (alcohol included) and a buffet lunch. Turtle-snorkelling-only cruises are offered as well. Scuba diving.

There are also many diving tour operators for every level of experience to explore coral reefs as well as sunken ships. The waters around Barbados are some of the most transparent in the Caribbean. Aerial Trek zipline, Jack–In-The-Box Gully, St. Thomas, Barbados. If you love adventure you might enjoy ziplining over a tropical forest & gully. It's a pretty small course with just 8 platforms. Friendly guides put safety first. (13.175486,-59.576975) edit Swimming with sea turtles, [22] . Several catamarans offer sailing tours that include stops to swim and snorkel with sea turtles. Lots of fun and a somewhat unique experience. Note there are no swimming with dolphins options off Barbados. edit Golf. There are several world class courses. Cricket. Barbados has several cricket teams, including some playing at international level. A match is the opportunity for the Bajans to gather around the TV and support their team.

Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] The local currency is the Bajan dollar (BBD), but US dollars are accepted in almost all shops and restaurants (you will get your change back in BBD.) The exchange rate is fixed at about 2 Bajan dollars to the US dollar. Keep in mind that exchangers in hotels and banks may take an additional percentage of the exchange (typically 5%). ATMs are widely available, although many banks ATMs charge up to 5 USD fee to withdraw cash using international cards. The only bank chain that does not seem to charge is the Republic Bank, which advertises its "Blue Machines" which are easy to spot. Many "duty free" shops cater to visitors: from cruise ships. Bridgetown's main street hosts numerous jewellers, most frequently Colombian Emeralds and Diamonds International. Cave Shepherd department store offers a wide range of mercantile, while Harrison's offers premium gifts, leathers and cosmetics. Other smaller stores offer virtually everything a visitor or resident might need. A small mall at the harbour also offers decent prices and selection (for rum and UK liquors), but goods produced in Barbados may be slightly more expensive there than elsewhere on the island.

Barbados has a well-deserved reputation for producing excellent rum, e.g., Mount Gay. Rum distilleries are usually open for tours, and typically offer samples and product for sale at prices often equal to the best found anywhere else. (See also "Drink" below) Barbados has a great variety of street vendors. Haggle aggressively. Don't stop until you are at about a third of the original price. The fine arts flourish in Barbados and many galleries and studios have shows on all year round which change every few weeks. See also the note about "Weekend Shut Down" at the end of the "Eat" section below. Duty free[ edit ] Stores selling to visitors can honestly claim they offer duty free pricing. They in fact pay duty on imported goods before offering them for sale. But as they sell anything to you as a visitor, they will ask you to sign a form that allows them to get a refund of the duty paid. The government is working on a law that allows vendors to obtain goods that are intended for visitors without paying duty. Business hours: In times past, most everything shut down on weekends, and visitors had to plan ahead especially if self-catering. This is no longer the case.

Clothing and gift stores open until 4pm or so (Sheraton Mall shops until 9:00pm) on Saturdays; very few are open on Sunday. Many supermarkets island-wide are open on Saturday and Sunday. Bank holidays (such as Christmas, New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday) will find most if not all stores and banks and business houses closed. But stores attached to gas stations will have limited availability of basic items, and shops at the deep water harbor will be open if cruise ships are visiting. There are a few small family run groceries across the island that will open on bank holidays (or have a side door open) to serve their community. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Do flying fish fly? Yes and no. Flying fish can break through the surface of the water and fly distances of up to 100 yd at about 30mph, but they do not actually fly the same way as birds, because birds flap their wings during flight. Instead, the flying fish gets its power and speed from its tail fin, which it moves from side to side with powerful strokes. Flying fish, the icon of the islands is found on coins, bills, and menus.

Flying fish is usually served lightly breaded and fried, with a yellow sauce. Be warned that this yellow sauce consists of very hot Scotch Bonnet peppers with onions in a mustard sauce. Pepperpot, a must, a dish of long tradition and great pride among the Bajans, a pork stew in a spicy dark brown sauce. Try cutters, a local sandwich made using Salt Bread (not regular sandwich bread). Varieties include flying fish cutters, ham cutters and the popular bread and two (two fishcakes in a salt bread). Visitors seeking fast food will probably be disappointed; the burger chains of the US failed miserably upon introduction to Barbados (Bajans eat nearly no beef). However, chicken and fish sandwiches are wildly popular, so KFC and the local chain Chefette are ubiquitous. Try the rotis at Chefette. Bajan cuisine is a strange mix of spicy, flavorful treats along with traditional English fare. So be prepared for meals where fiery stews sit side-by-side with beans on toast. Every Friday night the place to be is the town of Oistins (on the south coast) for the "fish fry". This is a market where you can buy fresh fish cooked according to local recipes.

Locals stay there late and dance until the early hours of the morning. This is now the second most popular tourist attraction on the island, after Harrison's Cave. There are many fine restaurants on the island with the top two being The Cliff (on the west coast) and Cin Cin by the Sea (also on the west coast). Both are quite expensive, but serve beautiful food and a wonderful dining experience, overlooking the sea. Still, you can find many hidden gems if you look hard enough. For inexpensive local dishes try Cuz's Fish Stand near the Hilton Hotel, Sand Dunes restaurant on the east coast and Lemon Harbor in the St.John countryside. Fish cakes, BBQ pig tails, fresh coconut, and roasted peanuts are offered by the many street vendors. Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] Barbados offers everything from inexpensive guest houses with bed and breakfast from under BBD80 daily for a single in the summer to luxury accommodations at some of the world's best hotels at BBD4,000 in the prime season. Barbados apartments and apartment hotels offer the comfort of a hotel room combined with the convenience of your own cooking facilities. Most are located on/near the beach and are especially suitable for families.

There is a wide selection of luxury villas and cottages available for rent throughout Barbados. Many of these villas and cottages are located on or near the beach. Privately owned vacation rentals are often rented at much lower costs than hotel or resort rooms. There is a wide selection of these holiday properties available throughout Barbados and many are located on or near the beach. Vacation properties range from beach houses to condos and apartments. See regional articles for listings. Generally, more expensive resorts are on the west coast north of Bridgetown, simpler guesthouses are available along the southern coast and only a few housing options available in Bridgetown itself. Learn[ edit ] Bellairs Research Institute is a teaching and research facility operated by Montreal 's McGill University [25] ] focusing on marine biology and environmental studies. Barbados Hospitality Institute operates the The Hotel Pommarine Barbados Community College [26] Stay safe[ edit ] Although it is generally a safe place to travel, there is some crime that appears more significant because of its comparative rarity. It's wise for tourists to avoid certain high-risk activities like walking on secluded beaches, day or night, and walking in unfamiliar residential neighbourhoods or secluded areas away from main roads.

The most common kinds of crimes against tourists include taxi fraud, robbery, and shortchanging; however, rape and assaults are becoming more common. Most Bajans are by nature friendly, especially in the earlier part of the tourist season (November and December). A special area of concern for visitors to Barbados is drugs. The country's strict antidrug policy is made apparent to visitors coming through Customs. In practice, however, Europeans and Americans in Barbados are offered marijuana or even cocaine frequently. Sellers will often roam the beaches selling aloe vera or other such innocuous goods as a pretense to begin a conversation about "ganja," "smoke" or "bad habits." As a result, many hotels and resorts now ban the use of aloe vera under the pretense that it "stains the towels." Regardless of one's inclination to use drugs, it is not advisable to accept these offers. Marijuana is considered bad and is not accepted by Bajan police. While Bajan police are not frequently encountered, they prosecute drug crimes easily. Care should also be taken going into the sea. Many people underestimate just how powerful the currents can be and rip tides have claimed lives over the years. Always look out for warning flags.

Stay healthy[ edit ] Beware of the sun, Barbados is only 13 degrees off of the equator and you can get sun burnt very easily. It is very important to keep your water intake high. Drink plenty of water or bring an umbrella to shade yourself against the sun, which is commonly done in the country. Dengue is prevalent, therefore it is advisable to put on bug spray, as mosquitoes are often a nuisance to anyone staying outdoors for prolonged periods, day or night, as soon as you are in the country side. At the beach, as long as there is a breeze, you'll be ok: mosquitoes are poor fliers. Respect[ edit ] Despite, or maybe because of, the tropical climate, Bajans tend to dress conservatively when not on the beach. A bikini will not be appreciated in town and certainly not in church. Bajans are particularly sensitive to manners and saying, "Good morning" to people, even strangers, goes a long way to earning their respect. When meeting a Bajan, try not to discuss politics or racial issues. Talk is also important because Barbadians speak fairly fast when speaking in Creole (or Bajan, as it is called).

The use of the "N" word is a no, but when talking to friends words such a "B" (which is short for "bro") and "dawg" are used to describe or refer to a friend. Initially these words should not be used unless you know the person well. Most Bajans are fun-loving and love to go out and have fun, as is noted by the large number of young people found in the clubs and on the Southern Coast of the island. Try not to stare at persons without good cause. If you happen to bounce into someone in a club, you should immediately apologize to the person. Keep in mind that Bajans are very protective of family, and insults to a person's family are taken very seriously. This also relates to their views on issues such as homosexuality; even though most Bajans do not agree with the practice, your rights are still respected. Contact[ edit ] There are several small internet cafes located around the island as well as connections offered by the larger resort hotels.

Visit Barbados - The Official Barbados Tourism Guide An Explosion of Culture and Festivities Warm welcomes and cool tunes in the many Barbados festivals Discover The Best Beaches In The Caribbean Crystal clear seas, azure blue skies, friendly people, feel good in Barbados Relax and unwind "Barbados style" Relax and enjoy island life. Find your own piece of paradise Barbados 2017: Best of Barbados Tourism - TripAdvisor Things to Do More Romance and adventure are in the air on this lush West Indian island in the Caribbean, depending on your coast. To the west, you'll find calm waters and good swimming. To the east, there are massive, competition-caliber waves. Wherever you stay, expect turquoise waters, fine soft sand beaches, catamaran cruises and delicious island fare. Read more Read less Where is Barbados | Barbados.org Where is Barbados × Where is Barbados? That's a question we get asked quite a lot. Luckily since this is our home we are perfectly placed to give you the answer.... So where is Barbados? Well first off Barbados is an island nation located in the Caribbean.

We're actually the easternmost island in the Caribbean and are in fact completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and not touched by the Caribbean Sea at all! With direct flights from Europe, North America and South America it's very easy to reach us. Where is Barbados relative to the other islands? We are about 62 miles (100 km) east of the Windward Islands and about 250 miles (400 km) north-east of Trinidad and Tobago. You can use the map below to see where is Barbados relative to some of the islands you might be familiar with (Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Bahamas, etc). Barbados Map / Geography of Barbados / Map of Barbados - Worldatlas.com Print this map Archeologists have found evidence that Amerindian settlements on the island date to the 4th century. The Caribs from South America arrived in the 13th century. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach the island, but by the early 1600s they abandoned it for brighter treasures in South America. The British arrived in 1625, and quickly claimed it for King James I.

Consequently, Barbados remained under British control until it gained its independence in 1966. Throughout most of the 17th century, African slavery was a hot-button issue on the island. Repressive rules forced on the blacks (used to cultivate sugar cane) were the genesis of numerous slave rebellions, however, none were successful. Uprisings on Barbados continued, and by the end of the 18th century most of the whites had left and the local population was overwhelmingly black. Regardless, the sugar industry on the island was now the main commercial enterprise, and it was operated by a number of white-controlled plantation estates, and some of those operators still imported enslaved West Africans to Barbados. When the British abolished the slave trade in 1807, misery remained, and in 1816, 20,000 slaves arose in the largest major slave rebellion in the island's history. They drove many whites off the plantations, but in the end the rebellion was squelched. In 1834, slavery was finally abolished in the British Empire and in Barbados and in other Caribbean colonies.

In the 1930s, descendants of long-suffering emancipated slaves began a movement for political rights. The Barbados Labor Party was founded, and it demanded (and got) more rights for the poor and women of all colors. With the gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s, Barbados became one of the ten members of Britain's West Indies Federation. When that federation dissolved in the early 1960s, Barbados reverted to its former status, that of a self-governing colony. Independence was in the wind, and the island negotiated that independence at a constitutional conference with Britain in June 1966. Errol Barrow became its first Prime Minister. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance, and today this beautiful and highly-developed island is mostly about tourism. Nearly 600,000 travelers paid a visit in 2009. Excellent golf courses, sunny days and water sports of all types can be enjoyed in Barbados year round.

Duty-free shopping is second to none, and to top off the day, a festive night-life is easy to find. And let us not forget the island's perfect white and pinkish sand beaches, as they've long been a winter magnet for the cold weather types living in Europe and North America. With a population of 287,733, Barbados became an independent state in 1966. See Also Caribbean Map / Map of the Caribbean - Maps and Information About the Caribbean - Worldatlas.com Print this map Caribbean Description The Caribbean, long referred to as the West Indies, includes more than 7,000 islands; of those, 13 are independent island countries (shown in red on the map), and some are dependencies or overseas territories of other nations. In addition, that large number includes islets ( very small rocky islands); cay's (small, low islands composed largely of coral or sand) and a few inhabited reefs: See Belize. In geographical terms the Caribbean area includes the Caribbean Sea and all of the islands located to the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico, east of Central America and Mexico, and to the north of South America.

Some of its counted cay's, islands, islets and inhabited reefs front the handful of countries that border the region. The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos are not considered a part of the Caribbean, however, we show them here because of their cultural, geographical and political associations with the Greater Antilles and other Caribbean Islands. At the beginning of the 15th century the population of the Caribbean was estimated to be nearly 900,000 indigenous people immediately before European contact. Then in 1492, Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer began his exploration of the Caribbean, becoming the first European to venture into the area. After reportedly landing in the eastern Bahamas, Columbus named these islands the Indies, because he thought he had finally reached Asia (and the East Indies). Numerous explorers followed in his path, then tens of thousands of settlers arrived from the Americas, China, European countries and India. Included in that mix were religious outcasts and a small army of pirates. Across the Caribbean, slaves from Africa were imported in great numbers to work the sugar and tobacco plantations. By then the indigenous populations of the islands were in severe decline as exposure to disease and brutal genocide wiped out much of their number.

Great military powers continually fought for control of the islands, and finally, a blended mix of African and European cultures and languages transformed this large group of islands and its peoples into one of the premier tourist destinations on the planet. Long called the West Indies , the overall area is now commonly referred to as the Caribbean, a name that became popular after World War II. Over the last few decades legions of travelers have journeyed to the Caribbean to enjoy the amenities. They frequently arrive in cruise ships that sail in and out, from ports in Florida and Puerto Rico. Overall the Caribbean is a magical place of palm trees, white sand beaches, turquoise waters and sunshine, all blessed with a climate that consistently offers a much-needed break for those stuck in the cold weather doldrums of the north. If you haven't been, you should, and if you've been here more than once, you will come again, as these islands, these beach-ringed, jungle-covered rocks are home to thousands of historical surprises and activities galore. So come wiggle you toes in the sand, and eat and sleep under the stars in the Caribbean. You won't be disappointed.

Question: In which sea is the island of Barbados?
Answer: Caribbean