Barbados holidays

Deals from £864 per person

Whether you’re seeking tropical Caribbean beaches with coconut dotted palms, low-key rum shacks looking out onto the sunset or UNESCO World Heritage Sites exploring Bajan culture, Barbados holidays have it all. Check out its colonial capital, Bridgetown where you can overindulge on famous sweet-but-spicy traditional cuisine before diving the depths of its exotic coastline to discover six renowned shipwreck sites. And when you’re missing home, afternoon tea and cricket are a big hit with the locals.

Things to do

Known for some of the best beaches in the world, no trip is complete without sinking your toes into powder white sands and turquoise-tinted waters. When it comes to award-winning stretches, Crane Beach takes the crown. This spectacular crescent of pink-hued sand is flanked by coconut trees, 80-foot cliffs and crashing Atlantic waves - now that’s what we call paradise! Over on the west lies the Caribbean coast, here scuba divers will be in awe of Carlisle Bay and its bounty of sealife. But if celeb-spotting is on your agenda, the VIP sand spot of Sandy Lane is a must-visit.

Nothing screams a holiday to Barbados more than reggae music accompanied by a glass of rum punch, after all it’s the birth place of Mount Gay distillery. Sample the oldest distilled spirit in the world from one of its 1,500 dedicated shops, or learn about the history with a tour. And did we mention it’s the culinary capital of the Caribbean? Trust us, you’ll be running back for more once you sample specialities such as flying fish (the Bajan equivalent to a Sunday roast). Chicken curry and pepperpot, a pork and beef stew bathed in spices, are island favourites, too.

When it comes to history, Bridgetown holidays won’t disappoint. Visit George Washington’s House, the first president of the United States, where you can explore an 18th century sugar plantation. Or, check out Barbados Museum & Historical Society where 500,000 artefacts explore the island’s rich heritage.

Places to stay

On the west coast of Barbados, the resort of St. James is a golfer's paradise. Home to an 18-hole fairway as well as several shorter nine-hole clubs, you better bring your A-game. And when you’re in need of some retail therapy, there’s no better place than Limegrove shopping centre, which places big-name designers such as Michael Kors and Burberry on your doorstep. You’ll get your culture fix in Bridgetown, after all it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 16th century. The city’s old meets new appeal combines fine dining bistros with a 135-year-old cricket oval and treasure trove of duty free shopping. There’s no shortage of powder white sand spots either. Although, if you’re looking for thrills and spills in the form of watersports, St Lawrence holidays are all about adrenaline-fueled fun. Did we mention its nightlife scene is also the best on the island?

Unsure of the best time of the year to visit? Check the weather in Barbados to see which month is right for you.

More Travel Guides

Map of Barbados

26 - 29 ℃

Enjoy a tropical climate with a dry season between January and June, and a wet season from July through December. As you might expect, winters are generally very warm and pleasant, whereas summers are slightly hotter and more humid. So, if you're looking for beach weather on your holiday, you can come here at any time of the year.

Approximately 8.5 hours.

The only airport on here is Grantley Adams International (BGI), on the southeast of the island, 13km from Bridgetown.

Barbados is best for...

Animal lovers: Hop aboard a catamaran for an unmissable experience that’ll take you out to waters so clear, you can see the turtles swimming past in their natural habitat. Or, trek through a mahogany forest at Barbados Wildlife Centre which is home to a variety of native species such as green monkeys, iguanas and armadillos.

High flyers: Camera at the ready! There’s no better way to take in the island’s picturesque beauty than by helicopter. You’ll be whisked through a breathtaking splendor of rugged eastern terrain, weaving in and out of unique rock formations before checking out a plethora of flawless beaches to the west.

Sun worshippers: Boasting hot temperatures year-round, it’s the ultimate destination for lazy days in the sun. Grab a cocktail and pick a spot around its 97 kilometres of coastline beautifully decorated by towering palms and backed by reggae drinking spots.

Fast facts for Barbados

Language: Given its British heritage, English is the official language in Barbados. However, you may hear natives speaking the local dialect, referred to as Bajan which is influenced by West Africa.

Currency: The currency used in here is Barbados dollar ($).

Local time: Barbados is 4 hours behind GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Grantley Adams International Airport. It's usually less than 1 hour to any of the resorts on the island.

Flight time from the UK: The flight time to Barbados is 8 hours.

Tourist information: Further tourist information can be found at the official website for tourism in Barbados

Getting around Barbados

By taxi: Taxis are widely available and are easy to spot, just look out for the letter ‘Z’ on their number plates. It’s always advised to agree on a fare before you set off to avoid any hidden charges. And if you struggle to hail one down, your hotel will be on hand to call one.

By bus: Travelling by bus is one of the cheapest ways to get around Barbados and you’ll find many routes taking you through the major resorts. But much like at home, it can be crowded at rush hour. They’re easy to identify too, just look out for the buses with blue and yellow stripes.

By hire car: A wide range of car hire options are also available for your holiday. This can be a convenient way to get around if you want the flexibility to come and go as you please. Although it's by no means essential, thanks to this island's good public transport network.

Events in Barbados

Grand Kadooment Carnival: Attracting over 15,000 revellers in August, the Grand Kadooment Carnival (also known as Crop Over Festival) is one of the biggest parades in Barbados. Marching through the streets of St. Michael and the National Stadium, expect dancing, moving bars and music trucks accompanied by locals dressed in feathers, jewels and sequins. It’s a true phenomenon!

Barbados Food and Rum Festival: Held every year in November to mark the island’s rum tradition, experience a four-day event that will wow any food fanatic. Whether you’re feasting on street side snacks or visiting a gourmet restaurant run by a celebrity chef, overindulgence is to be expected (yes please!).

Vujaday Festival: Spread over five days in between February and March across various locations, the Vujaday Festival is a fiesta of song and dance. An impressive line-up of DJs and live musicians will perform on beaches, amidst jungles and on cliff tops bringing you the best of techno.

Barbados safety and security

For up to date advice on travelling to Barbados, please visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/barbados/safety-and-security

Barbados weather

Temperature: 26 - 30 (°C)

When you want to bask in endless sunshine (3,000 hours worth a year, in fact), Barbados holidays won’t disappoint. Don’t forget to pack your suncream, the average daytime temperature is 30°C even in its coldest months. However, it is a tropical island so prepare for rainfall (mainly between July and November). Any rain that does fall is usually brief and is quickly replaced by calm, sunny weather. So don’t pack away your sunglasses just yet! For the driest weather, travel in spring where 10 hours of sunshine a day awaits.

If you’re seeking a winter warmer, this year-round destination is perfect with 29°C being one of its coldest temperatures. And water babies will rejoice too with the sea rarely dipping below 28°C.

What should I pack?

Swimwear is essential on any trip to Barbados, after all, there’s 60 pristine beaches to take advantage of. And we highly recommend a good sun protector from SPF creams to hats and sunglasses, be prepared for high UV rays. If you do a little too much tanning, aloe vera gel is also worth having on hand. When a downpour occurs an umbrella can be useful, and if you don’t use it for the rain, it’s good for creating shade.

Clothes wise, keep it light and airy. Everything from sundresses to shorts and a reliable pair of flip-flops will be all you need. An adapter (type A and B power sockets) is also worth packing.

Weather in Barbados for