Barbados Travel & Tourism
Visitors flock to Barbados for a memorable tropical vacation on this Caribbean island. Barbados offers a number of accommodation options that can satisfy any traveler’s budget. While guests who want to be pampered can stay at one of the many luxury resort hotels on the West Coast, those looking for a more budget-friendly option can stay in one of the island’s smaller towns along the South Coast. Adventurous travelers will find no shortage of entertainment on the main island, which features activities from caving to zip-lining through the forest canopy. Surfers looking for a retreat into some of the Caribbean’s best waves can head over to the East Coast while divers can enjoy an undersea paradise off of the coast.
Travelers head over to Barbados’ capital, Bridgetown, to experience a fun and spunky seaside city. Located in the island’s only natural harbor, the historic town is adorned with ornate colonial buildings. Those who are interested in getting some tropical retail therapy can head over to Broad Street, Bridgetown’s main street, to stroll through a number of stores and duty-free shops. History buffs can’t leave the city without stopping by the Parliament Buildings, located at the very end of Broad Street. This parliament was established in 1693, and stands as one of the oldest parliaments in the Commonwealth. Visitors interested in taking a guided tour of the parliament should head over to the Barbados Museum of Parliament before touring the grounds. Guests can also stroll through the nearby Barbados National Heroes Gallery, which documents the lives of ten of the country’s national heroes. Those who are more interested in hitting the sea can head to the nearby coast for some swimming and fun in the sun.
Surfers and adventurers can head over to Barbados’ rugged East Coast to enjoy stunning scenery and explore the crashing waves. Surfers flock to Bathsheba’s Soup Bowl to take advantage of the towering waves, while beach hikers can head over to Cattlewash to enjoy the dramatic landscape. Those looking for an underground adventure stop by Harrison’s Cave. Located in the center of the island, this cavern features a surreal limestone landscape carved by flowing streams. Spelunking adventurers can take a tour of the cave while visitors who would prefer to stay above ground can tour the park’s stunning flora and fauna. Travelers with family in tow can head over to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve to view some of the island’s most prized native animals, including green monkeys, parrots, peacocks, iguanas and tortoises. Guests who are looking to hit the sea can head over to the Folkestone Marine Park, which offers undersea adventurers the rare opportunity to explore an artificial reef caused by the sinking of the Stavronikita. While experienced divers can tour the wreckage, snorkelers can head to the Recreational Zone of Folkestone Marine Park to explore an inshore reef. Visitors who would like to stay dry can stop in at the Folkestone Museum to stroll through the interpretation center and aquarium.
Guests who are seeking a pampered retreat can head over to Barbados’ South Coast Beaches to choose from a variety of beachside hotels and luxury resorts. The gentle South Coast offers sheltered swimming areas, inshore snorkeling and tidal pools, giving travelers of all abilities the opportunity to explore the ocean’s bounty. Guests can choose from a variety of oversea entertainment, including windsurfing, jet skiing and boating. The South Coast offers a number of beaches that foster different temperaments and personalities to satisfy even the pickiest traveler. While those looking for a lively beach to enjoy water sports often head to Dover Beach, those looking for more of a secluded retreat can head over to Foul Bay.
Worldwide Tourism Popularity Ranking: 143 of 230
Air Travel
- Quality of Airports: Good (6.2 of 7)
- Number of Airlines: 13
- Number of Arriving Passengers: 519000
Hotels & Lodging
- Quality of Lodging: Average (4.0 of 5)
- Number of Hotels: 41
- Average Room Rate: $201.09
Purpose of Visit
- Business Trip: 3%
- Family Vacation: 32%
- Couples Getaway: 53%
- Friends Trip: 9%
- Solo Travel: 3%
Top Vacation Destinations in Barbados
Most popular cities in Barbados in terms of percentage of visitors and number of hotels:
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Speightstown
Popularity: 1 | 23.83% Visitors | 3 Hotels
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Bridgetown
Popularity: 2 | 16.5% Visitors | 6 Hotels
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Hastings
Popularity: 3 | 16.13% Visitors | 3 Hotels
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Dover
Popularity: 4 | 13.13% Visitors | 1 Hotels
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St Lawrence Gap
Popularity: 5 | 11.56% Visitors | 5 Hotels
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Paynes Bay
Popularity: 6 | 5.32% Visitors | 1 Hotels
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Bathsheba
Popularity: 7 | 4.74% Visitors | 3 Hotels
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Porters
Popularity: 8 | 3.09% Visitors | 1 Hotels
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Holetown
Popularity: 9 | 1.33% Visitors | 1 Hotels
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Worthing
Popularity: 10 | 0.37% Visitors | 2 Hotels
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Maxwell
Popularity: 11 | 0.33% Visitors | 1 Hotels
Top Barbados Hotels
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1Island InnAquatic Gap, Bridgetown93% recommended | 130 reviews
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2Hilton BarbadosNeedham's Point, Bridgetown91% recommended | 519 reviews
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3Courtyard BridgetownThe Garrison Historic Area, Bridgetown96% recommended | 12 reviews
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4Rio Guest HouseParadise Village, St Lawrence Gap91% recommended | 71 reviews
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5Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels, Dover89% recommended | 753 reviews
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6Southern Palms Beach Club, St Lawrence Gap89% recommended | 20 reviews
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7Sandy Ground Holiday AccommodationParadise Village, St Lawrence Gap89% recommended | 6 reviews
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8Coconut Court Beach HotelThe Garrison Historic Area, Hastings91% recommended | 471 reviews
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9Almond Casuarina Beach Resort, St Lawrence Gap85% recommended | 562 reviews
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10Almond Beach VillageHighway 1, Speightstown84% recommended | 1,361 reviews