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:

  • Speightstown

    Popularity: 1 | 23.83% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Bridgetown

    Popularity: 2 | 16.5% Visitors | 6 Hotels

  • Hastings

    Popularity: 3 | 16.13% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Dover

    Popularity: 4 | 13.13% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • St Lawrence Gap

    Popularity: 5 | 11.56% Visitors | 5 Hotels

  • Paynes Bay

    Popularity: 6 | 5.32% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Bathsheba

    Popularity: 7 | 4.74% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Porters

    Popularity: 8 | 3.09% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Holetown

    Popularity: 9 | 1.33% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Worthing

    Popularity: 10 | 0.37% Visitors | 2 Hotels

  • Maxwell

    Popularity: 11 | 0.33% Visitors | 1 Hotels

 

Top Barbados Hotels

  • 1
    Island Inn
    Aquatic Gap, Bridgetown
    93% recommended | 130 reviews
  • 2
    Hilton Barbados
    Needham's Point, Bridgetown
    91% recommended | 519 reviews
  • 3
    Courtyard Bridgetown
    The Garrison Historic Area, Bridgetown
    96% recommended | 12 reviews
  • 4
    Rio Guest House
    Paradise Village, St Lawrence Gap
    91% recommended | 71 reviews
  • 5
    Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels
    , Dover
    89% recommended | 753 reviews
  • 6
    Southern Palms Beach Club
    , St Lawrence Gap
    89% recommended | 20 reviews
  • 7
    Sandy Ground Holiday Accommodation
    Paradise Village, St Lawrence Gap
    89% recommended | 6 reviews
  • 8
    Coconut Court Beach Hotel
    The Garrison Historic Area, Hastings
    91% recommended | 471 reviews
  • 9
    Almond Casuarina Beach Resort
    , St Lawrence Gap
    85% recommended | 562 reviews
  • 10
    Almond Beach Village
    Highway 1, Speightstown
    84% recommended | 1,361 reviews