Barbados was the first Caribbean island I visited many years ago and it is still my all time favorite. From the moment my airplane landed at the International Airport, I was mesmerized by this beautiful, lush island. No matter what time of the year you visit, the Barbados weather yearly temperatures are in the low to mid eighties and apart from slightly heavier rainfall June through September, this tropical island is perfect for vacations, beach weddings or special events any month of the year.
Barbados is 21 miles long and 14 miles wide with historical connections to the British. It remained a British colony until its independence in 1966 and still has ties with Britain and is a member of the Commonwealth. The best way to familiarize yourself with this jewel in the Caribbean is to take an island tour.
Choose an adventure tour that will whiz you on a magical trip exploring forests, beautiful coastal views and lesser known beaches and bays, or select a walking tour or even a shopping or food tour. Public transport is readily available as are taxi services for those who like to explore on their own. Why not rent a small car or dune buggy to travel around the island? As long as you have a valid driver’s license, you can obtain a visitor’s driver’s permit that is valid for two months.
For a relaxing day, nature lovers and photographers will be fascinated by the numerous botanical gardens, some with ocean views, scattered around the island. With a cacophony of flowers, trees and plant life, which bloom all year round, this island is a gardener’s paradise. Amble through winding trails and photograph more beauty than you have ever seen before in quiet, peaceful surroundings.
As Barbados is situated on the eastern side of the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies and is entirely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, coastlines are good for surfing November through June. For surf lovers, low tide on the south of the island near the capital city is best to experience swells with powerful, strong waves. As the trade winds cool the island from ENE, decent swells can be found on most of the west coast beaches.
One of the most important features of visiting a destination is the suitability and location of your accommodation. Many hotels and villas have coastal views and are open all year round, so there is something to suit every budget. There are five star, fully staffed villas with private swimming pools, which are ideal for a wedding party traveling together or couples taking a second honeymoon. All inclusive resorts tend to be on the south or more sheltered west coast of the island. If you feel like a blast from the past, some 17th Century former plantation houses have been restored and turned into hotels or bed and breakfast accommodations. Whatever the reason you visit Barbados and whichever type of accommodation you choose this island in the sun will capture your heart forever.
