Barbados

Enjoy the beach at this Caribbean paradise, complete with miles of sandy beaches, perfect surf breaks, dazzling coral reefs, rum cocktails and English charm.

Barbados is a stunning island known for pristine beaches, fantastic surf, sapphire-colored waters and world-heritage architecture. This tropical getaway combines warm islander hospitality with quaint colonial heritage. Join in adventure sports, dine at fine restaurants and laze on the beach, sipping local rum cocktails in this idyllic destination.

Start your trip in Bridgetown, the island’s west coast capital. Explore Barbados’ scenic landscape, with charming towns filled with English seaside architecture and plantation farmsteads. Learn about the native flora at the Andromeda Botanical Gardens. Discover Harrison’s Cave, a mesmerizing underground cave featuring interesting rock formations, a waterfall and a convenient tourist tram.

The beaches in Barbados offer a Caribbean paradise, from sheltered and sun-soaked shores on the west coast to the rolling surf, sculpted coral and excellent sailing winds on the east coast. Head south to dive or snorkel in reef-lined waters.

Scuba diving is a popular attraction in Barbados, due to the island’s crystal-clear water, fascinating shipwrecks and abundant marine life. Dive with sea turtles on a special scuba tour. Explore the underwater world while keeping dry with a submarine tour. Join a coastal tour on a catamaran, which may include a buffet lunch on board. Try flying fish, an iconic Barbados staple seafood.

After relaxing on the beach and watching a breathtaking tropical sunset, visit the island’s nightclubs and bars. Spend an evening in St. Lawrence Gap, a strip of clubs on the south coast of Christ Church, and sample Barbados’ famous Mount Gay Rum punch while you dance to tropical rhythms. Visit Barbados in the summer to experience events of the Crop Over Festival, a celebration with wild carnival performances and live music.

Barbados is located in the Caribbean, skirted by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west. Fly to Sir Grantley Adams International Airport, 8 miles (12.8 kilometers) east of Bridgetown. Catch buses or taxis with ease around the island or rent a car, scooter or mini moke. Cruise ships dock in Bridgetown’s harbor. Barbados has a year-round warm climate, with a wet season between June and November.