Beautiful Barbados guidebook
Beach Life🏖️☀️
My favorite beaches and beach-related activities on the island
About 20 min drive or local ZR van ride (11) My absolute FAVORITE beach on the island. Always clear waters with plenty of room for everyone. Showers, changing rooms and bathrooms available. Lifeguards on duty and swimming lessons often available. Beach chairs available for rent. **Local tip: Around 9am food trucks/stands sell Bajan food in the parking lot.
18 locals recommend
Browne's Beach
About 20 min drive or local ZR van ride (11) My absolute FAVORITE beach on the island. Always clear waters with plenty of room for everyone. Showers, changing rooms and bathrooms available. Lifeguards on duty and swimming lessons often available. Beach chairs available for rent. **Local tip: Around 9am food trucks/stands sell Bajan food in the parking lot.
Only a 7 min walk from the condo, my favorite spot for a morning “sea bath” to start to day off right!😂 Safe for solo swimming, sunbathing, and run/walk along the coastline. Showers, changing rooms and bathrooms available. Local tip: Buy fruits and veggies from James on Tuesday and Friday mornings from @7-9:30am. Right across from James buy the best fishcakes on the island from the darling woman.
Enterprise Beach
Only a 7 min walk from the condo, my favorite spot for a morning “sea bath” to start to day off right!😂 Safe for solo swimming, sunbathing, and run/walk along the coastline. Showers, changing rooms and bathrooms available. Local tip: Buy fruits and veggies from James on Tuesday and Friday mornings from @7-9:30am. Right across from James buy the best fishcakes on the island from the darling woman.
Enjoy the best of Barbados waters as you explore the shipwreck or snorkel with the turtles on a lovely catamaran boat. Some options come with a buffet lunch.
37 locals recommend
Cool Runnings Catamaran Cruises
Hincks StreetEnjoy the best of Barbados waters as you explore the shipwreck or snorkel with the turtles on a lovely catamaran boat. Some options come with a buffet lunch.
Enjoy the best of Barbados waters as you explore the shipwreck or snorkel with the turtles on a lovely catamaran boat. Some options come with a buffet lunch.
14 locals recommend
Silver Moon Catamaran Cruises
Enjoy the best of Barbados waters as you explore the shipwreck or snorkel with the turtles on a lovely catamaran boat. Some options come with a buffet lunch.
Tranquility Cruises
Bay StreetNice short snorkeling and turtle swim trip
Another lovely beach option right by a restaurant with beach chairs and snorkeling/water sports shop.
25 locals recommend
Pebbles Beach
Another lovely beach option right by a restaurant with beach chairs and snorkeling/water sports shop.
About a 5 min walk from the condo, explore the waters of Barbados in a new and fun way! Regardless of your experience level you will learn more about surfing.
Ride The Tide Surf School
Enterprise Coast RoadAbout a 5 min walk from the condo, explore the waters of Barbados in a new and fun way! Regardless of your experience level you will learn more about surfing.
Neighborhoods🏘️
About a 10 scenic walk from the apartment, an eclectic fishing town with some of the best fish on the island.
80 locals recommend
Oistins
About a 10 scenic walk from the apartment, an eclectic fishing town with some of the best fish on the island.
The rough rocky East Coast is an unforgettable experience. Be sure to plan for Sunday brunch at ECO Lifestyle and Lodge and a stroll through Andromeda Gardens.
163 locals recommend
Bathsheba
The rough rocky East Coast is an unforgettable experience. Be sure to plan for Sunday brunch at ECO Lifestyle and Lodge and a stroll through Andromeda Gardens.
In addition to the fish market, Speightstown has a pier, mural, esplanade and a rich history stemming back to its role as an bustling business area. Explore Speightstown by strolling around on your own or through walking tours.
10 locals recommend
Speightstown Fish Market
Highway 1BIn addition to the fish market, Speightstown has a pier, mural, esplanade and a rich history stemming back to its role as an bustling business area. Explore Speightstown by strolling around on your own or through walking tours.
In addition to the Chattel Village, there is the mall, lovely restaurants, beach and so much more to explore in Holetown. Another great place to do a walking tour.
Holetown Chattel Village
In addition to the Chattel Village, there is the mall, lovely restaurants, beach and so much more to explore in Holetown. Another great place to do a walking tour.
Sightseeing😎
Some of my favorite things to see and do around the island.
A nice place to take a long walk and explore nature. Feel free to bring a picnic to enjoy.
53 locals recommend
Andromeda Botanic Gardens
A nice place to take a long walk and explore nature. Feel free to bring a picnic to enjoy.
Flower Forest
Richmond RoadAnother favorite site for walking and enjoying nature.
Stunningly beautiful cave with tram tour and historical information.
268 locals recommend
Harrison's Cave
Stunningly beautiful cave with tram tour and historical information.
A lovely place to walk and explore Bajan gully geography and wildlife.
40 locals recommend
Welchman Hall Gully
A lovely place to walk and explore Bajan gully geography and wildlife.
The last train in Barbados. A lovely ride and bit of history of the area and the plantation. Be sure to explore the historical video and rum discussion/tasting.
156 locals recommend
St. Nicholas Abbey
The last train in Barbados. A lovely ride and bit of history of the area and the plantation. Be sure to explore the historical video and rum discussion/tasting.
Learn more about the rich history of Barbados through a self-guided museum tour.
104 locals recommend
Barbados Museum & Historical Society
Dalkeith RoadLearn more about the rich history of Barbados through a self-guided museum tour.
Barbados Wildlife Reserve
George Washington House
Shopping 🛍️
So many locally owned shops to explore and enjoy. One of the best food courts on the island.
93 locals recommend
Sheraton Mall
So many locally owned shops to explore and enjoy. One of the best food courts on the island.
It's an experience with many unique and upscale stores. Lovely restaurants as well.
177 locals recommend
Limegrove Lifestyle Centre
It's an experience with many unique and upscale stores. Lovely restaurants as well.
Lovely early bird farmer’s market for Saturday morning breakfast and local artisan shopping. Arrive at 7am for the best options all around. Parking available onsite.
12 locals recommend
Brighton Farmers Market
Lovely early bird farmer’s market for Saturday morning breakfast and local artisan shopping. Arrive at 7am for the best options all around. Parking available onsite.
Less that 20 min walk, my local supermarket and pharmacy great for picking up items for breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the condo. Also in shopping plaza are beauty supply, electronics, printer, hardware, stationary, gas station and souvenir shops to meet all of your travel needs.
71 locals recommend
Massy Stores Supemarket Oistins
Less that 20 min walk, my local supermarket and pharmacy great for picking up items for breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the condo. Also in shopping plaza are beauty supply, electronics, printer, hardware, stationary, gas station and souvenir shops to meet all of your travel needs.
Shop where the locals shop for almost everything you would need during your stay.
18 locals recommend
Sky Mall
Shop where the locals shop for almost everything you would need during your stay.
Darling little strip mall located on the way to Brownes Beach. Houses my fave souvenir shop: Best of Barbados, another shop, lovely little eatery and several other nice shops and place for a quick bite.
36 locals recommend
Quayside Centre Shopping Plaza
Rockley TerraceDarling little strip mall located on the way to Brownes Beach. Houses my fave souvenir shop: Best of Barbados, another shop, lovely little eatery and several other nice shops and place for a quick bite.
Tours and Activities 🤩
Lickrish Food Tours
Highly recommended by friends. Let me know how it goes!
Learn about the history of sugar cane and one of its most interesting products: rum. Also enjoy a rum tasting of one of the best rums in the region. Bajans would argue “THE best.”
Mount Gay Rum Distillery
Learn about the history of sugar cane and one of its most interesting products: rum. Also enjoy a rum tasting of one of the best rums in the region. Bajans would argue “THE best.”
Atlantis Submarines Barbados
Tasty eats
My top restaurant/eatery picks on the island.
Great fresh fish and Friday night karoake and entertainment. I highly recommend Pat's Place. If you love crowds, Friday is your day. If you want a short line go earlier @5:30/6pm or any other day BUT Friday.
10 locals recommend
Oistin Bay
Great fresh fish and Friday night karoake and entertainment. I highly recommend Pat's Place. If you love crowds, Friday is your day. If you want a short line go earlier @5:30/6pm or any other day BUT Friday.
Lovely breakfast and dinner spot. Go @5:30pm for early dinner and sunset.
51 locals recommend
Cafe Luna Barbados
Enterprise Beach RoadLovely breakfast and dinner spot. Go @5:30pm for early dinner and sunset.
Bain’s Kitchen
Order anything through WhatsAp** or Insta and enjoy!
Great spots for breakfast and lunch. Get a table by the beach for stunning views.
55 locals recommend
Surfer's Cafe
Oistins Main RoadGreat spots for breakfast and lunch. Get a table by the beach for stunning views.
Bliss Cafe
Dover RoadLovely spot for breakfast and lunch
Probably the most Insta****-able cafe on the South Coast. And the food is a treat too. Once I met a friend for coffee/smoothies and stayed to meet another for lunch. If they were open late I might have stayed for dinner!
Blush Cafe
Highway 7Probably the most Insta****-able cafe on the South Coast. And the food is a treat too. Once I met a friend for coffee/smoothies and stayed to meet another for lunch. If they were open late I might have stayed for dinner!
Champers
Skeetes HillExcellent service and beautiful views for special occasions
Excellent restaurant and lovely place for a post-meal stroll
14 locals recommend
ECO Lifestyle & Lodge
Excellent restaurant and lovely place for a post-meal stroll
Salt Café
Hastings Main RoadA favorite for lunch
Lovely oceanside restaurant located on the South Coast boardwalk. Take a walk you enjoy the sunset and then have dinner.
82 locals recommend
Tapas
Highway 7Lovely oceanside restaurant located on the South Coast boardwalk. Take a walk you enjoy the sunset and then have dinner.
Search @outtheboxcatering on Insta.... for meal orders and delivery. Menus change every week but always very tasty and high quality.
Out The Box Catering
Search @outtheboxcatering on Insta.... for meal orders and delivery. Menus change every week but always very tasty and high quality.
Casper's Beachside
Lovely spot with friendly owners and staff next to Miami Beach.
Great happy hours that draw locals, visitors and definitely has its regulars. Nice community spot to meet new people ( and their furry friends).
38 locals recommend
Surfer's Bay Beach Bar
LandsdownGreat happy hours that draw locals, visitors and definitely has its regulars. Nice community spot to meet new people ( and their furry friends).
This is definitely my favorite food stall at Oistins. Best time to go to avoid lines: anytime BUT Friday night😂
My fave meal: swordfish with plantains and “tossed salad.” It’s just a few minutes drive so go several times and try it all!
Pat's Place
Main RoadThis is definitely my favorite food stall at Oistins. Best time to go to avoid lines: anytime BUT Friday night😂
My fave meal: swordfish with plantains and “tossed salad.” It’s just a few minutes drive so go several times and try it all!
Great boardwalk/waterside spot for lunch in Hastings. Right across from Lantern’s (mini) Mall.
Baby Doll
Great boardwalk/waterside spot for lunch in Hastings. Right across from Lantern’s (mini) Mall.
Uncle Joe's Bar & Grill
Lovely lunch spot food for an East Coast afternoon
December 2: The day that rocked my culinary world😂This sweet spot in St. Phillip is off the beaten path but so worth it. A new restaurant well on its was to becoming one of my faves. Great food and authentic historic Barbados ambience and great service. Loved the thoughtful decor touches telling that story of Barbados through the decades.
14 locals recommend
Dis Ole House Kitchen & Beer Garden
December 2: The day that rocked my culinary world😂This sweet spot in St. Phillip is off the beaten path but so worth it. A new restaurant well on its was to becoming one of my faves. Great food and authentic historic Barbados ambience and great service. Loved the thoughtful decor touches telling that story of Barbados through the decades.
Sage Bistro Barbados
Cozy bistró great for lunch near Brownes Beach
Lovely new beachside restaurant. Just tried it last week and was impressed by the ambience and food was tasty.
Deia Beach
Lovely new beachside restaurant. Just tried it last week and was impressed by the ambience and food was tasty.
City advice
Customs and culture
Instead of saying "how are you?" try "how are you keeping?"
Greetings are very important in Bajan culture. A "good morning" or "good afternoon" said as you walk on to a van or into a store will go a long way.
Customs and culture
Best time to go to the beach 6:30am
Often elderly locals take their early morning "sea bath" on the far end of Miami Beach. A great time to catch up with neighbors and meet new friends. If you see a group of people chatting in the water, smile and say "good morning" as you go into the water.
What to pack
Be beach, land and town ready
Bring excellent walking shoes 👟 for neighborhood walks and Bridgetown; 🩴 flip-flops for the beach that are easy to wash sand off. And don’t forget the sunscreen🎉😎, it is very expensive on island.
Don't miss
Vegan Foodies
The best vegan food I’ve had on the island is a delivery/pick-up service. Check out @greenboxbarbados on Insta**** and delight your tastebuds. I’m a pescatarian who can tolerate meat but love veggies so this is my go-to spot. They are brilliant!
Getting around
Public buses and ZR vans
Visit/search the “Barbados Transport Board” online for information on bus schedules and routes. Also locals waiting at the bus stop are happy to provide guidance. The cost is less than $4BD, exact change preferred.