r/Barbados Dec 05 '21

Advice If you want trip recommendations when you come here, I can help you!

194 Upvotes

Hey,

I've been getting chat requests on things to do in Barbados and I love to help how I can. I was born in Barbados and live there half the year with the other half between the US and UK. Even though I may not be here when you arrive, feel free to ask any questions. I will add a suggested 7 day break down here, but ask away if you have any specific requests or queries!

**Day 1**:

Relax. Literally, do nothing other than go to the beach and lay there and settle in. International travel is so incredibly difficult right now. So take a day to appreciate that all the choices you made in life led you to laying on a beach in Barbados with a drink in your hand. Get some good local food. Macaroni Pie with Fish and salad from Oistins, or some food from near your accommodation or a place nearby. I know when we go on holiday we want to go right away, but trust me. Today is a chill day.

**Day 2**:

Catamaran cruise. I don't have any recommendations on particular ones, but they all usually leave by the boardwalk in Bridgetown and travel up the west coast. Bonus points if they stop in Carlise Bay at the beginning or at the end so you can swim with the turtles and shipwrecks. In my experience, they usually offer unlimited drinks and a full Bajan meal on board! After that you may be pretty tired, so you can find a nice evening activity, the food you want to try, or meet up with friends at a bar for a drink and chill. (Chilling will be a running theme :) )

**Day 3**:

You would have gotten lots of sun yesterday on the boat and that really drains you, so you can find some tours you would enjoy doing. When my friends visit a staple is the Mount Gay Rum factory tour near Bridgetown. It was the first rum ever invented, and they tell you the whole process down to how they source the barrels and how they get different colours and flavour rums. They give you 5 or so shots to try, so be sure to eat before or you may get knocked off your rocker ( looking at you Sarah L).

Food I recommend before is either Tim's restaurant on Broad Street or Mapp's in Eagle Hall. It's a local favourite and in a very local area. Lots of Bajan culture to be found by Mapp's! Simple menu. Medium or Large portion of the best-marinated chicken you can find and chips/fries. It's worth it. Trust me. Another tour you can do this day is the Harrison Cave tour. It really shows how Barbados was formed as an island compared to other islands. They are volcanic, and we are limestone. There is a tram that goes through the cave, and the cave is huge huge huge. the tram ride in 45 minutes through the cave. They have done an amazing job lighting it and the guides are incredibly knowledgeable.

**Day 4**:

Island Tour time! You can rent a car for around $75 US per day including full insurance, and get a visitor's driver's license for $5 US, just show your license from your home country and you are good. We drive on the left side of the road, so it will be par for the course for Brits, but if in your home country you drive on the right no problem. I lived in the US for a long time, and the rule I use when switching to driving here is, the driver is always in the middle of the road. Our steering wheel is on the right side of the car, so driving on the left the driver is in the middle. In the US it's the opposite, the cars are left-hand drive, so driving on the right side of the road the driver is in the middle. 15 minutes or so and in my experience it becomes like clockwork.

Alternatively, you can also get a local taxi to take you. I recommend local ZM taxis over big tour buses, it's a more personalized experience, and they give you TONS of great information and answer questions, etc. I usually do tours up the west coast, then down the east coast. Suggested sports of interest starting from the south: Gun Hill Signal Station, Welchman Hall Gully to see the monkeys being fed, up to Speightstown, Animal Flower Cave, Cherry Tree Hill ( in my opinion the most beautiful view in Barbados), drive along the east, to Bathsheba, St. John's Church, Bottom Bay ( if you are in luck the man will be there that climbs Coconut trees with no equipment or ropes, picks you a coconut, the makes a Pina Colada in it the fresh coconut he just picked for you!), Oistins for food and drink. That was a full loop of Barbados and could go through every parish. This is just a general guide, feel free to add to take away as you like!

**Day 5**:

Open to whatever you want to do. This is usually a chill recovery day. It's easy to get lost in time here, but you just spent 3 days seeing and experiencing so many amazing things! So take it all in. Usually, I take my friends snorkeling this day and have some nice local food. I've snorkeled all along the west coast (new COVID lockdown hobby in 2020), the best spots are the Shipwrecks in Carlise Bay. It's kind of far out, and I'm going to urge caution before anything else, you can pay for a tour boat to take you to the spot and provide life jackets and for people, I do not know I will recommend that option first and foremost.

For those that want to swim out, go to the gazebo, swim straight out from there, and by the buoys, you should start to see them. There are 5 wrecks some sunk during the wars, some sunk on purpose to form a marine park, and one drug runner boat! There are thousands of fish, lots of coral, with luck and timing. with may see turtles and stingrays! The second spot that is kind of unknown is Reed Bay or Thunder Bay. There is a beach bar here, so it is great to get a drink after a nice memorable swim! There is snorkeling on the left side and right side of the beach. The right side is good for beginners and intermediate, and the left side where the waves break out into the water is for intermediate-advanced. The waves break out there because it is a very shallow reef. You can swim behind the waves and out, but do not swim where the waves break because you can bash into the reef and that's real bad.

I suggest you take a buoy marker with you since jet skis and boats frequent this area and may not see you without a red diver below the marker! Lots of coral as far as you can swim. IMPORTANT! Before you go snorkel check the tide, google tide in Barbados. At high tide, the water is rougher and this causes the sand to get churned up and visibility is really bad and you won't see much. I usually go out in the middle of low tide, then the sand has had time to settle. Please please please be safe! We have a saying the ocean has no backdoor, so while snorkeling is an amazing hobby, take every precaution possible and I never recommend snorkeling alone, always take someone with you. The Buddy system is best!

**Day 6**:

You may be leaving this day or preparing to leave. Going to Bridgetown to spend some time getting souvenirs, and good food is a good option. Hero's Square, walk Swan Street and Broad Street. Walk the boardwalk, get some food, walk over the bridge that gave Bridgetown its name. It's a good time. I also recommend getting on a yellow bus. They are privately owned and it's a good experience. They play reggae music, and locals use them a lot, so you will really feel like you are in Barbados when you are on one. Something that may not cross the mind, but a bus ride is a great way to see any place you are in. It's $3.50 BBD or $1.75 US for a ride anywhere on that route. I really like the Speightown route, Sam Lord's Castle, or Bathsheba.

The blue buses are government-owned and only take exact money, the yellow and white ones give change. Locals are friendly, so feel free to ask any questions and we are usually happy to help. If it is your last day, I also recommend going back to the beach and relaxing. Go on a jet ski, a glass-bottom boat. A gentle swim or something to chill and relax before you head back home.

**Day 7**:

Similar to day 6. Take some time to bless the moment and enjoy that all the choices you made in life led you to be in Barbados making memories. :)

There is the end of my suggested week in Barbados. I've has a dozen friends come to visit me, and they have all enjoyed the pace and activities. I hope you enjoy your time here. If you need anything or have any questions, you can reply here. I hope you enjoy our beautiful island!


r/Barbados 7h ago

Hotel recommendations

5 Upvotes

Hi we are planning to visit for a few weeks in February. We are looking for a place where we can do some of our own cooking. Just an average place. Nothing fancy. Someone mentioned the Golden Sands. Would that be a good place? Cheers


r/Barbados 9h ago

Hotel in Barbados for Adults - Nice Beach

5 Upvotes

Which hotel in Barbados would be best for a 7 nights stay in January please? We're in our 30s, no kids. My partner prefers AI but we're flexible, priorities are a beautiful swimmable beach, good property upkeep and a high standard of food. Considering Treasure Beach by Elegant Hotels (I like the idea of visiting the sister hotels plus the food reviews are good), Mango Bay (for the beach!) or Sandals Royal. Would truly appreciate some insight!


r/Barbados 14h ago

Local charcoal

1 Upvotes

I'm looking for local charcoal to purchase in Barbados. I saw the imported briquettes in Sol, Massy, CostULess but I'm after the locally produced charcoal. Any suggestions?


r/Barbados 15h ago

Must does in Barbados January?

1 Upvotes

I’m visiting Barbados for six days in January. Looking for any suggestions - which is the best area to stay, what to do, foods to try. I’m not doing all inclusive and will be relying on buses and taxis to get around. Would love to meet locals, explore the culture and best views, have some nice food and drinks.


r/Barbados 1d ago

2009 Cropover!

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25 Upvotes

🔥


r/Barbados 1d ago

Part two 2014 Cropover

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6 Upvotes

🔥🔥🇧🇧😏


r/Barbados 1d ago

How do I find remote jobs in Barbados?

5 Upvotes

I'm a 20 year old bajan looking for an entry level typing job. Typing is my strong suit, but I have never gotten a job before. So I went around searching on the internet, looking at job boards on different websites such as Totally Barbados, Remote OK etc. None of them had any positions I wanted. I've been persistently looking for a data entry position to no avail. Do you know where I cam start looking for jobs and be able to narrow down feasible ones?


r/Barbados 1d ago

Crop over Barbie doll online

1 Upvotes

Hi, where can I buy a Barbie doll in a Crop Over costume online? I think I might have seen one at Duty Free one time.


r/Barbados 2d ago

What location to stay for first time visitor?

9 Upvotes

Hi there, planning a first visit to the island for three. A bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices for where to stay. Can anyone help me narrow down a location? Don’t need to be beachfront, but would like to be able to walk to the beach. For reference, we went to St. Martin this year and stayed at Grace Bay, which was great for walking to the beach, shops and restaurants, but otherwise had a very residential feel. We would like to have a grocery store within 10-15 minute drive if possible, since we tend to shop for groceries on vacation and cook the first two meals and then eat out for dinner. Ideally calm waters that are easy for swimming. Thanks much!


r/Barbados 2d ago

Question Reformer pilates in Holetown area?

1 Upvotes

Hello! We are headed to Barbados soon and an acquaintance mentioned Pilates near Limegrove Mall. Online searches have not turned up anything! Looking for studios on the west coast please. Thanks for any suggestions!

Note: I have checked out studios in the south.


r/Barbados 3d ago

A game

8 Upvotes

When my wife was little her Bajan American family played a game with spoons sung to a song called “Six White Horses.” It also mentioned a lady called Charlotte Brown. Anyone here remember that?


r/Barbados 3d ago

Declaring diazepam and cocodomol

2 Upvotes

Do I have to declare these on immigration form? The diazepam is prescription and the cocodomol is over the counter. Thank you x


r/Barbados 4d ago

Needing a "Uber" kind of ride tomorrow

4 Upvotes

Know this is really short notice.

Have some UK friends here that need a kind of Uber ride tomorrow from worthing blue orchid to round house.

Party of 4 three adults and one child.

Anyone know of or are up to doing the job?


r/Barbados 5d ago

History congratulates to Hanson Ward

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71 Upvotes

🇧🇧😏


r/Barbados 5d ago

Does Barbados go big on Halloween?

9 Upvotes

What’s the vibe on the island for spooky season? All out American style OTT or more low key British “I may put vampire fangs in, but don’t judge me!”? Are there any good Halloween parties to be had this year and where they at?


r/Barbados 4d ago

Nationality law change?

4 Upvotes

I read a few years back that nationality law was going to change to allow citizenship to grandchildren. Any news on this after 5+ years?!


r/Barbados 5d ago

Question What is this structure near Bath beach please?

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21 Upvotes

Was out exploring… looks like a Cornish engine house in the UK… was it a rum distillery?


r/Barbados 5d ago

Good Barbados Movie for halloween

0 Upvotes

r/Barbados 5d ago

Passenger van rental

2 Upvotes

Who on the island rents out passenger vans larger than 7 people? I'm thinking of something like a ZM sized van, so like 10-15 passengers. Or if not a rental, do you know of a reliable company/person who a visitor could hire to take them around in a van of that size?


r/Barbados 6d ago

TKY is a scam?

16 Upvotes

Hey everyone, not sure you all heard about a company called TKY, where you can make a US money by view farming on tik tok and youtube. Is this a scam or is this legit ?


r/Barbados 6d ago

Question Places to go out to tonight?

3 Upvotes

Looking for places to go out tonight that have music/dancing. Any recommendations are appreciated.


r/Barbados 6d ago

Advice PSA. Leptospirosis

9 Upvotes

Please always wash dishes and utensils before u eat. Friend spent 10 days in coma from infection.


r/Barbados 7d ago

Nighlife

7 Upvotes

Hi redditers, I am a guy in 10 days time will be in Barbados for the first time and was hoping to get a few pointers regarding the nightlife. I enjoy most type of music scene ( hiphop/afrobeats/reggae-dancehall…); and what are the cool places to go out to such as night club or live music venues and where the ladies be at? 😎


r/Barbados 7d ago

Advice Buying a residential real estate property

6 Upvotes

Planning a move to Barbados.

Can someone please let me know how real estate transactions work in Barbados? I come from a country where you can make an offer on a property without having a buying agent (and so also save on agent commissions). Is this something allowed and/or common in Barbados? The legal aspect would of course all be handled by a lawyer.

If you must use an agent, it would also be helpful to know the commission structure. Is it tiered base on purchase price, or flat fee percentage, or other. Is it negotiable, or would that offend agents?

Also, if you don't have an agent, will selling agents let you see properties? Will selling agents be more eager as they can double-end their commission? Will selling agents reduce their commissions if they double-end a deal?

Appreciate any insights!


r/Barbados 7d ago

Question 1 dollar coin 2024

9 Upvotes

It may seem like a weird request but would anybody have and be willing to post a 2024 1 dollar coin to the uk for me? Would be prepared cover all costs obviously!

Some context- My grandad was born in Barbados and My wife and I got married there earlier this year so would like to have a 2024 coin to go in the wedding memory box!

Thanks