Hello & Greetings from Barbados!

Barbados began its colonial history as Portuguese and Spanish territory in 1625; it later came under British control. The English have left influential marks on the culture in several ways, such as the national love of cricket. On your Barbados tour, you will also see many manifestations of African culture in Barbados, as many Bajans are of West African descent. Hopping on board a locally-operated Barbados tour is a great way to see the beauty of the island while finding out more about its culture. Our Barbados Destination Guide is a great starting point to learn more about what Barbados has to offer.

Barbados has successfully achieved a very high level of literacy (around about 98%). A high percentage of youth complete their schooling with university degrees. Barbados also holds a record for high rates of longevity with the world's second highest percentage of centenarians (citizens over the age of 100), falling just behind Japan’s Okinawa.

Safety in Barbados is not generally a concern. The island is well known for its safety records as well; tourists and locals alike can go anywhere without fear of being robbed or assaulted. Locals often advise travellers to exercise the same level of precaution as when travelling in their home countries. It is also easy to travel around Barbados by car or moke moke rentals (unique in Barbados); check out our Barbados map for more information about the layout of the island and the locations of great Barbados accommodation.

The country’s capital of Bridgetown is a central hub, not only for its population, but also as the island's centre of commerce and trade. The lifeline of the city is Broad Street, which slices through the metropolis. It offers loads of duty free and other Barbados shopping options, while passing by many of the key governmental buildings. Bridgetown and the southern Barbados beaches are the more popular areas for sightseers and a great selection of Barbados hotels are ready for booking.

When in search of more exciting things to see and do in Barbados, head to the central part of the island, with rolling hills, vibrantly green vegetation and remnants of Barbados’ colonial history. Surf enthusiasts should make for the eastern coast of the island, which carries strong tradewinds. Other water sports such as wind surfing, kite surfing and diving are also popular along this shoreline. Popular beaches with surfers are Silver Rock, Silver Sands, and Long Beach; in Bathsheba there is also a local hot spot called the 'soup bowl' for more experienced surfers.

Tourism has been developing strongly in Barbados over the last few years, and there are a variety of Barbados hotel options for the full spectrum of travellers; from budgeting backpackers to splurging businessmen, there is the perfect Barbados accommodation waiting. The booming tourism industry has been largely centred around Bridgetown or along the southern Barbados beaches. For more adventurous travellers seeking destinations away from typical tourist spots, head to the north or east coasts of the island, where there are still plenty of guesthouses and adorable Barbados villas available for a completely relaxed stay.

For all the information you need to know about the best places to visit in Barbados, check out our Barbados Destination Guide and Barbados Tour pages. We also have some tips on the best drinks and Barbados food to try in our Barbados Restaurant Guide.