Barbados

The natural wonders hold the key to the perfect Barbados holiday for many people. With the winds that consistently blow, kitesurfers have grown to love the island. Each of the island’s coasts have unique properties giving visitors a range of things to do; from the Soup Bowl on the east coast where surfers can catch great waves to taking a catamaran tour from the south coast to swim with sea turtles and snorkel around the coral reefs. Barbados has some of the clearest waters in the Caribbean, making this a haven for scuba divers to view coral reefs and shipwrecks. You can also visit Harrison’s Cave to take an underground tram ride through stalagmites, stalactites and waterfalls. Of course, your holidays to Barbados would not be complete without a relaxing day spent on the beach. Be sure to bring some great reading material with you or just catch up on sleep on a deck chair under the sun.

Food and drink are well celebrated on Barbados as can be seen if you visit in November during the Barbados Food, Wine & Rum Festival. At the festival visitors on holiday in Barbados eat traditional foods and taste locally made rums under the guide of local connoisseurs. Another favourite for travellers is the fish fry at Oistins Bay Gardens on the southern coast, where you can get fresh fish fried or grilled and dance the night away listening to calypso music. If you’re traveling as a family, be sure to bring the kids as the seating is informal and the mood is relaxed. Those interested in the local drink production sign up for a tour of the Mount Gay Rum Distillery. You can also pop into one of the rum shops found all over the island to meet locals who stop in to catch up on the day’s news and goings-on around town. Those that are not keen on a rum, usually opt for artisanal beer, 10 Saints, a lager aged for 90 days in rum barrels which artfully bridges the gap between beer and rum. On your Barbados holiday you don’t have to worry about drinking bottled water as the island has some of the purest tap water in the world.

Holidays in Barbados are made extra special with the local art and handicrafts. Be sure to stop in artist’s studios and the island’s art galleries to see their wide variety of art works and ever-changing shows. If you’re buying from street vendors, be ready to ferociously haggle, not giving up until a fair price is given, which is usually a third of the original offered. The Bajans are also famous for their handmade pottery. The rich history of Barbados will keep you busy for days as you discover and explore this fascinating destination. Whether you choose to visit the Hutson Sugar Museum to learn about production in the 18th century or the George Washington House where the man actually stayed on his only trip outside the USA, you won’t be disappointed. You can also visit Bridgetown and the surrounding garrison which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Whether you need an escape from wintry snowfalls or a sandy place to take the kids away while on a summer break, Barbados is the perfect place to visit.

With year-round temperatures between the mid 70s (24 C) and mid 80s (30 C), you can’t choose a bad time of year for a holiday to Barbados. The island gets over 3000 hours of sunshine every year, so this is the quintessential place to relax on the beach, let the kids build sandcastles or to soak in the sun and romance the night away with your significant other. The peak holiday season in Barbados is from December to April, while the best time of year to holiday in Barbados and save money is from July to November.

December to mid-April

The most popular time for a holiday in Barbados is from December to mid-April when many tourists are looking to escape a harsh winter back home. Because of its popularity during this time, hotel prices are doubled and some hotels will require that you purchase a meal plan with your room. The weather for your Barbados holiday should be stupendous as this is the dry season where temperatures should hover around the mid to upper 80s (30 C) during the day and drop down to a breezy 75 (24 C) at night- which amusingly results in most locals putting on sweaters to keep away the chill. If your holiday in Barbados is in January, be sure to check out the Barbados Jazz Festival where you can listen to internationally famous jazz musicians and locals perform live. Holders Season is a two week long festival celebrating the performing arts, including opera, theatre and concerts. The event is hosted at Holders, a 17th century plantation home.

Mid-April to June

After the hectic winter season, the prices for hotels start to decline in mid-April. Though prices start to go down, the temperature remains constant and comfortable. Since Barbados is located near the equator, there is very little variation in the temperature and daylight throughout the year. This also means that the sun is strong all year round, which generally warrants a second application of sunscreen. If your holiday to Barbados is during May, be sure to check out the annual Gospelfest where you can see performances by renowned gospel performers from around the world.

July to November

Though the rains are more often light afternoon showers than downpours, this is considered hurricane season. Hurricanes typically bounce from one large landmass to another, meaning your holiday in Barbados is unlikely to be disturbed by hurricanes. The last large storm to come through Barbados was in 1955. If you’re traveling to Barbados during this season, you will be pleasantly surprised with low hotel prices, sometimes with discounts as high as 50 per cent, and some of the liveliest parties of the year. If you’re concerned about your holiday in Barbados during this time of year, rest assured that rains are usually followed within minutes by bright, sunny skies. If you’re traveling to Barbados in November, be sure to check out the Barbados Food, Wine and Rum Festival where you can join local rum connoisseurs in some of the island’s most beautiful settings to taste the island’s finest rums.