EXPLORE
Barbados
The ideal all-rounder holiday destination, where travellers can be as inactive (on the beach) or active as they please. Barbados is one of the most photogenic Caribbean islands with expansive white sand beaches, crystal blue water and tropical foliage. There are top-of-the-line luxury dining experiences and local sensations like Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry and an infamous nightlife scene. And if cocktails are your thing, this is home to delicious Mount Gay rum, fuelling locals and visitors since 1703. Those looking to explore can discover Farley Hill National Park, Bridgetown's UNESCO world heritage site, and the Platinum West Coast. For snorkellers and divers, the extensive reef systems are idyllic. With so many options, we’re pleased to offer seven partner hotels, ranging from reclusive luxury to family-friendly all-inclusive resorts.
Travelling in Barbados
Ground Transportation
Visitors can navigate Barbados using ground transportation, including private transfers, rental cars or taxis to explore the island's beautiful beaches and attractions at their own pace.
Weather
Most choose to visit Barbados in winter, as the country experiences the least rain during this time, and temperatures are milder than in the summer months, with lows of 23°C and highs of 29°C.
Best Time for Beach Relaxation and Outdoor Activities
25-29°C
AVG Temperature
8-10 HRs
Sunshine
2"
AVG Monthly Rainfall
26-27°C
AVG Sea Temperature
Barbados gets hotter in spring to early summer, with an average temperature of 27°C. The island experiences less rain than in the forthcoming wet season, which officially begins in June but peaks in the late summer and autumn months.
Best Time for Water Sports and Exploration
27°C
AVG Temperature
7-9 HRs
Sunshine
3-4"
AVG Monthly Rainfall
27-28°C
AVG Sea Temperature
Barbados’ wet season runs from June to November, with its peak lasting from July until October, with 14-16 rainy days per month. The temperature remains around 27°C.
Best Time for Indoor Activities and Cultural Exploration
27°C
AVG Temperature
6-8 HRs
Sunshine
6-8"
AVG Monthly Rainfall
28°C
AVG Sea Temperature
The average temperature remains at 27°C, falling slightly in December. The autumn months are the rainiest of the year, with the wet season closing in November, leading to a drier December.
Best Time for Lush Landscape Exploration and Mild Weather Activities
27-28°C
AVG Temperature
6-8 HRs
Sunshine
8"
AVG Monthly Rainfall
28°C
AVG Sea Temperature
Geography
Barbados is thought to have risen from the sea 700,000 years ago and continues to rise by around 30cm yearly. It is the most easterly isle of the Lesser Antilles, the volcanic island arc lying below the Greater Antilles Island group. Unlike many of its neighbours, Barbados is not a volcanic island. Instead, it is made of carbonate rocks formed from deep ocean sediments that comprise 85% of the island’s surface. This rock system is continuous with the surrounding coral reef, making Barbados a hotspot for marine wildlife.
History
Archaeological evidence suggests that the first people to set foot on Barbados did so in around 1600 BC. However, evidence of permanent residence on the island has been dated much later, to about 300-600 AD, when the Arawak people were thought to have settled there. Europeans first arrived in Barbados around the 15th or 16th century, with Spanish or Portuguese people thought to have been the first to inhabit the island. Later, Barbados fell under British rule and developed one of the largest sugar cane industries in the world.
