The island of Barbados has a wealth of natural beauty, interesting places to visit, and nearly endless ribbons of white sand beaches, surelyamong the finest in the Caribbean. The landscape ranges from the rolling hills and strong surf on the east Atlantic coast, to the flatlands and beautiful postcard-perfect beaches on the west Caribbean coast.
During the 18th and 19th centuries the island was operated as a sugar cane economy under British owners, and there are a small number of original plantations renovated as museums chronicling the daily lives of the slaves toiling there.
Nowadays the inhabitants of Barbados are called Bajans, and the descendants born out of the old plantation economy exist in general harmony under a democratic government.
Barbados is the furthest east Caribbean island and nomally avoids the worst effects of the area's tropical storms due to the fact that the island is situated past the main hurricane path. Statistic show that a hurricane only hits the island about once every 26 years. All these pluses make Barbados a very popular cruiseship port, and lately, mainly due to the well used nearby airport, the island has become a busy starting port for cruise itineraries.
During the 18th and 19th centuries the island was operated as a sugar cane economy under British owners, and there are a small number of original plantations renovated as museums chronicling the daily lives of the slaves toiling there.
Nowadays the inhabitants of Barbados are called Bajans, and the descendants born out of the old plantation economy exist in general harmony under a democratic government.
Barbados is the furthest east Caribbean island and nomally avoids the worst effects of the area's tropical storms due to the fact that the island is situated past the main hurricane path. Statistic show that a hurricane only hits the island about once every 26 years. All these pluses make Barbados a very popular cruiseship port, and lately, mainly due to the well used nearby airport, the island has become a busy starting port for cruise itineraries.
Bridgetown Port
Bridgetown Port (also known as the Deep Water Harbor) lies on the south west coast of Barbados. Bridgetown port manages all of the country's bulk ships, together with many cruise ships. Constructed in 1961, the Port was formed by an artificial breakwater. In 2002 the main channel plus the inner harbour were dredged to facilitate bigger cruiseships to berth. The harbor deepening project has proved very successful, resulting in significant growth in goods and cruise liner volumes.
Beside the quays lies the cruise terminal, opened in 1994. It acts as the centre for services for crew members and cruise passengers visiting Barbados. The cruise terminal contains the usual departments to handle cruise passengers, including Immigration, Customs, Plant and Animal Quarantine, Health Center,, Post Office and the Barbados Tourism Office. There are other useful facilities, including shops, restaurants and bars, a business facility, and an internet cafe. The cruise terminal has a large amount of floor space devoted to shopping, with over 20 duty free shops with lovely jewelry, attractive china, the latest in electronics, and local craft stands.
Cabs and car rentals facilities lie just outside the terminal entrance doors. Alternatively you can walk to Bridgetown's main bus station, the Fairchild Street Terminal, 20 minutes by foot, to make the most of the island's efficient and cheap buses.
For the port website see Barbados Port.
Due to its ideal position at the top of the Southern Caribbean, Barbados makes an excellent departure port. Itineraries include the Greater Antilles (Jamaica), the Windward Isles (Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent), the Leeward Isles(St Barts, St Martin, St Kitts, Nevis, Guadeloupe, Trinidad, Tobago), the Netherland Antilles off the north coast of Venezuela (Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire) or even the Brazilian Amazon. For a full schedule of cruises see cruises from Barbados.
Bridgetown Port (also known as the Deep Water Harbor) lies on the south west coast of Barbados. Bridgetown port manages all of the country's bulk ships, together with many cruise ships. Constructed in 1961, the Port was formed by an artificial breakwater. In 2002 the main channel plus the inner harbour were dredged to facilitate bigger cruiseships to berth. The harbor deepening project has proved very successful, resulting in significant growth in goods and cruise liner volumes.
Beside the quays lies the cruise terminal, opened in 1994. It acts as the centre for services for crew members and cruise passengers visiting Barbados. The cruise terminal contains the usual departments to handle cruise passengers, including Immigration, Customs, Plant and Animal Quarantine, Health Center,, Post Office and the Barbados Tourism Office. There are other useful facilities, including shops, restaurants and bars, a business facility, and an internet cafe. The cruise terminal has a large amount of floor space devoted to shopping, with over 20 duty free shops with lovely jewelry, attractive china, the latest in electronics, and local craft stands.
Cabs and car rentals facilities lie just outside the terminal entrance doors. Alternatively you can walk to Bridgetown's main bus station, the Fairchild Street Terminal, 20 minutes by foot, to make the most of the island's efficient and cheap buses.
For the port website see Barbados Port.
Due to its ideal position at the top of the Southern Caribbean, Barbados makes an excellent departure port. Itineraries include the Greater Antilles (Jamaica), the Windward Isles (Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent), the Leeward Isles(St Barts, St Martin, St Kitts, Nevis, Guadeloupe, Trinidad, Tobago), the Netherland Antilles off the north coast of Venezuela (Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire) or even the Brazilian Amazon. For a full schedule of cruises see cruises from Barbados.
Excursions
Broad Street
The main thoroughfare of Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados. It consists mainly of tax free shops, banking offices, large chain stores, and cafes. Also worth a visit is Swan Street which is home to many discount clothing shops.
Welchman Hall Gully
The lush tropical gardens are filled with tropical specimens -- here before the British arrived in 1627 -- set amid natural caves. You're almost sure to spot a group of wild monkeys.
Harrison's Cave
Barbabos's top visitor attraction. Board an electric train and voyage through a fascinating subterranean world.
Sunbury Plantation House
A Plantation Great House whose inside are all available for tours. The 300 year house is steeped in history, with old prints, ancient shopping lists, mahogany antique funiture and a collection of horse carriages.
Beaches
The island's beaches are open to the public. Easiest to get to are the beaches of the Gold Coast. Payne's bay is great for watersports. Nearby lies Fresh Water Bay, with a beautiful threesome of beaches, Paradise Beach, Brighton Beach and Brandon's Beach .
Mount Gay Rum Distillery and Banks Beer Tour
Get in the Spirit with a guided tour and tasting at Barbados's top rum distillery, then head over to Banks Brewery to check the local beer.
Broad Street
The main thoroughfare of Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados. It consists mainly of tax free shops, banking offices, large chain stores, and cafes. Also worth a visit is Swan Street which is home to many discount clothing shops.
Welchman Hall Gully
The lush tropical gardens are filled with tropical specimens -- here before the British arrived in 1627 -- set amid natural caves. You're almost sure to spot a group of wild monkeys.
Harrison's Cave
Barbabos's top visitor attraction. Board an electric train and voyage through a fascinating subterranean world.
Sunbury Plantation House
A Plantation Great House whose inside are all available for tours. The 300 year house is steeped in history, with old prints, ancient shopping lists, mahogany antique funiture and a collection of horse carriages.
Beaches
The island's beaches are open to the public. Easiest to get to are the beaches of the Gold Coast. Payne's bay is great for watersports. Nearby lies Fresh Water Bay, with a beautiful threesome of beaches, Paradise Beach, Brighton Beach and Brandon's Beach .
Mount Gay Rum Distillery and Banks Beer Tour
Get in the Spirit with a guided tour and tasting at Barbados's top rum distillery, then head over to Banks Brewery to check the local beer.
Useful To Know
Language The official language is English, but Bajan (a local English-derived dialect, and largely incomprehensible) is widely spoken.
Timezone AST
Currency Barbadian Dollar
Language The official language is English, but Bajan (a local English-derived dialect, and largely incomprehensible) is widely spoken.
Timezone AST
Currency Barbadian Dollar