Guidebook for Barbados
Sightseeing
We love visiting this cave, which is only 15 minutes by car from our home. The views are worth the trip alone, but we also love the cave itself. If you call ahead you can ask if there is swimming in the cave which is a treat. Pack a cooler and enjoy the north coast views from "The View" at the cave. The cave is great value to enter but best to go first thing in morning or end of day as to avoid the crowds. The restaurant is a nice spot for lunch.
139 locals recommend
Animal Flower Cave
We love visiting this cave, which is only 15 minutes by car from our home. The views are worth the trip alone, but we also love the cave itself. If you call ahead you can ask if there is swimming in the cave which is a treat. Pack a cooler and enjoy the north coast views from "The View" at the cave. The cave is great value to enter but best to go first thing in morning or end of day as to avoid the crowds. The restaurant is a nice spot for lunch.
A short drive from our house, sweeping views down the entire "rugged" east coast of Barbados.
39 locals recommend
Cherry Tree Hill Reserve
A short drive from our house, sweeping views down the entire "rugged" east coast of Barbados.
Set on a beautiful landscape, this old Plantation house offers tours, a rum distillery, as well as a train that takes you through the grounds and up to Cherry Tree Hill for the view.
156 locals recommend
St. Nicholas Abbey
Set on a beautiful landscape, this old Plantation house offers tours, a rum distillery, as well as a train that takes you through the grounds and up to Cherry Tree Hill for the view.
A drive through the east coast of Barbados is worth hiring a taxi, or renting a car. Stark contrast to the west coast, this coast is undeveloped and the landscape is beautiful.
163 locals recommend
Bathsheba
A drive through the east coast of Barbados is worth hiring a taxi, or renting a car. Stark contrast to the west coast, this coast is undeveloped and the landscape is beautiful.
If you want to experience the East Coast by horse, we have used Ocean Echo many times and have always been very happy with the experience.
9 locals recommend
Ocean Echo Stables
If you want to experience the East Coast by horse, we have used Ocean Echo many times and have always been very happy with the experience.
A garden of Eden almost, for nature lovers. Bring a book, a cooler, picnic, and enjoy a day here.
92 locals recommend
Hunte's Gardens
Highway 3AA garden of Eden almost, for nature lovers. Bring a book, a cooler, picnic, and enjoy a day here.
Hands down the best catamaran experience in Barbados. We have done a lot, and this one is not only awesome, the value is fantastic. They will pick you up and drop you off from our home, all food and drink is included (alcohol too), snorkelling stops, great swims, excellent staff and music. Can't recommend enough! We love the sunset cruise versus the daytime one. The sun get's pretty intense on the daytime one.
37 locals recommend
Cool Runnings Catamaran Cruises
Hincks StreetHands down the best catamaran experience in Barbados. We have done a lot, and this one is not only awesome, the value is fantastic. They will pick you up and drop you off from our home, all food and drink is included (alcohol too), snorkelling stops, great swims, excellent staff and music. Can't recommend enough! We love the sunset cruise versus the daytime one. The sun get's pretty intense on the daytime one.
Garrison Savannah
62a Tudor StHorse racing in Barbados!
Food scene
Restaurants and Bars
We love the ambience of Lonestar. Set right on the water, during both day time and night it is a tropical paradise, with good food and service.
70 locals recommend
Lone Star Restaurant & Hotel
We love the ambience of Lonestar. Set right on the water, during both day time and night it is a tropical paradise, with good food and service.
We love this restaurant that is just 5 minute walk from our home. Book your table ahead!
70 locals recommend
Fish Pot
We love this restaurant that is just 5 minute walk from our home. Book your table ahead!
If you find yourself on the South Coast, and are craving great Italian, we love Buzo! Excellent pizza too.
55 locals recommend
Buzo Osteria Italiana
Hastings Main RoadIf you find yourself on the South Coast, and are craving great Italian, we love Buzo! Excellent pizza too.
Champers
Skeetes HillExcellent view that can't be beat!
The Tides is one of our favourites for setting, food and service. They have an awesome lunch menu special that is a great deal if you want to experience some casual fine dining without completely breaking the bank, as it is expensive to eat out in Barbados.
112 locals recommend
The Tides Restaurant | Barbados
The Tides is one of our favourites for setting, food and service. They have an awesome lunch menu special that is a great deal if you want to experience some casual fine dining without completely breaking the bank, as it is expensive to eat out in Barbados.
Pier One at Port St. Charles is 5 minutes by car from our home. We love arriving early, getting some sun beds, and making a day of it here. Great lunch menu, swim up pool bar, and a safe, short swim over to the beach side where Heywoods Beach is and has excellent snorkelling.
31 locals recommend
Port St Charles
Pier One at Port St. Charles is 5 minutes by car from our home. We love arriving early, getting some sun beds, and making a day of it here. Great lunch menu, swim up pool bar, and a safe, short swim over to the beach side where Heywoods Beach is and has excellent snorkelling.
Cuzz's Fish Stand
The most famous fish cutter (sandwich) on the island!
Located inside Limegrove centre, a nice thai place if you're craving asian flavours.
28 locals recommend
Lemongrass
Highway 1Located inside Limegrove centre, a nice thai place if you're craving asian flavours.
If you find yourself in the middle of the island, PEG farm serves a small lunch menu, that is well worth the trek. Fresh ingredients from the farm highlight the choices.
15 locals recommend
PEG Farm and Nature Reserve
If you find yourself in the middle of the island, PEG farm serves a small lunch menu, that is well worth the trek. Fresh ingredients from the farm highlight the choices.
Awesome beach restaurant tucked away on a nice beach. The vibe is cool, the food is delicious.
40 locals recommend
La Cabane
Batts Rock BeachAwesome beach restaurant tucked away on a nice beach. The vibe is cool, the food is delicious.
It's the famous fast food of Barbados. You have to try it once! We love the broasted chicken sandwich, when we're feeling like something greasy....
14 locals recommend
Chefette
Highway 1BIt's the famous fast food of Barbados. You have to try it once! We love the broasted chicken sandwich, when we're feeling like something greasy....
This new beach restaurant is so fantastic, excellent menu and really cool setting. Book ahead. We love the pizza you can order on the beach!
48 locals recommend
Sea Shed Restaurant
This new beach restaurant is so fantastic, excellent menu and really cool setting. Book ahead. We love the pizza you can order on the beach!
Cheap (by Barbados standards) drinks and bar bites. Happy Hour from 5-6 PM is 2 for 1 Banks Beer and Rum Punches. Awesome place to watch the sunset and enjoy the happy hour special!
34 locals recommend
Little Bristol Beach Bar
Cheap (by Barbados standards) drinks and bar bites. Happy Hour from 5-6 PM is 2 for 1 Banks Beer and Rum Punches. Awesome place to watch the sunset and enjoy the happy hour special!
The Orange Street Grocer
Queen's StreetExcellent pizza and coffee/bakery spot.
A beautiful setting in the Port Ferdinand Yacht Club. Romantic, comfortable, and a great menu featuring nice local fish and more. We love how close this place is to our home. Book ahead. If you drive they only valet park (no self park).
Dockside at 13°/59°
A beautiful setting in the Port Ferdinand Yacht Club. Romantic, comfortable, and a great menu featuring nice local fish and more. We love how close this place is to our home. Book ahead. If you drive they only valet park (no self park).
The newest spot in Speightstown that serves up ultra local dishes in a super cool setting with a rum bar that is sure to impress.
21 locals recommend
Local & Co
Queens StreetThe newest spot in Speightstown that serves up ultra local dishes in a super cool setting with a rum bar that is sure to impress.
The Rustic Chef
A casual spot located in Limegrove offering an extensive menu.
THE hottest new beach club on the island, with great service, top food and drink and a beach that can't be beat!
Calma Beach Club
THE hottest new beach club on the island, with great service, top food and drink and a beach that can't be beat!
The Caboose
The newest best fish cutter and a fine place to get some rum punch!
Necessities
Grocery, Transport, Medical, Etc.
Local grocery store. If you don't have a car they can shuttle you with a very small minimum spend.
74 locals recommend
Jordans Supermarket
Local grocery store. If you don't have a car they can shuttle you with a very small minimum spend.
A major grocery store, featuring a broad range of all food items someone from abroad would expect to find.
116 locals recommend
Massy Stores
Highway 1A major grocery store, featuring a broad range of all food items someone from abroad would expect to find.
Moontown is a very local, very small store down the way from ours (10 minute walk) that sells the very basics. But they have cheap beer and a local food buffet if you want typical cheap Bajan fare.
11 locals recommend
Moontown
Moontown is a very local, very small store down the way from ours (10 minute walk) that sells the very basics. But they have cheap beer and a local food buffet if you want typical cheap Bajan fare.
Wine World - Holetown
For an international selection of wines and spirits.
Warehouse style "bulk" shopping. Great for a big "first shop" when you arrive.
15 locals recommend
Cost U Less
C2 Padmore Village RdWarehouse style "bulk" shopping. Great for a big "first shop" when you arrive.
Sandy Crest Medical Centre
24 Hour Medical Centre
Buses in Barbados as easy to use and the cheapest way to get around the island. Just flag one down and they'll stop to let you on! The buses head in two directions "To City" and "Out of City" - City being Bridgetown.
13 locals recommend
Speightstown Bus Terminal station
Buses in Barbados as easy to use and the cheapest way to get around the island. Just flag one down and they'll stop to let you on! The buses head in two directions "To City" and "Out of City" - City being Bridgetown.
Drive-A-Matic Car Rentals
Car rental agency we recommend.
High end Shopping centre with cinemas, restaurants and shops.
177 locals recommend
Limegrove Lifestyle Centre
High end Shopping centre with cinemas, restaurants and shops.
Beaches we Love
Gibbes is hard to find (travel down the coast road and look for the Southwinds sign - path is beside there) but worth it. Lots of shade, calm waters, all sand. No facilities however.
13 locals recommend
Gibbs Beach
Gibbes is hard to find (travel down the coast road and look for the Southwinds sign - path is beside there) but worth it. Lots of shade, calm waters, all sand. No facilities however.
Right by our house, we love this beach for it's soft sand and excellent snorkelling. If you set up in front of the abandoned Almond Hotel, there is shade and the water is even calmer.
14 locals recommend
Heywoods Beach
Right by our house, we love this beach for it's soft sand and excellent snorkelling. If you set up in front of the abandoned Almond Hotel, there is shade and the water is even calmer.
We absolutely love this place. Small beach to enter the water, tons of shade, two great little cheap food stands, playground for kids, massive roped off area for swim/snorkel that's safe from water crafts, facilities, lifeguard and free wifi!
38 locals recommend
Folkestone Marine Park
We absolutely love this place. Small beach to enter the water, tons of shade, two great little cheap food stands, playground for kids, massive roped off area for swim/snorkel that's safe from water crafts, facilities, lifeguard and free wifi!
It's popular for a reason. Incredible long beach, tons of restaurants, bars, chairs to rent, and great snorkelling with some sunken boats right off shore.
39 locals recommend
Carlisle Bay
It's popular for a reason. Incredible long beach, tons of restaurants, bars, chairs to rent, and great snorkelling with some sunken boats right off shore.
The Boatyard is a sometimes loud, boisterous beach club that offers lots to do for families with kids. The price of admission includes chairs, umbrellas, water tramps and slides, swim with turtles boat ride, rope swing, beach volleyball and more. The downfall is the loud music and when they do shots with the cruise ship guests. To avoid this, arrive early and secure chairs furthest away from the bar. You pay one price, but you get back about 75% of that in food and drink credit. For kids ages 5-10 this would be a favourite!
52 locals recommend
The Boatyard Club
The Boatyard is a sometimes loud, boisterous beach club that offers lots to do for families with kids. The price of admission includes chairs, umbrellas, water tramps and slides, swim with turtles boat ride, rope swing, beach volleyball and more. The downfall is the loud music and when they do shots with the cruise ship guests. To avoid this, arrive early and secure chairs furthest away from the bar. You pay one price, but you get back about 75% of that in food and drink credit. For kids ages 5-10 this would be a favourite!
Neighborhoods
Holetown is a vibrant part of the island that has tons of restaurants and shopping. The Limegrove Centre has an abundance of restaurant, shops, and coffee places to choose from, as well as the Limegrove Cinemas which have movies daily. The Chattel House shops offer a great selection of shopping variety. Holetown also is home to Sandy Crest, the 24 hour medical centre.
95 locals recommend
Holetown
Holetown is a vibrant part of the island that has tons of restaurants and shopping. The Limegrove Centre has an abundance of restaurant, shops, and coffee places to choose from, as well as the Limegrove Cinemas which have movies daily. The Chattel House shops offer a great selection of shopping variety. Holetown also is home to Sandy Crest, the 24 hour medical centre.
The East Coast of Barbados is such a beauty to see, with the famous Soupbowl surf spot. We love driving over here, having lunch at Atlantis and walking along the rugged beaches of this coast. Swimming is not recommended. Bath Beach is a great beach on this side, always seems to be quiet, if the water is extra calm you could manage a swim. We prefer it as an excellent spot to read and relax.
163 locals recommend
Bathsheba
The East Coast of Barbados is such a beauty to see, with the famous Soupbowl surf spot. We love driving over here, having lunch at Atlantis and walking along the rugged beaches of this coast. Swimming is not recommended. Bath Beach is a great beach on this side, always seems to be quiet, if the water is extra calm you could manage a swim. We prefer it as an excellent spot to read and relax.
The islands capital is bursting with history, culture and places to explore.
127 locals recommend
Bridgetown
Broad StreetThe islands capital is bursting with history, culture and places to explore.
Speightstown is the closest town to our home. We love it for its charming feel, great beach bars (1.11 East is our favourite, and they have yoga classes regularly) and old world feel. Restaurants, shops and museums.
95 locals recommend
Speightstown
Speightstown is the closest town to our home. We love it for its charming feel, great beach bars (1.11 East is our favourite, and they have yoga classes regularly) and old world feel. Restaurants, shops and museums.