Beautiful Barbados.

Barbados isn’t just another Caribbean island to me—it’s my birthplace and still home to some of my family. Whether you’re dreaming of white sand beaches, swimming with horses, snorkeling with sea turtles, or rum shops by the sea, I’ve got tips to help you explore Barbados beyond the resorts.

the crane beach in Barbados
Find things to do in Barbados
Find Resorts in Barbados
Find Travel Insurance for Barbados
Rent a Car in Barbados
Accra Beach in Barbados

Plan Your Trip to Barbados.

baby sea turtle in Barbados

Things to Do & Experiences in Barbados.


Top Things to Do

  • Swim with turtles
  • Explore the dramatic east coast near Bathsheba
  • Eat a fish cutter
  • Tour Harrison’s Cave
  • Sip rum at Mount Gay or St. Nicholas Abbey
  • Sunrise swim with horses at Pebble’s Beach
  • Take a surf lesson
  • Relax on any beach
Fresh coconut on Crane Beach during a week in Barbados

Sarah’s Picks

Favorite Way to See the Turtles | Catamaran Snorkel with Sea Turtles Tour

Where to Eat a Fish Cutter (Sandwich) | Cuz’s or Caboose

My Favorite Beach | The Crane

Favorite Activity | Surf Lesson

Favorite Non-Alcoholic Drink | Lime Squash

Barbados Travel FAQs

east coast barbados

When is the best time to visit Barbados?
The island is warm year-round, but the dry season (December to April) offers the sunniest skies. That said, I’ve visited during the off-season too—May through November—and still had great weather with fewer crowds and lower prices.

Is Barbados safe for solo travelers?
Yes, especially for solo women. Like anywhere, stay aware of your surroundings, but Bajans are generally friendly and helpful. I go into more detail in this post about safety in Barbados if you want real-world tips.

Is it expensive?
Barbados isn’t the cheapest Caribbean destination, but it can be done on a budget.

Do I need a car to get around?
Not necessarily. The island has public transportation or you can book tours. You can also use taxis, but for the most freedom you should hire a car to really explore.

What’s the currency in Barbados?
Barbados uses the Barbadian dollar (BBD), but U.S. dollars are widely accepted. The fixed exchange rate is $1 USD = $2 BBD, so conversions are easy.

Are the beaches public?
Yes! All beaches in Barbados are public, even the ones in front of fancy resorts. Some of the best are Carlisle Bay, Accra Beach, and Bottom Bay and the Crane—don’t miss the local beach bars either.

Getting to Barbados

International flights: Barbados is a small island, so there is only one airport. All flights are international and all arrive to the same Grantley Adams International Airport.

From the airport: You can take a taxi, rent a car, utilize a bus, or ride in a ZR van to get around Barbados. For taxis, consider using the PickUp Barbados app to make things easier including pricing. My family has always rented a car, and just picked it up at the airport.

Budget tip: Book flights well in advance. Also, consider avoiding high season, which is November to April.

Getting Around Barbados

The most common ways to get around Barbados are taxi, renting a car, booking tours with pickup and drop-off, or utilizing a bus or ZR Van.

If you elect to utilize taxis, consider downloading the PickUp Barbados app. You can hail a taxi and it keeps pricing straightforward.

My family has always rented a car. It’s easy to get around, so consider renting a car for at least one day in Barbados and enjoy a drive around the island.

Tours are a great way to explore Barbados without having to drive. Just look for tours with pickup and drop-off included. This can take the guesswork or hassle out of driving or sorting a taxi.

Bus and ZR Vans are great budget friendly options. They are not necessarily time savers though, and it’s important to remember if utilizing these options that you are on island time!

east coast barbados

Where to Stay in Barbados

For such a small island, Barbados offers accommodations for every budget, from affordable to luxury resorts.

South Coast The south coast of Barbados is the other popular coast to stay! The water tends to be calm, but not quite as calm as the west coast. Beginner surf lessons in Barbados usually happen along the south coast. Additionally, the sea can vary quite a bit from the southeast to the southwest.

The Crane Beach - Is Barbados Safe
The Crane Resort

For a full breakdown of the best area to stay in Barbados, check out my guide explaining all four coasts. It also offers top accommodations to consider and I break down the south beaches more in depth.

Accra Barbados
Accra Beach

West Coast The west coast of Barbados is a very popular choice as the water is usually calm! It offers plenty of luxury stays on the water or has more affordable options off the water.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Barbados to surf, I have a guide just for you!

east coast barbados
East Coast

East Coast The east coast of Barbados is not popular unless you’re an experienced surfer! This side of the island is more untouched, rugged, and doesn’t offer a good swimming beach. It’s still worth visiting during your week in Barbados, even if you don’t stay here.

Top Things to Do in Barbados

The best day trips in Barbados range from snorkeling with sea turtles to rum tastings or exploring caves to an electric bike tour. The beauty of visiting a small, tropical paradise, is you can really see a lot during your 7-day Barbados holiday!

Snorkel with sea turtles – There are several points along the west coast to snorkel with sea turtles! If you don’t want to do a tour and you’re a good swimmer, just head to Carlisle Bay. However, I do recommend a tour! I’ve done a catamaran snorkel tour several times and always enjoyed it. If you want a simpler tour experience, you might enjoy Barbados Turtle and Shipwreck Snorkel Adventure.

Rum tasting – Barbados is the birthplace of rum, so consider it a “when in Rome” outing. You can visit Mount Gay Rum Distillery, St. Nicholas Abbey or book a rum tasting tour!

Caves – Harrison’s Cave is an underground limestone cavern and is super interesting. Or check for low tide and head to Animal Flower Cave in the northern part of the island.

Local flavors – Be sure to try some local cuisine in Barbados. My favorite, and the thing I crave most, is a fish cutter. Head to Cuzz or Caboose for these simple but delicious fish sandwiches. Of course, a walking food tour will give you a more immersive experience. And don’t leave the island without trying flying fish. It’s quintessentially Bajan!

Surfing – Barbados has world-class surfing, and Kelly Slater has even said it has one of his favorite waves. Even beginner surfers like me have a place on this small island though! The south coast is usually great for learning to surf in Barbados.

Sunsets and beach time – For a small island, Barbados has quite a variety of beaches. Whether you’re on the island for a day looking for the best beaches near the cruise port, or enjoying a week long holiday, definitely try to spend time exploring this island paradise. The beaches are spectacular, the water is beautiful and clear, and catching a sunset with a rum punch or lime squash is elite.

Yes, Barbados is worth visiting, so I hope you’re getting more excited about your upcoming trip!

Essential Barbados Travel Tips

Safety – Barbados is generally safe, and usually has the best ranking on the US travel advisory site. It’s one of the most densely populated places, but the people are friendly! I still have family living on the island and I’ve driven around it by myself. Overall, this island paradise offers beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and fun experiences!

Travel insurance – I don’t always purchase travel insurance, but after a couple broken bones I think differently these days. If you’re from the US, you’re not too far from home, but travel insurance can offer that extra peace of mind.

What to pack:

  • Reef-safe sunscreen
  • Lightweight, quick-dry clothing
  • Underwater camera or phone case
  • Swimsuits
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Beach bag
  • Nice dinner attire (some restaurants have a dress code)

Culture and etiquette – Barbadians (Bajans) are very friendly and polite. Say “good morning” or “good afternoon,” and remember you’re on island time! Nothing moves fast here, so embrace it!

Payment tips: The Barbadian dollar is pegged to the US dollar at 2 to 1. It keeps math easy when on the island. Just be sure you know if a price is being quoted in Barbados dollars or US dollars.

Solo travel – While I haven’t truly visited as a solo traveler since I have family on the island, I have driven around and explored on my own. Barbados is a great destination and would be safe for solo female travel.

Language – English is the main language. If the accent is difficult to understand, a simple “pardon me” will work and hopefully you’ll understand the second time. I’ve definitely used that phrase on my own dad and uncles growing up.

Connectivity – WiFi is available at a lot of places on the island. Additionally, data shouldn’t be hard to get either.

Tipping – In Barbados it’s appreciated, but definitely not out of control like it is in the United States (yes, I said it). I’d say old school tipping etiquette is applied here as 10% to 15% is customary at a restaurant.

Want to Explore More?

Check out my Island Travel Guides or start planning your next adventure in the Americas!