Barbados

Barbados tourist guide – hotels – car hire

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Barbados is known for its exotic appeal and developed tourist infrastructure. Offering an array of white sandy beaches, sight seeing attractions and great surf, it also contains remnants of Old England and is often referred to as ‘Little England in the Caribbean.’

Attractions in Barbados

Travellers tend to visit Barbados for its fine beaches. Stretching along an immaculate blue-green sea are coral shore beaches of the western coast. Snorkelling and scuba diving are popular along this region. The popular beaches are Batts Rock, Good Shepard Beach, Brandons and Paynes Bay. For those interested in nightlife, the southern coast is famous for its late night festivities.

Unlike the western and southern coasts, the eastern coast of Barbados is known for its peaceful surroundings and great surf, due to the consistently strong trade winds.

Bathsheba Beach, Andromeda Botanical Garden, Farley Hill National Park, Barbados Wildlife Reserve and Harrison’s Cave are attractions on the eastern shore. Surrounding the ruined - once majestic - Farley Hill Mansion is the beautiful national park known as Farley Hill.

Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, is often uncomfortably crowded and hot but has some worthwhile attractions. Tours of the city are a unique experience and often start at the waterfront, which has an active cruise-ship terminal containing a mass of retail and duty-free shops – selling a variety of things ranging from Barbados arts and crafts to jewellery and leather items.

A replica of the original London landmark, the monument of Admiral Lord Nelson built in 1813 stands tall in Trafalgar Square. Lining the square are grand Victorian buildings, with beautifully stained-glass windows. One of the oldest synagogues in the western hemisphere lies east of Trafalgar Square. The Barbados Museum – sited in an ex-military prison - displays Barbados’s advance from prehistoric to modern times and contains an impressive compilation of artefacts.

Within Barbados lie a number of sparsely visited parishes that are a must and with a hire car one can visit St Thomas, St George and many others. The tranquil environment and breathtaking views of accommodations that are found along the outskirts of Barbados, such as the eastern coast, make car hire in Barbados worthwhile. Click here for Barbados car hire.

Hotels in Barbados

Accommodation in Barbados varies from five star luxury hotels and villas to fully furnished apartments to simple seaside cottages. There are a selection of Barbados hotels to choose from. Within the city are elegant resorts, while the outskirts contain quiet and sheltered hideaways. Barbados hotels often provide views of the sea.

Opulent five star hotels in Barbados are located on ocean front property as well as in the more secluded areas of Barbados. Since the beach is one of its most popular attractions, hotels in Barbados are all in close proximity to the ocean. These hotels provide friendly staff and a wide range of amenities, which include restaurants, pools and bars.

Airport and car hire in Barbados

Barbados Grantley Adams International Airport receives connecting flights from Europe and the US, provided by Virgin Atlantic and several other airlines. BWIA – United West Indies Airlines – take care of regional flights. Grantley Adams is a small airport with one terminal but a wide range of facilities. There are several banks, restaurants, bars and duty-free shops. There is also a pharmacy, clothing store, ice-cream parlour, supermarket and bakery.

16kms southeast from Bridgetown city centre, Barbados International provides public transport and taxis to and from the airport frequently. Buses depart for the city every 15 minutes.

Car hire at Grantley Adams is well stocked, with a variety of car rental companies to choose from. A Barbados hire car can be booked online for exclusive deals. There are also car hire depots in various locations in Barbados. A car is the ideal way of getting around Barbados, allowing you to visit all its hidden gems.

With a capacity of 560 spaces, the airport provides plenty of parking on its grounds. For great deals, it’s best to book your airport parking for Barbados prior to your arrival online: click here for Barbados airport parking.