Barbados

Beach, play, eat, repeat—it's not Barbados' official slogan, but we’d vote for it. Between beaches for every mood, from totally tranquil to windy and rugged, you’ll find colonial houses, tropical gardens and rolling sugar cane fields. Nip into the national dish of cou-cou and flying fish, or cut it to calypso classics. You can settle in the sand, but Bajan culture might keep you on your feet.

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Barbados offers tons of activities under the sun on beaches like Crane Beach or underground in Harrison’s Cave, one of the country’s top attractions. Visit Bridgetown for the best restaurants, nightlife and shopping in Barbados. Oh, and don't miss Oistins Fish Fry on Friday nights! From luxury resorts to all-inclusives, find the best Barbados hotel for your dream vacation.

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BARBADOS TRAVEL GUIDE

DESTINATION FACTS

Languages

English and Bajan creole

What to eat

Cou-cou (grits-like side made with cornmeal and okra), fried flying fish, rice and peas, fish cakes, macaroni pie and Bajan black cake (like British Christmas pudding, but cooked with Bajan rum).

What to bring back

Arts and crafts from the stalls at Oistins Fish Fry every Friday, Bajan spices or hot sauces like Aunt May’s Hot Bajan Pepper Sauce and one of Barbados’ best rum: Mount Gay Rum.

Fun Fact

The first Europeans to step on these shores were the Portuguese, including explorer Pedro a Campos who named the island Los Barbados for the bearded fig trees that adorned the land. If you’re wondering why a lot of places here have British names (Dover, Windsor, Yorkshire, etc.), Barbados was part of the British empire for about 300 years (until its independence in 1966).