BARBADOS
Area: Barbados


Location:
Most easterly Caribbean island. 112 mls SE of St Lucia. 210 mls NE of Trinidad. Airport 11 mls E of Bridgetown.

Telephone code from UK:
1 246

Website:
http://www.barbados.org

Position:
Towards S end of Windward Islands.

Description:
One of the smaller Caribbean Islands, covering roughly 166 sq mls and measuring about 20 mls long by 15 mls across at its widest point, Barbados is a mostly flat coral island fringed by reefs and long, white beaches. By Caribbean standards, it is densely populated, particularly in the low-lying W and S of the island, where development is almost continuous along a narrow coastal strip. This has led to significant traffic congestion, especially around the workaday capital, Bridgetown, which is the major commercial centre and boasts a full range of shops and services. Speightstown in the NW is the second town, but is barely more than a large village; Holetown is smaller still and, apart from a few local shopping parades in the SW tourist areas, all other centres are tiny villages with little more than a convenience store and bar/restaurant. Inland areas are largely rural and fairly green, with the more mountainous and relatively sparsely populated N and E sections planted with large tracts of sugar cane. The flight path for incoming aircraft is along the S coast and, although it is not a particularly busy airport, there can be noise from passing planes, which is most noticeable the farther E you go. Overall, this stable political democracy basks in a friendly, low-key ambience; it also enjoys a low crime rate although, as with anywhere else, open displays of wealth are unwise.

Suitability:
Suits anyone seeking a relaxed and mellow holiday. Main clientele are fairly comfortably off couples, with more mature guests favouring peak winter season and younger market summer; British and Canadians dominate. Also popular with water-sports enthusiasts, golfers, honeymooners and couples tying the knot "in paradise".

Accommodation:
W-coast hotels tend to be considerably more upmarket and exclusive; mid-range properties predominate on SW coast. Self-catering options are concentrated in S, with most also offering in-house food, beverage and entertainments facilities. All establishments are fairly modest in size, with a few notable exceptions.

Shopping:
Mainly limited to everyday basics with a few local craft-based establishments offering range of local souvenirs. Duty-free shopping, however, is a major attraction, with several large shops in Bridgetown offering bargains on international brand-name jewellery, cosmetics, crystal, tobacco, leather and alcohol. Most upmarket shops will offer some form of duty-free arrangement. Rum is a major local product and most tourists end up leaving with at least 1 bottle.

Beach:
W-coast beaches tend to be narrow and have slightly coarser sand than in S, where wide, soft, white-sand beaches are the norm. W coast faces relatively calm Caribbean Sea, although steeply banked beaches can create undercurrents; in some narrower sections, beaches are subject to tide and storm erosion. Sea along S coast tends to be a little less settled and appeals to windsurfers. E coast has picturesque, almost deserted beaches facing Atlantic, but water has a reputation for strong currents and tends to be exclusive domain of surfers and strong, experienced swimmers. All beaches are officially public but coastal development often makes access virtually exclusive to establishments lining shore. Naturist and topless bathing are illegal _ and the law is almost universally observed.

Entertainments:
Daytime: wide range of water sports including sailing, diving, surfing, windsurfing, kite-surfing, kayaking and some motorised options; paragliding; horse riding; walking and hiking; cycling; golf; spectator sports like cricket, horse racing and polo. Nightlife: all-inclusive packages at hotels usually feature regular live music (reggae, jazz and steel bands are popular), floor shows and special barbecue evenings; outside hotels, there are number of music bars, pubs and "rumshops" as well as couple of nightclubs, Bridgetown and St Lawrence Gap being liveliest centres; evening cruises and romantic catamaran trips for two. Overall scene, however, is fairly low key _ options are limited for young ravers.

Eating:
All-inclusive hotel packages mean limited independent dining options, with main concentration of (upmarket and expensive) eateries on W coast. Modest selection of more reasonably priced options S of Bridgetown and in St Lawrence Gap, but prices are generally well above UK average. Most hotels participate in some form of dining-exchange scheme, so people can eat at different places. "Casual smart" dress code applies at most restaurants; occasionally smart dress may be required and black tie for special occasions. Cuisine on offer includes local, continental, seafood, Indian and Italian; some beach bar/restaurants and KFC outlets. Island specialities: pepper pot (spicy stew), jug-jug (moulded chopped ham, salt beef and peas) and Barbadian black pudding. Don't go home without tasting Barbadian rum, either!

Public-transport:
Buses are frequent and cheap, and most places are served by bus network or have a stop nearby. Privately run minivans (also known as ZR vans, due to their "ZR" licence plate) are also cheap and regular, although slightly less comfortable as operators cram in as many people as possible. Taxis are plentiful and fares reasonable; no meters, however, so agree price beforehand. Car hire available; Barbados driving permit required, obtainable via car-hire companies (charge).

Local-excursions:
Rum and sugar factory tours; colonial plantation mansions including 17th-century St Nicholas Abbey and Drax Hall; Morgan Lewis restored sugar mill; Harrison's Cave with its gallery of stalactites and stalagmites; Bridgetown for shopping and sightseeing, including Garrison Historical Area with National Cannon Collection and Barbados Museum; eco- or heritage tours of island; wildlife reserve and monkey sanctuary; deep-sea fishing; scenic boat trips and lunch-time pirate-ship cruises; submarine trips.