The Sandpiper 

Introduction

Discovered by Pedro A. Campos in 1536, Barbados was originally called Los Barbados after bearded fig trees.
 
The island has only been from underneath British rule for about 40 years and still incorporates much of the culture. Today, Barbados is one of the most prosperous and developed nations in the Caribbean.

A diverse and resource rich island, Barbados is a hybrid of beauty, calmness, and ruggedness all wrapped into one. Most hotels are centrally located and no matter where you stay in Barbados, you will be in close access to popular watersports, tennis, shopping, fine restaurants, and a solid nightlife.
 

The food specialty in Barbados is fish and is excellent for fish lovers. The main fish season is Dec - May. Flying fish are the national emblem and a specialty with two or three to a plate. Mahi Mahi, Kingfish and Snapper are also superb.

Barbados rum is probably the best in the Caribbean; it is also worth paying a bit extra for a good brand such as Old Gold. Banks beer is the local brew served in Barbados.

Cariba Restaurant and Bar
Located in the exclusive parish of St. James, The Cariba Restaurant Bar is one of the finest in Barbados. Known for its friendly staff and management, the menu hosts a unique fusion of Caribbean and Asian cuisines that allows the taste of Barbados to linger in your mouth.

The Cliff
The Cliff has been providing fine dining to the island of Barbados for almost 20 years. Master Chef Paul Owens’s innovative and creative approach to cuisine matches the soft ambience of the interior. Situated on a clifftop, each table has a superior view of the Caribbean Sea.  Popular dishes include the Chargrilled Swordfish and Red Curry Mussels.

Champers
Nestled on a cliff-top overlooking Accra Beach, This authentic dining setting offers traditional Barbados style cuisine. Champers is as romantic and elegant as it is easy going. Offering amenities such as free wireless internet, it is the perfect place whether visiting for business or relaxation.

The Fish Pot
Located in the tranquil community of Shermans, The Fish pot is one of the last family-owned restaurants in Barbados. Constructed out of an old fort, it sits directly on the beach, offering an opening terrace with spectacular ocean views. Living up to its name, the menu offers an enticing menu of seafood and fish dishes including Lobster ravioli, jumbo shrimp, and butter based scallops.

Daphne’s
Located only twenty minutes from the capital of Bridgetown, Daphne’s Barbados combined a fine Italian menu with an excellent location. Lead Chef Marco Festini Cromer leads a vision that inspires an authentic and fresh ingredient menu. Offering several theme nights, the restaurant incorporates live jazz music on Tuesdays. Happy Hour runs from 5 to 7pm daily.

Café Luna
Set on a rooftop of a popular hotel, Café Luna is a one-of-a-kind Mediterranean style cuisine al-fresco. Specializing in a pan-tropical fusion of flavours, Executive Chef Mark De Gruchy creates a whimsical and original dining experience that is always among the chatter among Barbados locals.

Local foods

Flying Fish
Common to most tropical seas, Flying fish are found in the warm waters all around Barbados. Nearly 25cm long, they are shaped like herring and actually possess the ability to ‘fly’. A component to the national dish, it is served along side okra and tomatoes and is usually steamed or fried.

Bridgetown

Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados and is situated on the southwesten corner of the island. The city itself covers a fairly small area but is full of life and busy. There are a large range of sophisticated shops for tourists, with large shopping malls and department stores.

St Michaels Cathedral 

Northeast of National Heroes Square lies the 18th century St Michaels Cathedral. The Cathedral has a fine set of inscriptions, a single hand clock, fine vaulted ceilings and tombs dating back to 1675.

National Heroes Square

National Heroes Square is located in downtown Bridgetown and was called Trafalgar Square until 1999, with a statue of Lord Nelson. Since 1999, the square is now celebrating 10 official National Heroes, including Sir Grantly Adams.

Fort Charles

Fort Charles is located in the Garrison area of Barbados, just south of Bridgetown, at Needham Point. The fort was the largest of many that guarded the south and west coasts. Only the ramparts remain but there are a number of 24 pounder cannons dating from 1824. There is also a military cemetery here.

Garrison Historical Area

The Garrison Historical Area contains many interesting 19th century military buildings, grouped around the Garrison Savannah parade ring, which is now the race course. Across the road is St Annes's Fort which is still used by the Barbados defence force. You cannot enter, but there is a nice old clock tower and a fine veranda at The Main Guard and the National Cannon Collection, an impressive array of about 30 cannons.

St James Church 

St James Church was originally built of wood in 1628, but was replaced by a stone structure in 1680. It was beautifully restored in 1983 and is well worth visiting.

The Barbados Museum

The Barbados Museum is located in the old military prison on the northeast corner of Savannah. There are 10 galleries displaying natural history, local history, military history, maps, colonial furniture, prints and paintings.

Barbados Wildlife Reserve

The wildlife reserve was established with Canadian help in 1985 and is set in 4 acres of land, housing a huge collection of large red footed Barbados tortoise. The reserve also features deer, rabbits, guinea pigs, green monkeys, an aviary and a snake house.

The Mount Gay Rum Visitor Centre 

The visitor centre offers a good 45 minute tour of the blending and bottling plant, with an exhibition of rum, rum tasting and shop near the deepwater port in Bridgetown.

Harrison's Cave

Harrison's Cave is an underground cave network. You are taken down into the cave by an electric train and the visit takes about 30 minutes, observing some superbly lit stalactites and stalagmites, waterfalls and underground lakes. There is a guide to point out the interesting formations and photo stops.

Orchid World

Orchid World at St Georges, is a 6 acre orchid garden, featuring 20,000 brilliant, beautifully designed orchids.
Oistins -"fish fry"Oistins is the main town in the parish of Christ Church on the south coast. It is the key fishing port on the island and has a large fish market where you can see and buy the recent catch. Friday night "fish fry" is the big event here and is definitely worth a visit.

Nightlife

There are many luxury Barbados hotel resorts that provide entertainment, including dancing, calypso, steel bands, limbo dancers and barbecues under the moonlight. For those looking for some local nightlife, there is a good selection of bars and nightclubs on offer whereby most have a minimal charge on the door on "free drink" nights. It is worth planning in advance to find out what is on offer as most do not get lively till 11pm onwards.

Cruises and Water Sports

The party cruise in Barbados is the Jolly Roger, which run 4hr daytime and evening cruises along the west coast to Holetown, near the Folkestone Underwater Park. Drinks are unlimited and there is also a meal, music and dancing for the dinner cruise. On the daytime cruise, guests can swim and snorkel in the warm waters. There are also several catamarans and sailing boats available for charter by the week, day or shorter periods. Deep sea fishing can also be arranged and the south coast is exceptional for windsurfing and surfing.

Shopping

Prices are generally high, but the range of goods you can purchase is excellent. Duty free shopping is well advertised. Visitors who produce a passport or flight tickets can take most duty free goods away from the store.

Top Shopping Areas

Located in the city centre, you will find Broad Street. This is where you will come in contact with Barbados’s largest department store, shopping malls, and duty free shops.

Broad Street, Bridgetown
The most popular shopping area for tourists is Broad Street in Bridgetown. Here you will find exclusive jewellers and unique pieces, mostly made by island locals and regional imports.

Cave Shepherd
As the largest department store in Barbados, Cave Shepherd is a main attraction for tourists and visitors to the island.  Known for its quality merchandise and expert customer service, here you will find many international luxury brands of clothing and cosmetics.

Sheraton Shopping Mall
Based on the American concept of the ‘Super Mall’, this metropolitan shopping oasis is home to over 150 stores, a food court, digital cinema complex, and on-site gym.

Golf 

In Barbados, there are 3 championship golf courses where the best and most prestigious of which is Sandy Lane, which now has two 18 hole courses and a 9 hole course. Also there is an 18 hole, par 72, course at Royal Westmoreland, in St James on the west coast.

Cricket

Cricket is played all over Barbados at weekends. Top cricket matches are played at the test ground at the Kensington Oval.

Horseracing

The Barbados Turf Club holds meeting every Saturday at the Garrison during 3 seasons (Jan - Mar, May - Oct, Nov - Dec). The biggest race day is Sandy Lane Gold Cup in March, once again a huge event on the Barbados social calendar. 

Citizens of the UK who are spending no more than 30 days in Barbados do not require a Visa. A return airline ticket is needed, aswell as a full passport valid for at least six months after the return date to the UK.

If you require more assistance please visit www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo

Airport Departure Tax amounts to approximately B$25 per person. Children under 12 pay 50%. Cash Only.

In Barbados the electricity used is: 110/220 volts AC, 60Hz.

Plugs are the 2 flat pin type, as in the USA.

If you intend to bring a hairdryer, electric shaver or any other electrical device on holiday to Barbados ensure you bring an adaptor plug.

Barbados in general is a safe island and has little crime outside Bridgetown. Take care along deserted beaches and watch out for pickpockets. Normal precautions should be taken with belongings and unlit areas should be avoided after dark. Police have patrols on beaches and plain clothes officers are also around some tourist attractions.

The dry season is roughly Jan - Apr. The rainy season starts at the end of May until December, but this normally consists of a few short, sharp showers. The northeast trade winds are a cooling influence. Temperatures on average range from 24 degrees in winter up to 32 degrees in summer. Hurricanes can affect the Caribbean during the months of August through to November.
 

AVERAGE CLIMATE IN BARBADOS

The above table is a guideline and Western & Oriental Travel cannot assume responsibility for the statistical information.

The following immunisations are recommended before travelling to Barbados, but it is best to consult with your GP for up to date information or phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647:

• Typhoid
• Tetanus
• Polio
• Hepatitis A

Barbados is a fairly relaxed island and consequently the clothing worn is very casual. If you are staying in one of the luxury hotels on the island, you may want to pack a few posh frocks or shirt and a tie, but generally shorts and T shirts are the norm.

Please note: it is unlawful to wear any items of clothing with a camouflage or military design.

Several airlines fly directly to Barbados departing in the mornings and returning overnight. Flight times are approximately 7 hours 30 minutes from London.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly daily from Gatwick and British Midland fly twice weekly from Manchester Airport.

Schedules are subject to change.

Upgrades:

• premium economy and upper class on Virgin
• premium economy and business class on British Midland 
• World traveller plus and buisiness class on British Airways

Please speak to our Barbados travel experts for supplements.  
 

The official language spoken in Barbados is English.

We suggest that all our customers review foreign office advice for Barbados before travelling to any destination featured on our website. Please use the following link: www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo for the most up to date information

The local currency is the Barbadian Dollar (BBD), but the US$ is accepted in most places.

Credit cards are widely accepted but small restaurants may only take cash or travellers cheques.

If travelling by taxi always check if they are quoting you in B$ or US$.

As of April 2011the exchage rate was £1= B$3.31

Barbados operates on Atlantic standard time which is -4 hours GMT.

We can arrange transfers or tours all around the Barbados, as well as between airports and hotels.

It is possible to tour the island in a couple of days.

January

Barbados Jazz Festival - 2nd week of January
This seven day event is held annually on the 2nd week of January and brings together topped billed performers from the Canada, USA, UK, Caribbean and Latin America. This event is widely acclaimed as the premier Jazz festival of the Caribbean.

February

Holetown Festival - 17 February 
A family attraction celebrating the anniversary of the arrival of the first permanent settlers in Barbados on 17 February 1627. The village hosts a week of continuous activity during the third week in February. 

March

Holders Season - March
An exciting season of Opera, Jazz, Latin, Classical Music and Caribbean Music and drama, takes place at the historic Holders Plantation House throughout the month of March each year. The great house is approximately 300 years old, and is situated on a ridge overlooking what were at one time extensive sugar and tobacco fields. Visitors can enjoy listening to a mix of music while sipping Champagne in the beautifully landscaped gardens.

Oistins Fish Festival - Easter Weekend

The Oistins Fish Festival is a two day event held over the Easter Weekend each year, and pays tribute to the skills of the local fishermen. Competitions in fishing, fish boning, crab racing and boat racing are some of the events that take place. Dance to steel bands, mingle with the locals on the beach and enjoy some of the local fish specialities.

May

Gospelfest - Last week of May
Gospelfest is for the music lover, featuring top international gospel singers and choirs from the UK, Caribbean, USA and Canada, and is the only event like it in the world.

July

Crop Over - July and August
The largest and most popular festival in Barbados, Crop Over has its origins in the seasonal work of Sugar Plantations and is now a lively showcase of all the facets of Barbadian culture. This three week festival takes place the last weeks of July and first week of August each year, with the last few days being the liveliest when costumed bands fill the streets and create a carnival atmosphere.

August

Sports Camp - August
A once in a lifetime opportunity for children to receive sports coaching with famous sports stars whilst being on holiday in Barbados and the event is free of charge. Bookings are essential as places are limited.

December

Run Barbados - First Sunday of December
This event includes a full marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k and toddlers run. This week long sporting event is surrounded by much entertainment and festivities. 

Vehicle rental and public transport

Barbados is a small island, but it can take a surprisingly long time to travel around as the rural roads are winding and narrow. The highway runs from the airport to Brighton, just east of Bridgetown and gets very busy during the morning and afternoon rush hour. Taxi's are easy to find at the airport and hotels and operate on a flat rate government monitored system.

Car rental

This can be booked before departure or locally. In Barbados, drivers need a visitors permit, but the car rental agency will be able to arrange this and the cost is usually included in the hiring charge. Drivers must be over 21 and posses a valid driving license. Driving is on the left.

Buses

Buses operate routes in and out of Bridgetown along the coast at a flat fare of BBD$1.50 (Barbadian Dollar). If travelling inland the buses are infrequent but it can be fun to experience the customs and hospitality of the local people. Stand at the bus stop and flag the bus down as it will not stop automatically. 

Bikes and mopeds

These are widely available to rent either daily or weekly and are a great option for a day trip out into the scenic countryside.