The island of Barbados lies to the east of St Vincent and is 430 square kilometers, with a population of around a quarter of a million people. It has tropical climate, so has good weather all year round. There are many long white powdery beaches. Like many of the other Caribbean islands it's past is filled with sugar plantations and slavery. The island gained independence from Britain in 1966. It is now a prosperous island with flourishing economy due mainly to tourism, but it hasn't been over-developed. All the beaches on Barbados are public and there are still many quiet, un-spoilt areas. Barbados also has an excellent public transport system, so you should be able to get around quite easily. There is one airport, Grantley Adams, off the southern coast. Barbados' capital is Bridgetown which is on the coast, in the south-west of the island.
The west coast is on the side of the Caribbean sea while the east coast faces the Atlantic. The waters off the Atlantic facing coasts tend to be greener and deeper, with higher waves and this is case on Barbados. Consequently the West Coast is the more developed and most popular with tourists, while the east Coast is less developed and is popular for surfers, though not so good for swimming.
The most popular resort on the west-coast is Payne Bay. This area features the more expensive up-market hotels.
The south coast features the resorts of St Lawrence Gap, Dover, Rockley and Worthing and a little further round the coast Silver Sands. They all have beaches as good as those on the west coast but the prices are more affordable. Silver Sands is also good for wind surfing.
On the East coast the resort of Bathsheba is used mainly by locals, but is the best place for surfing.
There are a number of excellent attractions and places to visit in Barbados. Shopping is good in the capital of Bridgetown and also in the Holetown on the west coast. The capital is also good for nightlife and eating, as are the main resort areas particularly those on the south coast. Just 2 Km south of Bridgetown is the garrison area. It used to be a miliary base with a fort and other military buildings. It is now a very attractive part of capital. It houses the Barbados museum, which used to be a military prison and is worth a visit. The Barbados Gallery of Art is also nearby. Other places to visit include Harrisons Cave, subterranean limestone caves, The Flower forest Gardens, Welchman Hall Gully, an area of spectacularly pretty jungle. On the north coast is the Barbados wildlife reserve. There is some great scenery to be seen along the East coast.
There are many sports you can participate in. Watersports include diving, surfing, wind-surfing, jet-skiing, water-skiing snorkeling and boating. Other sports featured are Cricket (the national sport), golf, (there are two 18 golf hole courses), Polo, hiking and horse-racing (there is a race course in Bridgetown). horse-racing and hiking.
There are a number of events held throughout the year including the festival of Crop Over. Originally to celebrate the end of the sugar harvest. There is lots of partying, street parades and music and it takes place from late July to early August.
Airports - Grantley Adams (BGI)
Currency - Barbados dollars
Language - English
Time Zone - GMT -4 hours (all year)
Flight Time - Approx. 8 hours from London
Average temperature and mm of rain each month
