A Honeymoon in Barbados from The World's Greatest Honeymoons

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• Barbados •

A Pear-Shaped Paradise

Ahhhh! Balmy Barbados, with its 80° days and gorgeous tropical beaches, its colorful West Indian culture and starchy British heritage. Poised between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, this pear-shaped island offers a scenic backdrop to suit every tropical fantasy. The West Coast’s white-sand beaches unfold beside serene the Caribbean's blue-green waters, where coral reefs offer fabulous snorkeling and diving. The Atlantic Ocean waves of the brisk and breezy East Coast wash shells and ocean treasures onto rocky shores abutting limestone cliffs. The interior is lushly verdant and hilly, and all across the island gentle trade winds make for moderate temperatures.

Also See: Caribbean Index | Antigua & Barbuda | Aruba | Bahamas | Bermuda | Caymans | Curaçao | Grenada | Jamaica | Martinique | Puerto Rico | St. Croix | St. John | St. Lucia | St. Thomas | Turks & Caicos | Virgin Gorda/BVI

The easternmost of all Caribbean islands, Barbados is less than 300 miles from Venezuela. At 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, the island is so small that you’ll learn a lot about it while you’re here—but it's ’s big enough to keep surprising you in unexpected ways. You’ll enjoy doing all the familiar things: sipping piña coladas while eyeballing spectacular sunsets, walking hand-in-hand on the beach, teeing off on an 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones or Ron Kirby. But you’ll be thrilled by new experiences like learning to calypso, tackling a platter of flying fish (the national dish), or touring the island in a Land Rover.

The island’s small but bustling towns are filled with shops, activities, night life, and great restaurants. Its sub-surface caves make for unusual and memorable tours. Underwater wrecks and reefs create a paradise for divers and snorkelers. Perhaps the most precious resource the island has, though, is its friendly, welcoming people; if you come here, be prepared to feel very special.

Why honeymoon here? Terrific weather, truly beautiful beaches, friendly people. You can have isolation on the wild Atlantic side one day, and company on the peaceful Caribbean side the next. English is the official language. Cons: Generally more expensive than many Caribbean islands.

Barbados Honeymoon Ideas

Bridgetown: The island’s bustling, friendly capital is divided in two by the Careenage River, whose mouth serves as a popular marina. Walk the waterfront boardwalk, stopping to shop or linger over an iced tea or an island-made Banks Beer. Or enjoy a laid-back lunch on the wharf—try the national dishes, cou-cou (cornmeal and okra) and flying fish. Above all, be sure to explore the town's narrow streets and colorful tropical architecture dating back to the 1600s. ~ For a more modern take, start at the impressive Parliament buildings (1871) and meander east along Broad Street, the commercial center. You'll find tax-free shopping galore here, everything from European designers and diamonds to hand-crafted wares. Stop at Independence Square to relax in the garden, a hangout spot for locals and visitors alike. National Heroes Square, known as Trafalgar Square until 1999, contains a statue of Lord Nelson, who visited Barbados shortly before his death at the battle of Trafalgar. Queen's Park, one-time residence of the British commander in the West Indies, has been a public park since 1909; its grounds contain the island's largest tree, a Baobab more than 61 feet high.

Museums²: The Barbados Museum, traces the island's evolution from the 1500s right up to the present via a solid collection of period furniture, ancient maps, archaeological artifacts, locally-made crafts, and fine arts. ~ Also worth a visit: the pinkish coral-stone Nidhe Israel Synagogue Museum. First opened in 2008, the museum contains a rare 17th century Mikvah spiritual bath discovered in 2006 during an archeological dig on the grounds. Colorful panel displays, multi-media presentations, and archaeological artifacts reveal the fascinating story of Jewish settlers on Barbados dating back to the 17th century. ~ Housed in an historic Colonial-era building in Speightstown (the island's second-largest town), the Arlington House Museum is an interactive three-story museum, with each floor dedicated to a separate exhibit. Displays cover the lives of the island's first settlers, the influence of colonization and sugar cane, Speightstown's former prominence as a leading port/trade hub, and more.

St. Nicholas Abbey: Still a working sugar plantation, 1650 St. Nicholas Abbey is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere (one of the two others—Drax Hall—is also on Barbados but not open to the public). With its Dutch gables and coral finials, the majestic three-story house is filled with period furniture and china, and boasts stunning architectural details such as its Chinese Chippendale staircase. While you're here, take advantage of the opportunity to watch a rare 1930s film showing life on a sugar plantation. ~ You might also enjoy a visit to 340-year-old Sunbury Plantation House, with its rare art and horse-drawn carriages. It's the only Great House on Barbados with all rooms open to the public. ~ The picturesque grounds and sweeping Atlantic Ocean views at Farley Hill National Park provide a great backdrop for the majestic ruins of Farley Hill plantation house. The annual Barbados Jazz Festival is held each January at Farley Hill.

Andromeda Botanical Gardens: Six gorgeous acres perched on an ocean-facing cliff on the island's east coast, Andromeda is packed with orchids, palms, ferns, heliconia, hibiscus, bougainvillea, begonias and cacti—all united by a meandering stream that forms enchanting pools and waterfalls throughout the grounds. ~ Or head to nearby Orchid World. Surrounded by sugarcane, this 6-acre jewel tucked away in the country contains 20,000+ orchids of countless varieties, including that showy once-yearly bloomer, Schomburgkia. Benches throughout the property allow you to sit and gaze at the surrounding beauty for as long as you like. Be sure to wander along the orchid-lined path past the waterfall and coral grotto. A restaurant and gift shop are on the grounds.

George Washington House: Nineteen-year-old George Washington and his older half-brother, Lawrence, rented this Georgian-style house in Bridgetown for seven weeks in 1751. As it turned out, the visit would be the only overseas trip the future US president would ever make. In 2007 the refurbished George Washington House opened to the public for the first time, offering a peek at 18^th Century Barbadian life. ~ Washington kept a diary while he was here, commenting on the island hospitality—something that hasn't changed in the centuries that followed. He and his brother were entertained in plantation houses, went to the theatre, watched dazzling fireworks, and enjoyed daily horseback riding. If you undertake any of these activities while here, you'll be following old traditions. ~ Before you leave GW House, stroll through the surrounding Garrison Historic Area, headquarters for a British regiment during the 17th-18th centuries. Doing so will give you a much better understanding of what life was like for young George on his visit.

Beachin' It: West Coast beaches, on the Caribbean side, possess calm, turquoise waters and golden sands. The East and North coast face the Atlantic, so you'll find gigantic waves crashing to shore and strong currents—most but not all beaches are better for walking and beachcombing than for swimming. The South Coast beaches are interesting, combining a bit of the Atlantic drama and Caribbean tranquility—calm enough for swimming, but still lively. Discover your own favorites, or try these... Picture-perfect and fairly isolated, Bottom Bay, on the Caribbean side, is loaded with sugar-white sand and coconut palms, backed by limestone cliffs, and overlooks crystal-clear water. ~ Much different (but equally gorgeous) is Cattlewash Beach. A place of rough and rugged beauty on the Atlantic, it offers huge waves, tidal pools, dare-devil surfers, and invigorating walks along the beach. ~ Wild, windy, and beautiful, Bathsheba Soup Bowl is perfect for surfers—though usually too choppy for swimming. ~ Gorgeous Crane Beach is an isolated paradise backdropped by cliffs, fronted by white powdery sands that can turn pinkish when the sun angles in a certain way, and is one of the island's best places to watch the sun set. ~ And at pretty Barclays Park you can wade the shallow water and explore tidal pools.

Folkestone Marine Park and Marine Reserve: Snorkel the exciting underwater reef trail at this popular marine park noted for its abundance of colorful sealife—or dive around the sunken ship, Stavronikita, which rests in 120 feet of water about half a mile from shore. An alternative that appeals to many is one of the readily-available glass-bottom boat tours. Or you could take a dive aboard the authentic Atlantis mini-submarine. Descending 100' below the sea, you’ll explore a natural reef, cruise by a shipwreck, and—with luck!—get an up-close view of exotic marine animals such as squid, parrotfish, blue tang, porcupine fish, and eels...all from your comfie seat. The Park's aquarium also features a diverse collection of marine species, including some that are quite rare.

Barbados Wildlife Reserve: Go "wild" in the Barbados Wildlife Reserve's beautiful mahogany forest, one of the few places anywhere that lets you share space with (and photograph!) freely-walking exotic animals— including Barbados Green Monkeys, land turtles, iguanas, flamingoes, and peacocks—in their natural habitat (you'll also see non-native animals such as the Brocket Deer and armadillo). The animals aren’t tame, so don’t try petting them. Instead, walk quietly along the tree shaded paths or sit on benches to watch them feed and play. The entrance fee also gives admission to the nearby signal station. Built in 1819, it was one of six such structures used to quickly send messages across the island via semaphore. A high structure with open windows on each side, it now makes a great observation tower.

Harrison's Cave: After watching a video about the island's extensive limestone cave system, plop the provided (and required) hard hat on your head and ride an electric tram down, down, down into the earth. At Harrison's Cave you'll discover a totally new world, a fabulous crystallized cave system—the island’s No. 1 tourist attraction. In these subtly-lit caverns you’ll pass by flowing streams, tumbling waterfalls, smooth-as-glass pools, eerily beautiful stalagmites and stalactites, and huge caverns such as Great Hall. The high point: disembarking from the tram, far below the ground, to walk alongside a stunning waterfall. Be sure your camera batteries are strong before you descend, as ambient light is low and photos require flash.

Oistins: Coming to Oistins on a Friday night is one of those things you must do or you can't really say you've been to Barbados. Besides, it's fun and atmosphere-packed. The bay at Oistins, a charming fishing port on the island’s south, nestles bright-colored fishing vessels. The wharfside market is a lively mix of food stalls, bars, and dance halls. On Friday nights it's the place to be for tourists and locals alike. A high-spirited buzz takes hold as dozens of stalls sell plates piled with fried fish and macaroni pie; artisans ply their wares; and dancers (including the two of you!) strut their stuff to old-time calypso.

Rum Factory Tours: When the lights go down in the Mount Gay Rum Visitor's Center—the replica of an ancient island rum shop—you'll watch a dramatic video relating the company's more than 300-year history. After a short factory tour, it’s off to the rum tasting everybody's really there for. If you like, stick around and enjoy lunch later on the outdoor deck, accompanied by a delish rum punch. ~ Barbados is known for the high quality of its rum, and a few other distilleries are open for tours (although the consensus is that Mount Gay gives the best show). Malibu Rum offers a tour, and the small ticket price includes a day's entry to Malibu Beach and a rum sampling at the end. The tour gives an overview of the rum biz; you'll probably see barrel makers, cane crushing, distilling, and whatever else might be going on. ~ In business since 1966, Heritage Park and Four Square distillery is situated on the grounds of a sugar plantation dating back to the 1600s. ~ If you're really curious about the making of rum, visit the beautifully-restored, all-stone 1727 Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill. While you'll encounter the ruins of hundreds of sugar mills on Barbados, the Morgan Lewis is one of only two authentic and intact sugar mills left in the Caribbean. Along with a big wallop of history, you'll get panoramic views of the island’s eastern coast.

More Info: Barbados Tourism Authority

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All written material ©WGH ~ Photos: TarikB (top photo; CC license); Barbados Tourism Authority