Barbados

Barbados

Another of the British influenced islands, Barbados retains the Empires customs of afternoon tea, cricket and polo matches. For more fun, take a stroll through the outdoor straw market and Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown, The Barbados Meseu and the Flower Forest. Soak up the sun on one of the many postcard beaches. Barbados beaches are truly some of the most beautiful in the Caribbean. In fact, the beach at The Crane was rated "one of the ten best beaches in the world" by Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

Attractions

Barbados is an island of great natural beauty, from the wonder of underground caves to the beautiful vistas and the tropical colors of flora found across the island! If you like nature, hiking, plants, culture and natural history, then the self guided tour of Welchman Hall Gully Tropical Forest must not be missed! Discover a wide range of tropical plants! Be sure to visit Harrison's Cave, an underground cave with bubbling streams, thundering waterfalls, tumbling cascades and deep pools!

Activities

Turtle Bay includes many activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, or a submarine dive aboard the Atlantis submarine. Many land activities include mountain biking, horseback riding, safari rides through the Wildlife Reserve, hiking, and golfing. Explore Harrison's Cave, a unique phenomenon of nature, where colossal stalactites hang from the ceilings, stalagmites thrust up from the ground, and streams of crystal-clear water drop from breathtaking falls into emerald green pools.

Shopping

With high-quality, tax-free merchandise, excellent service by friendly and knowledgeable sales staff, and comfortable, air-conditioned stores, shopping in Barbados is beyond what you could even imagine! Duty-free shopping is especially popular, with prices typically being 30 to 50% less than in Europe and North America. The heart and soul of shopping in Barbados is Broad Street in the capital city, Bridgetown. There you will find several large department stores and duty free shops. In addition to the specialty stores (such as jewelry stores featuring specialty brands), there are several shopping malls offering a wide variety of products and services. Just outside of Bridgetown is the Bayshore Complex, worth a stop for its shopping, and historic value. Pelican Village, on the outskirts of Bridgetown, is the place to get local handicrafts including straw bags, wall hangings, batik, paintings, rum cakes, and much more! Shopping in Barbados is by no means confined to Bridgetown. There are several smaller towns like Holetown in St.James and Speightstown in St.Peter that feature craft shops and gift shops. Several shopping malls and plazas are also located outside of Bridgetown. Chattel Village shopping areas are becoming increasingly popular in Barbados. These feature shops made in traditional chattel house style and selling souvenirs, gift items, clothing and local arts and crafts. You can find these chattel villages at Holetown, St.James and St.Lawrence Gap, Christ Church.

Currency

The Barbados dollar (BBD) is the official currency. U.S. dollars, traveler's checks and credit cards are widely accepted.

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