Barbados for 5 Days - What to do?

Hello v-flyers,

I have just today decided to spend 5 days in Barbados early next month. Just done the booking through VH. I'm booked PE return from LGW to BGI (hopefully I won't regret not shelling out the extra dosh for UC. Will be staying at the Waves Resort/Hotel.

So help please, unlike my usual self, I have made absolutely no plans. I just decided to de-stress and figured this would be a perfect place to do it.

But why trawl the web when I have the resources of seasoned v-flyers to help me out. y)

ALL Suggestions would be most welcome.

The mount gay rum factory tour is a must also a night at oistins is also great fun

The mount gay rum factory tour is a must also a night at oistins is also great fun

Thanks. That sounds like fun.

Find beach
Sit
Order rum punch

Repeat

Find beach
Sit
Order rum punch

Repeat

That's just 2 days of activity. But that's what the doctor ordered.

Hi Tinuks

We did 5 days in Barbados a few years ago, well worth the flight & we did it in economy.

Animal Flower Caves on the northern tip are amazing, well worth a visit.

Enjoy every moment, am sooo envious!

Safe trip.

R-P

De- stressing has been made de rigeur by Bajans .
Silvermoon http://silvermoonbarbados.com/is an absloute "must do" on our visits.
Despite the horrid construction in recent years Crane Beach is still worth a visit too (although I've given up on staying there as it's now just too big and American v( )
Oistins is a fun night out too.
Have fun - it's a great place .
DL

The wildlife reserve is worth half a day, especially if you like counting tortoises (which outnumber just about everything else).

Any cricket on at the Kensington Oval while you're there? Matter of opinion of course, but if you like the sport, it's about the most developed ground in the caribbean, although a can of Banks will still only set you back a couple of dollars.

Otherwise.... did anyone mention rum punch?

Very jealous, next easter flights are crazy money and I'm almost on the verge of boycotting on principle!

Find beach
Sit
Order rum punch

Repeat

That's just 2 days of activity. But that's what the doctor ordered.

Sorry, should have been Repeat * 5. Managed a Repeat * 10 last year, but the place we were staying made it difficult to justify moving from the lounger.

I am a regular visitor to Barbados spending about 4 months per year there.
My top tips would be to take a catamaran cruise to go and swim with the turtles on Calabaza. It is the best cat in Barbados and only holds a max of 12 people. The crew are fantastic, the food is top class and premium drinks all day. They will collect you from your hotel and drop you back all inc in the price.
If you are there on a Friday then go visit Oistins fish fry during the evening, it goes on until about 1am or so.
Waves hotel is not far from Holetown where there are some lovely little bars and restaurants and some laid back nightlife at the weekends.
For one of the best beaches on the island go to Alleynes Bay and visit Ramshackles Bar, you can hire snorkel equipment there and swim with the turtles directly off the beach. You can just jump on the bus and ask the driver to put you off there if you don't hire a car.
If you can get over to the East coast then Bathsheba is well worth a visit, it is very rugged and beautiful.
I will also be there from the 9th Oct staying just down the road from Waves in Fitts Village.
If you want any more info let me know and have a great time chillin in paradise.

Thanks for all the info guys, I really think I'm going to have an absolute blast.

Rum, beaches, seafood, did I mention rum?

A helicopter tour of the Island. Visit Nelson's Column in Bridgetown.

A helicopter tour of the Island. Visit Nelson's Column in Bridgetown.

It sounds like fun. Hope it's reasonably priced.

I second Bathsheba, hire a car and explore. Also we liked the Friday night fish fry, some nutters on the 'dance floor' and yummy food.
We also visited some underground caves, can't remember the name,
Oh and the tortoises, hundreds of them, some were getting a bit amorous

It's a great island, we hope to go back soon. Enjoy !!

There are no longer Helicopter trips in Barbados.
The caves are called Harrison Caves and are spectacular!

There are no longer Helicopter trips in Barbados.
The caves are called Harrison Caves and are spectacular!

Some of the tours are great, but one of the main reasons I return to Barbados time and time again, is the warmth and welcome from the Bajians.

The island is changing slightly, becoming a little less exclusive each year, but the essential "vibe" of the place hasn't changed much yet.

You've had most of the suggestions on here - but one thing I did was to hire a taxi for the day - this way isn't too expensive, and you'll get some local knowledge thrown in rather than a car and a map!!

East cost is great, and make sure you call in at St John's church - one of the most atmospheric places I've ever been, and I'm not at all religious.

Oistins is a must do, Harrison's caves are fascinating and all the other things suggested.

Overall though, Barbados is about relaxing and enjoying, so don't over do the trips and emerse yourself for a short time in the little piece of paradise that siland is...

Tinuks wrote:

Will be staying at the Waves Resort/Hotel.

It'd be great to share a rum punch or three with a fellow V-Flyer Tinkus: I'll be at the same hotel at the same time.

Paul

Some of the tours are great, but one of the main reasons I return to Barbados time and time again, is the warmth and welcome from the Bajians.

The island is changing slightly, becoming a little less exclusive each year, but the essential "vibe" of the place hasn't changed much yet.

You've had most of the suggestions on here - but one thing I did was to hire a taxi for the day - this way isn't too expensive, and you'll get some local knowledge thrown in rather than a car and a map!!

East cost is great, and make sure you call in at St John's church - one of the most atmospheric places I've ever been, and I'm not at all religious.

Oistins is a must do, Harrison's caves are fascinating and all the other things suggested.

Overall though, Barbados is about relaxing and enjoying, so don't over do the trips and emerse yourself for a short time in the little piece of paradise that siland is...

Very wise words.

I think what I'll settle for is an even split. Explore for 2 straight days and lounge for most of the day on others.

I think I'll go for:

Day 1: A local taxi around to get a feel of the area and definitely St. Johns (I love cathedrals)
Day 2: A visit to the caves
Day 3: The cruise as suggested by DL
Day 4: Lounge all day and Oistins in the evening.
Day 5: Nothing

Thanks again all for your helpful hints.

Tinuks wrote:

Will be staying at the Waves Resort/Hotel.

It'd be great to share a rum punch or three with a fellow V-Flyer Tinkus: I'll be at the same hotel at the same time.

Paul

That would be absolutely super. I look forward to it.

Hello all. Sorry to say I've been rather absent from these fora for a while. Such a busy beaver nowadays.

Those who know me will be aware that we're big Barbados fans. I'd concur with most of what's already been recommended and, in particular, would highlight the earlier mention of Ramshackle Bar. Very cool, very Bajan.

If you fancy a tour with a difference, I'd give Ted's Tours a go. Great tour, fantastic lunch, awful jokes.

Am I right in saying that it looks like there might be a couple V-Flyers out there next month? We're there from the 16th - anyone fancy a rum punch?

I am there from 9th October until 13th November and am a regular at Ramshackles! Where do you stay mdvipond?

Sorry tinuks, never been there... but I do agree most fervently with this:

Find beach
Sit
Order rum punch

Repeat

Enjoy your hol 8D

mdvipond wrote:

Am I right in saying that it looks like there might be a couple V-Flyers out there next month? We're there from the 16th - anyone fancy a rum punch?

I fly home on 12 October. Which is a great shame mdvipond as it would have been my absolute pleasure to buy you a rum punch by way of a thank you for your utterly outstanding LGW - MCO trip report from last year oo) ^) oo)

Of course, I would immediately have to take said rum punch away again owing to you not furnishing us with details of your return leg... n( n(

Lel: That's a seriously long holiday - very nice! I would happily seek out Ramshackles. If tinuks can make it too it could be a very merry little V-Flyer social indeed!

Hi Lel. We're staying at Treasure Beach on Payne's Bay. Be our 8th or 9th time there, I think. I'm guessing you're renting or have your own place?

Mr. LetThereBeFlight. Thank you very much for such a kind comment. Shame I'll miss the free rum punch (and meeting you, of course!). I was hoping to get away with leaving my last TR unfinished, but dear Honey Lamb has been applying the whip recently, so I may have to complete it before we set off for Barbados (or I'll never hear the end of it...).