Barbados Recommendations

Hello all,
We are going to Barbados for the first time in August and was wondering if anybody had any recommendations on trips/places to visit while we are there. We are going with Virgin and are not sure whether they run any excursions, or whether we maybe need to hire a car for a couple of days.
Any opinions welcome,

Regards.

Hi and welcome..

If you're going with VH they'll be falling over themselves to offer excursions.

One way of mining a rich seam of experience is to go to the Trip Report Index and look at the TRs for VS030 (BGI->LGW).

Enjoy it when you go.

Paul

Hi and welcome.

As pjh has said VH will probably offer excursions although I have often found these to be overpriced.

There are many things to do on the island depending on your taste although hiring a car for a couple of days is probably a good idea. PM me if you would like more info on excursions and/or car hire.

Paul is quite right, VH will be exceptionally keen to sell you any number of their many 'exclusive' trips and excursions. However, if I were you I'd avoid the majority of them, mainly because they're nowhere near as 'exclusive' as they'd have you believe. Their 'exclusive' (there's that word again!) catamaran cruise is usually more jam-packed than the regular trips.

If you want to do a catamaran cruise - and trust me, you do - then Silvermoon is one of our absolute faves. Failing that, try Cool Runnings, who've always proved to be a friendly and reliable bunch.

The best way to see the island is by hiring a car for a couple of days and getting lost (and I don't care how good your map-reading is, you will get lost). Failing that - and assuming you might enjoy a rum punch or three - look up Ted's Tour. He's a white Barbadian with a real love for his island and a host of the most appalling one-liners you'll ever have to endure ("this building on our right used to be the leprosy hospital - people would pay an arm and a leg to get in there!).

Finally, I'd give the Atlantis submarine a try and - if you like your wildlife - a trip to the Green Monkey Sanctuary is a must. Feeding time is about 2:30, so make sure you get there before then.

It's a great island with loads to see and do, so enjoy! And don't get Shanghaied by the VH rep...

It's a great island with loads to see and do, so enjoy! And don't get Shanghaied by the VH rep...

Sound advice from the lately absent good Dr. and pefauk.

My 2 cents...

Go and see a cricket match if at all possible... I found the Kensington Oval to be a cheap day out and pretty atmospheric.

Barbados wildlife reserve - definitely worth a visit, although I think the tortoises outnumber just about every other species there. Think this is the same place as the green monkey sanctuary mdvipond mentions. And whatever you do, don't carry any fruit in your pockets, they can sniff it out a mile away.

Waterfront Cafe - decent marina-side bar in the centre of Bridgetown. We always end up there having a beer or two when we visit.

Car hire - oh yeah, I'd definitely second that suggestion. And the roads have improved considerably over the past few years. But seriously, just get out there and onto the back roads, you can quite happily get lost in the knowledge you will, at some point, hit the coast and go from there.

Harrisons Cave - only mentioning this because it's considered one of the 'main attractions'. But can't say I'm a huge fan. I like wandering around caves on foot, but here they stick you on big people carriers for the tour. Personally I think that Cheddar Gorge is more impressive. And cooler.

Also, not sure where you are staying, but a trip on a yellow bus into Bridgetown is often interesting - not least because you drive through parts of ths city that you wouldn't generally be steered towards as a tourist (which basically is the 'duty free' street that Cave Shepherd is on), but also because you get some weird and wonderful drivers, decorations, and (loud) music on them. Almost a party in themselves sometimes.

If you want to do a catamaran cruise - and trust me, you do - then Silvermoon is one of our absolute faves.

glad you still rate it .
To the op Silvermoon is in a league of its own ^) .
Hire a car as the others have said and just explore .
DL

hi ,

having just returned from barbados i agree with the advice above.
you will also be greeted by VH on arrival and quickly shown to there desk with cold water and a goodie pack.
the VH rep !!!! "i wont mention his name" but he didnt have the best of names around our hotel.
however the Exclusive virgins ahoy catamaran cruise is worth it, being with other VH people makes for good chat.
also try st lawrence gap at night, its very safe and a great party atmosphere.
the whole VH experience is very good


enjoy your holiday

jason

Many thanks to all for your tips.
Certainly looking forward to it. Only about 30 days of work to endure first 8D !!!

If you want to do a catamaran cruise - and trust me, you do - then Silvermoon is one of our absolute faves.

glad you still rate it .
To the op Silvermoon is in a league of its own ^) .
Hire a car as the others have said and just explore .
DL

I would gladly hack off my left arm right now to be on one of their fresh, white little cats bobbing along in the warm Caribbean Sea. Ah well, best chuck another bucket of coal on the fire and make a cup of cocoa. Oh to be in Britain in July!

I would gladly hack off my left arm right now to be on one of their fresh, white little cats bobbing along in the warm Caribbean Sea.

Drinking a (very) large G+T and eating their scrummy macaroni pie...time for another trip I think .

I would gladly hack off my left arm right now to be on one of their fresh, white little cats bobbing along in the warm Caribbean Sea.

Drinking a (very) large G+T and eating their scrummy macaroni pie...time for another trip I think .

Oh hell, I was only there a couple of months back and now you lot are giving me withdrawal symptoms! If this 'summer' continues much longer I may crack and make it twice in a year...

Half day at the mount gay rum factory great way to blur half a day

Weather is most important factor for any trip B)
August is where the tropical storm worries begin. Hurricane season is upon us, but wait. Don't let a little rain deter you. August is still one of the most popular months to visit. Barbados is located more than 100 miles away from the hurricane path and has only been hit with 8 major hurricanes since the 1600's.

Major hurricanes are five time more likely to hit Miami than Barbados.So i will suggest you take a look on weather report before trip. y)

Hire a car and visit the Atlantic coast,
Breathtaking beauty with dramatic coastline ( not good for bathing) and best of all you will feel as though you are on a desert island, quite a contrast to the Caribbean side.
As mentioned by others, you may get lost, but not for long.

Weather is most important factor for any trip B)
August is where the tropical storm worries begin. Hurricane season is upon us, but wait. Don't let a little rain deter you. August is still one of the most popular months to visit. Barbados is located more than 100 miles away from the hurricane path and has only been hit with 8 major hurricanes since the 1600's.

Major hurricanes are five time more likely to hit Miami than Barbados.So i will suggest you take a look on weather report before trip. y)

Welcome... Although can't help noticing the more than passing resemblance of your post to what can be seen on http://www.barbados-travel-secrets.com/ ... bados.html

As for your (definitely not advertising) link... Sealink... IT'S THAT WOMAN AGAIN! I think she's watching us ):

Ahem... Too much claret tonight I suspect...

Are there any particular car hire firms that people recommend for Barbados? I've seen Stoutes and they look pretty good.

Are there any particular car hire firms that people recommend for Barbados? I've seen Stoutes and they look pretty good.

I've used Stoutes numerous times with no problems .
DL

Are there any particular car hire firms that people recommend for Barbados? I've seen Stoutes and they look pretty good.

Thanks, I'll make the booking today!

Been to BGW 4 times - agree with all the comments above. We usually hire a car from the airport - saves all the messing about on the 'bus'. Have used Stoutes before - very good. If you have a Garmin satnav you can get a Barbados Map free - check out http://www.accu-nav.com/BajanNav/BajanNavFree.html some of the roads are not very well signposted but it is difficult to get lost for long.
We are off to Antiuga in a couple of weeks - just for comparsison purposes.B.

One other thing I wonder about is what currency to use. Is it best to use Barbados Dollars or am I ok just using US Dollars?

Take US Dollars - as many small denomination notes as possible as you will get change in Barbados dollars - so end up with three currencies! All usually works out well if you recycle the Barbados dollars for small purchases/tips, though USD seem much more 'welcome'

Been to BGW 4 times - agree with all the comments above. We usually hire a car from the airport - saves all the messing about on the 'bus'. Have used Stoutes before - very good. If you have a Garmin satnav you can get a Barbados Map free - check out http://www.accu-nav.com/BajanNav/BajanNavFree.html some of the roads are not very well signposted but it is difficult to get lost for long.
We are off to Antiuga in a couple of weeks - just for comparsison purposes.B.

I think you'll love Antigua its beautiful. I personally prefer it to Barbados.

Been to BGW 4 times - agree with all the comments above. We usually hire a car from the airport - saves all the messing about on the 'bus'. Have used Stoutes before - very good. If you have a Garmin satnav you can get a Barbados Map free - check out http://www.accu-nav.com/BajanNav/BajanNavFree.html some of the roads are not very well signposted but it is difficult to get lost for long.
We are off to Antiuga in a couple of weeks - just for comparsison purposes.B.

I think you'll love Antigua its beautiful. I personally prefer it to Barbados.

I'm looking forward to Antigua as well next Easter. I do really really love Barbados, but when you're looking at a good (I hope) 4* property in Antigua with PE flights, and it comes out £2k cheaper than something similar in Barbados - flying Economy - then I just felt it had to be worth a try.

And if it doesn't work out, then back to Turtle Beach the following year!

Been to BGW 4 times - agree with all the comments above. We usually hire a car from the airport - saves all the messing about on the 'bus'. Have used Stoutes before - very good. If you have a Garmin satnav you can get a Barbados Map free - check out http://www.accu-nav.com/BajanNav/BajanNavFree.html some of the roads are not very well signposted but it is difficult to get lost for long.
We are off to Antiuga in a couple of weeks - just for comparsison purposes.B.

I think you'll love Antigua its beautiful. I personally prefer it to Barbados.

I'm looking forward to Antigua as well next Easter. I do really really love Barbados, but when you're looking at a good (I hope) 4* property in Antigua with PE flights, and it comes out £2k cheaper than something similar in Barbados - flying Economy - then I just felt it had to be worth a try.

And if it doesn't work out, then back to Turtle Beach the following year!

Where are you staying in Antigua?

We got married there and are returning in a couple of weeks for the third time so I'm slightly biased, but its one of the only places my Husband and I agree on