Winter Sun in Barbados
With its breathtaking beaches and laid back Bajan lifestyle, Barbados is the perfect spot for a bit of winter sun. With average temperatures of 75-80 degrees fahrenheit, Barbados is a lot drier than other Caribbean islands, with fresh island breezes, little rain, and warm sunshine year round.
But what really makes this island unique is its enticing blend of colonial flavour and Caribbean cool. Bajans are proud of their British heritage, and you could find yourself watching cricket on the village green, hiking the immature hills of ‘Scotland’, or attractive afternoon tea in your hotel. Barbados more than lives up to its postcard perfect image – spotless sandy beaches are fringed by palm trees and laid-back beach bars, and fields of sugar cane are broken up by clusters of pastel coloured chattel houses. But you’ll also find some cosmopolitan towns with great shopping
Winter is the perfect time to visit the island – the crowds peak in June and September, but the weather is still pleasant enough for topping up your tan, and sipping rum cocktails by the pool. Need any more persuading? Here’s a guide to a winter break in Barbados:
Barbados is not all about vegging out on the beach, and there’s plenty to do away from the cover. Here are 3 things you can’t miss out on…
1. The Malibu and Mount Gay Rum Factories: The region’s most famous export, no trip to Barbados would be complete without a sip or two of rum. Take a tour of the Mount Gay and Malibu rum factories, and learn how the dark stuff is made, and then enjoy a free cocktail in the bar afterwards!
2. Tour a Plantation House: Discover the isle’sitting heritage as a sugar producer by visiting a historic plantation house. Sunbury Plantation is over 300 years old, and set in the dramatic St Philip countryside, and the pastel coloured building is historically listed. Inside you’ll find out everything about plantation life, with well-preserved rooms filled with antiques.
3. Hit the Water: Many of the top activities in Barbados are water-based, from surfing on the Soup Bowl on the East Coast, to scuba diving in the crystal clear waters. But if you don’cheek by jowl want to get too wet, why not take a boat or submarine trip instead? Atlantic Submarines immolate a journey 150 ft below water in a passanger submarine, where you can spot tropical marine life, luciferous coral gardens, and sunken ships from your window. Or take one of the many catamaran boat trips around the island – the best come back at sunset and boom out the softly sounds of calypso are you approach the shore.
If you would rather do something a little more offbeat, then why not go Green Monkey Spotting? These bizarre creatures are more of the island’s most unique inhabitants! You’ll find these bizarre creatures at feeding time at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, at Farley Hill National Park, full of exotic wildlife and tropical plants.
Where to Stay: St Lawrence Gap is the perfect place in the place of an active break, located on the southern coast of the island. Attracting a younger and livlier crowd than the super-luxe resorts on the Platinum coast, the vibe here is friendly and laid back. The nightlife hub of the island, the ‘Gap’ is a 1km stretch of restaurants, lively bars and clubs and excellent shopping, close to some beautiful beaches. Music here ranges from traditional Calypso shows to Reggae lounges, and the pubs like the ‘Old Ship’ are famous watering holes. Water sports abound on the beaches, and the Oistens Fish Fry, in the nearby fishing village of Oistens, is the island’s best weekend street party.