Barbados Travel Guide: Rum, Cricket & the Caribbean's Most Beautiful Beaches

# Barbados Travel Guide: Rum, Cricket & Caribbean Paradise

Barbados is different from other Caribbean islands. It's made of coral limestone, not volcanic rock, which means the sand is impossibly white and the water impossibly clear. It's also the birthplace of rum — and they take that seriously.

The Caribbean side. Calm, glass-like water perfect for swimming. The sand here is legendary — crushed coral, stays cool underfoot. Luxury resorts line the coast from Holetown to Speightstown.

Paynes Bay has the best swimming and often has sea turtles feeding on the grass beds just offshore.

The Atlantic side. Wild, wind-whipped, and rugged. The Soup Bowl at Bathsheba is one of the world's great surf breaks. Even if you don't surf, the coastline here is worth the drive — dramatic cliffs, blowholes, and the hauntingly beautiful Bathsheba rock formations.

The capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Parliament Buildings are neo-Gothic and open to visitors. Walk the Chamberlain Bridge and browse the duty-free shops on Broad Street.

The Garrison area has the most intact collection of 18th-19th century British military buildings anywhere. The changing of the sentry happens every Thursday at noon.

Barbados invented rum. Mount Gay (since 1703) is the world's oldest commercial rum distillery. The tour includes a tasting of four rums and a cocktail class. Book the Signature Tour (longer, more rum). Four Square and St. Nicholas Abbey are also excellent — St. Nicholas is a 1658 plantation house with a steam-powered mill.

Friday nights in the fishing village of Oistins. Grilled marlin, flying fish, macaroni pie, and Banks beer. Music, dancing, and the most authentic Bajan experience you'll have. Arrive by 7pm — it gets packed.

- **The Crane** (southeast) — Historic resort on a cliff. The beach below is consistently rated one of the world's best

- **Cobblers Cove** (west) — Small, elegant, 40 suites. The quintessential English-countryside-meets-Caribbean hotel

- **Budget**: Guesthouses in Hastings or Worthing — $50-80/night, right on the boardwalk

- **Cuz's Fish Shack** — A shack on Pebbles Beach. The fish cutter (sandwich) will change your life

- **Oistins** — Friday night. See above. Go to Pat's Place or Uncle George's

- **The Cliff** — Fine dining built into a cliff face over the water. Expensive and worth it for a special night