Barbados has a tropical climate, distinguished by two distinct seasons, a dry period that starts in January and lasts through June and a wet season between July and October when it is also the hurricane season. Overall, visitors are welcomed with warm weather year-round and average daytime high temperatures reaching 30oC (86oF). As for the water temperatures, these are also high enough year-round, at around 25oC (77oF) on average. Swimming is a pleasant activity throughout the year in Barbados, which also enjoys more than 3,000 hours of sunshine annually!
The Amerindians were the first indigenous inhabitants of Barbados who lived on the island way before the first European settlers (Spanish) landed in 1511. The Amerindians originated from Venezuela, but their land was claimed for the Spanish crown when Spanish explorers found Barbados.
A century later, the Portuguese also reached the island, which was eventually colonised by the British in 1627. That is the beginning of a new era for Barbados, with Holetown being the first British settlement (to the island's west). With the arrival of the British settlers, a part of the dense Barbados rainforest was cut down and replaced with cotton and tobacco fields. Slavery and sugarcane were also introduced during this time.
Eventually, Barbados became independent in 1966 and is no longer a British colony. Slavery has also been abolished since 1834, and Barbados is now part of the Commonwealth States.
The powdery beaches of Barbados, along with its heart-stopping reefs, draw thousands of visitors annually, making it one of the most visited Caribbean destinations. Some of the most famous landmarks in Barbados are scenic Crane Beach, Bridgetown, the capital of the nation and a major port town that is also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with beautiful British architecture, a historic centre, colourful houses, a military garrison, and the infamous Chamberlain Bridge speaking of the island’s rich history.
Another must-visit place is St. Nicholas Abbey, a historic site that describes when the island was home to over 500 sugar plantations. The site also includes a sugar museum and one of the oldest colonial plantations in Barbados, Sunbury Plantation House.
Of course, equally worthy of your time and energy are Morgan Lewis Hill, a former sugar mill now opening occasionally exclusively for sugar cane grind demonstrations, and Harrison’s Cave, which is enchanting visitors with its pristine waters and the elaborate nearly 3-kilometre (around 1.6 miles) cave system.
Barbados' cuisine is a wonderful mix of English, French, Portuguese, and African food traditions. Although influenced by many cuisines, the local gastronomy produces an inviting and delicious collection of dishes adapted to the local lifestyle, with the use of different local herbs, marinated fish or meats, starchy side dishes, such as sweet potatoes, salads, fruits, and the infamous spice mix batter or gravy. As for the national dish of Barbados, that would be flying fish and Cou-Cou (cornmeal stew starring okra).
Other typical Barbados foods are flying fish sandwiches, where flying fish is dipped in a spicy batter after it has been seasoned and is then deep fried or grilled. The most popular accompaniments for this dish is macaroni pie (baked macaroni and cheese, spiced with curry powder) or French fries and either coleslaw or some salad. Of course, pudding and souse (spicy pickled pork with potatoes) and conkies (corn cookies wrapped in banana leaves) are also tasty options you should treat your palate with while in Barbados!
