Barbados
While it's justifiably famed for its fantastic beaches, Barbados is an
island that has it all. In addition to fine powdery sand and brilliant
turquoise bays, you'll find smashing nightlife, a Unesco World Heritage-listed
capital, a beautiful interior dotted with gardens, and wild surf on the lonely
east coast, all inhabited by a proud and welcoming populace.
Barbados is one of the
thirteen countries that make up the Antilles or Caribbean Islands and is
located in the Lesser Antilles. Its capital and most populous city is
Bridgetown. Like all the islands in the Caribbean, Barbados has a lot to offer,
especially beautiful beaches.
Culture & History
Barbados was a British colony until 1966 when it
obtained its independence. It is the oldest and most developed island in the
region. It received this name from the visit that the Portuguese made to their
lands, based on the long, aerial roots of a local fig plant that resembled a
beard.
The dominant culture in this rich island state is
fueled by the people's love of music and the arts, its nightlife, sports, and
its beautiful beaches.
Barbados has a fairly developed community with local
music that generally revolves around reggae, calypso, jazz, ska, gospel and
combinations of reggae and calypso with other styles. Despite its small
population, Barbadian music thrives because people are so into music.
The cuisine of
Barbados has influences from African gastronomy, due to the slaves who were
brought from those lands to work in sugar cane, ingredients such as rice, peas,
beans and vegetables such as okra arrived from Africa, very popular in
Barbados. Barbadian cuisine is also influenced by British cuisine and a bit by
Indian cuisine.
Fish and shellfish are
the main base of Barbadian cuisine, the most consumed is the flying fish, but
swordfish, horse mackerel, red snapper, tuna, shark, sea bream, and lobsters
are also consumed.
You can find special
plates like: cou cou (made with okra and corn flour that usually accompanies
flying fish or cod), jug-jug: (guinea corn with peas), and pepper pot (a spiced
stew with coconut milk.)
Urban Experience
Barbados has a thriving
nightlife, gourmet restaurants for foodies, and a variety of attractions and
activities to enjoy. The island, with a total area of
431 square kilometers and whose tourist and hotel epicenter is in Bridgetown,
its capital, enjoys a tropical climate that remains between 26 and 31 degrees
Celsius.
It has paradisiacal beaches with white sand, landscapes full of color
and a cultural agenda with plans not to miss. The island also becomes an
excellent destination for shopping, as tourists do not pay taxes. All they have
to do is present their passport to buy whatever they want, at a good price. The
stores with the highest demand are located in Bridgetown and Limegrove
Lifestyle Center.
Joy and music are two
very common aspects of the Bajan vocabulary (Barbadian), so it is not uncommon
to suppose that there is a complete inventory of cultural events that highlight
their culture. One of the most important is Crop Over, the most popular and
colorful festival in Barbados, which takes place between July and August and
attracts citizens and tourists around music, dance and gastronomy.
Outdoors & Adventure
Delight in the Caribbean
appeal of Barbados, a majestic island that is known for its 60 beaches of
crystal clear white sand. On the west coast, you can find sunny and sheltered
beaches; while on the east coast, you will find beaches with corals and
excellent winds ideal for surfing. Head south to dive or snorkel in the
reef-filled waters.
Barbados also has a myriad
of settings to relax in the midst of a peaceful environment and enjoy all kinds
of entertainment and fun plans. For those who want to practice water sports
such as kitesurfing and windsurfing, the northern beaches are ideal and if
surfing is your thing, go to those on the east side; and if your plan is
diving, those in the west are the most suitable.
One
of the most common and fun plans in Barbados is sailing on a catamaran in the
middle of the blue giant that under the light of a radiant sun draws a
paradisiacal scene. The tour includes a walk along the west coast and has stops
to dive or snorkel with sea turtles of different species, which can be seen
throughout the year in all parts of the island. Another must-see plan is the Atlantis
Submarine, an ideal option for those who want to get to know the aquatic
universe in detail. The ride departs from Bridgetown and the submarine drops
down to 55 meters deep to see animals, corals and shipwrecks up close.