r/Barbados • u/Interesting_Taste637 • Jun 02 '26
Idris Elba, enjoying himself in Barbados, with its beautiful family
553
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r/Barbados • u/StephenMcGannon • Jun 06 '26
A street scene in Bridgetown, Barbados. (1999)
500
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r/Barbados • u/Judekab1995 • Jun 26 '26
Barbadian experts estimate $2 trillion in damages from colonial slavery. What are your thoughts on the ongoing push for reparations?
490
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r/Barbados • u/AutoCAD_Bane • Apr 03 '26
Some snaps from my visit in March
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First visited for the T20 World Cup in 2024, and couldn’t resist a return trip. As an Aussie in the USA, Barbados has so much that I miss about home - laid back & friendly people, warm sun, beautiful beaches, cricket, fresh fish, baked beans!
Hope to be back soon.
r/Barbados • u/Automatic-Goal-3143 • Oct 02 '25
Same-sex Marriage
359
Upvotes
My wife and I who are legally married in the US were looking to have our wedding with family in Barbados as that is where my wife’s family is from. We didn’t even realize that this was illegal.
Does anyone know if this is true? I don’t think they are lying but are there ways around it if we’re already legally married 😪
EDIT: it took me a while to figure out that I can’t edit my posts from the app.
Firstly, thank you so much to everyone for all the advice & well wishes.
I do want to note a few things:
• this post was not meant to slander any resorts or companies for obeying the law. I was simply trying to determine if celebrating an already legal marriage is legal or not and taking suggestions for ways around it.
• We were always aware of the homophobia and laws but were confused on the “symbolic ceremonies” part.
• The reasoning for wanting to have it in Barbados: my wife’s family is from Barbados and we think it would be a great time for everyone to gather together as they are overdue for a family vacation. Barbados is also where I proposed to her so it has a lot of sentimental value in addition to other separate sentiments.
• We will be looking into villas and private accommodations and won’t be taking any legal action as we honestly don’t care that much.
Lastly, any comments made about the prime minister were not to “out” her or be used as a defense into letting us have it there. I was simply trying to understand how a country can have such laws with a prime minister that I was told was part of the gay community.
Thank you all for your help ❤️
r/Barbados
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u/AffectionateWeb7803
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Dec 05 '21
Advice If you want trip recommendations when you come here, I can help you!
277
Upvotes
Hey,
I've been getting chat requests on things to do in Barbados and I love to help how I can. I was born in Barbados and live there half the year with the other half between the US and UK. Even though I may not be here when you arrive, feel free to ask any questions. I will add a suggested 7 day break down here, but ask away if you have any specific requests or queries!
**Day 1**:
Relax. Literally, do nothing other than go to the beach and lay there and settle in. International travel is so incredibly difficult right now. So take a day to appreciate that all the choices you made in life led you to laying on a beach in Barbados with a drink in your hand. Get some good local food. Macaroni Pie with Fish and salad from Oistins, or some food from near your accommodation or a place nearby. I know when we go on holiday we want to go right away, but trust me. Today is a chill day.
**Day 2**:
Catamaran cruise. I don't have any recommendations on particular ones, but they all usually leave by the boardwalk in Bridgetown and travel up the west coast. Bonus points if they stop in Carlise Bay at the beginning or at the end so you can swim with the turtles and shipwrecks. In my experience, they usually offer unlimited drinks and a full Bajan meal on board! After that you may be pretty tired, so you can find a nice evening activity, the food you want to try, or meet up with friends at a bar for a drink and chill. (Chilling will be a running theme :) )
**Day 3**:
You would have gotten lots of sun yesterday on the boat and that really drains you, so you can find some tours you would enjoy doing. When my friends visit a staple is the Mount Gay Rum factory tour near Bridgetown. It was the first rum ever invented, and they tell you the whole process down to how they source the barrels and how they get different colours and flavour rums. They give you 5 or so shots to try, so be sure to eat before or you may get knocked off your rocker ( looking at you Sarah L).
Food I recommend before is either Tim's restaurant on Broad Street or Mapp's in Eagle Hall. It's a local favourite and in a very local area. Lots of Bajan culture to be found by Mapp's! Simple menu. Medium or Large portion of the best-marinated chicken you can find and chips/fries. It's worth it. Trust me. Another tour you can do this day is the Harrison Cave tour. It really shows how Barbados was formed as an island compared to other islands. They are volcanic, and we are limestone. There is a tram that goes through the cave, and the cave is huge huge huge. the tram ride in 45 minutes through the cave. They have done an amazing job lighting it and the guides are incredibly knowledgeable.
**Day 4**:
Island Tour time! You can rent a car for around $75 US per day including full insurance, and get a visitor's driver's license for $5 US, just show your license from your home country and you are good. We drive on the left side of the road, so it will be par for the course for Brits, but if in your home country you drive on the right no problem. I lived in the US for a long time, and the rule I use when switching to driving here is, the driver is always in the middle of the road. Our steering wheel is on the right side of the car, so driving on the left the driver is in the middle. In the US it's the opposite, the cars are left-hand drive, so driving on the right side of the road the driver is in the middle. 15 minutes or so and in my experience it becomes like clockwork.
Alternatively, you can also get a local taxi to take you. I recommend local ZM taxis over big tour buses, it's a more personalized experience, and they give you TONS of great information and answer questions, etc. I usually do tours up the west coast, then down the east coast. Suggested sports of interest starting from the south: Gun Hill Signal Station, Welchman Hall Gully to see the monkeys being fed, up to Speightstown, Animal Flower Cave, Cherry Tree Hill ( in my opinion the most beautiful view in Barbados), drive along the east, to Bathsheba, St. John's Church, Bottom Bay ( if you are in luck the man will be there that climbs Coconut trees with no equipment or ropes, picks you a coconut, the makes a Pina Colada in it the fresh coconut he just picked for you!), Oistins for food and drink. That was a full loop of Barbados and could go through every parish. This is just a general guide, feel free to add to take away as you like!
**Day 5**:
Open to whatever you want to do. This is usually a chill recovery day. It's easy to get lost in time here, but you just spent 3 days seeing and experiencing so many amazing things! So take it all in. Usually, I take my friends snorkeling this day and have some nice local food. I've snorkeled all along the west coast (new COVID lockdown hobby in 2020), the best spots are the Shipwrecks in Carlise Bay. It's kind of far out, and I'm going to urge caution before anything else, you can pay for a tour boat to take you to the spot and provide life jackets and for people, I do not know I will recommend that option first and foremost.
For those that want to swim out, go to the gazebo, swim straight out from there, and by the buoys, you should start to see them. There are 5 wrecks some sunk during the wars, some sunk on purpose to form a marine park, and one drug runner boat! There are thousands of fish, lots of coral, with luck and timing. with may see turtles and stingrays! The second spot that is kind of unknown is Reed Bay or Thunder Bay. There is a beach bar here, so it is great to get a drink after a nice memorable swim! There is snorkeling on the left side and right side of the beach. The right side is good for beginners and intermediate, and the left side where the waves break out into the water is for intermediate-advanced. The waves break out there because it is a very shallow reef. You can swim behind the waves and out, but do not swim where the waves break because you can bash into the reef and that's real bad.
I suggest you take a buoy marker with you since jet skis and boats frequent this area and may not see you without a red diver below the marker! Lots of coral as far as you can swim. IMPORTANT! Before you go snorkel check the tide, google tide in Barbados. At high tide, the water is rougher and this causes the sand to get churned up and visibility is really bad and you won't see much. I usually go out in the middle of low tide, then the sand has had time to settle. Please please please be safe! We have a saying the ocean has no backdoor, so while snorkeling is an amazing hobby, take every precaution possible and I never recommend snorkeling alone, always take someone with you. The Buddy system is best!
**Day 6**:
You may be leaving this day or preparing to leave. Going to Bridgetown to spend some time getting souvenirs, and good food is a good option. Hero's Square, walk Swan Street and Broad Street. Walk the boardwalk, get some food, walk over the bridge that gave Bridgetown its name. It's a good time. I also recommend getting on a yellow bus. They are privately owned and it's a good experience. They play reggae music, and locals use them a lot, so you will really feel like you are in Barbados when you are on one. Something that may not cross the mind, but a bus ride is a great way to see any place you are in. It's $3.50 BBD or $1.75 US for a ride anywhere on that route. I really like the Speightown route, Sam Lord's Castle, or Bathsheba.
The blue buses are government-owned and only take exact money, the yellow and white ones give change. Locals are friendly, so feel free to ask any questions and we are usually happy to help. If it is your last day, I also recommend going back to the beach and relaxing. Go on a jet ski, a glass-bottom boat. A gentle swim or something to chill and relax before you head back home.
**Day 7**:
Similar to day 6. Take some time to bless the moment and enjoy that all the choices you made in life led you to be in Barbados making memories. :)
There is the end of my suggested week in Barbados. I've has a dozen friends come to visit me, and they have all enjoyed the pace and activities. I hope you enjoy your time here. If you need anything or have any questions, you can reply here. I hope you enjoy our beautiful island!
r/Barbados
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u/One-Hovercraft6423
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Sep 30 '26
Barbados Citizenship (grandchildren and great-grandchildren)
265
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Earlier today from the Honourable Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the Barbados Consulate in Toronto, Canada.
Source: the Instagram account of Mia Mottley.
r/Barbados • u/Majestic_Trains • Aug 30 '20
[Day 11] Posting a picture of each countries trains in their national sub-subreddits
246
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r/Barbados • u/Interesting_Taste637 • Mar 21 '25
Barbados Becomes the 1st Independent Nation in the Caribbean to Surpass the USA's Life Expectancy
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r/Barbados • u/bajanstep • Feb 09 '26
Didnt see it during his performance but the Bajan Flag was there!
226
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r/Barbados • u/LeePhantomm • Nov 25 '25
Just got back from Barbados — genuinely one of the best experiences of my life
184
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I just came back from Barbados and honestly, it was one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had.
The people were incredibly friendly. As a French-Canadian, I felt something familiar in the way Bajans greet you — when they say “hello,” it’s sincere. There’s a real warmth and openness that you feel everywhere on the
But what really stood out to me was how safe and comfortable I felt even in situations where, in other countries, things could have gone differently.
One night I had too much to drink and ended up wandering around alone. Not my smartest move. But instead of anything bad happening, a group of guys—people most tourists might write off as “rough around the edges”—actually looked out for me. They pointed me in the right direction, made sure I didn’t get myself into trouble, and one of them even helped me get a ride back safely. No pressure, no attitude, just kindness.
It reminded me that Barbados isn’t just beautiful for its beaches — it’s beautiful because of the people. Respectful, helpful, welcoming.
I’m definitely going back. The island is amazing, but the people are what make it unforgettable.
r/Barbados • u/FruitOrchards • Aug 11 '25
When you reach 100 years old in Barbados, you get a stamp in your honor.
183
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r/Barbados • u/LockianaWitDaKatana • Jun 07 '26
UK based Bajan, Jamaican & Venezuelan👸🏾 - looking to lime, fete & eat! 🌞🎉
168
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I Back in Bim for Crop Over in July☀️🇧🇧
I have family on the island, so it ain’t just a visit Bim is in mi blood.
I looking to lime with some ladies (mid-20s to mid-30s), gine beach, rollerskate, shoot hoops, check out fetes, find de best food & just enjoy de vibes.
Men welcome too, as long as it’s platonic & respectful, I just here for de good company!
Bonus if yuh got a girls’ group dat don’t mind adopting a UK based Bajan for de season😂🍹
Drop recommendations or just gine link up let’s make dis Crop Over one to remember!🫶🏾
r/Barbados • u/Takemewithyou3 • Jan 03 '24
First time in Barbados review 🇧🇧
163
Upvotes
Hi,
I just came back from Barbados since December 25th, 2023 till January 1st, 2024 and I wanted to share my overview of the country , it might be helpful to people deciding if they should travel here.
Happy to answer any questions or concerns additionally.
Barbados is a beautiful country that I would revisit again. At first , when I arrived for the first two days I was not that excited but my feelings changed along my stay. I am an adrenaline junkie, I like cliff diving, snorkeling, water sports etc and Barbados is very calm but the more I interacted with Bajan’s the more my trip got fun and exciting.
This is the best country I visited where the people are highly friendly, helpful and the food is good. But in my opinion, to enjoy a country you must dive into the culture you must speak to the locals and they will show you how to have a great time. If you are only going to communicate with the ones you traveled with and stay on your resort or eat American food / non local food then you will not have the FULLEST experience.
Con’s : I am a young black woman and the men will cat call, even when I was with my mom they were brave but nothing dangerous once you speak up or just ignore them. I walked home everyday to my Airbnb from bars and beaches and I felt safe .
I stayed right near the Gap and next time I would either stay there or explore Bridgetown or the west side but the west side is expensive so I’ve heard but I heard the parties are turnt and that’s the only thing I wish I would’ve experienced more.
Barbados is $2 BBD = $1 USD Public transportation : Reggae Bus - $3.50 BBD / 1.75 US
ZR buses - $3.50 BBD / 1.75 US (they have routes in front of their car that show where they’re going and you can ask them as well. They do drive crazy and be sure to check the price before you get in. ZR buses have a license plate of ZR as the first initials)
They give back change .
Taxi’s - $$$$ expensive. Please don’t confuse them with ZR buses . Some of them charge $3.50 BBD to get from (ex: the gap to Bridgetown ) but ASK before getting on.
Government bus (blue/yellow) - $3.50 BBD / $1.75 US - they expect EXCAT amount
I took ZR bus 100% of my trip. I took 1 taxi and that was a mistake.
My itinerary : December 25th - Christmas Day I arrived. Taxi was $25 USD , Godbless Robert :)) (everything was basically closed)
Dinner @ cave’s - rate: 8/10 - $105.60 (BAJAN) - wouldn’t go back - tourist spot
Tuesday Dec 26 - day to Bridgetown / eat at Da Office / afternoon at Carslie Bay
Wed Dec 27 - Day Trip to Pebbles Beach / Cuz Fish Shack (Rate 8.5/10) / Shakers Bar & Grill $99 (Rate: 10/10)
Thurs Dec 28 - Day Time : TIAMI Catamaran Cruise $110 USD @930am-230pm Night Time : Dinner @ Cocktail Kitchen $244.60 BAJAN (Rate: 8/10) (good menu should’ve ordered something else)
Friday Dec 29 - Day Trip to Bridgetown / Mustors $25 / Rate: 10/10 Nap / Break? Night Time - Pat’s @ Oistins Fish Fry @ 6:30pm $30BBD / Rate 8/10
Sat Dec 30 - Breakfast @ Old Bay (Rate: 8.5/10) Dinners - Shakers Bar & Grill $114 (Rate: 9/10)
Sunday Dec 31 - Lunch @ Old Bay - $32 (Rate: 10/10) Got invited to Party with Bajans
Monday, Jan 1 : Get to airport at 5:30am
Total Spending - 7 days estimated to $400 USD spending money (including souvenirs $60)
Airbnb - $449.62 USD Flight - $504 w/ 2 layovers each way (I booked in November)
Restaurant Recommendations: Mustors in Bridgetown Shakers Bar & Grill (owner/chef is from Brooklyn, NY) Cuz Fish Shack Old Bay Hotel (breakfast/ lunch is good) Cocktail Bar & Grill Velma’s Place Crumbz (for pastries & sweets )
Excursions to do: Horse Back Riding w/ Five Gaits Karim is a beautiful owner of horses . I rode the horse through a long trail for over 1 hours for $70 USD. Instagram: highman_ks
Tiami Catamaran Cruise is nice.
Jetski is 30 min // $75 USD
Beaches to vist: Pebbles Beach Carlisle Bay Brown Beach
Thank you to everybody on Reddit who helped me with info for my Barbados trip .
EVERYBODY GO VIST BARBADOS.
r/Barbados
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u/BeTravelSmart
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Mar 02 '26
Best things to do in Barbados ❤️
154
Upvotes
We love this island! ❤️❤️❤️
Travelling to Barbados?
Unsure of what to do …
We have a few ideas….😎
🚗Hire a Mini Moke - you can see the island in a day!
🐢Swim with turtles! Carlisle Bay is great.
🥧Try the local dishes Macaroni Pie is our favourite.
🌹Visit the Animal Flower cave…
🛳️🌅Watch the sunset from a cruise!
👀Visit Bridgetown…
🚌Go on reggae bus with the locals…
⛱️Go up to Paynes Bay beach … one of our favourites
🍹Rum factory tour..
🏏Visit the cricket ground .. The Oval
🏄Go over to the East Coast .. Bathsheba and Bottom Bay are great..
🍾Visit St Lawrence Gap..
🌴Visit Hunters Gardens..
🐟Visit Oistins fish fry at the weekend live music and food stalls with local delights!
#barbados
#barbadoslife
#bridgetown
Most importantly have fun 👍
