Properties/Sailing breaks within Barbados
About the Caribbean islands
Barbados
Barbados is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands and is largely surrounded by coral reefs, which protect the coastline. It enjoys a very pleasant climate, with three thousand hours of annual sunshine tempered by the gentle North-East Trade Winds. In comparison to many other Caribbean islands, it is fairly flat, with gentle sloping hills, there are no mountains and most of the centre of the island is under cultivation, much of which used to be sugar cane. The thriving West coast with its miles of beautiful white sand beaches dotted with bars, hotels, villas and apartments is a total contrast to the wild and rugged East coast which is popular with surfers and offers some of the best surfing in the world. Just watching and listening to the Atlantic waves breaking and crashing onto the beach is awe inspiring, even if you are not a surfer. Barbados has no tower blocks, the buildings, normally being a maximum of two storeys high and have been carefully and attractively designed to blend the modern with colonial style, creating an attractive jigsaw of old and new plus of course being full of Caribbean colour.
Population: 267,000
For those looking for fantastic beaches and fun, then this is the island to visit. The tourism infrastructure is well primed and focused on the island’s tourist industry and the residents are totally au fait with the requirements of visitors. Barbados has something for everyone which makes it a very popular island and you will probably see the odd “celeb”.
Beaches
Archetypal Caribbean white sand beaches, you are never far from a bar, restaurant, hotel, villa or apartment block unless you are on the Atlantic side.
Most sports - both sea and land, including sailing, fishing, diving, snorkelling, surfing and para-gliding. Hiking, golf, tennis cricket and horseback riding to name but a few. There is even a well renowned and popular horse-race course. Museums, art galleries and potteries. Island tours and safaris.
Shopping
Good supermarkets, souvenirs, gifts and clothing. In fact, just like home!
Restaurants & Nightlife
A very wide variety of restaurants, serving dishes ranging from West Indian to Chinese, Indian, Italian along with American style “fast food” and more. Barbados by night is lively on this very diverse island, most bars have a “happy hour” (some are open 24 hours a day). Discos and nightclubs with live music ranging from jazz, through to Reggae and Latin American.
Getting Around
Easy. Taxis & dollar taxis (minibuses) and buses are numerous. Most bus drivers appear to be trained by Michael Schumacher! Numerous car/jeep rental companies.
Getting There
Main hub airport for the central Caribbean, with International flights from UK, Europe, North America and most Caribbean islands.
Currency
Barbados Dollar (which is very approximately BD$3 to £1) US dollar accepted.