About Barbados Villas
Choosing to stay in a luxury Barbados villa is the perfect winter sun vacation. Winter is definitely the best time to go as it's the dry season.
All our luxury Barbados vacation rentals are in the parishes of St Peter and St James. St James is on what has been named the Platinum Coast on the west side of the island where there are 6 miles of sandy white beaches. This area is also well known for its rich and famous patrons like Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan and many famous English football stars. 18 billionaires are rumoured to have properties here. There are some of the best golf courses in this area so you won't be surprised to learn that Tiger Woods was married here. The perfect place to vacation in one of our luxury Barbados villas.
If you're looking for somewhere just as beautiful but a littler quieter and more tranquil then book a luxury villa in St Peter just north of St James. It's home to the second largest town on the island too, Speightstown and is also home to Port Charles Marina.
If you're not sure which destination to pick, let our team of experts assist so that you choose the luxury villa in Barbados that is right for you and your party.
Barbados Travel Guide
The Caribbean island of Barbados benefits from calm Caribbean waters lapping at paradisiacal beaches and feistier Atlantic Ocean currents perfect for water sports. Its tropical climate makes it a popular winter vacation destination from December to May for those looking for sun, sand and surf.
Barbados is made up of 11 parishes with the capital city Bridgetown located in Saint Michael's parish on the south west of the island. The parishes of St James and St Peter are part of the "Platinum Coast", formerly the "Gold Coast" and are favoured by the rich and famous and tourists alike.
Climate
As the most easterly Caribbean island Barbados experiences a Tropical Monsoon climate with a "dry season" and a "wet season". The dry season runs from December to May with warm temperatures of 84°F and the wet season runs from March to November.
Things To Do
Barbados is as varied as its coastline with traces of its colonial past in large plantation houses that are now museums and similarities to England hence being known as "Little England". You'll see familiar English place names such as Lancaster, Dover, Clapham, Hastings and Lancaster as you explore the island.
Beaches and water sports
Whilst in paradise it would be a crime not to enjoy the abundance of beaches it has to offer. Join the rich and famous in St James on the west coast for pristine white sandy beaches, palm trees and a sneaky peak at their impressive beach-front mansions. Beaches include Paynes Bay, Batts Rock, Brandons, Fitts Village, Folkestone Park and Sandy Lane and are great for soaking up the sun and laid back island atmosphere. The calm warm waters are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and jet skiing. Also on the west coast is St Peter with many white sandy beaches including the famous Gibbs Beach, Mullins Bay and Heywoods.
The Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean waters that surround Barbados offer many water sport opportunities from windsurfing, kite surfing, boogie boarding, scuba diving and snorkelling in the reef-protected waters and tidal pools of the south to surfing and windsurfing on the wilder east coast.
In the south you'll find Crane Beach which has been rated as "one of the ten best beaches in the world" by Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
Surfers flock to the east coast where the Atlantic Ocean provides huge waves that break over the reefs and rocks and for "The Soup Bowl" at Bathsheba in St Josephs. These beaches are also great for beachcombing.
In complete contrast to the south, the north has 100ft high coral and sandstone cliffs, coves, fierce seas and spectacular panoramic views.
Animal Flower Cave
Visit the amazing Animal Flower Cave in St Lucy in the north to see sea anemones (locally known as animal flowers) and its coral floor. There are also natural rock pools that are accessible for swimming on calm days.
Jolly Roger 1 Cruise
Take an action-packed cruise on the refurbished pirate schooner the Jolly Roger1 which sets sail from Bridgetown daily. For pirate antics including rope swinging, walking the plank, swimming with turtles, entertainment, a lunch stop-over, a bar stocked with Barbados Rum Punch and the inevitable conga around the decks.
Harrison's Cave
For your geological fix head to Harrison's Cave in the central uplands and embark on a tram journey through limestone rock caves including a 100ft high cavern called "The Great Hall" and "The Village" where the formations have fused together to form columns over thousands of years. You'll also see sinkholes, stalagmites, stalactites and gullies.
Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary
Nature lovers will enjoy the Graeme Hall Swamp in the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary in Christ Church. The Mangrove swamp features both red and white mangrove, fish, fiddler crab, egrets and migrating birds. The sanctuary is home to lots of colourful exotic birds such as parrots, flamingos and Scarlet Ibis.
St James
In St James you can visit Portvale Sugar Factory which is one of the few still operating on the island.
St Peter
In the neighbouring parish of St Peter you'll find the island's only marina - Port St Charles - and sugar cane covered terraces for that true Caribbean feel.
Crop Over Festival
In June until the first Monday in August the colourful and lively Crop Over festival takes place with singing, dancing and the challenge of greasy pole climbing.
Sport and other activities
As cricket is the national sport of Barbados you can always catch a match at the Kensington Oval and if golf makes your vacation, then you'll find clubs dotted all over the island. Choose from the Barbados Golf Club with a championship course designed by Ron Kirby, the Rockley Golf Club, Sandy Lane Golf Club with 3 courses, 2 designed by Tom Fazio and Apes Hill Club.
You'll find tennis, polo and spas at lots of the resorts and there's also plenty to explore on bike, foot and even horseback with inland trails and coastal pathways. Not to mention zip lining opportunities in the tropical forest.
Duty free shopping
Take a break from the heat and enjoy duty free shopping in Barbados' air conditioned shops. You'll find discounted jewellery, clothing, perfume, electronics, in fact all the goodies you'd find in airport duty free but on a beautiful tropical island instead. Head to Broad Street in the capital Bridgetown for department stores, duty free shops and shopping malls. For local handicrafts try Pelican Village and the Bayshore Complex just outside of Bridgetown. You'll also find souvenirs and gift shops in St James, Holetown and Speightstown in St Peter.
Restaurants
Local fresh fish such as flying fish feature as well as rice and peas, breadfruits and cassava which are just some of the Bajan delights on offer in the many restaurants on the island. You'll also find many other cuisines including Italian and Asian in beautiful beachfront settings and you can choose whether to go for casual or fine dining depending on your mood. Enjoy the views, take in the sunset with a local rum punch or exotic tropical cocktail in hand...bliss.
- Daphne's, St James - contemporary Italian favoured by celebrities
- Cariba, west coast - modern Caribbean cuisine with an Asian twist
- Zen - Thai and Japanese cuisine with a view of Crane Beach
- Pisces, Saint Lawrence Gap - overlooking the sea serving fresh fish
- Spago, Holetown - Italian cuisine with specials like Lobster Pizza
- Round House Inn, St Josephs - Caribbean with live jazz and reggae
- The Cliff, St James - Popular seafood restaurant
Night life
Dinner shows giving an insight into Barbadian culture, history and cuisine are popular as is Saint Lawrence Gap aka The Gap in Christ Church to the south of the island. Here you'll find a 1.5k stretch of beachfront with restaurants, bars, clubs and shops for your evening entertainment. There are nightclubs featuring live calypso and reggae music and for high energy dance clubs head to Priva Barbados in Holetown and open air nightclub Harbour Lights for its beachfront location and DJs.
Good to know
- English is the official language but Bajan (English based Creole language) is also spoken
- The Barbadian dollar is the official currency
- Both international and foreign driving licences are accepted on the island
- Barbados is in the Eastern Caribbean Time Zone
- Remember to drive on the left hand side of the road
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