The Platinum Coast, at an easygoing pace
Rum heritage, calm western beaches, and a laid-back energy that doesn't try to be anywhere else in the Caribbean.
Barbados splits neatly in two: the calm, resort-lined Platinum Coast on the west side, and the wilder Atlantic surf on the east. Barbados Beach Club sits on the gentler side, making it an easy pick for travelers who want beach time without much planning.
The island's rum heritage runs deep – some of the oldest working distilleries in the Caribbean are here – and Bridgetown's UNESCO-listed garrison area is worth a half-day even for the least history-inclined travelers.
All-inclusive on the calm Platinum Coast, with daily departures.
On Dover Beach in St. Lawrence Gap, walking distance to the restaurants and bars.
Beachfront on the south coast of Barbados.
Harrison's Cave
Rum Distillery Tour
Bridgetown Garrison
South Coast Surf Lesson
Animal Flower Cave
Carlisle Bay
A crystallized limestone cavern - guided tram tours through it.
Some of the Caribbean's oldest working distilleries.
Sail and snorkel stops with resident sea turtles.
UNESCO-listed historic military and civic buildings.
Beginner-friendly surf breaks on the island's south side.
Photos: Berit from Redhill/Surrey, UK, CC BY 2.0 · Hiltrud Trottenberg, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sachiko Haraguchi, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo · Frank Kovalchek from Anchorage, Alaska, , CC BY 2.0 · JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Public domain – via Wikimedia Commons.
