Barbados
Barbados
Capital city description
Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados. The city has modern infrastructure and a high living standard and is home to important government buildings, ministries, and departments of the country, such as the Parliament Buildings.
Bridgetown Port is the main port of the country and one of the Caribbean’s busiest shipping and transshipment hubs. The city is also the commercial epicenter of the country. The city is home to many prestigious academic institutions.
Climate
The climate of Barbados is a pleasant climate with temperatures that remain each month between 31°C and 21°C; temperatures are also refreshed by the breath of constant north-east trade winds, which moderate the tropical temperature.
On the island, there are two seasons, the dry season between December and May and the rainy, humid and hot between June and November; the average annual precipitation is 1,525 mm.
Languages spoken
English is Barbados' official and widely spoken language, but you will also hear our local dialect – the Bajan dialect – spoken. There are two main languages taught in schools: French and Spanish.
Fun/Fascinating Facts
- Barbados is home to the oldest rum brand globally, Mount Gay. Mount Gay was founded in 1703, and it’s often ranked as the best rum in the world. The brand is sold in more than 100 countries, and its distillery is a top tourist destination.
- Barbados is affluent in coral limestone. 85% of the island’s composition consists of a 20–30 meters thick layer of coral limestone. And most of the island’s surface water runs off underground.
- Barbados is a famous tourist destination with around 500,000 visitors per year. It is also the most developed Caribbean island country and one of the top 5 most developed countries in the Western hemisphere, alongside the U.S. and Canada.
- Barbados houses some of the most stunning and luxurious villas and vacation rentals globally.
- Barbados is home to many excellent beach and oceanfront restaurants on the island. Some of the best include The Cliff, Tides, The Fish Pot, and The Lone Star. https://travelwithbender.com/travel-blog/guest-blog/interesting-facts-barbados/
Unique Customs/Traditions
- Pottery is one of the unique traditions in Barbados and has always been a vital skill for inhabitants of Barbados. From the early Amerindian settlers who created cooking and storage vessels to modern potters who work their magic on a potter's wheel producing functional wares and decorative pottery.
- Barbados has a strong cricketing tradition dating back to the 1800s, when the game was played by British soldiers stationed on the island and by the plantation owners and members of the aristocracy.
- Cou-cou and flying fish are the national dishes of Barbados. Cou-cou, similar to polenta or grits but more creamy, is made from cornmeal and okras. It is traditionally served with steamed flying fish in a tomato-based sauce but may also be filled with salt fish, red herring, or stew. ( https://barbados.org/barbados-traditions.htm#.Ykv0Q8hBzIU)
- Friday is a fish day in Barbados, and there's no better way to spend the evening than at one of the island's many Friday fish fries. The biggest and most popular is at Oistins, a south coast fishing town. Every Friday evening in the Oistins Bay Gardens, this event features local music and several craft stalls selling their wares.
Popular universities
| Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| University of the West Indies | The University of the West Indies at Cave Hill is a public research university campus in Cave Hill, Barbados. It is one of five general campuses in the University of the West Indies system. The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus' academic programs offer diversity at undergraduate and graduate levels. There are seven faculties with supporting academic departments, various research units & centers, and two graduate institutions. | |
| American University of Barbados | The American University of Barbados (AUB) is a private medical school located in Wildey, Barbados, founded in 2011. American University of Barbados (AUB) offers a comprehensive medical curriculum and quality education to its students. The medical school is accredited by CAAM-HP and the Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC). | |
| American University of Integrative Sciences, School of Medicine | The American University of Integrative Sciences, School of Medicine (AUIS, formerly the University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine) is a private for-profit offshore medical school with a single campus in Barbados, founded in 1999. Offering a four-year U.S. medical degree program, the American University of Integrative Sciences is known as a premier Caribbean medical university. | |
| Bridgetown International University (BIU) | Bridgetown International University (BIU) is a medical university in Barbados, established in 2016. It offers an MD (Doctor of Medicine) Program based on the US medical curriculum. Bridgetown International University offers three academic sessions starting in a year: January, May, and September, and doesn’t require its students to clear any private entrance examination. Bridgetown International University provides quality and affordable medical education to aspiring doctors, adds more physicians to the healthcare ecosystem of the world, and contributes to the betterment of health for all. | |
| Ross University School of Medicine | Ross University School of Medicine is a for-profit private higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Roseau, founded in 1978. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development of Dominica, Ross University School of Medicine (Ross U) is a small higher education institution. Ross University School of Medicine offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. | |
| Victoria University of Barbados | Victoria University of Barbados is a medical university in Bridgetown, Barbados. Victoria University of Barbados offers an MD Program span of over 5 ½ years. For its MD curriculum, VUB follows US-based standards. The entire program comprises three phases or medical programs: I Pre Medical Program or Basic Foundation for Medical Sciences, II Basic Sciences or Pre Clinical Program, III Clinical Sciences or Clinical Rotations Program. | |
| Washington University of Barbados | Founded in 2016, Washington University of Barbados offers a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program for college graduates and a 5.5 years Doctor of Medicine (MD) program for high school graduates, including a Pre-medical program, Basic Sciences Program, and Clinical Rotations/Sciences. The Pre-Medical and the Basic Sciences program is taught at WUB, Barbados, and Clinical Rotations are practiced either at WUB, Barbados, or in the USA. Washington University of Barbados accepts students internationally three times per year: January, May, and September. | |
Festivals & Events
Oistins Festival
Date: April
The Oistins Festival is an annual event that takes place every Easter weekend in the scenic fishing village of Oistins Barbados in the parish of Christ Church on the south coast of the island.
The famous festival features favorites like the Fish Boning and Dolphin Skinning Contests, Easter Bonnet Competition, Strong Man Boat Pull, Fish Cake Eating Contest, Egg and Spoon Race, and Greasy Pole Contest, Celebrity Cook-Off, the U.S. Embassy sponsored Mobile Cinema and more.
Gospelfest
Date: 14th-22th May
Gospelfest is an annual event dedicated to Barbados, the Caribbean, and the international community. The festival features several events such as choral music, jazz, comedy, dance, theatre, and even cricket.
Barbados Gospelfest promises to be another world-class production, featuring top local, regional and international gospel talent.
Crop Over Festival
Date: End of June until early August
Originated in 1780, the Crop Over Festival is one of the biggest and most-loved in Barbados. The Festival runs from the end of June until early August and includes many smaller events.
The highlight of the event is the carnival and dazzling Kadooment Parade. The Festival runs from the end of June until early August and includes many smaller events.
Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival
Date: November
Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival is four days event in November. Celebrity chefs and food and beverage experts worldwide descend on Barbados to celebrate the best of Caribbean cuisine.
The festival offers tastings, BBQs, cook-offs, dinner cruises, distillery tours, etc. Visitors will be able to sample the best rum in Barbados and learn about the history of Caribbean spices and seasonings at this fun gourmet event.
Barbados Independence Surf Festival
Date: November
The Barbados Independence Surf Festival takes place for three days in November. It is the most crucial surfing competition on the island that attracts world-class surfers worldwide.
The November Pro and Caribbean Junior Championships challenge the greats to ride the waves by competing in two title events during the festival. The festival hosts surf demonstrations, a bikini contest, live music, and food on offer.
Holetown Festival
Date: February
The Holetown Festival celebrated the first settlers' arrival in Barbados in 1627. The festival takes place in the town of Holetown, on the west coast of the island, for eight days in February- includes a street fair, sporting events, music performances, etc.
Attractions / Top Sights
Harrison Cave
When to visit: January to May
Harrison Cave is the most majestic and crystallized limestone cave, one of the world's wonders. The cave is full of stalactites hanging from the roof and stalagmites emerging from the ground. Its pure, clear water and flowing streams are most exciting, and it gives a beautiful, charming view.
Opened in 1981 as a tourist attraction for the Barbados tourist attraction board, it is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Barbados.
Carlisle Bay
When to visit: January to April
Located on the west coast of Barbados, Carlisle Bay is one of the most scenic destinations in Barbados. Beautiful blond beaches and long stretches of crystal-clear turquoise waters make this one of the most inviting areas to dip your toes in the sea or set up a beach chair to relish the bay's beauty.
At Carlisle Bay, traditional fishing boats languidly coexist with modern catamarans and the rich and famous superyachts.
Bridgetown
When to visit: January to April
Bridgetown, theBarboda's capital, is home to many stunning tourist attractions and a beautiful place to stroll, shop, or have a meal in a romantic historical spot of the nation. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Barbados.
The landmark Parliament Buildings, easily recognizable by the neo-Gothic style architecture and clock tower, and the National Heroes Square are two of the main sites in the city center, making Bridgetown and its Garrison a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Bathsheba
When to visit: January to April
Located on the rugged, exciting east coast of Barbados in the parish of St. Joseph is a fishing village called Bathsheba. The beach is famous for surfers but not an ideal place for swimming; it is dotted with massive rock formations created by the remains of ancient coral reefs undercut by the relentless waves.
, Andromeda Botanical Gardens
When to visit: January to May
Located on the east coast of this island country in Bathsheba, Andromeda Botanical Gardens is an excellent place to visit and recreate nature.
The beautiful garden is a perfect place to wander along and get the reflections of paradise walking. It is like a peaceful playground of nature, which is quite a choice for making a journey.
Animal Flower Cave
When to visit: January to April
The Animal Flower Cave is situated under the cliffs at North Point, St. Lucy, Barbados. It is one of the top places to visit, not just for the cave but also for the lookout above's picturesque views.
Coral steps lead down through an opening in the roof into the cave. Inside the cave, still found are some sea anemones, which are locally called animal flowers, whence the cave obtained its name.