I had wanted to visit Barbados for the longest time. I even made my mom a slideshow for her 60th birthday to present the idea of us celebrating her 60th birthday in my 60th country, which would be Barbados (but long story short, my 60th country ended up being a solo trip to Dominican Republic).
When I was invited to the Barbados Food & Rum Festival in October 2023, I knew I was finally going to make it to Barbados (though, it ended up being my 73rd country, not 60th). I spent eight days in Barbados, and it further confirmed that each Caribbean island is unique in its own right. If it’s your first time to RIhanna’s homeland, here are 10 things you absolutely must do.
Pro-Tip: Don’t want to plan? Book a five-hour tour of the island with lunch and drinks here.
1. Rum tasting in the birthplace of rum
The beloved Caribbean spirit, rum, was born in Barbados! There are plenty of distilleries, but a stop at Mount Gay Distillery is a must. Mount Gay Distillery is indeed the oldest known distillery in the world, dating all the way back to 1703.
2. Check at least one of the 80 beaches out
When in the Caribbean, beaches are probably the first thing that come to mind. Luckily, in Barbados, you have 80 to choose from. Some of the best are Crane Beach, Carlisle Bay (which is super close to Bridgetown), Sandy Lane Beach on the Platinum Coast, and Bottom Bay Beach.
- Beyond the beach: take a walking tour of Bridgetown here.
3. Try a fish cutter
While you’re on the beach, or anywhere on the island, dig into the local food scene with fish cutters. The Bajan sandwich is made with salt bread, a piece of fried or grilled fish (flying fish is the national fish of Barbados, so if you can, opt for that!), topped with various condiments. Barbados’ hot sauce is INSANELY delicious (and spicy), so make sure to add a dollop of that, and of course, it’s best with a rum punch.
4. Visit Rihanna’s House
This is probably the *coolest* thing you can do in Barbados. Head to Rihanna Drive and visit the house the pop megastar grew up in. It’s surreal to see how far she has come, and the island is certainly proud of her!
5. Take a catamaran tour
There’s nothing better than getting out on those cobalt Caribbean blue waters, and Barbados is no exception. Book a catamaran tour for a fun day out in the sun, and don’t be afraid to jump in. You might have my luck and see some turtles along the way!
- Bpok a catamaran tour with snorkeling and lunch.
- Book a snorkeling tour of Carlisle Bay with the option to explore shipwrecks here.
- This tour is ideal for those who want to party–it includes an open bar!
6. Attend the annual Food & Rum Festival
Bajans know how to party, so if you can make it to the annual Barbados Food & Rum Festival, you are in for the party of your life. The fest is usually held the third week in October, and includes events like a “rise & rum party,” a rum distillery crawl, and of course, tons and tons of good eats (and drinks).
- You need to wear yellow to the annual Rise & Rum party. Opt for this cute yellow beach dress!
7. Head to Oistins Fish Market on a Friday night
Every Friday, Oistins Fish Market is a big ol’ party, in true Bajan fashion. The massive outdoor market is home to live music, tons of food and drink vendors, and is a great way to try a sampling of local dishes. Don’t skip out on trying flying fish, the national dish of Barbados.
8. Get fast food at Chefette
Speaking of national dishes, you’ve got to eat at Chefette, the fast food chain of the country. I shamelessly returned to Chefette three times during my visit to Barbados. Their fried chicken sandwich with hot sauce just had me smitten, what can I say!
9. Explore Harrison’s Cave
Barbados is a food and drink mecca, but if you need a break from the consumption, head to Harrison’s Cave to check out the limestone caves.
10. Grab a drink at Blush Cafe
For one of the most Instagrammable spots on the island, head to Blush Cafe. They have plenty of fresh smoothies and juices, and American and European-style breakfasts and lunches. Blush Cafe is adorably adorned with florals and plants, and it’s easy to stay a while based on the attractive aesthetics.
DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!
DISCLAIMER II: Visit Barbados hosted me during my trip to Barbados.