News & Media

By Holly Johnson

Now that the weather is getting colder, many of us are dreaming of a warm-weather getaway for the upcoming dreary season. If you’re trying to figure out where to go, you might want to give Barbados another look.

The island is a little further from the U.S. mainland than most, but many would say the extra travel time is worth it to enjoy the beautiful scenery and outstanding dining options Barbados offers.

Here are five reasons to give this Caribbean getaway a second look when planning your next fall or winter getaway:

Hurricane-Free

While many Caribbean islands took on considerable damage due to hurricanes Irma and Maria this year, Barbados was entirely spared. Since many other nearby islands are working on rebuilding infrastructure, you can visit Barbados to try something new.

Food and Rum

Barbados is all about food and rum—and more rum. The Island’s Mount Gay Rum is one of the oldest distillers in the world, and the island is well known for its hand-crafted rum cocktails.

Visit Oistins fish fry in Barbados on weekend nights to try fresh seafood plucked from the waters that day. Make sure to pack your plate with rice and peas as well as the island’s famous macaroni pie.

If you want to try all the island’s best cuisine, you can also sign up for the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, which takes place November 16–19 this year.

Luxury and Quiet

Barbados is insanely beautiful from coast to coast, but it’s also a fairly quiet island that is known for its luxury accommodations. The island’s Platinum Coast is dotted with indulgent all-inclusive resorts as well as typical hotels featuring huge stretches of white beach and crystal-clear waters.

Plenty of high-end restaurants dot the island, including The Cliff—an upscale eatery known for its amazing seafood dishes and divine location on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Amazing Snorkeling

Barbados waters are especially crystal clear and numerous snorkeling spots dot the pristine beaches. You can swim with giant sea turtles and tropical fish of all sizes and colors, either straight from the beach or on a special snorkeling sail you book yourself.

Gorgeous Beaches

Last but not least, Barbados—and especially its Platinum Coast—has gorgeous beaches on par with other award-winning locations in the Caribbean such as Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman and Palm Beach in Aruba. The sands are white and soft, and the crystal-clear waters barely lap to shore.

Barbados beaches are ideal for couples with kids who like swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, most watersports and just floating to relax the day away.

If you’re looking for a new destination for a fall or winter giveaway, it’s never too late to give Barbados a try. The beaches, hospitality and gorgeous waters keep people coming back over and over again.

The delicious food and rum? Those are icing on the cake.