Typical Barbados Beach Close to Cruise Ships

Barbados Information
Tom Ogg

Language and Currency
What is Barbados Like?
What is the Weather Like?
Where Does the Ship Dock?
Where is the Shopping?
What is There to Buy?
What is There To Do?
Is There Anything of a “Don’t Miss Quality?
Are There Any Great Restaurants or Bars?

Barbados Port Reviews

Language and Currency

The official language of Barbados is English and the currency is the Barbados dollar, however the U.S. dollar is widely accepted throughout the country.

What is Barbados like?

Barbados' Atlantic Coastline

Barbados was controlled by the British government as a former British colony and reflects its British heritage. Bridgetown (Barbados' main city) is much like visiting a city in England. The island features great water sports and scenery and is well worth exploring.

What is the weather like?

Barbados enjoys excellent weather the year around with temperatures between 75 to 85 degrees. Being partly on the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern most island in the Caribbean, Barbados can get its fair share of rain and weather.

Where does the ship dock?

Ships Docked in Barbados

The ship docks about a mile from town at the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal.

Where is the shopping?

Shopping Right in the Cruise Terminal

Right in the cruise terminal is a shopping complex offering lots of local crafts and souvenirs.

Cruise Terminal Shopping

When you exit the pier area, you enter the large building that houses the shopping mall. Traveling down one side of the mall and then up the other branch of it will deposit you outside the building in the transportation area where buses are boarded for tours and taxis are readily available.

Pelican Craft Center

Just outside the port gates and to the left is Pelican Village, which is made up of many quaint shops, boutiques, curios and souvenir stores and crafts.

Downtown Bridgetown Shopping

For a more robust shopping experience head into downtown Bridgetown and the department stores, shops, boutiques and street vendors on Broad Street.

A Typical Bridgetown Street Vendor

Broad Street is within easy walking distance from the port (about 15 minutes) and you will pass by a number of interesting markets and stores on the way. Broad Street is lined with stores for about 4 to 5 blocks and there is much to shop for.

What is there to buy?

Barbados offers quite a bit of duty free shopping on jewelry, watches, perfumes, porcelain collectibles, designer wear, cosmetics, liquor (especially the local rum known as Mount Gay Rum) and other duty free products. There are also many boutiques selling local arts and crafts, spices, pottery, cigars and beach wear.

What is there to do?

Bridgetown's Open Air Market

Of course, exploring Bridgetown is the first thing folks want to do when arriving in Barbados and it is well worth the time to get to know it.

St. Michael's Cathedral, Bridgetown, Barbados

Of special interest is a tour of the Mount Gay Rum Factory in Bridgetown and a look at St. Michael’s Cathedral that dates back to the 16th century (note however, that the current structure is not that old).

The Malibu Rum Factory in Barbados

The Malibu Rum Factory is another excellent place to visit and purchase rum. It is located quite close to Bridgetown making it easy to visit. I especially like the beach and environment in and around Holetown ( Barbados' third largest city.) Holetown offers numerous little boutiques amid a wealth of hotels.

The "Soupbowl Cafe" Located at the Soupbowls Surf Spot

On the eastern shore of Barbados is the famed surf break named "Soupbowls" This particular break is featured on the surfing world tour and is well respected.

The Mushroom Rock at Bathsheba Beach

The break is located at Bathsheba Beach, which is home to an eclectic collection of restaurants and bars. The beach is wonderful and the view of mushroom rock is interesting.

St. James Parish Church

A tour of the island will be of interest to anyone wanting to see some unusual sights. St. James Parish Church is well worth a visit, as is a stop in one of the mahogany forests you traverse on your way across the island.

Barbados' Interior Mahogany Rain Forest

Barbados offers a diverse blend of terrain and flora.

The Entrance to Harrison's Cave

I think on of the most impressive sights on Barbados is Harrison's Cave. This underground network of caves, lakes, streams and waterfalls complete with Stalactites and Stalagmites is like taking a Disney ride through a surreal environment.

Stalactites and Stalagmites in Harrison's Cave

One enters the caves in a tram that descends some 170 feet below ground to experience the incredibly beautiful caves.

Entering the Caves on the Harrison Cave Tram

The tram makes two complete stops so that people can get out of the tram and inspect the terrain close up. The crystal clear water is mesmerizing as it trickles down its way through the caves.

One of the Small Ponds of Dripping Water

The tram ride, which lasts about 20 to 25 minutes culminates in a cave with a large waterfall gushing from its roof and falling about 30 feet into a small lake that is about 12 feet deep. It is spectacular, to say the least.

Is there anything of “Don’t Miss” quality?

Looking Down on a Small Water Fall in Harrison's Cave

Yes, I would say that a visit to Harrison's Cave (currently $16.00) on Barbados is a "Don't Miss" event.

Are there any great restaurants or bars?

None that stand out in my mind, how about you?

Check out the shore excursions available in Barbados.
Barbados Shore Excursions

Barbados Port Reviews
(Click on the Review you are Interested in Reading)

Thea Dalfino; Rental Car to A Nature HIke
Caroline Gentry; Kayak Rip Off
Amy White; Boatyard Beach
Cathy Cole: Orchid Farm Tour
Natasha; A Bad Snorkeling Experiance
Janis; Catamaran Snorkeling Tour
efschlenk; Bus to Beach and Turtle Swimming
Judy and Roger Best; Crane Hotel and Lobster Alive
L.D.; The Boatyard and an Island Tour
Norman Reeder; Snorkeling Tour Followed by a 4x4 Excursion
Jenny Hart; Independent Tour of Harrison's Cove|
Bob & Wendy Evans; Scuba and Boatyard Beach Tour
Adam McCarthy; The Jolly Roger Pirate Cruise
Larry Wanger; Jeep and Snorkeling Tour
Dennis McGuire; Snorkeling at Rockley Beach
Roger & Judy Best; Shopping and the Boatyard 
Stephanie; Snorkeling at Folkestone Beach
Fred; Five Star Catamaran and Turtle Encounter excursion
Mary; Sea Turtle and Shipwreck Snorkeling tour
Danny; Rental Car Tour - Caution Advised
Mary Kay; Private Tour of Island
David; 5 Star Catamaran Excursion (Ship's Tour)
Erin; Great Shopping Terminal
Denise Roll; Definitely a Snorkel Island
Helen Ahern; Beach Tour
Robert MacDonald; Jolly Roger Tour and Cabs into Town
Dennis McGuire; Taxi Tour and Snorkeling at Folkestone Marine Park
Jamie Asmus; Ship's Catamaran and Snorkel Tour
Clark; Snorkeling at Folkstone Underwater Park
Sam; Ship's Snorkel Excursion and City Tour
William G. Shwartz; Glory Tours of Island and Caves
Megan Dennen; 5 Star Catamaran Ship's Excursion
Eric Arellanos; Good Shopping, Don't Miss the Rum Cake
Benjamin Smith; Try a Mauby and Tour the Island
Karen Anderson; Tip on Free Beaches in Barbados
Sharon Marvin; Snorkeling at Boneyard Beach
Pete Peterson; Touring Island on Our Own by Rented Car
Sheila; Ship's Excursion - Jeep Safari Adventure
Maryanne Roesler; Tamarind Cove
Nancy Norris; Jolly Roger Excursion
Shelley Holtmann; Five-Star Catamaran Ship's Tour
Karen Audet; Atlantis Submarine Tour and Shopping Tips

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