A permanently popular tourist destination, sunny Barbados is known for its powdery white sands, top-notch surf and diving opportunities, and its UNESCO-listed colonial architecture. Whether you enjoy hiking through nature reserves, swimming with marine creatures or partying late into the night, Barbados has got you covered.

The Caribbean island of Barbados promises not only scenic stretches of sand, but also a fascinating cultural history. Visit the Parliament Buildings in the capital of Bridgetown to learn about the island’s heritage as part of the British Empire for over three centuries.

Most visitors will arrive to Barbados via Bridgetown, a bustling port town that blends the old and the new. Grab a snow cone from a street vendor to cool down and watch the cruise ships come in to Bridgetown Port. Go shopping at the duty-free stores on Broad Street and people-watch in National Heroes Square, a public area that pays tribute to past local residents.

Head to the east of the island to discover the local flora and fauna at Andromeda Botanic Gardens. Relax by the gardens’ ponds and spot hummingbirds and dragonflies buzzing about. If hunger strikes, enjoy a lunch of fresh fish and salads at the on-site café.

On Barbados’s coast, pink and white sands provide the perfect backdrop to relaxing beach vacations. For fewer crowds, head for Miami Beach during the week and find a peaceful, shaded spot to sit under a palm tree.

Get active in Barbados by snorkeling with tropical fish at Batts Rock Beach or launch a kayak from Brandons Beach in St. Michael. Sign up for a boat tour leaving from the island’s south coast for the chance to swim with turtles.

Barbados is busiest during the dry season, between mid-December and mid-April. If you’re not arriving by cruise ship, take a flight into the Grantley Adams International Airport in the southeast. Once on the island, public buses are a great way to get around.

Discover why this Caribbean island continues to attract tourists from all over the world.