Family Holidays: Barbados family holidays

Take the Family holiday rating 4½ stars out of 5

Why

Barbados is an excellent option for a first long haul family holiday. The island is very British in some ways, but mixed with a vibrant West Indian culture. There are a great number of excellent hotels, which enable you to explore as much or as little as you like. The beaches are invariably excellent, and you'll soon find a favourite restaurant.

Jet lag and summer humidity are two important considerations, especially with younger children.

Top left: Local fisherman at Mullins beach
Top right: Kids playing together on the beach

Middle left: Cricket practise on the beach
Middle right: Kite surfing

Bottom left: Sunset at Bottom Bay
Bottom right: Carnival

When

Barbados is great between December and June, with high tempartures and almost no rain. September to November are best avoided though, with September being the hurricane season. July and August are realistic options for summer holidays, although it may be a little on the humid side for some people.

How

take the plane

Barbados is the easiest island to reach in the whole of the Caribbean. Every day, there are direct scheduled flights with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick. These direct flights take approximately 8½ hours. Alternatively, there are scheduled flights from Manchester with BWIA and bmi, and charter flights from Gatwick and Manchester that offer a cheaper alternative to the scheduled carriers. Budget airlines are well worth checking too Check flight deals with Expedia. . Remember that charter flights tie you to a 7 or 14 day stay though (which is not necessarily a bad thing!).

Stay

The serene waters and pulsing nightlife of the west coast, to the deep forests and natural beauties of the rugged coastline in the north, from pounding Atlantic surf in the east, to a picturesque village of the central region, or the cosmopolitan social life of Bridgetown, you can find an accommodation to suit any lifestyle. Choose between the world’s most exclusive and luxurious resorts or experience the genteel living and friendliness of your host in the numerous villas and apartments located along the beach or the stylish hills of every region of the island. There are numerous options of all types on the island, ranging from inexpensive favourites like the Sandy Bay Beach Club to Virgin holidays' Bougainvillea Beach Resort, all the way up to the luxurious delights of Sandy Lane and Fairmont Glitter Bay, or why not choose a family villa holiday with partners James Villas.

Do

Barbados has more attractions for its size than any other island in the Caribbean and with the island’s wonderful climate – with the sun’s warmth being tempered by cooling trade winds - lends itself perfectly to outdoor pursuits. National parks and forests, safari trips to hidden beaches, narrated hikes of historical buildings and sites, sugar cane estates, even lessons in making rum, Barbados has it all.

Swimming with the turtles – On the west coast you can dip into the turquoise Caribbean Sea and float alongside the turtles – a truly magical experience. They will even take food from your hand.

Submarine Adventure - Climb aboard the Atlantis Submarine in Bridgetown for an amzaing adventure, to take you and your family to depths of 130 feet below the waves!

Speightstown – A visit to this village is like stepping back in time. This authentic Bajan village is rich in history and it was of the main ports that connected Barbados with ‘mother country’ England.

Crop Over Festival – Barbados at its most vibrant. The premier island festival.

Cricket - The national pastime and passion of all Barbadians. See the legendary Kensington Oval.

Entertainment – Barbados captivates you with a whirlwind of dance and energy depicting Caribbean cultures.

Eat

Fine dining ranges from gourmet oceanfront restaurants to authentic island “eateries,” and for a culinary world just beyond your imagination, choose from majestic great houses or festive downtown dining. Diverse menus span award-winning Caribbean fayre and international specialities, with a remarkable range of seafood from both Caribbean and Atlantic seas alike, Flying Fish with Breadfruit Cou Cou, the island’s signature dish is a beloved national dish.

Cost

There can be a tremendous variation in cost depending on time of year (late December through February is peak period on the island) and type of accommodation chosen. A family of four can spend a week in Barbados with flights and accommodation in June for around £2,000 or choose more deluxe accommodation in January and see no change from ten grand.