My Mrs-to-be and I are going to NYC and then Barbados for our honeymoon in July. Has anyone been to Barbados? Any tips on good things to see and do, nice beaches and restaurants etc?

I would ask about NYC but there have been a few threads on that already. However if anybody does have any advice on more off-beat things to see and do there, that would be great.

Thanks very much

If either of you are into horse riding then the beach horse riding in Barbados is supposed to be amazing

Barbados is mainly for chilling which you will need after New York (and the stress of a wedding !)

TVC15 wrote:If either of you are into horse riding then the beach horse riding in Barbados is supposed to be amazing

Barbados is mainly for chilling which you will need after New York (and the stress of a wedding !)

I'll have to ask her if she fancies that, thanks! I did a little horse riding as a kid but I really didn't like it. Yes, we planned it that way around so that we could have the hustle and bustle of a city and then a calmer, quieter experience. To say we're excited about it is an understatement

Haven't been for a while but Harrison's caves is good, apparently, the tram (UK built) broke down halfway down when I went there so didn't see the underground waterfalls etc.

Oystins fish night, some good top restaurants etc Very friendly people.

There was a submarine trip to a wreck just outside Bridgetown harbour. Excellent.

Kensington Oval if you like cricket. Scuba diving & snorkelling trips.

Fantastic beaches. Particularly the west coast, on a calm day the sea is like glass.

Would recommend a 'jeep safari' or guided tour for a day.

If I had the money that's where I would buy.

Where are you staying ?

HatfieldClaret wrote:Haven't been for a while but Harrison's caves is good, apparently, the tram (UK built) broke down halfway down when I went there so didn't see the underground waterfalls etc.

Oystins fish night, some good top restaurants etc Very friendly people.

There was a submarine trip to a wreck just outside Bridgetown harbour. Excellent.

Kensington Oval if you like cricket. Scuba diving & snorkelling trips.

Fantastic beaches. Particularly the west coast, on a calm day the sea is like glass.

Would recommend a 'jeep safari' or guided tour for a day.

If I had the money that's where I would buy.

Where are you staying ?

Wow, thanks for all the info, really appreciate it! We had considered a few of those things such as the caves and the jeep trip. In terms of beaches, we're thankfully staying where most of the hotels are on the west coast of the island where the waters are calmer (Caribbean sea). We're staying at the Yellow Bird Hotel in St Lawrence Gap.

Did you get around the island okay? We'll be going around by taxi and local bus mostly. Was there a beach that you particularly liked? Thanks again!

http://www.blindtigeralehouse.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Good pub if you like craft ales.

Get the reggae bus to Bridgetown!

bedfords wrote:http://www.blindtigeralehouse.com Good pub if you like craft ales.

Thanks for the recommendation! I've just had a look online and that place is only 10 minutes walk from our hotel - brilliant

Acting Claret wrote:Get the reggae bus to Bridgetown!

I've heard of this bus before! I'm assuming tickets are pretty cheap? Will be a good way to get around then

IndigoLake wrote:Wow, thanks for all the info, really appreciate it! We had considered a few of those things such as the caves and the jeep trip. In terms of beaches, we're thankfully staying where most of the hotels are on the west coast of the island where the waters are calmer (Caribbean sea). We're staying at the Yellow Bird Hotel in St Lawrence Gap.

Did you get around the island okay? We'll be going around by taxi and local bus mostly. Was there a beach that you particularly liked? Thanks again!

The roads are pretty good compared to other islands, they don't get battered as much by the hurricanes, though the sign posting could be better. The buses are good too.

Most of the better beaches tend to be in front of the hotels but Mullins Bay is highly recommended.

As Jeremy Clarkson said, Bajuns don't care about the car performance so long as the horn works....but that's because they all know each other. If you look like you're thinking of crossing the road they will stop for you and will always help when you ask for directions. Friendliest people in the Caribbean.

Enjoy and let us know how you get on.

Congratulations IndigoLake, have a nice time. You live in Barcelona yeah? Might be over there in the summer so will give you a shout to meet up for a pint and a few grins. Unless you're in Barbados of course

Didn't rate Barbados at all , dirty, lazy staff with drug dealers peddling there wears everywhere, oh and the weather was crap, hope you have a betterment experience than we did .

joey13 wrote:Didn't rate Barbados at all , dirty, lazy staff with drug dealers peddling there wears everywhere, oh and the weather was crap, hope you have a betterment experience than we did .

A bit like most places in England then......

Stayed a few times at Tamarind Cove......fabulous island, very safe wherever you go..........the yellow reggae bus,s very cheap.....a good casual restaurant is Scarlet at St James.......Cin Cin by the Sea more formal but fab.

Champers wine bar and restaurant also good, at a place known as The Gap, where it's a bit more lively........oystins already mentioned.....Mount Gay rum trip is a must.

You,ll have an absolutely tremendous holiday.............

Cafe Sol in The Gap. Mexican food and fantastic Margaritas!

Yep, forgot to mention Mount Gay. Good tip.

You have to try the rum cake. Just don't drive after eating it....

IndigoLake wrote:I've heard of this bus before! I'm assuming tickets are pretty cheap? Will be a good way to get around then

They are small mini buses that run the main routes. Pay cash on board. V loud music. My wife had to sit on the bump between the driver and the passenger seat.

Andy J wrote:Cafe Sol in The Gap. Mexican food and fantastic Margaritas!

That place is brilliant but it burned down. Check if it's still there and if it is, definitely go!

Also whilst in the gap go to Dover beach. One of the nicest beaches I've ever been to

HatfieldClaret wrote:The roads are pretty good compared to other islands, they don't get battered as much by the hurricanes, though the sign posting could be better. The buses are good too.

Most of the better beaches tend to be in front of the hotels but Mullins Bay is highly recommended.

As Jeremy Clarkson said, Bajuns don't care about the car performance so long as the horn works....but that's because they all know each other. If you look like you're thinking of crossing the road they will stop for you and will always help when you ask for directions. Friendliest people in the Caribbean.

Enjoy and let us know how you get on.

Brilliant, thanks for all the info!

FactualFrank wrote:Congratulations IndigoLake, have a nice time. You live in Barcelona yeah? Might be over there in the summer so will give you a shout to meet up for a pint and a few grins. Unless you're in Barbados of course

Thanks! I'm sure we will - we can't wait.

That's right. We're away from the 11th to the 25th July so if you're around outside of that time period then I'd be happy to meet you as a fellow claret and have a drink (or two)!

Jimmymaccer wrote:Stayed a few times at Tamarind Cove......fabulous island, very safe wherever you go..........the yellow reggae bus,s very cheap.....a good casual restaurant is Scarlet at St James.......Cin Cin by the Sea more formal but fab.

Champers wine bar and restaurant also good, at a place known as The Gap, where it's a bit more lively........oystins already mentioned.....Mount Gay rum trip is a must.

You,ll have an absolutely tremendous holiday.............

Thanks for the recommendations! Some of those sound great. I'm certainly keen to try the rum

Andy J wrote:Cafe Sol in The Gap. Mexican food and fantastic Margaritas!

Appreciate that, thanks! I've noticed it's basically next door to our hotel so that will be ideal!

HatfieldClaret wrote:Yep, forgot to mention Mount Gay. Good tip.

You have to try the rum cake. Just don't drive after eating it....

Ooh, glass of rum and rum cake sounds ideal. We'll be taking taxi or bus

Where you staying Indigo? I stayed in an apartment literally across the road from there. I think it the a small block just to the side of the church.

Go in the Reggae Lounge or whatever it's called just a bit further along from there and have your fill of all you can drink.

Acting Claret wrote:They are small mini buses that run the main routes. Pay cash on board. V loud music. My wife had to sit on the bump between the driver and the passenger seat.

Great, that should make getting around cheap then!

starting_11 wrote:That place is brilliant but it burned down. Check if it's still there and if it is, definitely go!

Also whilst in the gap go to Dover beach. One of the nicest beaches I've ever been to

Dover beach looks very nice. There are so many great beaches competing for our attention - can't wait!

Top tip for Barbados.

If you meet Dwight Yorke, lock your (new) missus up.

starting_11 wrote:Where you staying Indigo? I stayed in an apartment literally across the road from there. I think it the a small block just to the side of the church.

Go in the Reggae Lounge or whatever it's called just a bit further along from there and have your fill of all you can drink.

We're staying at the Yellow Bird hotel According to TripAdvisor, Reggae Lounge is closed. Not sure what the situation is really but will check it out if it's still open when we get there!

Hah you're not missing much - you might get a better nights sleep with it shut though cos they used to have speakers outside to entice people in and it'd be going on till at least 2am. You could hear it for bloody miles!

Get yourself to a rum shop (shack on the side of the road) if you find one, you'll get a 250/300ml bottle of Mount Gay and 2 bottled mixers for about £3-4. Great times in those

Your going on honeymoon Indigo. Do you really need to find things to do

starting_11 wrote:Hah you're not missing much - you might get a better nights sleep with it shut though cos they used to have speakers outside to entice people in and it'd be going on till at least 2am. You could hear it for bloody miles!

Get yourself to a rum shop (shack on the side of the road) if you find one, you'll get a 250/300ml bottle of Mount Gay and 2 bottled mixers for about £3-4. Great times in those

Good shout - we watched a travel program recently and it showed a rum shop - a must visit for me as a lover of hard liquor!

1968claret wrote:Your going on honeymoon Indigo. Do you really need to find things to do

Haha, fair point!

IndigoLake wrote:I've heard of this bus before! I'm assuming tickets are pretty cheap? Will be a good way to get around then

We have been a few times to Barbados,mainly on a cruise.
Kensington oval worth a visit.

Catch a blue reggae bus to Sandy Lane,where the big posh hotel is.Will only cost you 1 locall dollar each way.The Cliff rest aurant is there too,where all the superstars dine.Nice beach there and you can walk into holetown for shopping.

Taxis rip you off so be careful!

Hope that you have a great time there!

I would avoid Bridgetown if you can. There's really nothing there and you'll be hassled every 10 seconds for a taxi or other ways of parting you from your money.

Also don't let anyone stop you and start drawing your picture cos you'll never be rid of them until you've paid then

starting_11 wrote:I would avoid Bridgetown if you can. There's really nothing there and you'll be hassled every 10 seconds for a taxi or other ways of parting you from your money.

Also don't let anyone stop you and start drawing your picture cos you'll never be rid of them until you've paid then

Appreciate the tips! That reminds me of Marrakech where the constant hassle was certainly off-putting. If we do go into Bridgetown, we'll be sure to keep this in mind. However most of what we want to see is outside of the town.

Bathsheba and the East Coast are great. Definitely worth a day trip is The Crane resort - most amazing beach. JuJu's rum shack on the West Coast is one of my favourites. Mullins Beach is lovely - although some beaches look private, they all have to allow public access. And if you get as far as Speightstown, my friends have the Orange Street Grocer - pizza and sundowners recommended.