A sovereign island nation in the eastern Caribbean Sea, 62 miles east of the Windward Islands — the easternmost island in the region, and passionately its own: birthplace of rum, cricket-mad, and home to some of the best kitesurfing conditions anywhere in the Caribbean.
Barbados sits apart from the main Caribbean island chain, 62 miles east of the Windward Islands — coral limestone rather than volcanic, which gives it some of the flattest terrain and calmest west-coast beaches in the region, alongside dramatic Atlantic surf on its rugged east coast. View map →
First noted on a Spanish map in 1511, briefly visited by the Portuguese in 1536, and formally claimed for England when the Olive Blossom arrived in 1624, Barbados grew into one of Britain's most profitable sugar colonies. It became fully independent on 30 November 1966 — and, more recently, transitioned from a Commonwealth realm to a parliamentary republic on 30 November 2021, electing its own head of state for the first time. Read the full fact sheet →
Nationality: Barbadian (Bajan) · Size: 430 sq km (166 sq mi)
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Our community of featured businesses is growing, making it even easier to discover and support local favorites.
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Endless Kiteboarding is one of the Caribbean's premier kite surf schools and, renowned for it's hospitality, nightlife and beautiful tropical beaches, Barbados is the perfect place to learn the sport of kitesurfing. Contact owner and instructor Roland Boyce of Endless Kiteboarding Instructor. Contact details are on website.
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Barbados. Live The Dream. Your Barbados Experiences Start Here. the Barbados Government announced the introduction of the 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp. This new remote work programme establishes a visa to allow people to work remotely in Barbados for a maximum for 12 months. The visa is available to anyone who can meet the visa requirements and whose work is location independent, whether individuals or families.
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Caribbean Permaculture Research Institute educate and empower their students to: grow food, repair land and build community. To find and create a livelihood based on meeting one's own needs, and helping others meet their needs. To create low maintenance, holistic and functional systems to feed, house and provide income.
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Coolest Carib promotes Caribbean Islands and their tourist services. Advertisers who benefit the most from our services include car rentals, catamaran tours, kitesurfing schools, water-sports rentals, scuba diving centers, beach resorts, hotels, restaurants, scooter rentals, boating excursions etc. The website is mostly viewed by Caribbean travelers and tourists. For more information about our rates and exposure scope view our advertising page.
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The stories behind the postcard — a few things worth knowing before you go.
Barbados is often credited as the birthplace of rum, with a sugar cane and distilling history stretching back to the 17th century. Mount Gay Rum, founded in 1703, is one of the oldest rum brands in the world and still operates on the island today.
The flying fish is a national symbol, found in abundance in the surrounding waters and known for gliding above the surface on specially adapted fins — also a beloved ingredient in Bajan cuisine, especially flying fish and cou-cou.
Cricket is the national sport and deeply woven into island culture. The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown is one of the most famous cricket grounds in the world, having hosted numerous international matches including Cricket World Cup games.
Barbados has a lesser-known tie to the first US President: in 1751, at age 19, George Washington visited with his ailing half-brother — the only trip Washington ever took outside what's now the United States.
Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011 — the well-preserved capital and a British colonial garrison complex tied to the Atlantic slave trade and British naval history.
Ranked by locals — the Barbados essentials.
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“In Plenty and In Time of Need”
Barbados first appears on a Spanish map from 1511; historians believe Spanish sailors may have visited earlier still. The Portuguese arrived in 1536 but left it unclaimed. The first English ship, the Olive Blossom, arrived in 1624 and took possession of the island for England.
Barbados grew into one of Britain's most valuable sugar colonies, worked by enslaved Africans on plantations that still shape the island's architecture and place names today. It became fully independent on 30 November 1966, remaining a Commonwealth realm with the British monarch as head of state for the next 55 years.
On 30 November 2021, Barbados transitioned to a parliamentary republic, replacing the monarch with an elected president as head of state — Dame Sandra Mason became the country's first president that day. She was succeeded by President Jeffrey Bostic on 30 November 2025.
On the calm west coast — clear, gentle water and beautiful sunset views, with a relaxed, local atmosphere that's ideal for swimming.
Dramatic cliffs frame a huge, largely empty stretch of sand on the south-east coast — a good pick for travelers seeking privacy and solitude.
Known for its consistent breeze, making it one of the island's best spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing, with plenty of open sand to spread out on.
A hidden north-coast cove reached by a short, steep descent — the effort keeps crowds minimal and the setting feels genuinely secluded.
Dramatic Atlantic scenery on the east coast, with crashing waves and rugged cliffs — a favorite for photographers and sunrise seekers.
Tips by Liz Strauss, an experienced traveler and piano entertainer. www.lizpiano.com · Disclosure
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