SAINT PHILIP, barbados | Day 6-13 of 28
An island republic and one of the leading tourist destinations of the Caribbean, Barbados has it all. Whether you’re looking for history, culture, cuisine, alcohol, nature, or simply relaxation, there will be something for you!
Once settled into the place, I had just over a week to explore and take advantage of the many attractions in Barbados. It certainly wasn’t enough time to see everything so I prioritised and followed my interests planning an itinerary focused on a mix of nature and history, of which both are plentiful on the island. I also had my university work to slot in and time zone differences meant I was up at 4 am most days to attend online classes. The sun was out almost six to six on the dot so I made sure to take advantage of the sunlight hours for sightseeing and returned to the property for the evening to work again.
My first stop was Hunte’s Gardens, labelled The most enchanting place on Earth and recommended to me by my hosts as the only botanical garden worth visiting on the island. The garden itself lies inside a sinkhole where horticulturist Anthony Hunte has planted a large collection of Caribbean and international plants. Open every day from 9 to 5, stop by for a relaxing stroll followed by an invite to Anthony Hunte’s house on the top overlooking the site where a selection of cakes, soft drinks, and rum can be purchased.
The next visit was to the Barbados Museum and Historical Society located in the Garrison historic area with the UNESCO World Heritage Property of St Anns Fort, housing the British Royal Armed Forces until 1906. Today, St Anns remains the official base and headquarters of the Barbados Defence Force and while open to visitors, they must register in advance for security checks before being allowed on-site. The Museum however will offer walking tours around the area covering the barracks, the fort, the monument, and George Washington’s House. Guided tours are also available for inside the museum’s exhibits which follow the history and culture of Barbados and also feature rotating exhibits hosted by other embassies. Bookings are made by contacting the Museum via Facebook or phone or through the gift shop.
Harrison’s Caves are a must-see and one of the greatest wonders of Barbados: a stream cave system stretching for kilometres underground with flowing streams, deep pools, and towering columns. The signature tram ride, accompanied by a tour guide, can be booked online via their website. The tram will take you on a designated route through the caves with a stops along the way for photo opportunities and a visit to the waterfall.
As I always aim to do on trips abroad, I wanted the chance to see the animals of Barbados. While there aren’t any traditional zoos, the Barbados Wildlife Reserve is a perfect destination for all animal-lovers. The animals, from monkeys to deer to tortoises to birds, all range freely within the walls giving you the opportunity to watch them up-close in their natural environment. In addition, the entry to the reserve also grants you access to Grenade Hall Forest and Signal Station, another attraction great for both history and nature lovers.
When not visiting tourist attractions, I also planned visits to various spots across the island on the hunt for sunrises and sunsets. With the sun rising at 6 am and setting at 6 pm every day, this was easily doable and the only downside was driving to or back in the dark – something not for a rookie driver, especially not on those roads! While not all the spots worked out and my sunrise photos were disappointing due to bad weather, I found some excellent places for sunset pics: Folkestone Park and Miami Beach. Nothing beats a relaxing stroll across the beach as the sun dips below the horizon.
USEFUL Links
All information on the latest Barbados COVID-19 protocols can be found here.
Some great information on renting a car and driving in Barbados can be found here.
Want ideas for attractions to visit and see? Check out these websites: one and two.
Approximate prices
Entry to Hunte’s Gardens (cash only – USD or BBD) = 15 GBP || 20 USD || 40 BBD
Guided Tour of Garrison and Entry to Barbados Museum = 15 GBP || 20 USD || 40 BBD
Signature Tram Tour of Harrison’s Caves = 42 GBP || 57 USD || 115 BBD
Entry to Barbados Wildlife Reserve and Grenade Hall Forest and Signal Station (cash only – USD or BBD) = 11 GBP || 15 USD || 30 BBD
Additional Information
This trip takes place from 11th October to 7th November 2021.
Keep an eye out for upcoming blogs on the rest of the trip “The Journey“.
For my GoFundMe to recoup surgery costs, visit this link.
T.A.G. World Guide 