Tropical paradises don't come more picture-perfect than Barbados, where palm trees sway against sunny skies and powder-white beaches lead to crystal-clear waters. Bonus: Rihanna's homeland also boasts some of the warmest people you'll ever meet. Read on for the latest ways to vacation (and save) on this West Indies island.
Barbados caters to couples. Toast each other over a beachside meal; take a romantic sunset cruise, snorkel hand-in-hand or tour historic Bridgetown together. Barbados is a famously bureaucracy-free place to marry, and luxury resorts and venues make it easy to plan an elegant destination wedding or relaxing honeymoon.
Your kids won't believe all they can do in Barbados: ride in a submarine to the ocean floor; view submerged boats on a "wreck-trek" in Carlisle Bay; meet turtles, monkeys and iguanas at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Then there's the everyday beach fun, from swimming to surfing. Put simply, Barbados is a playground for families.
Barbados has created programs that help tourists make positive contributions to local communities and ecosystems, from counting leatherback turtle nests to planting fruit trees or cassava and playing with shelter animals. Help clear rubbish from a beach — or, if you can scuba dive, join divers cleaning the colourful reefs!
Your tastebuds will get a world tour in Barbados, with flavours from African, British, Portuguese, Indian, Indigenous and Creole cuisines. Don't miss the famous buffet lunch at Atlantis Hotel or the Friday night fish fry in Oistins, or plan a tastebud-pleasing trip in October during the Barbados Food & Rum festival.
