Published March 19th, 2025

Photography by Claudia Laroye

Sipping on my rum punch watching the sun sink in a blaze of pink-orange glory into the cerulean Caribbean Sea, it seems to me that the island of Barbados is having a moment.

This wee oasis (Barbados is just 34 km long and 23 km wide) on the eastern edge of the Caribbean is incredibly popular with Canadian travellers and rich in cultural heritage, culinary experiences and eco-adventure activities on land and sea.

Its sandy beaches, into which my toes slowly sink, are made of tiny coral granules. Barbados has a geological history unlike any other in the region - its final form appearing just 60,000 years ago thanks to tectonic versus volcanic activity, producing the only coral island in the Caribbean.

Wind erosion and rainfall created a unique cave system on the island, one you can actually travel through at Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park. Opened to the public in 1981, the Park’s subterranean village of stalagmites and stalactites in the cave system (one of the Seven Wonders of Barbados) is 7,000 years old.

The one-hour tram-ride makes for an impressive tour past ancient columns of calcium salts, especially when the lights go out (briefly but deliberately) and everyone’s plunged into the inkiest and darkest of dark spaces.

But back to that moment. Barbados is celebrating its inclusion last fall on the list of National Geographic’s Best Of The World places for 2025. It’s the only Caribbean destination to make the cut. Not bad for an island with just over 280,000 people.

“Barbados is thrilled to be recognized by National Geographic as one of the top places to visit in 2025,” said Eusi Skeete, Canada Director for Barbados Tourism Marketing, Inc. (BTMI). "This honour is not only a testament to our stunning beaches and lush landscapes, but to the warmth and hospitality of our people.”

Part of the recognition is also thanks to the new Barbados Heritage District on the grounds of the Newton Plantation, which occupies an area where many of the island’s enslaved people were buried. The soon-to-open complex will house a global research institute and a memorial dedicated to the history of the transatlantic slave trade, symbolized by 570 timber poles in remembrance of the people buried below.

That history is plainly visible as we drive around the island in an open-air jeep, off-roading on recently dampened and bumpy red soil tracks past fields of tall green stalks of sugar cane, vintage Dutch windmills, slightly decrepit former plantation homes and outdoor ovens once used by the enslaved.

We stop at a high point at Hackleton’s Cliff, perched one thousand feet above Barbados’ rugged eastern coast. Named for a former plantation owner who committed suicide by riding (and also condemning) his horse off the cliff after catching his wife in compromising circumstances, the cliff is now a peaceful place to enjoy the incredible coastal view.

In the thick humidity, the sounds of the lush forest are noticeable here, too. I spot a tiny black dot whirring between pink and yellow flowers - likely an Antillean crested hummingbird. Our Island Safari Tour guide points out that they are increasingly rare to see. This makes me both giddy and a bit sad that the delicate hummingbirds are not a more common sight.

During the winter months, Barbados boasts a wonderful climate with average temperatures around 30°C, providing a welcome contrast to chilly Canadian winters. At times, the humidity can be overpowering if you’re not used to it, and I remind myself to stay hydrated with water.

Spending time in the water is also highly recommended, and the island’s pristine beaches along the Caribbean Sea on its western shore – known as the Platinum Coast - feature soft sands and deliciously warm, crystal-clear waters.

With an ocean this welcoming, the adult pool at Waves Resort & Spa, while lovely, isn’t as tempting as floating in the turquoise seawater and sunbathing on the strip of sand at the resort or on famed Crane Beach or Sandy Lane Beach.

Nighttime is the right time to check out the Bajan culinary scene, which almost always includes some rum sampling. Barbados is the birthplace of rum. There are allegedly as many rum shops as places of worship on the island (1,000+), and they’re often found side by side throughout the its 11 parishes.

Barbados has been commercially producing and bottling fine rum blends since the 1700s - it’s part of the fabric of the island, which celebrates this history at the annual Barbados Food and Rum Festival, held annually in October. The Mount Gay Distillery is the oldest rum distillery in the world, and tastings can be arranged at the historic distillery or at Harrison’s Cave Park.

Alongside rum, seafood is a menu staple at local oceanside restaurants. Dishes like fried flying fish and cou cou (cornmeal and okra), fried chicken, fish cakes, and Bajan macaroni pie are popular. As is the legendary fish fry in Oistins, especially on a Friday night when the daily fresh catch can be fried or grilled and cooked on the spot on open-air grills. Enjoy your feast watching the locals play dominoes, a very popular and spirited game on the island.

Barbados is a dreamy destination and caters to Canadian travellers of all budgets. Whether it’s lounging by the sea, touring underground caves, trying kitesurfing or watching a cricket match (a game deeply ingrained in the island’s culture), there are several ways to stay, play and enjoy this tropical and friendly island paradise.

Where to stay

I enjoyed a relaxing hosted stay at the adult-oriented Waves Hotel and Spa, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort on the Platinum Coast of Barbados. Marriott International has launched its new all-inclusive Barbados Collection of hotels on the island. From family hotels, to adults only, solo travellers, and more, the seven hotel properties tailor differently to each type of guest.

All the hotels in the Barbados Collection are considered boutique given their size adding to a more personalized experience and with a focus on immersive, relaxing activities and with motorized and non-motorized water sports.

Getting there

Travelling to Barbados is a breeze from eastern Canada. Both Air Canada and WestJet offer direct flights from Toronto and Montreal into Grantley Adams International Airport.

Beachy-keen in Beautiful Barbados

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