5 Things to Do in Barbados – According to a Local
When people think of Barbados, the first things that usually come to mind are beautiful beaches, rum punch and spending as much time as possible in the sunshine.
And while I certainly wouldn’t argue with any of those, there is so much more to experience while you’re here.
I’m often asked by clients, friends and family visiting Barbados what they should actually do while they’re on the island. My answer is usually to mix the traditional sightseeing with a few experiences that feel a little more Bajan and a little less like ticking boxes on a tourist itinerary.
So, if you want to experience a few different sides of Barbados, here are five things I think are well worth adding to your list.
1. Spend an Afternoon at the Horse Racing at the Garrison
A day at the races at the Garrison Savannah is one of those wonderfully traditional Barbados experiences.
You definitely don’t need to know anything about horse racing to enjoy it. For me, half of the fun is simply the atmosphere — watching the horses in the paddock, enjoying a cocktail in the Realtors box, choosing a horse based on absolutely no scientific reasoning whatsoever and then cheering it on as it comes around the final bend!
The Garrison is also an important part of Barbados’ history, located just outside Bridgetown within the island’s historic Garrison area. Horse racing has been a fixture here for generations, and the Barbados Turf Club currently runs racing across three seasons during the year.
You will see everyone from serious racing fans to families having a casual afternoon out, and that’s part of what makes it enjoyable.
Lisa’s Local Tip: Check the racing calendar before your trip rather than assuming there will be racing every weekend. If you happen to be here for one of the bigger race days, even better. Arrive with enough time to wander around and take in the atmosphere before the first race.
And yes, even if you know nothing about horses, picking one because you like its name is perfectly acceptable!
2. Get Up Early and Watch the Horses Swim at Pebbles Beach
This has to be one of the most uniquely Barbadian ways to start a morning.
Head down to Pebbles Beach at Carlisle Bay early enough and you may see the racehorses coming down from the Garrison for their morning sea bath.
The horses are walked into the
water with their handlers, and it is genuinely lovely to watch. Even after living here, it is still one of those scenes that makes you stop and appreciate where you are.
Pebbles Beach is only a few minutes from Bridgetown, and the horses and their handlers are regular early-morning visitors from the nearby historic Garrison.
It isn’t a formal show or tourist attraction, which is actually what I like about it. You are simply watching part of the normal morning routine.
Lisa’s Local Tip: Go early! This is very much a morning activity. Bring your swimsuit as well because once you’re there, chances are you’ll want to get into the water yourself.
And afterwards, you are already in a great spot to grab some breakfast or a coffee and make a morning of it.
3. Have a Proper Lazy Day on a Private Catamaran
There are lots of ways to enjoy the water in Barbados, but if you’re coming with family or a group of friends, I absolutely love the idea of booking a private catamaran for the day.
There is something completely different about seeing Barbados from the sea.
Once you’re out on the water, phones tend to disappear, everyone slows down and suddenly the biggest decision of the afternoon is whether to have another swim or another rum punch.
A typical day can include sailing along the coast, stopping in one of the beautiful bays for a swim or snorkel, enjoying lunch on board and finding somewhere calm to anchor for a while.
And if you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, family trip or just want one really memorable day of your holiday, going private gives you the ability to enjoy the day at your own pace rather than following a larger organised group.
Lisa’s Local Tip: Don’t try to cram too much into the day. The whole point is to relax. A couple of lovely swim stops, good food, good music and a slow sail along the coast is really all you need.
Also, take more sunscreen than you think you need. The sea breeze can make it very easy to forget just how strong the Barbados sun is!
4. Try the Escape Room at Arlington House Museum
This is one that visitors don’t always expect when I suggest it.
In the heart of Speightstown, you can take on the Escape Room at Arlington House Museum.
The experience uses the historic museum setting and the story of Barbados’ maritime and pirate history to create a proper escape-room challenge. You work together to follow clues, solve puzzles and try to uncover the treasure before your time runs out.
What I like about it is that it’s something completely different.
It is fun for couples, groups of friends and families with older children, and you also come away learning a little about the history of Speightstown without feeling as though you’re sitting through a history lesson.
It is also a very useful activity to keep in your back pocket for the occasional rainy Barbados afternoon.
Lisa’s Local Tip: Get a small group together and let our concierge organize a booking for you. Try not to ask for clues too quickly, arguing with your friends about the answer is half of the experience!
5. Experience Rally Barbados Like a Local
This one is obviously dependent on when you visit, but if your trip happens to fall around Rally Barbados, it is definitely worth experiencing.
Motorsport is a big part of Barbados culture, and Rally Barbados brings an entirely different energy to the island. The event has grown from its beginnings in the early 90’s into the Caribbean’s largest annual international motorsport event, with stages taking place on closed sections of public roads around Barbados.
You don’t necessarily need to be a motorsport fanatic to enjoy it.
Find a good spectator area, follow the directions from the organisers and marshals, settle in with some friends and wait for the cars to come through. When you hear them approaching before you can actually see them, you will understand why people get hooked!
It is fast, loud and very different from the picture of Barbados most visitors have before they arrive.
Lisa’s Local Tip: If Rally Barbados falls during your stay, look at the official route and spectator information in advance and plan where you want to watch. Always stay within the designated spectator areas and listen to the marshals — the roads are narrow and the cars are moving very quickly.
Also look out for King of the Hill, which traditionally takes place ahead of the main Rally Barbados weekend and is another great opportunity to enjoy the action.
Sometimes the Best Barbados Experiences Aren’t the Obvious Ones
Of course, you should spend plenty of time on the beach while you’re here. You should have a rum punch, swim in the Caribbean Sea, enjoy a sunset on the West Coast and eat as much fresh fish as possible.
But I also think a great Barbados holiday should include a few experiences that give you a little glimpse into everyday island life.
Watching racehorses swimming at Pebbles Beach first thing in the morning feels completely different from spending an afternoon at the Garrison. Sailing slowly up the coast gives you another perspective of the island altogether. And something like Rally Barbados shows you a side of Bajan culture that many first-time visitors don’t even realise exists.
That’s one of the things I love most about Barbados.
For such a small island, there is always something different to discover.
Visiting Barbados? Feel Free to Ask a Local
Working in Barbados real estate means I spend a lot of time with people who are getting to know the island — whether they’re visiting for a holiday, looking for a second home, investing here or considering making Barbados somewhere they spend considerably more time.
And quite often the conversations quickly move from property to the important questions:
Where should we eat? What beach should we visit? What should we do this weekend?
Those are conversations I love having.
So whether you need some local recommendations or would simply like to learn more about buying, selling or investing in property in Barbados, I am always happy to help.
Thinking about Barbados property or simply have a question about the island? Contact Lisa:
Email: lisa@realtorslimited.com
Call: +1 246 537 6930
WhatsApp: +1 246 243 5561
Meet Lisa:
https://realtorslimited.com/meet-the-team/lisa-hunte-marquez-barbados-trusted-realtor/