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How to experience Barbados like a local

Barbados, one of the most eastern islands in the Caribbean, offers more than Bajan punch and pristine beaches. The people, with their charm and zest for life, make this densely populated island a lively place.

4 min 26 Jun 2024

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To experience Barbados like a local, you must go beyond the port area and explore the island's different neighbourhoods, beaches, and restaurants. Many of the island's treasures are easily accessible from the port and worth visiting.

Experience the Crop Over Festival

Experiencing Barbados' Crop Over Festival is an unforgettable experience with music, stunning costumes, and lots of rum punch! This historic celebration, marking the end of the sugar cane harvest, fills the island with joy for around a week during the summer months. Grand Kadooment Day, the climax of the festival, features a parade of revellers in elaborate attire dancing through the streets. It's a unique opportunity to embrace Barbadian heritage, whether you go as a spectator or decide to get dressed up and participate!

 

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Photo credit David Tett
Photo credit David Tett
Photo credit David Tett
Photo credit David Tett

Savour the Flavours of Oistins Fish Fry

No visit to Barbados is complete without experiencing the Oistins Fish Fry, a Friday night tradition that brings locals and visitors together for a fun night of food, music, and dancing. Less than a 30-minute drive from the port, Oistins is the place to taste freshly grilled seafood. Treat yourself to locally caught fish like marlin and mahi-mahi, seasoned with local spices and served with traditional sides like macaroni pie and plantains.

Photo credit British Virgin Islands

Relax at Dover Beach 

Less than a 30-minute drive from the port, you will find Dover Beach, a favourite among Bajans. This picturesque beach, with its calm turquoise waters and stretch of white sand, is known for its watersports with windsurfers and kayakers. It's an ideal spot to unwind and mingle with locals, especially on weekends.

It would be remiss of us to give only one beach tip when there are so many gorgeous Bajan spots – we also love Pebbles Beach, where, several very early mornings a week, racehorses are walked and bathed by the grooms from nearby Garrison Savannah. It’s a beautiful sight if you’re staying close by. 

The sunny tropical Dover Beach on the island of Barbados in the Caribbean

Visit the food markets

One of the best ways to explore as a local is by visiting food markets. First, check out the vibrant Cheapside Market, which offers fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish. You will see bright-coloured umbrellas with vendors offering snacks and vegetables as you enter the market. The interior has more stalls, and upstairs, there's a small food court where you can grab a quick lunch. Head to Brighton Farmers Market in the scenic Bajan countryside on Saturday morning. This market offers a laid-back side of Bajan life, showcasing the island's commitment to community and sustainability.

 

Essaouira, Morocco. Vegetable stall in the covered market.

Catch a cricket match at Kensington Oval

Immerse yourself in the island's favourite sport by catching a cricket match at the historic Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. Cricket is more than just a game in Barbados; it's a way of life. Join the locals in cheering on a match and understand why the sport is so popular.

A cricket ball in the foreground on a grass field with a cricket player running on the pitch in the background

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