Why Barbados is perfect for your next family vacation!
When it comes to a family vacation, your destination needs to check a lot of boxes, and appeal to a wide range of needs and interests. There are busy cities that offer the best type of culture and history and there are nature getaways that promise fresh air and adventure. When you’ve got kids in tow, however, many of them don’t quite fit the bill. Which brings us, and hopefully you, to Barbados. If you’ve been wondering and researching if Barbados is good for your family? The answer is unequivocal: Yes, it is!
Barbados, is that rarest of places: a destination that appeals to people of all ages. There’s plenty of sun, sea, and sand; delicious Bajan food; and charming towns to visit or explore, with local village markets with artisan crafts, live music and dancing.
It’s also an excellent starting point for first-time Caribbean travellers. The choice is never too far away in Barbados, and there are a plethora of things to do and see, from exploring limestone caves and postcard turquoise beaches to zipping over treetops.
Here’s a glance at what to expect on a luxury family vacation to Barbados.
Beaches aplenty for any Barbados family getaway!
Barbados, like the rest of the Caribbean, is known for its beaches. It’s just a nice way to laze around on the beautiful white sands. This island nation, surrounded by the Atlantic, boasts over 100 kilometers of coastline and more than 60 distinct beaches, nearly all of which are available to the public every day of the year.
Crane Beach, voted one of the top ten beaches in the world, is a great destination to relax in the sun or go boogie surfing in the sea. Known locally as Accra Beach, it’s a perennial favourite. At ZenBreak, we recommend Batts Rock and Paynes Bay Beach for those seeking calmer waters for younger children to wade into.
Be sure to check out our recent blog with the 10 best family beaches in Barbados, especially if you want to know everything about their location and what to do around them.
Barbados offers tonnes of water sports
A family vacation to Barbados wouldn’t be complete without getting wet, especially with all that lovely blue ocean right on your doorstep. Children and adults seeking thrills and spills are spoiled for choice in Barbados; especially along the West and South coasts, where there are numerous hotspots for surfing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, and boogie boarding, Jet Skis, and other water sports.
Many of the more popular destinations also provide equipment rental, so you don’t have to bring your own. There’s bound to be a site on the shoreline that suits your needs, whether you’re a family of novices, seasoned pros, or a combination of the two.
Barbados has amazing wildlife
A family vacation can provide parents with an opportunity to disconnect their kids from digital devices displays and a chance to reconnect with nature. Barbados is surrounded by coral reefs rich with vibrant fish, and several sites, including Folkestone Marine Park, are shallow enough for a family snorkelling trip.
Wreck diving near the Carlisle Bay Marine Park, where six wrecked ships have become a home for fish, rays, sea horses, sea turtles, and other sea creatures, is popular among the more courageous and experienced.
While aquatic life is certainly the main attraction, there is still plenty to see on land. There are numerous parks and nature paths, including the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, where you can view green monkeys, mongooses, tortoises, iguanas, and other animals.
Bajan Cuisine brings lots of colour
Barbadian (or Bajan) cuisine is a delectable mixture of African, British, Indian, and Creole influences. There’s truly a flavour and style for everyone. From foreign cuisine to fast-food favorites, as well as options that cater to specific dietary needs, you won’t go hungry here!
Popular with locals is a specially marinated meat or fish and commonly served with a dish of hot rice and peas. In fact, the national cuisine of Barbados is steamed flying fish and coucou and gravy, which we highly suggest you try out for yourself!
Go back in time in Barbados
Also, while you’re on the island, don’t miss the Caribbean’s first supersonic flight museum – The Concord Experience! When you’re done there Arlington House, near Speightstown, is another fun museum; with its interactive screens and talking pirates. It’s a delightful educational experience for kids of all ages.
Last on the list, but not least, don’t forget to visit The Barbados Museum, which opened in 1933, to help celebrate the island’s rich history and culture. Travel back in time as the museum tells the history of the people of Barbados via a comprehensive collection of artifacts, maps, and pictures.
Accommodations for your family vacation in Barbados
Barbados boasts a well-developed tourism infrastructure and a vast portfolio of excellent family-friendly accommodations. All that support its claim as one of the Caribbean’s most popular tourist destinations. It has everything to suit every budget and style.
At ZenBreak, you can find the perfect vacation rentals in Barbados, choose between one of our unique private villas, apartments, or beachfront vacation rentals and create one of the most magnificent vacation experiences for you and your family.
