BARBADOS

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1 With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, the weather is almost always sunny and warm, cooled by the constant northeast trade winds. The average daytime temperature is balmy, ranging between 84-88 degrees.2 Shorts, t-shirts, wraps3 The Barbadian capital city of Bridgetown was originally named “Indian Bridge” for the crude bridge that was constructed over the river by early Indian settlers.4 First made 370 years ago from the sugar cane that populated the island, Barbados rum soon found the favor of many English sailors.5 Bajans (as Barbados residents are called) are crazy about cricket and golf.6 The rocky, wind-whipped Atlantic coast is one of the world’s best windsurfing spots, while the tranquil west coast that faces the Caribbean Sea, called the Platinum Coast, is lined with posh resorts.7 Indulge your taste buds with spicy French-Caribbean cuisine at the patios of Brown Sugar, or grab a seat on the intimate, torch-lit terrace overlooking the Caribbean at The Cliff.8 Hike along an inland trail or down a coastal pathway, laugh at a mischievous green monkey in the wildlife preserve or unwind in one of the numerous parks.9 If you want to take to the water, board a catamaran in Bridgetown for lunchtime snorkeling, or set sail for a sunset dinner cruise10 Dance the night away in “irie” oblivion to live soca, reggae or calypso at Harbour Lights or hot spot Sugar Ultra Lounge.