Anyone ever been to Barbados?

[purbeast0]

My wife and I and another couple are going at the end of March.

I was just wondering if anybody has been there and there are things they would recommend. We are adventurous and want to be out and about doing stuff. I plan on taking a snorkel trip but do not know exactly which one to do.

We're staying where Sandy Lane beach is located, which I believe is on the west coast.

Also are there any places you can just go snorkel off the shore that are good spots?

EDIT:

would you recommend renting a car?

 

[akshatp]

I went there in 2007... We stayed at the Dover Beach area (South coast in the St Lawrence Gap)

Most of our beach time was spent on Dover beach, or nearby Rockely beach... WHile both have plenty of watersports, I dont remember seeing any places where one could go Snorkeling.. Although that could be because I wasnt looking for it...

I loved the area we stayed in St Lawrence Gap... locals are very friendly, its a short distance to the weekly street fair (called oistins fish fry) which occurs on Friday night (definitely check it out), and the beaches/food/nightlife were great.. The best thing was we friended a cab driver who became our "driver" for the week and gave us lots of good information on where and where not to go... Curtis was his name... awesome guy...

Here is some info on that friday night street "party"
http://www.travel2thecaribbean.com/OistinsFishFestivalBarbados.html


You can get alot of info on barbados.org, but if you have specifics, shoot me an email (its in my profile) and Ill try to answer any questions you have...

 

[spidey07]

There's a marine park that has decent snorkling - depth of about 6-12 feet. The public buses are decent and cabs are abundant. All around snorkling is pretty good. I can't remember where we stayed or on what side but it was a very nice trip.

Also, the sun sets at like 4:30. Right after the 3:00 rain.

Look for octopusses there. They're everywhere but are well camoflaged, about the size of a baseball.

-edit-
And why haven't you guys gotten scuba certified yet? Do it now.

 

[akshatp]

Oh yeah dont forget to go here one night:

http://www.harbourlightsbarbados.com/

 

[vailr]

Something about Barbados that you might not be aware of:
there still exist descendants of a contingent of Scottish "sugar slaves" that were exiled to Barbados from Scotland, by Oliver Cromwell in 1648. There was a recent BBC television program that depicted some of those living there still today. Their housing is mostly located on the western side of the island.
Can't comment on your snorkeling question, except: bring a water-proof camera for some underwater pictures.

 

[purbeast0]

Thanks for the replies so far...

Spidey, I have asthma and wanted to go see a specialist so he can run some tests on me to let me know if I can scuba dive or not before I went to get certified. And since this kind of came out of nowhere, I doubt I will have time to do that.

akshatp, i saw that when searching. Is it also like a huge club on the beach? from the pics and stuff it looked pretty much like it is more of a show you go see than an actual club.

 

[purbeast0]

random bump!

 

[RXD]

I've been many times but I do not support all-inclusive resorts. It's not that they aren't nice, but you tend to avoid the local culture because you want to make the most of the money that you are spending on your trip. Nevertheless, you can check out Crystal Cove located on the west coast of the island. The beaches on the west side of the island are quite nice, and the hotel itself is pretty. There is a lovely pool where you may swim up to the bar.

There are other hotels which I'm not as familiar with. The Sandy Bay Beach Club is in a very convenient location, though the beach itself has washed away in recent times (there is still a beach, but don't be surprise if the distance from the outside bar and the water doesn't look like the pictures on the website). The rates are decent compared to other all-inclusive resorts, but the rooms may look more modest. On the up-side, you have banks, grocery stores, clubs, restaurants and shopping within walking distance. It's also on the main road where if you would like to take public transportation into town, you have that option.

Keep in mind the resorts beaches in Barbados are not privatized as in some other islands, and while this would not cause any problems to you as a guest, you are really paying for your room/food/ & watersports (hopefully this is something you have an interest in. The island is not that big where getting around would be a problem, so you may want to experience the restaurants & activities that the island has to offer. Keep your mind open to other hotels/apartments & villas that are not all-inclusive. If it's value you are looking for, you can rent an apartment/house/villa for less than the cost of a hotel. There are many bars on the island which sells drinks at a much cheaper price than those in the major hotels (ie. the Hilton charged me almost double for a drink than most other places on the island). There are many restaurants to choose from & to match any budget. If it's a quiet getaway with no disturbances and luxury you are looking for, then one of the higher end resorts should suit your needs.

 

[PricklyPete]

I went a few years ago with my wife. We stayed in the St. Lawrence gap area. The thursday night local fish fry was awesome. The Cliff was one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at (and payed similarly too). We did some snorkeling...but it was part of a catamaran deal. We also went horseback riding on the east side of the island...that was a lot of fun. There is also some good surfing at the southern tip of the island. The beaches are great and the people are amazingly nice. Very safe place...great place to get out. They have some really fantastic restaurants.

 

[nick1985]

I went there and tagged Rihanna a few times.

Nice place.

 

[purbeast0]

well bump cause its coming soon...

would you guys recommend renting a car as well while in Barbados? if i go out at night to a bar or something i plan to cab, but is there a lot to see and explore with a car? i know i Maui that was the best thing I did was rent a car!

also, i'm going to see my doctor on Friday in hopes that he clears me to scuba dive

 

[spidey07]

well bump cause its coming soon...

would you guys recommend renting a car as well while in Barbados? if i go out at night to a bar or something i plan to cab, but is there a lot to see and explore with a car? i know i Maui that was the best thing I did was rent a car!

also, i'm going to see my doctor on Friday in hopes that he clears me to scuba dive

Cabs are readily available. You must be new to the carribean.

If you want to rent a car and explore, then rent a car. Where you're staying should have car rentals. Just pick up the phone and call where you're staying.

 

[akshatp]

You dont need a car unless you plan on traveling up to areas like Spatestown or something...

Cabs are everywhere... and also those little white buses will take you pretty much everywhere for a cpl of bucks.