First-class beaches. Reggae bars. Street food. Tick, tick, tick. Barbados getaways are all about sun, sea and plenty of rum punch. Spend your days lounging beachside and soaking up the sun on this slice of the Caribbean. We’re talking over 92 kilometres of coastline… Big beachy resorts, stunning coral reefs and secluded coves – say less. Once you’ve had your fix of sand and sea, you can then check out what else this island has to offer.
Barbados’ UNESCO World Heritage-listed capital, Bridgetown, has nailed that old-to-new ratio, with loads of history and culture to explore. Plus, it’s got a thriving nightlife scene with everything from laidback lounges to all-night clubs, and it’s home to a museum about the world’s first rum brand – Mount Gay. Foodies, this one’s for you, too. You’ve got beach snacks like cutters – basically a crusty salt bread sandwich filled with fish, cheese or ham and topped with a spicy Bajan hot sauce. Or, if you’re after the VIP treatment – or just an excuse to get glammed up – then it’s got to be The Cliff restaurant. This place is the ultimate celeb hotspot.
Barbados is a pretty good pick all-year round. With over 3,000 hours of sunshine, sunny days are almost guaranteed, and the temps tend to stay up in the high-20s to low-30s. Yes, you’ll get bursts of rain later in the year, but they’re often short and then it’s straight back to that lounger life. So, let’s find the best time to visit for you…
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The dry season
Barbados’ dry season is ideal for escaping the worst of UK winter. Sun worshippers will want to be here from December to May when the sun shines for up to 14 hours a day. It’s very on brand for the Caribbean – clear blue skies, temps up to 30˚C and rainfall’s at a minimum.
Pick from sandy stretches with watersports and buzzy beach bars like Mullins Beach, Paynes Bay and Carlisle Bay. Or head to more peaceful spots with a laidback feel like Bottom Bay and Crane Beach.
The rainy season
Barbados’ rainy season is from June to November, but don’t worry – it’s not like the rain you get in the UK. It comes in very short bursts and once it’s over, you’re back to warm sunshine and working on your tan. It’s good to remember that the hurricane season is also during this period, but Barbados luckily manages to avoid the worst of it, compared to other Caribbean islands. It sits just south of the belt, so it’s likely you’ll get a good amount of tropical sunshine with only the odd heavy downpour here and there. A benefit to coming at this time of year is that the island is a little quieter, so exploring the island’s a dream without all the crowds.
There are also some cool festivals that take place during the summer months. The iconic Crop Over Festival is from June to August and the whole place comes alive. Originally a way to celebrate the end of a good sugar cane harvest, today it’s basically one big street party. Colourful carnival parades, loads of live music and a lot of dancing.
The party season
Barbados is the birthplace of rum, so ofc they love to party. Dry season is the ideal time to come as you’re guaranteed good weather, and the Caribbean locals make the most of it. The buzzing nightlife scene in St Lawrence is your go-to party starter to pick things up. Clubs and bars are open until the early hours with live music and DJ sets.
On the west coast in St James, Holetown is home to one of Barbados’ biggest celebrations. Holetown Festival takes place in mid-February, so expect carnivals, street fairs, classic car parades and steel band concerts.
Ready to party in Barbados? Check out one of our Caribbean holiday deals, or for more inspo take your pick from these long-haul destinations .
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Author: Rachel Coppenhall (she/her)
Last updated: 22.08.25
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