Meet Cortney! Cortney (@cortwithnou) lives on the East Coast of Canada where she works in Healthcare Philanthropy. She loves being with friends and family and spending time near the ocean. Cortney stopped by ROTR to tell us all about her trip to Barbados!
Barbados is most known for being the home of famed international superstar Rihanna. It's an island located in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 km (62 mi) east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, Barbados is the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands. Fun fact: It's technically located on two continents and a region: North America, Central America, and South America!
Keep reading to get the details on Courtney beach bummin' in Barbados. Enjoy!
A Week in Barbados
I had no idea what to expect as I walked out of the airport in Barbados. Honestly, prior to boarding the plane in Toronto, I hadn’t done much research about the tiny Caribbean country located just northeast of Venezuela. My friend had recently moved to the island for a work placement and I jumped on the opportunity to visit her. The little I knew about Barbados was it was famous for pristine beaches, rum and Rihanna. While all of these things proved to be true, to say the island exceeded my expectations is an understatement.
Beaches
When I first caught a glimpse of the ocean from the bus window, I was in awe. The water looked like blue Kool-Aid and it was crystal clear. There are many beaches to visit in Barbados, but we stuck to the ones on the West coast as they have calmer waters for swimming. Among the many beaches we visited was Miami Beach. It’s a short 25 minutes south of Bridgetown and can easily be reached by bus. This beach in particular was memorable as shortly after getting in the water we saw a huge sea turtle! We learned later that there is a lot of fishing in the Miami Beach area which is why there’s turtles around. It’s important to note that all beaches in Barbados are public and there’s some hidden gems to explore.
Food & Entertainment
The fact that Barbados is so small is what makes it charming and allows you to really immerse yourself in the culture. Unlike other touristy countries where there seems to be a divide between locals and vacationers, Barbados is very inclusive. One of my favorite memories of the trip is the evening we spent at Oistins Fish Fry, a popular hotspot for tourists and locals of all ages. This place came highly recommended for a Friday night out and for good reason! Oistins Fish Fry has several food vendors with locally sourced seafood and flavorful dishes. There is live music and a fun vibrant atmosphere to take in. This place was BUSY though, we waited over an hour for our food, but it was well worth it and we met some kind people during our wait.
Accommodations
I was fortunate enough to be able to stay with my friend in her long-term Airbnb. The apartment was in a quiet neighborhood in the Garrison district, making it easy to catch the bus and walk down to Carlisle Bay. Although there are luxury resorts and hotels in Barbados, I recommend staying in an Airbnb. You will save a lot of money and it’s not like you’re missing out on private beach access. Airbnb’s under $100 per night can be found across the island and some are directly on the beach.
Barbados is a fantastic option for a tropical getaway. It was by far one of most unique trips I’ve ever taken. To be able to visit a place where you feel safe, can easily get around, and where the people are friendly and helpful is genuinely one of a kind.
Happy Travels Friends! Xoxoxoxoxo, ROTR
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