Why Choose Barbados for Spring Break?

Barbados Spring Break Deals

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Spring Break in Barbados is sure to be an unforgettable trip.

ABOUT BARBADOS

Surrounded by the Caribbean and the Atlantic, Barbados is the eastern-most island in the Lesser-Antilles and is famous for its beautiful beaches and tropical climate. Crystal clear, warm waters make swimming a must, while the rougher seas on the south coast create the ideal surfing conditions that make Barbados the surfing capital of the Caribbean. This is the place to come for a relaxing island break - but did you know that it's also a highly popular choice as a Spring Break destination amongst American students?

Barbados offers long, sunny days of blissful beach life, and by night transforms into a seriously cool party zone that every student will love. The people of Barbados are outgoing and fun-loving, as you'll see from the number of young people out for a good time in the island's clubs. And the influence of people from other cultures coming to Barbados has created traditions that are alive with color and spirit, as can be seen in the island's numerous festivals with music, colorful costumes, dancing, and proud traditions

HISTORY

The name "Barbados" comes from a Pedro Campos, a Portuguese explorer who in 1536 originally called the island Los Barbados (meaning "The Bearded Ones") - not because the natives were prone to excessive facial hair, but because of the fig trees, whose long, hanging roots reminded him of beards.

Britain formally settled Barbados in 1627, and became known as profitable sugar cane plantation colony, with African slaves providing the main labor forces. The island's economy remained very dependent on the production of sugar, rum, and molasses for much of the 20th century. Slavery conditions remained even after slaves officially won their freedom in 1834, and it was only in the 1930s that the black middle class fought for the rights of the workers - which eventually led to them taking control of the government, culminating in complete independence from Britain in 1966.

Nowadays, tourism has replaced sugar production in terms of economic importance, and Barbados thrives as a tourist destination popular with visitors from all over the world.

DAYTIME ACTIVITIES

Obviously, there's the beaches! Miles of white sand and calm, sparkling waters make Barbados a tropical island paradise. Soak up the sun with a cocktail in your hand to experience the idyllic Barbados beach atmosphere! And if you get a bit restless from sitting around all day, don't worry - there's no shortage of things to do in Barbados.

Staying on the beaches, there are lots of fun watersports to choose from, and plenty of scuba diving instructors if you're interested in seeing the beauty of the underwater life. And if you're feeling adventurous, how about some cave exploration?

Shopping districts are also particularly popular in Barbados - and remember that you can shop duty free! There are numerous duty free jewelers on the main street of Barbados, and plenty of busy shopping districts with a wide range of goods. Bargain hunters will also love the variety of street vendors, who make shopping a fun experience as you learn to haggle aggressively - don't stop until you get to around a third of the price they originally gave you!

And of course, there's lots of sightseeing to be done in Barbados - so grab a guide book and do some exploring...

THE NIGHTLIFE

Nightlife on Barbados is cool, lively, and varied, and you're guaranteed to have a great night out whatever you choose to do. There are casinos offering pretty much non-stop gambling action, discos that go on almost till dawn if you want to dance the night away, and loads of trendy nightclubs and bars.

For the best frozen drinks and the most amazing daiquiris on Barbados, check out Bert's in Rockley, where theres a Happy Hour from 4.30pm till 6pm every day - there are lots of chilled-out places like this, where you can play slot machines, watch sports on the plasma screens, or just hang out with friends. There are popular English-style pubs such as Lord Willoughby's Tavern, which serve great pub food and show sports, as well as offering a games environment with pool tables and arcade games. Alternatively, there are places like The Plantation and the Boatyard, where live bands entertain the crowds every night and you can find whatever music suits your style, from hip-hop to disco to reggae.

Wherever you end up on a night out in Barbados, you'll be surrounded by a fun crowd and an ample supply of shooters and cocktails. Sounds good...

DRESS CODE

The people of Barbados tend to dress quite conservatively when they're not on the beach, so look smart when you're going out and don't wear your swimsuit in town!

THE WEATHER

Barbados has a famously mild, tropical climate.  The weather is always comfortable, there's lots of sunshine, and the warm water Caribbean is perfect for swimming.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS

A valid passport is required to gain entry to Barbados.

LANGUAGE

The official language in Barbados is English. There is also an English-based language called Bajan that is spoken by locals. Communication is never a problem for English speakers -  Barbados has one of the highest literacy rates in the Western Hemisphere

TRANSPORTATION

There is a great bus system in Barbados, which is extensive, cheap, and fast. Buses all charge the same fare (BD$1.50) regardless of whether they're privately or publicly run. There are also plenty of taxis charging reasonable fees for wherever you need to go on the island. They do not use meters, so remember to agree on a price before you get in!

Mopeds and bikes can also be rented and are great for sightseeing a bit further afield, particularly to explore sites that aren't easily reached by cars. You can also rent a moke, which is another fun way to get around!

MONEY

The local currency in Barbados is the Bajan dollar, but US dollars are accepted pretty much everywhere in shops and restaurants. The exchange rate is fixed at 1.98 Bajan dollars to the US Dollar but practically everyone just rounds it to US$1 = BD$2. Remember when changing your money that exchangers in hotels may take an additional percentage of the exchange (typically 5%).

ELECTRICITY

Electricity in Barbados is 110 volts/50 cycles - similar to in the United States. Power outages are few. Outlets in Barbados generally accept flat two-blade plugs.

TIME ZONE

The time zone in Barbados is Eastern Caribbean (UTC-4).

TIPPING

In Barbados, many restaurants add a percentage of gratuity to the bill, so check to make sure you're not tipping twice! If the tip is not already included, 10 to 15 percent is customary, and it's similar to the US. Taxi drivers generally get about 10%, plus an extra dollar per bag if they carry luggage for you.

DINING AND DRINKING

Barbados is well known for its cuisine, which is always of a very high quality no matter what you go for - and there's a great choice! Don't come looking for fast food - try out the local fare and you'll love it! There's "Pepperpot", which is a national dish of Barbados, and is a pork stew in a spicy sauce. Or flying fish (the emblem of the islands, which you'll see everywhere, including on coins and bills), fried and lightly breaded - delicious! Bajan cuisine is spicy and full of flavors, with a rather odd English influence that leads to the inclusion of some more tame, gentler flavors.

Restaurants are many, and it's difficult to find a bad one. Seek out some of the hidden treasures that the locals tend to frequent, and eat like the natives!

As for drink, Barbados is famous for its delicious Mount Gay Rum and its own beer, "Banks". Take a tour of the Mount Gay Distillery or the Banks brewery - there's an unlimited amount of beer available for those waiting for the brewery tour to start, so if you show up a few hours early you could have a very good deal on your hands!

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ABOUT THE WATER

Barbados has some of the purest water in the world, and it can be drunk straight from the tap - you'll see cruise ship employees stocking up on their water supplies while docked at the island, so that's how good the water is!