A day in Barbados can be enchanting; it is full of culture, chattel houses, wildlife and a whole host of other things. Many cruises make a stop here. Barbados is a part of the British Commonwealth and recognizes Queen Elizabeth as its sovereign. Therefore, keep in mind that driving is on the left side of the road as in England.
For those that just have one day in Barbados, this is a sample itinerary of what to do with a day in Barbados.
The Bacardi Factory
For rum lovers, this is a very entertaining place to go. Not only can you tour the facility, but you can taste rum as well. The bottling and labeling area in particular is a favorite among tourists. When it comes to tasting rum, you will get to try many different types of it.
Orchid World
While there isn’t a whole lot to do here, it’s worth the trip if you like orchids. There are literally hundreds of these beautiful flowers of practically every color here. Many of them grow on suspended wire fences which makes for an interesting aesthetic affect. You can expect to spend around an hour at Orchid World.
Animal Flower Cave
Located on the northern tip of the island, Animal Flower Cave offers a lot of amazing views. After descending down a staircase, you will make your way down to rocky caves that overlook the sea. There are large pools of water here and some visitors do swim in the pools. If you do plan on visiting the Animal Flower Cave, make sure you wear sneakers as it can be difficult to descend down the steep stairs without them.
The Beaches
There are quite a few beaches located all throughout the island. In particular, Bathsheba Beach and Dover Beach are popular choices for both locals and tourists. Here you can partake in some of the many watersports including jet skiing and surfing. For beaches that aren’t off the beaten path there are often many different restaurants nearby. These are great places to try some of the Caribbean fare that is well-known on the island.
Harrison’s Cave
This is one of the most popular attractions on the island. It’s made of limestone and has stalagmites, stalactites as well as several streams. Tours of the cave cost about $30 for adults and $15 for children. Harrison’s Cave is located around 5 miles from Bathsheba Beach.
Shore Excursions
If you don’t want to wander around on your own, the ship you’re on will most likely have several excursions available for you to choose from. These can include everything from swimming with turtles to seeing a shipwreck. If you do choose to go on an excursion, make sure you book one quickly as they do tend to fill up fairly fast because they are so popular.
Snapshot of Must See/Do: The stained-glass windows of St. Michael’s Cathedral; the mysterious 1,000-year-old baobab tree in Queen’s Park; the many historic military buildings at St. Anne’s Garrison in Bridgetown; a distillery tour at the Mount Gay Rum refinery in St. Michael Parish; Harrison’s Cave, a series of dramatic limestone caverns; Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill in St. Andrew Parish; serenely beautiful Codrington College; the Bathsheba Shoreline; Andromeda Botanical Gardens. Best beaches: Paynes Bay, Sandy Lane Bay, Cartlisle Bay and Mullins Beach. For surfing, do to Crane Beach which is surrounded by limestone cliffs and usually offers nice waves.
