Melt away the January blues and jump-start the year in glorious style with a visit to the sun-drenched, vibrant Caribbean island of Barbados.
Barbados is synonymous with idyllic, blissful beaches, stunning nature, famous sporting activities, world-renowned stars and energetic nightlife. Combine this with hidden gems and impressive architecture and you have a destination perfect for an invigorating trip at the start of the year.
The island is a hugely popular destination and easily accessible from the UK. Direct flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester mean you can fly hassle-free, and using a site like Skyscanner allows you to find the best deals on plane tickets and save money when you book.
Despite its small size, Barbados accommodates all tastes. Its west coast generally experiences calm waters perfect for swimming and relaxing on a plethora of white-sand beaches. Those searching for more of an adrenaline boost can head over to the east coast where massive waves are beyond the wildest dreams of any surfer.
The rest of the island has every other angle covered. Enviable golf courses, rich historical sites, unique wildlife experiences and weekly celebrations of freshly caught and cooked food help you to create a mouthwatering itinerary perfect for you.
Feeling tempted? Read on for more advice and inspiration for visiting Barbados in January.
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A small, tropical island in the southeast of the Caribbean, the weather in Barbados in January is split into two distinct seasons: the dry season (November to May) and the wet season (June to October).
Several factors make January the best time to go to Barbados for weather. Highs of 29°C and an expected 9 hours of sunshine each day give a blank canvas when planning activities.
January is in the dry season for Barbados and over half of the month is typically crystal clear, blue skies, so you can anticipate fine weather. Low humidity means that the heat won’t be stifling, and January is clear of the hurricane season (June to November) meaning extreme weather is of no concern.
Nighttime temperatures will be much more pleasant than at other times of the year, leaving you free to dress up comfortably, or simply to rest easy through the night.
Barbados is a fairly small island, but there are a variety of different areas you can stay in around the coast and inland. Here are some of our top recommendations for places to stay in Barbados.
Stay here for: South coast sunshine, beaches and golf courses.
Searching for accommodation? Take a look at the options below.
Stay here for: Lots of beaches, historical sites, picturesque hillsides
Searching for accommodation? Take a look at the options below.
Stay here for: Upscale accommodation, celebrity sightings and historic sightseeing.
Searching for accommodation? Take a look at the options below.
When it comes to local festivals and events, January is definitely in the running as the best month to visit Barbados.
As with many nations around the world, Barbadians enjoy welcoming in the New Year and with nightlife and joyous spirit. Experiencing the celebrations on January 1st promise to be a truly unforgettable conversation starter for years to come.
Visiting in January also allows you to join in the celebrations for Errol Barrow Day, a public bank holiday held on the 21st of January to honour the first Prime Minister of Barbados. He led the country to independence in 1966 and is known as the ‘Father of Independence’. You may even spot him on the back of a 50-dollar bill!
Round Barbados Sailing Week, the Caribbean race season’s opening regatta. The headline race usually takes place on Errol Barrow Day, meaning the spirits of locals and visitors alike are high. With the possibility of winning their skipper’s weight in rum, the race is extremely popular with the participants as well as the crowds who flock there in high numbers. Be sure not to miss out!
Cricket, the most popular sport in Barbados, is played through January. If you are lucky, the West Indies International team may be playing in Barbados during your visit. If not, be sure to head to one of the local matches being played, where passionate locals will gleefully take you up in discussion and passionately talk about the country’s rich history in the sport they adore.
The dry season is settling in, the skies are clear, and the country is brimming with excitement and activity. Here are some of the best things to see and do in Barbados in January.
Famed for having some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, you’ve got to make the most of the hot weather and spend time by the sea when you visit Barbados in January. Here are a few of our favourite spots to visit.
Bathsheba Beach on the east coast is the place to be for stunning views and soothing sounds. Next to a small fishing village of the same name, it is the perfect place to relax at a local restaurant or simply admire the views that rival anywhere in the world. Be wary of strong undercurrents though. If you’re after a swim, one of our other recommendations is preferable.
If you’re sticking to the east coast, head over to Bath Beach for a swim. One of the safest places beaches on the east coast, there is also a waterfall and plenty of Casuarina trees to offer shade for that post-swim downtime. It can be popular and therefore busy, but there’s a reason for that!
If you’re close to Bridgetown, Brownes Beach is the perfect spot with ideal waters for swimming. One of the largest beaches in Barbados, Brownes has a lifeguard on duty and calm waters, making it the spot for families. Be prepared to share, though – with fish! Shipwrecks in the bay have attracted plenty of fish to the waters around this beach, so snorkelers will have a ball here.
Miami Beach on the south coast is popular with both tourists and locals. Soak in the sun, splash in the blissful waters, and then head to one of the local food sellers for a bite to eat. The flying fish sandwiches here are among the best you will find on the island.
For a more intimate experience, head to Shark Hole (don’t worry, the name is from an old fishing tale – there are no sharks!). A truly special place, visiting in the early morning through the week improves your chances of having the picturesque setting to yourself.
With great variety and vast experience, Barbados is the perfect Caribbean island if you want to get out on the water and try a range of different activities.
Jet Skiing is growing in popularity around the world. Pristine Caribbean waters are the perfect place to grab this experience for yourself. Rentals are available at most beaches, but be sure to use a reputable seller, such as Edmo jet skis.
For the true explorer, head out on a scuba dive tour and immerse yourself in the underwater kingdom that Barbados offers. Shipwrecks and blossoming reefs make this an ideal island for scuba diving. Several operators can provide equipment and advice to make this a life-long, treasured deep-sea memory.
A relatively new phenomenon, kitesurfing is dependent on quite specific conditions to be done successfully and safely. Barbados is among the leading nations for this activity, so why not take advantage of that? The best spots for this are on the southeast coast, while January is the best time to go to Barbados with the best winds for kitesurfing starting at this time.
Head to surfer’s point, rent a kayak and set out into the gorgeous waters for ultimate fun exploring the fascinating waters from a slightly different perspective. If calmer waters are your thing, head to the west coast and have an equally mind-blowing experience searching for the extraordinary underwater life down below. If you want to be sure that you’ll see something impressive, book a kayaking tour and explore famous shipwreck sites around the island!
Barbados’ surf game is on all year round. January comfortably sits within the prime surf time of November to June. An abundance of white sand beaches and turquoise waters leave you spoilt for choice when choosing where to head, but early morning tends to be the best time to head out.
Barbados has exotic plants and animals whichever way you look, and the dry Barbados weather in January provides ideal conditions for admiring all of these.
Harrison’s Cave, a crystallised, limestone cave is open for tours and full of adventure. Deep pools and streams of brilliantly clear waters characterise this stunning wonder; a must for any visitor to the island. Marvel at the power and splendour of nature and book a guided tour around the caves to learn more about their history. A great outing for all the family!
Guaranteed to give you a remarkable snorkelling experience are the marine parks of Barbados, particularly Carlisle Bay Marine Park. Dazzling fish and sea turtles are the highlights, but the variety and volume of sea life you can expect to encounter means your expectations, however high, will be comfortably surpassed.
The sights, sounds and smells of the Andromeda Botanic Gardens, which vary depending on the time of day you go, are certain to leave you with a unique experience and appreciation of the beauty of the world. Children are free with a paying adult and can feed the fish, while those travelling as a couple may be enticed by a later visit to see the resident monkeys playing, feeding and sometimes even fighting!
Witness animals roaming freely through a reserve dedicated to celebrating the beauty of nature at The Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Caiman, iguanas, maras and green monkeys are among the residents you can expect to see here, with the bonus of knowing you are supporting the conservation of such beautiful creatures.
Board the Atlantis Submarine for a trouble-free dive into the depths of Barbados’ natural reef life. This unique experience is perfect for all, is among the most recommended activities in the country and leaves you with stories few friends can rival. Mix it up further by enjoying one of the best things to do in Barbados at night and dive after dark with high-powered spotlights giving you a whole new perspective.
Can’t decide between sea life and the sun? Have both. Cruise the waters on a catamaran with all add-ons and extras. Various tours of differing lengths offer extras such as lunch, sunset departures, snorkelling and added luxury options to personalise your perfect trip.
With so many activities to fill your dream January trip, be sure to set aside time to soak up the marvellous culture and interact with the fascinating locals.
Celebrate and sample Barbados’ oldest and greatest export: rum! Visit one of the island’s famous distilleries, or go one step further and book a visit to the Mount Gay distillery where visits can incorporate rum tasting, cocktail-making classes or a traditional Bajan lunch with a history and heritage experience.
Discover more of the island’s history by visiting the Arlington House Museum. Interactive features mean that learning about some of the first settlers on the island is both easy and engaging, suitable for the young to the old.
Grab some delicious fresh fruit at Cheapside Street Market while taking in the atmosphere, or take the experience one step further with a guided walking and food tour. More than what you buy to eat, this experience is all about feeling immersed in true Bajan life. One of the top things to see in Barbados is different generations of families working their stalls and providing you with fresh produce to satisfy all tastes in the bustling market street.
Visit the most stunning and largely untouched parts of the island with an Island Safari trip. Designed to help you explore deeper than is possible on your own, you will gain a great understanding of the life of a true Bajan while seeing many of the most stunning aspects of the island’s physical geography.
Mix old and new with the restored Bajan Bus, taking a step back in time to travel in the style of the “olden days”. Packages can be adapted to your liking, but you can rely on experienced and passionate tour guides to point out the most striking parts of the island and the hidden gems it possesses.
For a free, but enriching time, head to Bridgetown and spend a few hours embracing daily life. Visit historical sites such as St. Mary’s Church, St Michael’s Cathedral or Lord Nelson’s statue, before settling down for a tasty bite of authentic local cuisine.
A huge part of Barbados’ culture, history and pride, it would be hard to visit and not check out the sporting scene this island has to offer.
With ideal Caribbean golfing trip conditions and dream-worthy courses, Barbados can cater for everyone, from the inexperienced starter to the fully-fledged professional. Bask in glorious sunshine and let your talent run free on one of the many immaculately kept courses throughout the island. Masterfully designed, few can claim to have played in such paradisiacal conditions.
An avid cricket fan or not, it’s nearly impossible to escape the sport in Barbados with such passionate locals who are rightfully proud of their internationally renowned contribution to the game. Birthplace of the famous trio Weekes, Worrell and Walcott, as well as one of the greatest players of all time, Sir Garfield Sobers, cricket is a huge part of Barbadian life.
If there’s no game taking place during your visit, head on over to the Kensington Oval to learn of its rich history and visit the setting for England’s 2010 World Twenty20 triumph.
A stunning location at any time of year, Barbados is a must-visit destination. January is the perfect month to escape to paradise, with ideal weather and superb access to activities and cultural experiences that other months miss out on. Gift yourself memories for life by kicking off your year in style and ticking off all the items in our guide to what to see in Barbados.
The amount of time you spend in Barbados in January is really down to the purpose of your trip. The island is only small, so travelling around is relatively straightforward. If you only have a few days, you can catch the highlights you want, but a longer visit gives you plentiful opportunities to relax on the stunning, pristine beaches and enjoy a variety of what to do in Barbados.
Whilst you’re staying in Barbados, flying is the best option if you want to visit other Caribbean islands. It will take some planning and careful consideration about how long you spend on each island, but it is possible.
They use the Barbados Dollar (also known as the Bajan Dollar). You can use US Dollars in most places too, and banks will exchange other currencies too. It’s always important to check for any charges you may incur from doing this, including from your own bank.
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