Barbados Getting Oriented
- Bridgetown and The Garrison. The bustling capital has a compact shopping area and a waterfront esplanade where you can dine and people watch. Bridgetown and its Garrison Historic District are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- South Coast. A young crowd favors the broad, breezy south-coast beaches, with their powdery white, palm-dotted sands and their reef-protected, crystal-clear waters.
- St. Lawrence Gap. This section of the southern coast buzzes thanks to beachfront hotels and many places to shop, eat, and drink.
- Oistins and the Surrounding South Point Area. The village of Oistins, just east of St. Lawrence Gap, is known for its Friday night Fish Fry. The island's southernmost points are marked by historic lighthouses and broad beaches that attract windsurfers.
- Crane and the Southeast. Magnificent beaches and stunning views mark this remote, mainly residential area, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.
- Holetown and Vicinity. Holetown marks the center of the Platinum Coast area of luxurious resorts and mansions that face the sea.
- Speightstown. The north's commercial center has shops, informal restaurants, and many restored 19th-century buildings.
- East Coast. There is no swimming, but the pounding Atlantic surf is a sight to behold, and there are some cozy inns.
- Central Interior. The interior has botanical gardens, far-reaching views, and a rather amazing cave to explore.
