Barbados is a small island located in the Caribbean Sea that offers white sand beaches, crystal clear water, delicious food, and endless opportunities for adventure. Whether you’re interested in surfing, snorkeling, diving, hiking, or simply relaxing on the beach, Barbados delivers.
When visiting Barbados, Bridgetown, the capital, is a great home base for exploration and relaxation. In this guide, we’ll look at exactly how to spend two days in Bridgetown Barbados to experience the best the island has to offer.
This is a guest post by Next Stop Barbados
Table of Contents
Two Days In Bridgetown, Barbados: Where To Stay.
Bridgetown Barbados is located right at the intersection of the south coast and the west coast of the island.
The south coast is known for having lots of attractions, plenty of amazing restaurants, and some of the best surfing in Barbados. The west coast is known for having pristine beaches, calm water, and plenty of luxury accommodation options to choose from.
Sugar Bay Barbados: This all-inclusive beachfront resort is located on the south side of Bridgetown close to Carlisle Bay and Drill Hall Beach. Sugar Bay Barbados has spacious rooms, two swimming pools, a swim-up bar, a kids club, and complimentary kayak, snorkel, and SUP rentals. One of the best all-inclusive resorts in Barbados! Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Coconut Court Beach Hotel: Coconut Court is also located just south of Bridgetown near the south coast boardwalk and has a beachfront pool and spacious rooms with kitchenettes. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Banyan Beach House Villa: The Banyan Beach House Villa is located on the west coast side of Bridgetown near Brandon’s Beach. There is a three-bedroom house and a one-bedroom house available and both have full kitchens, cozy amenities, lush gardens, and direct beach access. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
How to Spend 2 Days In Bridgetown, Barbados, a Perfect Itinerary
Barbados has so much to offer that you could spend months exploring the island without running out of things to do. But thankfully, because of its compact size, it’s possible to see quite a lot of this beautiful country in a short amount of time.
This two-day Bridgetown Barbados itinerary will help you make the most of your trip and discover the vibe of the island.
Bridgetown Barbados in 2 Days: Day One
Catamaran Tour
The best way to kick off your 2 day Bridgetown itinerary is by exploring one of the best parts about Barbados, the ocean! As long as the weather is nice, Catamaran trips from Bridgetown take place every day and can be arranged as private charters or group tours.
Your catamaran trip will likely start first thing in the morning and you’ll go to several popular snorkeling and swimming spots along the west coast. Carlisle Bay has several shipwrecks where marine wildlife abound and the water is so clear you’ll feel like you’re swimming in a giant aquarium! Calypso Cruises and Cool Runnings are excellent catamaran options that offer half-day tours with unlimited drinks and lunch included.
Rent SUP Boards at Pebbles Beach
After returning from your catamaran tour in the afternoon, head to Pebbles Beach, a quiet cove nestled between Carlisle Bay and Needham’s Point. Pebbles Beach is the perfect place to learn SUP boarding or kayaking because the water is usually very calm.
There are sports shops right on the water where you can rent equipment and store your belongings while you explore. If you need a snack, make sure to stop by Cuzz’s Fish Stand in the parking lot outside Pebbles Beach for one of the best fish sandwiches on the island.
Dinner at Cafe Luna
Head south from Bridgetown to the fishing village of Oistins for a delicious dinner with an incredible sunset view at Cafe Luna. Cafe Luna is located near Miami Beach and has an open-air rooftop patio, making this an ideal setting for a nice dinner under the stars.
If you’re looking for something more casual, check out the Oistins Fish Fry instead. The Fish Fry is a collection of food stalls and restaurants on the water where you can listen to live music and sample local Bajan classics like fresh seafood, macaroni pie, and fried plantains.
The Oistins Fish Fry is famously popular on Friday nights, but you can go any night of the week if you’re looking for a more laid-back seafood dinner.
A night out in St. Lawrence Gap
After dark, St. Lawrence Gap is the place to be. St. Lawrence Gap (also known as “The Gap”) is located between Oistins and Worthing right on Dover Beach.
It consists of one main road lined on both sides with bars, restaurants, and music venues that stay lively all night long. Whether you’re just stopping by for a drink or plan to spend the night out on the town, it’s worth checking out the St. Lawrence Gap.
Bridgetown Barbados in 2 Days: Day Two
Animal Flower Cave
Day two of this Barbados itinerary begins with a trip to Animal Flower Cave in the northernmost part of the island. Animal Flower Cave is a natural cave that formed underground and faces out to sea.
To tour the cave, you’ll need to go with a guide who will explain the history and geography of the landform. Make sure to wear a bathing suit because there’s a swimming hole inside where you can take a dip!
If you’re feeling hungry, there’s a cafe at Animal Flower Cave with impressive views of the cliffs and the sea. Make sure to try their famous breadfruit tacos!
St. Nicholas Abbey
Just a short drive away from Animal Flower Cave is St. Nicholas Abbey, a rum distillery and historical property that dates back over 300 years. At St. Nicholas Abbey, you can tour the great house, the steam mill, and the distillery.
You can also take a ride on the Heritage Railroad, a replica steam engine, to an incredible lookout point called Cherry Tree Hill. Don’t forget to stop by the tasting room to sample a flight of St. Nicholas Abbey rum!
Harrisons Cave
Harrisons Cave is a limestone cave in the center of the island and a must-see attraction in Barbados. Visitors can tour the cave by tram with the expertise of a knowledgeable guide. You’ll see underwater pools and waterfalls while learning about how the caves formed long ago.
Dinner and Sunset at La Cabane
After exploring Animal Flower Cave, St. Nicholas Abbey, and Harrison’s Cave, head back toward the coast for a memorable sunset just north of Bridgetown.
La Cabane is a popular beachfront restaurant and bar that’s known for having one of the best sunset views on the island. Reservations are recommended because La Cabane fills up fast, but once you see the view you’ll understand why.
Practical Tips ForVisiting Barbados
Now that you know what you’ll be doing on your 2 day trip to Bridgetown, Barbados, let’s look at some practical tips to make your visit go as smoothly as possible.
Best Time To Visit Barbados
Barbados has a warm, tropical climate year-round, so there really isn’t a bad time to visit. The dry season is around January to May and the wet season is from June to December, but for the most part, the days are sunny and hot.
The high season for tourism usually lasts from December to June, which means there will likely be more travelers around and you may see higher prices on accommodations, tours, and rental cars. If you’re visiting during high season, it’s a good idea to make reservations for tours and popular restaurants in advance to ensure you get your preferred day and time.
If you’d like to avoid crowds and potentially find some travel deals, visit during the low season which generally runs from July to October.
Getting Around In Bridgetown Barbados
Barbados has an excellent public transportation system and there are busses, taxis, and ZR vans available throughout the island.
ZR vans are white mini-vans with red stripes on the sides that travel on a set route. The fare is a flat rate of $3.50 BBD (about $1.75 USD) and you can get off at any bus stop along their route.
Public busses are also available and cost the same amount as the ZR vans. You can use the Moovit App to check bus schedules and find bus stops nearby.
That being said, if you want to explore destinations farther from Bridgetown like Animal Flower Cave and Harrisons Cave, it’s a good idea to rent a car. This gives you more flexibility and reduces the risk of losing precious vacation time if public transit is delayed.
Taxis in Barbados are widely available but can be pricey. They aren’t metered, so it’s recommended that you negotiate a price for your ride with your driver before beginning your journey.
How To Get From The Airport to Bridgetown, Barbados
The best way to get from the Airport to Bridgetown, Barbados is to take a taxi. When you exit the airport, walk outside to the taxi line. Here, you can arrange a ride to your accommodation. While most taxis will take both USD and BBD currency, most do not take cards so make sure to get cash at the airport ATM before heading out if you need to.
Bridgetown, Barbados is an amazing destination to explore for two days. It’s an excellent launching off point to explore some of the best attractions on the island while providing a convenient home base in the heart of the action.
Bio: Next Stop Barbados is a travel website dedicated to helping you have an amazing Barbados vacation. Whether you’re stopping by for a shorter visit or a longer island getaway, Next Stop Barbados can help you plan the Barbados trip of a lifetime!