Barbados or the Bahamas: which idyllic island nation should you visit?
"You've seen one beach, you've seen 'em all." Thus sighed a jaded backpacker I once met on my travels, and I remember being appalled at her ignorance. By the same token, it would be folly to assume that the island nations of Barbados and the Bahamas are indistinguishable from one another, just because they're both blessed with sand and sunshine.
They are both extremely popular destinations, particularly with honeymooners, but each has its own special appeal. In an ideal world, you'd have the opportunity to visit Barbados and the Bahamas, but in the meantime, here are some insights into what each has to offer.
Where to stay: whether you plump for Barbados or the Bahamas, you'll find signature luxury with all the trimmings across Sandals' resorts. With two in Barbados, Sandals Barbados* and Sandals Royal Barbados*, and Sandals Royal Bahamian* in the Bahamas, you've plenty to choose from.
Landscapes & beaches
Barbados is wilder and more rugged than the Bahamas*, the latter being low-lying islands surrounded by calm waters, which are ideal for snorkelling and leisurely dips.
The islands in the Bahamas are also known for the silkiness and colour of their sand, the result of spherical, powdery grains mixed with crushed coral and crustaceans. These beaches were definitely made for lounging.
Not that Barbados doesn't have equally relaxing stretches of coastline; notably on its west coast, where clear waters and high visibility mean that you're almost certain to see colourful marine life.
If turtles are on your spotting radar, make your way over to Payne's Bay. Alternatively, Carlisle Bay, in the southwest of the island, has a handful of shipwrecks that form the basis for fun underwater exploration, even without the artificial reefs they've sprouted.
The east coast of Barbados* is pounded by the Atlantic and has a higher elevation, with wave-battered cliffs and large swells attracting surfers on the water, and hikers on land. Importantly, in both destinations, snorkelling sites are easily accessible from the beach, negating the need for a boat trip.
"You've seen one beach, you've seen 'em all." Pah, what nonsense.
Food & drink
Well, you won't go hungry in either destination, put it that way.
Dietary requirements permitting, you should definitely give Barbados's national dish, flying fish and cou-cou, a whirl. Perhaps the name sounds rather Harry Potter-esque, but it's actually a local silvery-white fish (which earns the 'flying' moniker thanks to its ability to glide above the surface) flavoured with garlic, thyme and a gentle kick of chilli, and served with a creamy side of cornmeal and okra, reminiscent, texturally, of risotto or porridge.
Other traditional dishes, such as pudding and souse, have troubling origins rooted in slavery, but are also a testament to resourcefulness; in this case, leftover pork scraps are pickled and served with a 'pudding' of seasoned sweet potato.
Often eaten as a Saturday lunch by locals, you'll find many roadside vendors with this dish on the menu. Sweet potato also makes an appearance in 'conkies,' which draw upon African tradition and combine the root vegetable with corn and coconut.
And, although rum is associated with the Caribbean as a whole, it's generally thought that the drink has its origins in Barbados; factor a visit to Mount Gay, the island's oldest distillery, into your plans.
Although Bahamian cuisine also borrows extensively from African flavours and techniques, Western influences seem to be more prevalent than in Barbados. It's worth noting that the majority of food here is imported, and the majority of that, from the United States.
Combined with remnants of colonialism and the foods brought over by 19th-century American settlers, meals here blend seamlessly into typical resort menus.
That said, the seafood sparkles, and conch is practically an obsession. Making its appearance in dishes ranging from conch salad (without which, it seems, no meal can begin) to fritters and soups, it's a staple on every menu in Nassau's Arawak Cay, a collection of beach-shack style restaurants which is also known, fittingly, as Fish Fry. Cracked conch refers, by the way, not to any damage done to the mollusc's rose-tinted shell, but to deep-frying.
Culture & history
Barbados's British heritage feeds into the nation's identity: just ask anyone with a cricket bat, and mark my words, you'll see a few. In all seriousness, though, cricket is enormously important in Barbadian social and cultural life. Consider the island's compactness (166 square miles) and then wrap your head around the fact that it's home to 160 cricket clubs.
The game is played just about every day, whether a casual bash at the beach or a formal match on an oval, and the island has produced a phenomenal number of Test cricketers.
Additionally, there's a statue of Nelson (erected a good 30 years before the one in Trafalgar Square) in the country's capital, Bridgetown, plus, of course, the fact that English is the official language and cars drive on the left-hand side of the road.
British influences are also evident in the island's architecture, which reflects the island's colonial history in religious edifices and well-preserved plantation houses. The latter, of course, offers a glimpse into a troubling past, even while demonstrating gracious design elements.
You may wish to research which tours present the most well-rounded and unflinching view of the role these households played before the abolition of slavery.
Barbadian music pulses throughout almost every aspect of life on the island, winding vibrant African rhythms together with classic European melodies. The results range from the get-up-and-dance soca to the reggae-infused souge, with the melodic, storytelling style of calypso and drum-heavy tuk.
Find tuk and more at festivals such as Crop Over, which takes place each summer, marking the end of sugar cane harvesting season.
The Bahamas is about 30 times the size of Barbados and made up of more than 700 islands and cays; unsurprisingly, therefore, its cultural life is more diverse.
African and Caribbean cultures create a lively atmosphere at festivals, with parades flooding the street with extravagant costumes, music and colour. Junkanoo is one of the biggest events on the Bahamian calendar, taking place each Boxing Day and New Year's Day against a background of cow bells, drums and whistles.
The Bahamian capital, Nassau, has also been recognised as a 'City of Crafts and Folk Art' by UNESCO, and the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas hosts ever-changing exhibitions and events, as well as a series of workshops and events.
The country has spawned many renowned artists, including Amos Ferguson, known as the Picasso of Nassau. With a history rooted in naval battles and piratical deeds, The Bahamas also has much to offer the visitor in terms of old forts, as well as the interactive Pirates of Nassau Museum.
Shopping & markets
Both destinations have appeal for the luxury shopper, with high-end goods available at duty-free prices. This is particularly the case in the Bahamas, where over 60% of arrivals are cruise ship passengers.
Bay Street, in Nassau, is where you'll find Gucci, Rolex and Cartier, as well as beauty brands such as Jo Malone and Estee Lauder. Arts and crafts markets in the Bahamas include The Nassau Straw Market, with a focus on woven items such as hats, sandals and baskets; it's also a good place to practise your haggling skills.
Meanwhile, The Creative Nassau Market, held twice a week in Pompey Square, has a range of wood carvings, conch crafts and ceramics on offer.
Barbados has several small-scale craft markets selling artisan products, including jewellery, spices and artworks, plus, of course, rum. If you've a yen to recreate some Bajan recipes on your return, nab a few bottles of pepper sauce, a hot sauce used liberally in many local dishes.
Compare weather
Barbados vs Bahamas
- Maximum daytime temperature
- Hours of sunshine
- Days with some rainfall
- Monthly rainfall
- Sea temperature
Maximum daytime temperature (°C)
Hours of sunshine per day
Days with some rainfall
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Sea temperature (°C)
The above graphs compare the climate in Barbados with the climate in the Bahamas.
Settled on your dream island? See the latest offers on luxury, adults-only holidays to Barbados and the Bahamas with Sandals.
| Compare | Barbados | Bahamas |
|---|---|---|
| Flight time✝ | 8.5 hours | 9.5 hours |
| Time difference | UK -4 hours | UK -5 hours |
| Language(s) | English | English |
| Currency | Barbadian Dollar | Bahamian Dollar |
| Electricity | A + B plug (115V) | A + B plug (120V) |
| Driving side | Left | Left |
✝ = Typical flight time from the UK.
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