A minimal island, crisscrossed by roads that cross its sugar cane fields. An Atlantic side suitable for surfing, and another Caribbean, turquoise and white sand. Public transport to go on an all-terrain plan, all-inclusive resorts and mansions. Everything fits in the great little Barbados.
You don’t have to be Einstein to figure out what the common denominator of the Caribbean is. The sea. The other side of the same coin, a little more elaborated, could be: the insular nature of its inhabitants. Let’s agree that being born on an island configures existence quite a bit, and even more so if the water has that wonderful color.
There are cuckoos like hurricanes, yes, but they don’t pass right through Barbados. Barbados has that, and some other distinctive features. The beaches are all, by law, public. It is, after Saint Maarten (the Dutch part of St Martin) the most densely populated country in the Caribbean, and number 15 in the world.
Sunset in Barbados.
The public transport network is also a considerable peculiarity. In addition to the typical large buses that pass every half hour, there are the ZR (with those letters their license plates begin), small private buses with no set schedule or air conditioning, but with a very good will.
Explore the island
The dream beaches that one arrives for are in the west and south of the island. Between Bridgetown and Speightstown you can find the white sands and the turquoise sea, the best resorts, a few but very attractive all-inclusive ones, and the boardwalk to walk until you get tired of that beauty so close at hand.
The Speightown Pier of Barbados.
In Holetown, halfway, it is good to stop to visit the complex of small chattel houses , the prefabricated wooden houses that were moved along with the hierarchical workers of the sugar harvest.
To walk along the Atlantic coast, the wildest and known for its large stones and immense waves that summon surfing champions from around the world, the best thing is to go by taxi, excursion, or rent a car. You have to drive on the left and with the steering wheel on the right, which is a challenge, but with the advantage that all rental cars come with the H in the license plate for “hired” and that simple letter usually warns locals when they see a car coming from the wrong direction, confused by lack of habit. Ah, tourist, they say. They slow down, flash their lights and wait for the maneuver to be corrected.
Splendid porcelain rose in Hunte’s Gardens.
The interior of the island is crossed by 1,600 km of paved roads. An impressive network based on the layout of ancient paths (narrow and full of curves). Prowling inland, it is possible to understand the parish system into which Barbados is still divided today. A faithful copy of the Church of England system, each one had its own stone temple – most of which are still standing – and although today they are no longer the center of local authority, the political division continues, so that the island it is divided into eleven parishes. 
Morgan Lewis Mill, the only standing mill on the island.
Faced with such a road panorama, it goes without saying that the GPS is essential. However, by following signs you can get to Hunte’s Garden. Anthony Hunte, the creator of it, had them placed all over the island when he considered that his garden was already worth visiting.
Explore the caves
In the very center of Barbados, Harrison Cave offers another incredible excursion. If one has not had contact with speleology, this cave will be an excellent debut. For those who already have experience, the possibility of visiting these vast galleries by cart will be something special. 
Harrison Cave.
The existence of the cave had been known since the 18th century – Harrison was the original owner of the land – but it was not until 1974 that the Danish engineer Ole Sorensen could map the cave together with the Barbadians Tony Mason and Allison Thornhill.
Explore the seas
Getting on a submarine, no matter how many windows and panoramic views it promises, is always a bit of a kick. First you have to sail out to sea to where you are, and swallow when they show you the mask designed for a possible misunderstanding.
The Atlantis submarine from inside.
Explore The Crane
In the southeast of the island, the best is left for last. The Crane is one of the oldest and most sophisticated hotels in Barbados. And the combination of both aspects, combined with the incredible location of the place, suits you wonderfully. In 1886, the engineer Donald Simpson bought the mansion known as Marine Villa and enlarged it, conceiving it as a hotel.
The garden overlooking the sea at The Crane hotel.
The 18 historic rooms — without air-conditioning, for example — still maintain their regulars, but it’s clear that guests at The Crane are mostly paying for another style. At this point there are no doubts. Well, for all tastes, it’s Barbados.
From Rihanna’s multi-million dollar mansion – the most famous Barbadian in the world – to her modest home in a suburb of Bridgetown, the life of the young singer seems to be a reflection of the thousand possibilities of the island.
The famous singer is the natural ambassador of the island. However, there is not a single piece of graffiti in Bridgetown that represents it. Only in 2017 did the local authorities give the name of Rihanna Drive to the street where she was born, put a sign on the corner and painted a plaque with her name on the modest house where she was born. 
The sign indicating the arrival at Rihanna Drive, singer born on the island. With or without waves, from urban or wild beaches, in simple or very luxurious hotels, a thousand Barbados can fit in one.
