Caribbean, Barbados · Trip plan

5 days in Barbados

Rum shops, turtle swims and calm west-coast beaches.

Best time: Dec – Apr
Ideal length: 5 days
A day, mid-range: $350 per person
Trip for two: about $3,500

Planning a 5-day trip to Barbados? Here's a day-by-day Barbados itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.

Why go now

December to April is dry season and peak time for UK travellers escaping winter, with calm seas on the 'Platinum Coast'.

Barbados is a coral island in the eastern Caribbean, the birthplace of rum, with calm west-coast beaches, a wild Atlantic east coast and strong British heritage.

Jan: a good time to go
Feb: a good time to go
Mar: a good time to go
Apr: a good time to go
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec: a good time to go

December to April: 25–30°C, dry and breezy.

Create my Barbados trip

Don't miss

Best things to do in Barbados

01
Swimming with turtles
Catamaran trips to snorkel with green turtles and shipwrecks.
02
Harrison's Cave
A tram ride through glittering limestone caves.
03
Bathsheba
Wild Atlantic coast with giant boulders.
04
Oistins Fish Fry
Friday night street party of grilled fish and music.

Day by day

Barbados itinerary for 5 days

D1
Day 1: West coast
Morning
Arrive and settle into a west-coast hotel.
Afternoon
Swim in the calm, clear water at Mullins or Paynes Bay.
Evening
Sunset rum punch and dinner in Holetown.
The west coast is calmer; the east is for views, not swimming.
D2
Day 2: Turtles and catamarans
Morning
Catamaran cruise to snorkel with green sea turtles and over shipwrecks in Carlisle Bay.
Afternoon
Lunch and drinks on board, then an afternoon nap on the beach.
Evening
Dinner in St Lawrence Gap.
Most cruises include lunch and drinks.
D3
Day 3: Caves and the east coast
Morning
Ride the tram through Harrison's Cave's stalactites and underground streams.
Afternoon
Drive to Bathsheba's surf-pounded boulders and Andromeda Gardens.
Evening
Friday: Oistins Fish Fry for grilled marlin and music.
Bathsheba's currents are dangerous; don't swim there.
D4
Day 4: Rum and history
Morning
Tour the Mount Gay rum distillery, the world's oldest.
Afternoon
Bridgetown's UNESCO historic district and the George Washington House.
Evening
Dinner on the beach.
Bridgetown is busy on weekday mornings.
D5
Day 5: Home
Morning
A last swim.
Afternoon
Lunch of flying fish cutters.
Evening
Fly home.
Allow 45 minutes to the airport from the west coast.

Want it hour by hour?GoRoam plans every stop with times, maps, costs and bookings for your dates.

Shorter or longer

Barbados in 4, 5 or 7 days

4 days in Barbados

Follow days 1 to 4 above and leave out “Home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.

7 days in Barbados

Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering, then add 1 day in St Lucia.

What it costs

Barbados trip budget

Style	Per person, a day	5 days for two
Budget	$180	$1,800
Mid-range	$350	$3,500
Luxury	$900+	$9,000

Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Barbados is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.

Where to stay

Best hotels in Barbados for every budget

Budget
Guesthouses on the south coast
St Lawrence Gap
Near bars and beaches.
from $140 /night
Prices
Mid-range
Hotels in Holetown
West coast
Calm Caribbean beaches.
from $350 /night
Prices
Luxury
Sandy Lane
St James
The island's legendary luxury resort.
from $1,500 /night
Prices

What to eat

Food to try in Barbados

Flying fish and cou-cou
The national dish.
Fish cakes
Spicy fried saltfish bites.
Mount Gay rum
From the world's oldest rum distillery.

Getting there

How to reach Barbados

Travel: Grantley Adams airport has direct flights from London, New York, Miami and Toronto.
Getting around: Rent a car (drive on the left), or use buses and ZR vans.

Mini-buses (ZRs) are cheap and lively.
Friday at Oistins is the island's best night out.

Before you go

What to pack for Barbados

Power bank and charging cables
Passport and visa printouts
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Swimwear and flip-flops
A forex card or some local cash
Travel insurance

Good questions

Barbados trip FAQs

How many days are enough for Barbados?

5 days are enough to see the highlights: Swimming with turtles, Harrison's Cave, Bathsheba. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.

How much does a 5-day Barbados trip cost?

Roughly $180 a day per person on a budget, $350 mid-range and $900+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $3,500 for 5 days.

What is the best time to visit Barbados?

Dec – Apr. December to April is dry season and peak time for UK travellers escaping winter, with calm seas on the 'Platinum Coast'.

Where should I stay in Barbados?

Budget: Guesthouses on the south coast (St Lawrence Gap), from about $140 a night. Mid-range: Hotels in Holetown (West coast), from about $350 a night. Luxury: Sandy Lane (St James), from about $1,500 a night.

How do I reach Barbados?

Grantley Adams airport has direct flights from London, New York, Miami and Toronto.

Is 4 days enough for Barbados?

Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 4 of the itinerary above and skip "Home". 5 days is the comfortable length.

What is the weather like in Barbados?

December to April: 25–30°C, dry and breezy.

What food should I try in Barbados?

Flying fish and cou-cou: The national dish. Fish cakes: Spicy fried saltfish bites. Mount Gay rum: From the world's oldest rum distillery.

How do I get around Barbados?

Rent a car (drive on the left), or use buses and ZR vans.

More trips like Barbados

All trending trips

Best things to do in Barbados

Swimming with turtles

Harrison's Cave

Bathsheba

Oistins Fish Fry

Barbados itinerary for 5 days

Day 1: West coast

Day 2: Turtles and catamarans

Day 3: Caves and the east coast

Day 4: Rum and history

Day 5: Home