Ashlee Constance would describe herself as a "proud Bajan woman." She runs Rawsoul, a platform that celebrates authentic Barbadian culture and shares photos that captures the nuances of the island.

Ashlee Constance

s is the best, it's naturally filtered by limestone making it great to drink. Aside from water, quench your thirst as you explore the island, tasting drinks made from homegrown fruits like Soursop Punch and Golden Apple Juice. Don’t miss out on Mauby, a refreshing drink made from the bark of a small tree, it has a bitter taste that some say reminds them of medicine and can be found in every Bajan cupboard. Sea Moss – red algae seaweed blended into a creamy punch – is another local favourite.

Barbados is the birthplace of rum and you’ll never be too far from a rum shop. The perfect place to gather for a debate, celebrations and even farewells, rum shops open the door into local communities. Here, liquor is the number one seller. At any point of the day, you’ll find someone in a rum shop having a loud conversation and a beverage.

Bajan cuisine has evolved over the years, telling a flavourful story of our past. The island’s national dish is cou cou made from corn meal, cooked with okras and served with a creole style flying fish, saltfish or a meat stew which is prepared similarly to the African dish known as foo-foo. There are many spots that serve this dish around the island, especially in Bridgetown. Traditional restaurants such as Mustor’s are definitely worth a try.

From Friday night, locals tend to turn down their pots (they don’t cook) to order takeout from barbeque spots dotted throughout the island. You’ll want to try barbeque pigtails, they’re very addictive. Fish markets like Oistins and MoonTown offer the freshest grilled or fried fish with a generous side of fries. Street vendors are never hard to find, grab a quick bite like fish, ham and liver cutters, which are essentially sandwiches made with salt bread. Cuzz Cutters by Pebbles Beach is famous for its fish cutter, perfect with a cold Banks after a day by the ocean.

Indo Caribbean descendents from neighbouring countries Trinidad and Guyana migrated to Barbados bringing tasty flavours with them like doubles (curried chickpeas sandwiched between fried flat bread) and Roti. These make great options for no-meat-eaters, as well as the new wave of vegetarian spots popping up branded as ital food. Popular among the growing Rastafarian community on island, it’s normally vegan or veggie, super fresh and packed with flavour. The Oasis, St.Philip is a peaceful paradise with great meat-free options too. Be sure to try local ground provisions like Cassava, Breadfruit, Sweet Potato and Yam, all easily sourced at the Cheapside Market in Bridgetown.

As you travel across the island, keep an eye out for bread vans where you can stop and indulge in the island’s best pastries, Horseshoe, Currant Slice and Jam Puffs. Another iconic dish is pudding and souse; the sweet potato pudding was originally introduced by indentured slaves from Scotland, and is served with souse which is cooked pork pickled in lime juice, cucumber and onion. On Saturdays, most locals can be found liming and eating souse, for the best on the island head to The Village Bar, Lemon Arbour.

Barbados

Where to Eat and Drink in Barbados

 is small, to really explore at your convenience renting a car is the best option. Black owned companies like Prelude Car Rentals are pretty affordable and offer a great service. Public transport can be quite hit-and-miss depending on where you are. It’s worth noting that while there’s no blood alcohol concentration limit in Barbados, there is a law for driving without care and attention that counts as a serious offence. Don’t do it.

There are three different types of public transport: big blue buses, ZRs and yellow minibuses. Yellow minibuses have B licence plates and are quite large, normally with bright mustard yellow and blue stripes, the interiors are equally as colourful. ZR is the popular term used for the smallest type of minibus, they’re white with maroon stripes. Both are criticised for their loud music and tight seating. As a passenger you’ll need to know how to “make yourself small” to accommodate other passengers and allow them to squeeze in and out. For all public transport you’ll need to put your hand out at the bus stop, and when it’s time to disembark you’ll need to press the bell. The bells are normally at the side of the bus, if they don’t work simply shout “BUS STOP”. With the big blue buses, pay your fare on entering, with minibuses and ZRs, pay the conductor. 

Growing up in Barbados, I always preferred to take a minibus or ZR, they’re exciting and I loved the loud music. Now that I’m older, I prefer the AC buses and try to avoid the hustle and bustle. Travelling to and from Bridgetown from the south and west is very easy and only $3.50 US for the entire trip. The yellow buses and bigger buses go to the remote parts of the island while the ZRs take you in and around Bridgetown. All options are safe for everyone. If you decide to bus it around, keep the number of a trusted taxi driver with you in case you get lost or miss the bus at night.

What's The Deal On Transport in Barbados?

Ashlee Constance would describe herself as a "proud Bajan woman." She runs Rawsoul, a Barbados traveller’s guide which celebrates authentic Barbadian culture and shares photos that captures the nuances of the island.

"I love my culture and my people but I also really love a good Bajan rum shop. You can pretty much find one around every corner from every church but here are some of my absolute favourites along with some chill spots and treats you shouldn't miss out on while you're in Barbados."

Read Ashlee's guide to get the lowdown on her favourite spots in Bridgetown and across the rest of the island.

The BEST bakery on the island. I always get a jampuff, a horseshoe and apple crumble. Don't forget to try their salt bread, it's a must have in Barbados, they're the base of cutters. Cutters can have in fish, fishcakes, ham, cheese... find one before you leave.

Only the rain can keep me from heading to Browne's beach on the weekend. While you're there get a snowcone.

A sweet rum shop with a sweet view. My go-to place for a Sunday evening beer and some karaoke. It's right by the beach so normally I'll go in the water for a nice sea bath, order some food, watch the sunset and head home.

It's really all about the sauce but the rotisserie chicken and chips are pretty good. Perfect place to find a big food and catch a local vibe.

There's local fruits and vegetables, art and a thrift store upstairs. When I'm in Bridgetown, I always try to pass through to buy some stuff and support local vendors. Try to find the lady outside roasting corn, it's really good.

Oistins is where you should be on Friday nights and you must go to Lexie's while you're there. Ideal spot to catch some new and old Bajan vibes, drink some rum and lime. It's also my official line dancing spot.

Calming beach spot, one of my favourite places to go when I need to breathe. During low tide, the natural pools are sooo refreshing. Ask around for the rum shop on the hill, for some sick views.

Similar Guides

Off the Beaten Track in Barbados with Ashlee Constance

The consumption of recreational drugs, including weed, is illegal in 

. If found with a small amount of weed you’ll have to pay a fine; when choosing to smoke, do so discreetly.

Party drugs aren’t commonly used in Barbados and can be hard to find outside of tourist hotspots. Drug use is generally frowned upon by locals and if caught by the police, you’ll be heavily penalised. Enjoy at your own risk.

What's The Lowdown on Drugs in Barbados?

166 sq miles in size and the most eastern of the Caribbean island chain, 

 is divided into 11 little parishes. As you drive through our communities it’s common to see a luxury villa next to a traditional home, next to a rum shop that sits alongside a church — everyone and everything is mixed together. Unlike most West Indian destinations, there is no real barrier between travellers and local communities. This closeness offers you a chance to connect with the Barbadian people and hear the stories that reveal their beauty, resilience and charm.

Dousing yourself in Barbadian culture starts with a lime. All you need is a group of people, a hot debate, a nice stiff drink and some good food. No matter where it is, once you’re liming, you’re having a good time. The simplicity of liming guides you around the island, it introduces you to new characters, new places and an authentic side of Barbados.

Let’s say you touch down in Bim (an affectionate term for Barbados) on a Friday night, check into your accommodation and head straight out to either Oistins in the south or Moontown in the north. Hear the shuffle of dominoes and waves crashing in the distance. Jump in on a few random conversations, have a laugh, exchange stories and enjoy a flask of rum. Come Saturday, make your way to Lemon Arbour. Choose from one of the local favourites — fry pork, buljol and creole breadfruit – while taking in the views of the St.John countryside. Battle the hangover on Sunday at Heywoods Beach where you can swim in the Caribbean Sea and sunbathe under palm trees, but first, make a stop at 

. As the sun begins to set, make your way to John Moore’s Rum Shop – a traditional gem on the flashier West Coast – for sundowners.

The island is great year round but summertime is always sweeter. What started as a celebratory dinner and dance for slaves is now Barbados’ biggest annual event: 

. During Crop Over – which normally takes place in July through to August – the streets fill with the sound of soca and people wukking up, bringing the festivities to a close with a costumed, carnival-like parade.

It doesn’t matter when you come or where you go in Barbados, the people are what make it so special. Barbadians are proud and not easily impressed by fame, which reminds you to stay humble. Come for the idyllic beaches, stay for the Bajans. Using the welcome stamp, an initiative to bring Digital Nomads to the country, you could even stay for a year.

Barbados: A Local's Guide

 are Black and exist within every social class. You will not have to deal with the same racial issues many experience in countries like the USA or in Europe. People from all over the world have moved to the island, the country now has Asian, Middle Eastern, Indian and European communities. Wherever you’re from, we welcome you.

The Racial Politics in Barbados

Keep the swimsuits and cover ups for the beach. Once you’re in the capital it’s expected that you dress appropriately to enter shops and men aren’t allowed to enter most places shirtless. Short pants, crop tops and skirts are pretty much the daily uniform to fight the heat. Modesty is not practised on the island, unless attending a religious ceremony.

As you enter any rum shop or shop, you are kinda expected to greet everyone, not individually but with a friendly Good Morning, Good Evening or Goodnight. Doing this will make everything a lot easier, and you may even strike up a nice conversation.

Barbadians drink freely in public. Public displays of affection are no issue however if it gets heavy, its best to take care of things privately.

 is a very safe place, however like most places try to avoid dangerous situations. Walking the beach late at night alone or in dark areas of the city is something you shouldn’t do. The crime rate is one of the lowest in the Caribbean, so you have very little to worry about.

Barbados: The Cultural Codes and Etiquette 

As a new republic after 56 years of independence, Barbados’ colonial past can still be noticed across the island, see it in our architecture, culture and laws. However, the home of rum and Rihanna is welcoming a new era of change with Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the helm. As well as pushing climate change to the top of the agenda, Motley is on a mission to reconnect the island to its ancestral past, which is huge for our cultural and creative scene. That bridge will allow us to explore our past, have a better sense of our cultural identity and use this to shape the future.

Slavery existed in Barbados from the time of British settlement back in 1627, and while severing our ties with the monarchy was a huge step, the harsh realities of our colonial past should never be overlooked. Once the world’s dominant supplier of sugar, much is owed to the island.

For years, the people of Barbados have expressed their ingenuity and creativity through carpentry, pottery and food. As you move from parish to parish, you’ll be blessed by the charm of chattel houses. Even after emancipation, many ex-slaves were landless and forced by plantation owners to constantly uproot and move around. The necessity to have a moveable house gave birth to the chattel house, now a stamp of Barbadian culture. More recently, creative collectives like Holders Land and Mahogany Culture have put Bim on the digital map by leveraging the NFT space to fund community building projects with the end goal of preserving Caribbean culture.

The creative scene continues to grow; members of the community are strengthening their voices, initiating dialogues and conversations on what it means to be an artist in the Caribbean, and communicating the hurdles they face – both as individuals and communities. Barbados has huge creative potential, but the arts and other creative industries are massively underfunded.

Despite having little resources, Barbadians are talented people. There’s so much more for us to explore, most importantly, what it means to be a Bajan; but when tourism is the top earner, creativity comes second. Our cultural identity is packaged as a tropical getaway where sun, sea and sand are the big attractions. The very structure of the tourism industry reflects colonial practices of our past: the big money stays in the pockets of foreign investors. So when you make it over to Barbados, be sure to support local-owned businesses and connect with the creatives who are forging a new path for the island.

Barbados' Cultural History

Bordered by the rugged Atlantic Ocean, the East Coast is known for its dramatic, untouched landscape. A breathtaking getaway from the super touristy south and west coasts, any trip should include a few nights on this side of the island. With its salty air and legendary sea breeze, the East Coast is a popular weekend spot for locals to rejuvenate.

Start your day with a hike at Bath Beach, make a stop in Bathsheba to catch the surf, and grab some lunch at Uncle Joe’s before a sunset walk on Cattlewash. Keep an eye out for off-the-beaten-track rum shops along the way. If hiking is your thing, follow the trail across the steep hills near Cattlewash beach to visit the island’s sleeping giant, from here you’ll get the most blissful view of the coastline.

You’ll find everything here; bars, clubs, food spots, beaches, AirBnbs and hotels. It’s also pretty cheap to get around on local transport once you’re staying there. The Oistins Fish Market is a must see on Friday nights, you’ll eat the best grilled fish and other seafood dishes there. The capital of Bridgetown is about a 15-minute bus ride away with plenty of restaurants to choose from. In the vibrant nightlife hub of St.Lawrence Gap, try Cocktail Kitchen’s roast breadfruit appetiser and on Friday nights, the happy hour at the Dive will for sure leave you stumbling. On the way home, soak up the rum with a gap burger, they’re right by Halo.

The south coast stretches from Christ Church down to Bridgetown in St.Michael, basing yourself here means everything is 15 to 20 mins away, including lots of great beaches. Growing up in Barbados meant Miami Beach was your go-to with family, the waves are gentle and you get to finish your day with the best snow cones. Browne’s Beach is another favourite amongst locals, the water is super clear, it’s easy to get to and close to good food. Pebbles Beach has the best fish cutter on the island, gotta get it.

West Coast: Boujie babes, drunk sunsets and jampuffs

Famously known as the Platinum Coast, if you want luxury, this is where you’ll find it. The coastline is dotted with million dollar properties and luxury boutiques. Generally, it's on the pricier side of things but Speightstown – a fishing town in the parish of St. Peter – has a unique, laid-back charm that’s worth a visit. Speightstown feels like a vintage Bridgetown, the vendors line the streets, it’s slower and more traditional. Beaches on the West are particularly stunning, Heywoods is a personal favourite. The West is perfect for sundowners, head to John Moore Rum Shop at around 5:30 in the afternoon, order a rum and coke and take it all in.

A Guide to Barbados’ Best Neighbourhoods

The low crime rate, liberal values and welcoming locals make 

 a great solo travel destination for both women and men. The island’s small size offers a true sense of community that extends to travellers making it not only easy to navigate but easy to meet new people. People are super friendly and eager to help foreigners. It’s important to practise due diligence when travelling alone to any country; avoid empty beaches after sunset and steer clear of remote roads late at night.

The newly introduced welcome stamp makes it a great option for digital nomads looking for a year-long adventure.