Nine great places to visit on Barbados

Barbados is one of the southernmost islands in the Caribbean, and is located only 13 degrees north of the Equator. The sun and the tradewinds are equally intense, making for a great climate throughout the year. For a small island, there really is something for everyone. On that note, here are nine places that I highly recommend the next time you are on the island:

Of the many beaches on the island, this is one of the best for swimming and lounging. You can choose to be in the sun, or in the dappled shade of the Casuarina trees. The sand is fine, the surf is relatively gentle (but still fun) and the water is a brilliant Caribbean blue. There are picnic tables, and public bathrooms are short walk away. This is a spectacular beach and is popular with Bajans and tourists alike. And it is made even better by the presence of Mr. Delicious! (see below)

The funky bus & lunch counter known as Mr. Delicious is permanently parked at Miami Beach in Enterprise. Locals and tourists line up for the flying fish cutters, chicken rotis, fish cakes, and cold Shandy. The food is cheap and excellent, but definitely try to eat before the lunch rush when things get busy. Take your food to a nearby picnic table, or back to your blanket under the gently swaying Casuarina trees. It doesn't get much better.

Bottom Bay is one of the most spectacular beaches I have been to anywhere in the world. This is not a good swimming beach because of the heavy surf, but it is a wonderful place to while away a few hours in paradise. We had the place to ourselves on a sunny morning. There are beach chairs for relaxing in a grove of tall palms, a cave to explore at the western end of the beach, and lots of coconuts for cracking and drinking the cool water inside.

The trade winds, swaying palms, and crashing surf will lull you into nirvana for as many hours as you care to let them. When we finally got tired of relaxing we played an impromptu round of coconut bocce, drank some more coconut water, and then relaxed some more. If you can tear yourself away, the pirate hideout known as Sam Lord's Castle is a very short walk away and is easily visited from here.

The rural east coast is well worth a visit, and Bathsheba is the highlight. This is a tiny, relaxed fishing village that doubles as a surf town, due to the world-famous Soup Bowl break just offshore. There are a few restaurants, rum shops and guesthouses, but otherwise this is a wonderfully quiet place. Swimming options are limited due to the heavy surf, but there are a series of shallow pools along the beach that are sheltered by the reef. These are a very popular place for cooling off, and locals throw rum punch parties here on occasion. The rock formations along this stretch of coast are unique and beautiful.

It is possible to get to Bathsheba by bus, but this is only really worth it if you are staying for a few days. If you are just coming for the day, rent a car to ensure that you have as much time as possible here.

The Friday night fish fry in Oistins is famous all over the island for good reason. It attracts a healthy mix of locals and tourists, all of whom come for the spectacle. Fried fish is ostensibly the reason for the party, but there is much more to it than that. The music is loud, the games of dominoes are intense, and there is TONS of good food available in addition to fried fish. Macaroni pie, conkies, and other Bajan specialties are everywhere. Calypso, reggae and ska are blasted at several different dance floors. Grab yourself a cold Banks, pull up a picnic table, and join in the fun.

This quiet, atmospheric botanical garden is located in the rolling highlands of central Barbados, in St. Joseph Parish. The trails are very well-maintained, and wander past a variety of native and introduced tropical plants. All plants are labeled with both common and scientific names. Birds call from the treetops, and if you are quiet you will likely see some green monkeys. At 50 acres, the Flower Forest is much larger than many of the other botanical gardens on the island. It has a very lush, wild feel - take your time and enjoy the self-guided trails at your own pace.

The National Trust of Barbados offers a series of free, guided hikes at natural areas all over the island. These hikes are led by an experienced guide, with different pace groups for hikers of all abilities. Hikes are held at a different location each Sunday throughout the year. Please click here for the 2011 hiking schedule.

This is an out-of-the-way spot in the rural northeast of the island. This part of Barbados is known as the 'Scotland District' because of the rugged, forested topography. As you drive up from the ocean, the road winds through sugar cane fields while steadily gaining elevation. Cherry Tree Hill itself is about 850 feet above sea level, and offers sweeping views over the east coast of the island. When I was there, a very kind man was giving out sugar cane in the parking lot to anyone who passed by. We relaxed in the shade of mahogany trees, munching on the sweet sugar cane, and enjoying the spectacular view.

The road continues westward under overhanging mahogany trees to St. Nicholas Abbey, which is expensive but well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Barbados was built on rum, and lush sugarcane fields still cover much of the island. The island is home to rum distilleries, rum shops, dark chocolate rum cakes, rum punch parties, and a sometimes rum-soaked culture. There are many brands on the island, but one of the most popular and venerable is Mount Gay. The company's distillery is in the north of the island, but the Mount Gay Visitor Center is very close to Bridgetown, and well worth a visit. The tour, which includes a tasting, costs $6 and lasts about 40 minutes.There is a full bar and restaurant located on site.

Mount Gay Rum is VERY good, but it is also relatively easy to find in other parts of the world. It might not be worth carrying a bottle home. Instead, buy another great rum made on the island in small batches: try Cockspur, FourSquare, Rum SixtySix, or St. Nicholas Abbey for starters. Most of these are widely available and relatively inexpensive.

Have any other favorite places on Barbados? Please share them in the comments!