When it comes to choosing the best time to visit Barbados, the answer is completely up to you.

A year-round Caribbean sun trap, this island paradise is the ultimate holiday destination for unforgettable fun with family, a romantic retreat as a couple, a dream wedding or the adventure of a lifetime with friends. You’ll discover mesmerising sugar-white beaches, unbelievable natural scenery, spectacular exotic wildlife, a vibrant culture and an enthralling history. You’ll be warmly welcomed by friendly locals and discover an intoxicating laid-back atmosphere. You can make yourself right at home in your chosen hotel, embrace all-inclusive delights and enjoy features such as swimming pools, kids clubs, spas and more. Although you can visit Barbados whenever you like, there’s a time of year to suit every traveller. Here’s our guide to help you decide when you should take flight to this exhilarating exotic haven.

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Best Time For Weather

When visiting Barbados, there isn’t really a bad time when it comes to the weather. Throughout the year, you can expect 3,000 glorious hours of sunshine and high temperatures. For consistent conditions, we recommend travelling to this Caribbean paradise between December and April, when you’ll find a daily average of 28℃ to relax or explore the sights in. The hottest month is August, when temperatures rise to around 31℃, but trade winds ensure a cool breeze helps the weather to remain enjoyable. This is the perfect time to soak up the sun on one of Barbados’ picturesque white-sand beaches, topping up your tan and feeling rejuvenated by its rays. Barbados has a tropical climate, which results in the island having a wet and dry season. Tropical storms can sometimes be expected but more often than not, they are short-lived showers that are commonplace between July and November.

Best Time For Festivals

An array of cultural festivals take place throughout the year in Barbados, meaning you can decide when to visit based on which one tempts you the most. For a week in February, the Holetown Festival in Saint James commemorates Barbadian history by recognising the anniversary of when the first British settlers arrived on the island. Immerse yourself in re-enactments, feasts and parades. The biggest musical event explodes into action in April, when everyone comes together to celebrate the Barbados Reggae Festival. The Crop Over Festival is the most anticipated party on the Barbadian calendar. Similar to Carnival, this event takes place in July and August, concluding on Grand Kadooment Day, signifying the end of the sugar cane harvest. Be prepared for masquerades, colourful costumes, tuk bands and street parties. Crop Over occurs in the peak of summer when the weather is at its hottest so remember lightweight clothing and water when joining the festivities.

Best Time For Families

January to June is the best time of year for sensational family holidays to Barbados as the warm temperatures are counteracted by lovely gentle breezes. With pleasant temperatures in the mid-20s, your family will enjoy exploring the green space in Independence Square or discovering the exotic flora and fauna in Christ Church’s Paradise Nature Park. Children will love endless hours spotting multicoloured parrots, toucans, tortoises, pygmy goats and much more. Days at the beach mean sandcastle building and splashing in the crystal-clear shores. Mullin’s Beach is the perfect family-friendly spot with its shallow water and chance to embark on a glass-bottomed boat tour to admire the dazzling marine life. For more aquatic fun, go wild on the Rascals of Barbados floating water park, the largest in the Caribbean. Christmas is another wonderful time for families as Independence Square is illuminated in the evenings with multiple Christmas trees covered in sparkly lights.

Best Time For Couples

Couples looking for a romantic getaway have unlimited choices as to when they can visit Barbados. This means you can travel off-peak outside of the school holidays, when prices are much more budget-friendly. For idyllic days in the sunshine, we suggest visiting between December and May as this is when temperatures are warm and the rainy season hasn’t started yet. Stroll through the Flower Forest, tan on Bathsheba Beach or go rum tasting at Mount Gay, the oldest distillery in the world. Enjoy a sunset cruise around the island or while away the hours sipping cocktails by the pool. The luxury hotels are home to spas with a number of divine treatments. This time of year is also perfect for a destination wedding. The stunning views of the Caribbean and postcard-esque spots on the beach or in one of the tropical gardens will leave you speechless.

Best Time For Exploring

Exploring Barbados should be at the top of your itinerary as the island is bursting with jaw-dropping beauty, rich culture and exciting activities. For a dry holiday, it would be better to travel outside of the months July to November as this is the wet season. If you don’t mind the rain, you can visit any time you want, just be sure to pack appropriate clothing! The capital, Bridgetown, is a hub for history, being listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Here you’ll discover 17th-Century British colonial architecture, George Washington’s House and St Nicholas Abbey, another rum distillery. Harrison’s Cave Eco Adventure Park is a family-friendly wonderland where you can explore Barbados from above. Zipline across the forest canopy before searching for glistening waterfalls and the Animal Flower Cave. More aquatic fun is found at Carlisle Bay Marine Park, where seahorses, groupers and frogfish reside among the six sunken shipwrecks that you can dive to.

“You’ll find an out-of-this-world holiday destination, no matter what month you travel to Barbados. With year-round sunshine and constantly high temperatures, it should be at the top of your holiday bucket list.

“Families will make magical memories when they travel between January and June as the conditions are slightly cooler than in the summer months, with cool breezes to ensure you feel comfortable. Play in the sea, take part in epic adventure activities or visit local wildlife reserves for unrivalled family days out.

“Divine beauty and spectacular scenery makes this one of the most romantic places in the world for a couples holiday, wedding or honeymoon. Spend blissful hours together in luxury spas and aromatic restaurants, stroll along the beach and enjoy an intimate sunset boat trip.

“Explore lush forests, hidden caves and bustling cities. Dive beneath the surface of the Caribbean Sea to discover another world of possibilities. Admire coral reefs, investigate shipwrecks and glide alongside the numerous different marine species.”

The Sands Barbados

Situated close by Christ Church’s famous St Lawrence Gap, The Sands is an exquisite resort offering stylish luxury. Opt for an all-inclusive package for complete relaxation and the best quality food and drinks whenever you want. Sip cocktails by the turquoise swimming pool or soak up the sun on the adjoining white-sand beach. Dine al fresco in the evening, when you can catch romantic sunsets and feel the sand beneath your toes.

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Sandals Royal Barbados

This adult-only Caribbean haven offers 5-star bliss under divine tropical sunshine. Sandals Royal Barbados promises complete tranquillity from its beachfront location, with access to the in-house fitness centre also included. Lounge lazily by the pool or splash in the sea, getting involved in a number of water sports. A myriad of fine-dining venues give you a choice of Asian, French and Mediterranean cuisines as well as freshly caught local seafood.

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Sea Breeze Beach House

Powdery white sand lines the luxurious Sea Breeze Beach House that is perfect for romantic getaways as well as family holidays. Adults can take it easy at the swimming pool, in the spa or on the golf course, teeing off in spectacular surroundings. This spellbinding spot is the perfect choice for a destination wedding or an out-of-this-world honeymoon due to its magical location. Kids will have a blast here with their own club, complimentary Wi-Fi and water sports galore.

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Crystal Cove by Elegant Hotels

Discover the joys of Caribbean island life during a sublime stay at this immaculate beachfront haven. A perfect spot for relaxation, romance and recreation, features include three lagoon-style pools, a fitness centre, water sports and a kids club. You can rest easy in delightful living spaces and wine and dine in style, with the elegant restaurants and unique bars - one located behind the pool's waterfall - sure to impress.

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