We are considering a trip to Barbados in late June of this year. We have been to several islands and really prefer lush vegetation, hiking, snorkeling and sunset sails. We like a Caribbean feel and did not prefer the Americanized Aruba (though it was a nice trip). Would this be a good fit? We are very laid-back and are traveling without children. We don't have a budget, so I am willing to check into many different places. Thanks in advance for your help!

We love barbados and have been three times. I think it will be a good fit for you. It's definitely not as americanized as aruba. But has good roads and the highest per capita income in the caribbean.

The snorkeling isnt the best in the caribbean. We've snorkeled several times at Folkstone Marine Park. They have lockers and you can rent snorkle gear. From there you can have lunch in Holetown. Lots of great restaurants and a mall if you need to pick up a few things.

We always stay in St Lawrence gap area. We love the wavy beaches there. You can body surf all day. The Southern Palms Beach Club is our favorite place to stay. You can walk to a myriad of restaurants. Seafood, Italian, mexican, caribbean, you name it.

Have fun. You will love barbados!!

Barbados is wonderful! People are lovely, and you get a British-Caribbean culture. Lots of visitors from Europe. It's an island with some of everything a tropical island can offer except for gambling and a volcano. Barbados is less lush than Grenada or St. Lucia; it is similar to Martinique; it is more lush than the smaller more northern islands (including the Virgin Islands); much more lush than the desert-like ABC. You can hike on your own, and there are organized Sunday hikes, graded for difficulty. Andromeda Gardens and Flower Forest are two of the most spectacular tropical forest/gardens anywhere. A visitor once wrote in Flower Forest's guest book, "If I owned Flower Forest and Paradise, I'd rent out Paradise and live in Flower Forest."

Thanks for the replies. It's wonderful to escape for a few minutes after cleaning the house, today! Any other suggestions for places to stay?
Barbados sounds wonderful.

IMO the class act is Coral Reef club, which is at the edge of the underwater park. Low-rise coral stone bldgs. and cottages on beautiful grounds, nice beach. Family-owned for some 50 years, and it shows.

As I have posted else where on here, if you want beauty, hiking, rain forests and waterfalls think about St Vincent (and the Grenadines).

If you search St Vincent I posted the extracts of a recent travel article on the Country.

Depending on price you could look at anythings from great guest houses on St Vincent or Bequia or the Cotton House or Villa on Mustique, not to mention all of the other great islands and hotels in SVG.

What's your price range? South coast or St Lawrence Gap area is cheaper than West Coast.

greenie,
I know this sounds crazy, but we don't have a budget yet. I like to look at a lot of different places to stay. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean that the funds are unlimited, I just don't know enough about pricing to definitely give an answer.
I read Lois's amazing tip sheet and I am wondering if Barbados might be a little too "built up" for me. St. Kitts and Nevis, so far have had a great mix of things to see and do without a lot of people around you. Hmmmmmm