We will have a short mid-day layover in the Barbados on the way home from Bequia in the Grenadines. We are due to arrive in Barbados about 11:40 AM and depart at 4:15 PM. Instead of hanging around, I'd rather go out and do something even if time is short. I figure we should be back at the airport by 2:45 or thereabouts, so if we depart airport about noon, we will have 2.5 hours.

Looking for suggestions - I am assuming we will have our luggage with us as we are changing airlines. We will have only carry ons, so this is a moderate burden - no hikes! - but it doesnt mean we can't walk some. I guess we will be beached out so a beach would not be a high priority.

Possibities - Bridgetown. Seems about half hour by taxi, so I don't know if it's worht it.

St. Lawrence Gap seems to be close to airport - maybe a few shops to visit, lunch???

Any other nearby attractions or suggestions that would fill the bill - either those I mentioned or others?

Hi Howard,

Hop in a cab and head to "Miami Beach",
a lovely spot usually frequented by locals, most tourists don't know about it... and it's just a quick 10 minute ride from the airport.

You won't be far from St. Lawrence Gap if you're hungry, but I wouldn't miss the beach for anything!

I'd skip Bridgetown... too much in traffic driving and not much to "see".

Happy planning!

I would hire a cab to drive you around part of the island, which costs about $25 per hour US. We thought the east coast near Bathsheba had spectacular scenery. There's a cute restaurant up on a bluff called the Roundhouse that has tremendous views of the water. There aren't many hotels on the east coast because the water is so rough, but it does make for beautiful scenery.

Alternately, and closer to the airport, the Crane resort would also be a nice place to spend a few hours and/or have lunch. It also has tremendous views, and magazines sometimes do photo shoots there because of its scenery. And you need not worry about infringing on its guests--they charge you a cover (I think it was $5 per person) to enter, which is refunded with a food and/or drink purchase. But I think this discourages gawkers and riff-raff.

I agree with the previous poster--don't waste your time going to Bridgetown. it looks like a typical port city--cars, traffic, crowds. It won't give you any idea of what the island is like.

St. Lawrence Gap doesn't have too much shopping. I remember mostly restaurants. But you are right--it is close to the airport.

Hi Howard,

Fluffnfold is completely right about the suggestion to go to the Crane.

Awesome spot for photos... the grounds are spectacular. The resort/restaurant is set up on a cliff and you can walk down a winding staircase to get to the most lovely "pink sand" beach you'll ever see. Be sure to keep your suits in your carry on for a little dip after lunch.

Great suggestion... it will seem like you're driving through neighborhoods forever to get there... it's pretty remote, but a great spot for your short time frame.

On the way back to the airport have your driver stop at Bottom Bay... the most beautiful palm tree lined beach you'll ever see (my personal favorite beach) !!! Even if it's just for a few photos.

I would be hesitant to treck up to Bathsheba only because you'll really only have a little over 2 hours. I'd be nervous to go that far from the airport...

Whatever you do, have fun!

One of THE prime attractions there is Harrisons cave where you can see the beauty of nature-many of those stalactites and stalagmites, undergroung pools and caverns, etc. It lasts less than an hour to go thru it.

We just returned from our 17th trip to the island -- were there for 2 weeks. You do have a short time there.

Forget Bridgetown. Crane Beach might be a nice mid-day stop for lunch overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. They did have a $12.95 Barbados admission, but recently have stopped that. You simply walk to the restaurant and ask for a seat outside. It's close enough for an easy return to the airport.

Bottom Bay, as mentioned above, is also quite picturesque, however more people have discovered this now, so it's not as much so now.

An area known as "Little Bay" just past Pie Corner has some fantastic scenery - a local taxi driver should be able to find this. Just make sure he can get you back in time.

If you're not interested in going to a beach, I'd forget the whole St. Lawrence Gap area -- not much there.

Lois