Heading to Barbados for a week with your love? You came to the right spot! I’m going to provide me and my husband’s itinerary. I’ll give my recommendations for 1 Week in Barbados for Couples. The island of Barbados exudes romance in so many ways and it’s truly the perfect trip for all couples. Whether you’re a new couple, honeymooners, or life partners – Barbados offers moments and experiences that you two will treasure forever. One thing to caveat here is that my husband and I visited during Crop Over Festival, so our experience will be slightly different from someone traveling a different time of year. But I still hope you find this helpful! Feel free to email me if you’d like Barbados vacation package quotes (cassandra@accent-on-travel.net).
Day 1 – Thursday
With a quick layover through Charlotte, we arrived into Barbados around 3PM. Getting through the BGI Airport was a breeze. At the time of our travel (July 2022), we were required to bring our passport, completed travel form, and proof of covid vaccination. Very easy! After passing through customs & immigrations, we found the Sandals Resorts counter setting up the transportation. In some airports Sandals Resorts has an actual lounge (like in Saint Lucia and Jamaica). However, there is no official lounge at this airport. Which is fine, because the open air Caribbean breeze felt great. After gathering around with other guests of Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados, we were then transported to this all inclusive, COUPLES ONLY resort. This resort provides the PERFECT stay for couples.
**READ MY FULL REVIEW OF SANDALS BARBADOS**
Before checking in, we were greeted with cold towels for our faces and glasses of champagne. What a welcome! There was also a small sing and dance provided by the staff. This was our first big trip together after having our son, and this kind of treatment (after waiting on a tiny human 24/7) was a nice change of pace. Check in was an absolute breeze as they have these ipads that you enter your information into. After putting our credit card down on file, it was off to our room – to see where “home” would be for the next 3 nights!
We stayed in a Beachfront Honeymoon Club Level Suite (OJS). The first night there, we were lazy and just hung out poolside until dinner. For dinner we ate at Spices which turns into an a la carte restaurant serving Caribbean cuisine at night. There was a live instrument player next to the pool playing early 2000s songs. Very nice ambiance for a romantic evening.
Day 2 – Friday
We woke up and enjoyed breakfast at Spices buffet near the pool. The rest of today was really just about relaxation. I recommend taking advantage of all the amenities both Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados has to offer. As a guest staying at either resort, you will have full access to both resorts. I recommend checking out the daily activities bulletin by the English Pub and seeing what there is to do for the day. Don’t forget that both motorized and non-motorized watersports are included in your resort stay.
After enjoying the resort for a bit, we had lunch at the Mediterranean restaurant Neptune’s. It was very good and offered beach views. At night, I highly recommend leaving the resort and VISITING OISTIN’S FRIDAY NIGHT FISH FRY. My husband and I were too tired to leave the resort but we kept hearing people recommend it. The food is the main draw to this weekly event, but mingling with locals is what gets you to stay! Next time we’ll make it happen! We did get to sample local food though a few days later, so got to try flying fish, macaroni pie, rice & peas, and salad.
Day 3 – Saturday
Day 3 of this ‘1 Week in Barbados for Couples’ itinerary continues with more relaxation and reconnecting. It was so nice to enjoy the rooftop pool with Sky Bar drinks. Everything was incredible. My husband enjoyed pina coladas and I enjoyed the chilled glasses of champagne. In the afternoon, we participated in a fun SOCA PARTY put on by Sandals Resorts. This was a replica of the Foreday celebration around Crop Over Festival. The real Foreday celebration takes place from 12AM – 8AM the Saturday before Grand Kadooment day. Lots of color is thrown around so wear white. So much fun!
But even outside of Crop Over Festival, there seemed to be SO many parties and activities at this resort. I know there was a separate White Out Party too by one of the pools so maybe bring some white clothes just in case. At night – why not have a fun date night at Lovers Lane, Sandals Resorts’ first bowling alley. No reservations are made here, they are on a first come first serve basis. There are definitely many options to have a fun and sexy Saturday with your significant other.
Day 4 – Sunday
After 3 blissful nights at Sandals Barbados, we headed over to another resort called Savannah Beach Club. While this resort is also all inclusive, it’s definitely not on the level of a Sandals (nor do they claim to be). But it is very laid back, and it was nice to just grab some drinks and relax on the beach. After checking in early morning, we went on a Full Day Barbados Island Tour. This full day Barbados Island Tour gives you a good high level overview of the island.
You will visit the rustic and more untouched east coast of the island, Bathsheba as well as visit the northern point to see monkeys at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Here, you can stroll freely among animals feeding and playing in their natural environment. Here you can see agouti, armadillo, Brocket deer, pelicans, and caimans. Monkeys are most abundant at afternoon feeding time. You’ll also see reptiles like snakes, iguanas, turtles, and tortoises. parrots, flamingos, and peacocks share the premises, adding bright splashes of color. When you think of Barbados, a few things may come to mind: Rihanna, tropical beaches, rum, and flying fish (one of their national dishes). Barbados is SO much more than that. I highly recommend taking this tour. This tour concludes with snorkeling with turtles in beautiful Carlisle Bay. Amazing!
Day 5 – Monday
On our particular trip, this Monday was the Big Grand Kadooment. This takes place the first Monday of August. Grand Kadooment Day celebrates the end of Crop Over, where Masquerade Bands make their way to ABC highway (formerly Spring Garden Highway) with revelers dressed in sequin costumes and colorful outfits. This took up the entire Monday! If you are visiting outside of Crop Over Festival, here are some ideas of things to do instead:
- Take a Mount Gay Rum Tour
- Visit the original landscape and buildings where it all began, back in 1703. Steeped in over 300 years of heritage and expertise, you can take a variety of tours. You can take a distillery experience tour or even a premium rum flight experience
- Visit Rihanna’s childhood home
- If you plan on visiting the Mount Gay Rum factory, Rihanna’s childhood home is nearby. It was interesting to stroll by there and see where she grew up.
- Visit Harrison’s Cave
- Harrison’s Cave is a natural phenomenon unique to the tropical world. You’ll get to view the majestic stalactites and stalagmites which have been growing from the floors and ceilings for many centuries.
- Take an Atlantis Submarine Tour
- Experience life under the Caribbean Sea on the Atlantic Submarine! During this 40-minute journey, you’ll be submerged to depths of over 100 feet passing vibrant corals, tropical fish, and a sunken shipwreck.
- Ride the St. Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway
- During this narrated ride around the abbey grounds, admire he 17th-century Great House, plantation fields, woodlands and spectacular Atlantic views from Cherry Tree Hill.
- Tour Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill
- The Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill is the last of the many Barbadian windmills once used to produce sugar, and one of only two functioning sugar windmills in the world. Barbados, a British colony for much of its modern history, became one of the largest producers of sugar in the late 17th century. This was when sugar replaced tobacco as the primary commercial export.
CHECK OUT MY FULL LIST OF THE TOP THINGS TO DO IN BARBADOS!
Day 6 – Tuesday
This ‘1 Week in Barbados for Couples’ itinerary continues with a leisurely walk around the ‘Garrison’ area of Bridgetown. Because we stayed at Savannah Beach Club, we were right in the heart of that area. We ended up walking to George Washington House & Museum for a quick visit first. George Washington, later to become the 1st President of the United States of America, visited Barbados in 1751 and spent about two months. Barbados was the only country he ever visited outside colonial America. This fact alone should make a tour of George Washington House, the place where he stayed while in Barbados, a must-do activity for all visitors from the USA.
After soaking up the history, we wandered over to Carlisle Bay for swimming and relaxing. I highly recommend paying for the beach loungers for convenience. The loungers come equipped with umbrellas for shade. There were also watersports available for rent. A great way to connect and spend that quality time with your loved one! For lunch, we walked over to Cuzz Fish Stand and enjoyed the delicious fish cutter sandwiches! Make sure you bring cash – that’s all they accept.
Later in the evening, we made reservations at Carib Beach Bar where we enjoyed a night of delicious fried seafood and trivia. Given that the crowd was mostly British folks, we opted out of officially playing in trivia. However, it was fun to listen in and talk amongst ourselves what we think the answer is. It was really fun!
Day 7 – Wednesday
On our last full day in Barbados, we relaxed some more at the beach by the hotel. The water was nice and warm with lapping waves. We ended up seeing monkeys right on the beach as well. They were running around the trees, it was so cute! I didn’t think we’d see any monkeys outside of Barbados Wildlife Reserve.
Later in the day we grabbed lunch at a nearby restaurant called Jake’s Island Grille (also known as Jake’s). Jake’s offers a unique and contemporary dining experience with an unpretentious atmosphere and friendly cool-as-can-be service. Their menu features American food like steaks, succulent ribs, and our signature homemade burgers. They also serve fresh local fish and seafood dishes. I had the wings with macaroni & cheese (not to be confused with macaroni pie)! My husband had the half chicken and you could tell it was made onsite. Everything was really fresh and good. Later in the evening, it was back to Savannah Beach Club for a photoshoot. Every year, I try to make sure we have a new destination to ring in X years of being married. This summer happened to be the 2-year mark of our marriage.
We had an amazing time in Barbados, and I highly recommend the trip for couples! Whether you are newly dating, engaged or married, you’ll find plenty of romance on this beautiful island. Email me for Barbados quotes and to assist you with your planning (cassandra@accent-on-travel.net).
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