Barbados or Jamaica: which is better for a Caribbean holiday?
Two evocative names when considering a sunny escape to the Caribbean, Barbados and Jamaica are separated by 1,230 miles but how do you choose between them?
Barbados* is the most easterly of the Caribbean's islands and brings a historic capital, magnificent sugar-white beaches, fine rum and a ton of outdoor activities.
Around 26 times larger than Barbados meanwhile, Jamaica* is famous for its glamorous resorts, reggae music, mountain hikes and fiery food. It's a good problem to have, so here's a look at how they stack up against each other.
Getting to the Caribbean: whether you settle on a holiday to Barbados* or an escape to Jamaica*, TUI has fabulous online savings on breaks to the Caribbean* for all.
Battle of the beaches
This isn't so much a battle as a celebration, with both island's sandy beaches forming dreamy sun-kissed scenes fringed by lazy coco palms and turquoise shores.
All 60 beaches in Barbados are public, with no private beaches allowed. And as a coral island, the sand here appears extra white and that sheen does add to the overall allure.
Semi-enclosed by high coral cliffs, Bottom Bay is a secluded delight that's perfect for picnics, while Miami Beach is a stone's throw from the smoking BBQ joints of Oistins, perfect for sundown drinks.
Over in Jamaica, Frenchman's Cove might take the crown for the most beautiful beach, flanked as it is by lush forest and swaying palms (though you'll have to pay $2,000JMD - approx £10 - per day for access).
One of the last remaining free public beaches is Winnifred Beach and its golden sands are a fine spot to spend a relaxing afternoon (cared for by locals).
Activities
Just because the Caribbean is warm, doesn't mean you necessarily want to spend all of your time lounging around. For active types, there's plenty to do on each island.
The crystalline waters surrounding Barbados are perfect for snorkelling, and there are few more magical experiences than snorkelling with the gentle green turtles gliding through those placid waters.
If you're after something a little more adventurous should check out the underground tour through Harrison's Cave or the hilly three-mile hike from Barclays Park via Chalky Mount on the island's cinematic east coast.
Jamaica's size means that you can really get off the beaten path, so take an ATV Safari Tour to discover the country's hilltop villages, tropical forest and inland wildlife.
If you'd prefer to be on the water, then don't miss rafting on the Martha Brae River or surfing over the warm waves of Bull Bay.
City life
Obviously, the vast majority of visitors to the Caribbean are there for resort life, with the cities largely an afterthought. But for those who do venture downtown, there are some interesting attractions.
Established in 1628, Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, is packed with a long history, engaging tours and bright pastel colours.
As a former British colony, there's an unsavoury colonial past but it's also an opportunity to learn, and the old military Garrison is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site, with period architecture dating back to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
You probably know Kingston from the ubiquitous UB40 song, but Jamaica's capital has suffered from a bad reputation in recent years thanks to a high crime rate.
Things are beginning to change now though, with an arts renaissance along mural-lined Water Lane, the new boutique ROK Hotel and lively festivals like the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival and the Jamaica Carnival.
Resorts
Holidays to the Caribbean are an escape, and this is where resorts come into their own. Jamaica is perhaps better known for its resorts, but Barbados has added a fine selection of stays in recent years.
Coconut Court Beach Hotel already has an alluring name, and this family-operated resort is located on a protected lagoon, with its own beach, coral reefs and beach bar. Over on the West Coast, The Club Barbados is an adults-only paradise with tons of activities alongside a spa, beach bar and central pool.
Jamaica's coast is lined with some serious luxury, perhaps headlined by GoldenEye, the former home of James Bond author Ian Fleming.
It's rivalled in luxury by Sandals South Coast* and its collection of over-the-water villas and swim-up suites, but there's value to be found at low-key hideaways like Jakes in St Elizabeth.
History & culture
Thanks to the music of Bob Marley, reggae lifted Jamaica into global pop culture and those good-time beats are still emblematic of the nation. Long before reggae, however, the island was a Spanish colony called Santiago before eventually being taken over by the British and renamed Jamaica.
Under Britain's colonial rule, Jamaica became a leading sugar exporter, though these days tourism is by far its biggest economic sector. But on the streets of Kingston and beyond, you'll feel the passion for cricket, see the colours of Rastafarianism, hear a distinctive patois language and taste some fabulous jerk chicken (more on that later).
Bajans love reggae too, but they like soca music even more. A modern iteration of calypso music, the word 'soca' is a portmanteau of 'soul of calypso' and the bassy Afro Caribbean (with influences from India) can be heard everywhere, from the beach to the bar.
Like Jamaica, Barbados also has a strong cricketing tradition and they love a festival too, with the colourful costumes of the Crop Over Festival a highlight of every summer.
Food & drink
No trip to Jamaica is complete without tasting the famous jerk chicken. Coated in spices and slow-cooked over a fire or grill, jerk chicken is classic island food and perfect for watching the sun go down. Don't miss the chance to sample some curry goat or plantain either.
And of course, a glass of rum pairs perfectly and Jamaica has the most rum bars per square mile in the world. Heavy and robust with big flavours, sample an Appleton Estate or a Wray & Nephew if you get the chance.
Speaking of rum, did you know that Barbados is where the famous Caribbean spirit was invented? The oldest surviving commercial rum distillery in the world, Mount Gay, was founded in 1703 and still produces a fine product over 300 years later.
Seafood is big in Barbados too, and trying a plate of flying fish or Mahi Mahi is a perfect introduction to delicious Bajan food.
Weather
There isn't a whole lot to choose between the two islands, with daytime temperatures rarely dropping below 25°C and daily highs usually hovering around 30°C throughout the year.
Both also have dry and rainy seasons, with the dry seasons in winter and spring more preferable (but also thus prone to higher prices).
Compare weather
Use the graphs below to compare weather conditions in Barbados and Jamaica. Find out more about the climate in Barbados and the climate in Jamaica as well as conditions across the country in our complete guide to the climate in the Caribbean.
Barbados vs Jamaica
- Maximum daytime temperature
- Hours of sunshine
- Days with some rainfall
- Monthly rainfall
- Sea temperature
Maximum daytime temperature (°C)
Hours of sunshine per day
Days with some rainfall
Monthly rainfall (mm)
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