Description

Surrounded by miles of magnificent white sand beaches, protected by coral reefs and brushed by the constant breeze of the trade winds, Barbados is a swimmer's paradise. The west coast beaches are calm and lapped by the Caribbean. The south coast has small to medium waves that are great for windsurfing and boogie boarding, while the southeast coast has big waves and is only suitable for strong swimmers. Because of its location, tropical storms and hurricanes common to other Caribbean islands generally miss Barbados. As a coral island, Barbados is home to a vast array of caves and underground lakes, which provide some of the purest drinking water in the world. The island is also home to rainforests, marshes and mangrove swamps, along with pastures and sugarcane fields. It has a diverse and interesting landscape, making it a fascinating place to explore. Originally known as the gold coast, with the development of many luxury hotels and residences, and the influx of the rich and famous, St. James on the West Coast is now called the Platinum Coast. Tiger Woods chose the Sandy Lane Hotel as the site for his wedding, and Hollywood stars can sometimes be seen emerging from their luxury houses along the coast. St James is one of the major tourist areas in Barbados, combining world-class shopping, with luxury hotels, and beautiful beaches lapped by the Caribbean. St James shopping options range from the Chattel House Village, offering gifts, crafts and souvenirs, to the West Coast Mal