As the archetypal destination for Caribbean holidays, Barbados is particularly popular with Brits. The island is steeped in colonial history overlaid with a vibrant modern Caribbean culture that makes for a lively, fun and relaxing holiday.

Barbados has all the picture postcard features of a Caribbean island: palm trees, beautiful sandy beaches, azure blue warm waters and lush tropical scenery, but it has a wild side too. The east coast is fully exposed to the power of the Atlantic and the scenery reflects the battering that it regularly gets from the wind and Atlantic waves. While it's definitely worth a visit it's unlikely that most Barbados holiday makers are going to see much of this side of the island except on a day trip.

Where to stay
Barbados is a mere 21 miles long by 14 miles wide but in that small space lies a variety of holiday experiences. The fashionable west coast is the most expensive destination for holidays in Barbados. It's classic Caribbean and visitors tend to be the well heeled who can afford the inflated hotel prices. Those looking for the west coast experience on their holiday to Barbados should head for Speightstown where the beaches are just as beautiful but the hotel prices a little more manageable.

Anyone looking for a cheap package holiday in Barbados is likely to find themselves on the south coast where there is a wider variety of self-catering apartments and cheaper hotels. The beaches here are not quite so idyllic but what they lack in sophistication they make up for in liveliness. St Lawrence Gap is arguably the centre of the south coast scene with an array of bars, restaurants and nightlife. Further east, the Silver Sands resort is one of the windsurfing and kite surfing capitals of the Caribbean and further east still is one of the finest beaches on the island, Crane Beach. A holiday in Barbados really shouldn't pass without a visit here and a spot of afternoon tea at The Crane Hotel, a simply stunning Victorian hideaway on top of the cliff overlooking Crane beach.

Whatever part of the island you fancy dealchecker.co.uk will help you find the best deal for your holiday in Barbados. For more independent travellers we can also help you find a cheap flight to Barbados or sort you out with car hire so you can see more of this beautiful island.