Best Time to Visit Barbados
The best time to travel to Barbados is during the dry season from December to May and the wet season from June to November.
Dry Season in Barbados
The dry season in Barbados runs from December to May and is the best time to visit the island. The weather is pleasant and sunny, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the low-80s. This season is great for beach activities, outdoor excursions, and sightseeing. During this time, many festivals and events take place, such as the Barbados Reggae Festival, Oistins Fish Festival, and Crop Over Festival.
Wet Season in Barbados
The wet season in Barbados runs from June to November. This season is characterized by higher temperatures and more rainfall. Despite the rain, the weather is still warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s. This season is great for those looking for a more relaxed atmosphere and fewer crowds. It is also the perfect time to explore the island’s lush tropical forests and national parks.
Month-by-month guide for traveling in Barbados
Barbados in January
Weather
The average temperature in January in Barbados is around 25-27°C (77-81°F). The days are sunny and the nights are warm. The humidity is high, and there is a chance of rain throughout the month.
Events
- The Barbados Reggae Festival takes place in January, bringing together local and international reggae artists for a weekend of music and entertainment.
- The Barbados Jazz Festival takes place in January, featuring a variety of jazz artists from around the world.
- The Barbados Food and Rum Festival is a week-long celebration of the island’s rich culinary heritage, featuring cooking demonstrations, rum tastings, and more.
- The Barbados Open Water Swimming Festival is a week-long event that includes open water swimming competitions, clinics, and more.
- The Barbados Sailing Week is a week-long event that includes sailing races, clinics, and more.
Barbados in January
Weather
January in Barbados is warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from an average low of 75°F (24°C) to an average high of 85°F (29°C). There is usually a light breeze and the humidity is high. Rainfall is low, with an average of 1.2 inches (30 mm) during the month.
Events
- The Oistins Fish Festival is held in mid-January and is a popular event that celebrates Barbados’ fishing heritage. It features local music, food, and craft vendors as well as a variety of activities for the whole family.
- The Barbados Reggae Festival is held in late January and features a variety of reggae artists from around the world. The festival also includes food, drinks, and activities for the whole family.
- The Barbados Jazz Festival is held in late January and features a variety of jazz musicians from around the world. Attendees can enjoy music, food, and drinks while they enjoy the music.
- The Barbados Food and Wine Festival is held in late January and features a variety of local and international chefs, winemakers, and distillers. Attendees can sample food and drinks from around the world while enjoying music and activities.
- The Barbados Crop Over Festival is held in late January and is the largest cultural celebration in Barbados. The festival features music, dancing, and parades, as well as a variety of food and craft vendors.
Barbados in March
Weather
March in Barbados is a great time to visit. The average temperature is around 25°C (77°F) and the days are sunny and warm. The humidity is low and the ocean is warm enough for swimming.
Events
- The Barbados Reggae Festival is a week-long event that takes place in March. It features local and international reggae artists, as well as other genres of music.
- The Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival is a two-day event that celebrates the local cuisine. It features cooking demonstrations, tastings, and workshops.
- The Barbados International Kite Festival is a two-day event that takes place in March. It features kite-making workshops, competitions, and performances.
- The Barbados Jazz Festival is a four-day event that takes place in March. It features jazz performances from local and international artists.
- The Barbados Music Awards is an annual event that takes place in March. It celebrates the best in local music and features performances from award-winning artists.
Barbados in April
Weather
April is the start of the dry season in Barbados, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit. There is typically little to no rainfall during this month.
Events
- The Barbados Food and Rum Festival is an annual event that takes place in April. Attendees can enjoy a variety of food and rum tastings, as well as live music and entertainment.
- The Barbados Reggae Festival is a three-day event that celebrates the island’s culture and music. It includes performances from local and international reggae artists.
- The Barbados Jazz Festival is a week-long event that takes place in April. Attendees can enjoy a variety of jazz performances from both local and international musicians.
- The Barbados Open Water Festival is an annual event that takes place in April. It includes a variety of swimming races, as well as other activities such as stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking.
- The Barbados Kite Festival is an annual event that takes place in April. Attendees can enjoy a variety of kite-flying activities, as well as live music and entertainment.
Barbados in May
Weather
May is the beginning of the dry season in Barbados, with temperatures ranging from 26-30°C (79-86°F). The days are sunny and warm, and the nights are cool. Rainfall is minimal, with an average of only 1-2 days of rain during the month.
Events
- The Barbados Reggae Festival takes place in May, featuring a variety of international and local reggae artists.
- The Barbados Food and Rum Festival is held in May, with a variety of rum tastings, cooking demonstrations, and live music.
- The Barbados Music Awards celebrates the best of Barbados’ music industry with a night of awards and performances.
- The Barbados Jazz Festival is held in May, featuring a variety of jazz musicians from around the world.
- The Barbados International Film Festival showcases a variety of international films and documentaries.
Barbados in June
Weather
June in Barbados is the start of the dry season. Temperatures are warm, with highs of around 30°C (86°F) and lows of around 24°C (75°F). The days are sunny and the humidity is low.
Events
- The Barbados Food and Rum Festival is held in June, showcasing the best of Barbados’ food and drink.
- The Barbados Reggae Festival is held in June, with live performances from some of the biggest names in reggae.
- The Barbados Pride Festival is held in June, celebrating the island’s LGBTQ+ community.
- The Barbados Jazz Festival is held in June, featuring performances from some of the best jazz musicians in the world.
- The Barbados Sailing Week is held in June, with races and events for sailors of all abilities.
Barbados in July
Weather
July is the second month of the wet season in Barbados. The average temperature is around 28°C (82°F) and the average humidity is around 78%. The average rainfall is around 150mm (6 inches).
Events
- The Barbados Reggae Festival is held in July and showcases the best of Caribbean music and culture.
- The Barbados Food and Rum Festival is held in July and celebrates the unique cuisine of Barbados.
- The Barbados Jazz Festival is held in July and features some of the best jazz musicians from around the world.
- The Barbados Crop Over Festival is held in July and celebrates the end of the sugar cane harvest with music, dance, and food.
- The Barbados Sailing Week is held in July and features sailing races and other events.
Barbados in August
Weather
August is the hottest month of the year in Barbados, with temperatures reaching up to 90°F (32°C). The humidity is high, and there is usually a light breeze. Rainfall is low, and the days are usually sunny.
Events
- The Barbados Reggae Festival takes place in August, featuring a variety of international and local reggae artists.
- The Barbados Food and Wine and Rum Festival is held in August, showcasing the best of Barbadian cuisine and drinks.
- The Barbados Open Water Festival is held in August, featuring a variety of water sports and activities.
- The Barbados Jazz Festival is held in August, featuring a variety of jazz artists from around the world.
- The Barbados Crop Over Festival is held in August, featuring a variety of carnival activities, parades, and music.
Barbados in September
Weather
September in Barbados is warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 25-30°C (77-86°F). The average sea temperature is around 29°C (84°F). Rainfall is low, with an average of around 1-2 inches of rain per month.
Events
- The Barbados Crop Over Festival is a popular event that takes place in September. It is a celebration of Barbados’ culture and heritage, with music, dance, and food.
- The Barbados Food and Rum Festival is held in September and is a celebration of the island’s culinary culture. It features tastings, cooking demonstrations, and other activities.
- The Barbados Reggae Festival is held in September and features performances from some of the best reggae artists in the world.
- The Barbados Jazz Festival is held in September and features performances from some of the best jazz musicians in the world.
- The Barbados International Film Festival is held in September and showcases films from around the world.
Barbados in October
Weather
October is the start of the dry season in Barbados, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit. The humidity is lower than the summer months, making it more comfortable to enjoy the outdoors.
Events
- The Barbados Reggae Festival is a 3-day event held in October that celebrates the culture of the Caribbean. It features live music, food, and activities for the whole family.
- The Barbados Food and Rum Festival is a week-long event that celebrates the culinary and rum culture of Barbados. It includes cooking demonstrations, rum tastings, and live music.
- The Barbados Jazz Festival is a week-long event in October that features performances from local and international jazz artists.
- The Barbados Crop Over Festival is a month-long event in October that celebrates the end of the sugar cane harvest. It includes parades, live music, and food.
- The Barbados Sailing Festival is a week-long event in October that celebrates the sailing culture of Barbados. It includes races, live music, and activities for the whole family.
Barbados in November
Weather
November is the start of the dry season in Barbados, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit. The humidity is low and the skies are mostly sunny.
Events
- Barbados Open Water Festival: This is an annual event that takes place in November and includes swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding races.
- Barbados Food and Rum Festival: This is a week-long event that celebrates the island’s culinary and rum culture. It includes cooking demonstrations, rum tastings, and live music.
- Barbados Crop Over Festival: This is the island’s biggest festival and takes place in late July to early August. It includes calypso competitions, street parades, and carnival-style festivities.
- Barbados Reggae Festival: This is an annual event that takes place in November. It features a variety of international and local reggae artists, as well as food, drinks, and other activities.
- Barbados Jazz Festival: This is an annual event that takes place in November. It features a variety of jazz artists from around the world, as well as food, drinks, and other activities.
Barbados in December
Weather
December is a warm and sunny month in Barbados. The average temperature in December is around 25°C (77°F). The days are usually sunny and the nights are cool. The humidity is usually high, but the trade winds keep the air fresh.
Events
- The Barbados Reggae Festival is held in December. This annual event is a celebration of Caribbean culture and features live music, food, and local art.
- The Barbados Food and Rum Festival is held in December. This event celebrates Barbados’ culinary culture and features cooking demonstrations, rum tastings, and live music.
- The Barbados International Film Festival is held in December. This event showcases independent films from around the world and includes film screenings, workshops, and panel discussions.
- The Barbados Jazz Festival is held in December. This event features live music from local and international jazz artists.
- The Barbados Crop Over Festival is held in December. This event is a celebration of the island’s culture and features parades, live music, and traditional food.