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Looking to get some island rays? You can’t really go wrong whether you choose Barbados or Bermuda, but there are some distinct differences that can make one island better than the other for you and your group.
So, let’s dive in and find out which island nation is going to be the perfect spot for your next vacation!
A Brief Overview & Comparison: Barbados vs Bermuda
All in all, if you’re looking for a warm and vibrant Caribbean getaway, you’re going to want to visit Barbados. Alternatively, if you want to get away during the summer holidays and avoid the hurricane season, Bermuda is the ideal option.
If you’re looking for a vacation that’s lively with plenty to do, there’s no way that you can go wrong with a trip to Barbados. However, if you want to just hang around on the beach and hike around the island, Bermuda is going to be right up your alley.
Barbados
- Warmer temperatures
- Great nightlife for tourists
- Amazing snorkeling
- More tourist attractions
Bermuda
- Stunning beaches
- Great hiking options
- More expensive
- More diverse landscape
As Barbados is a lot further south than Bermuda, the temperatures are much warmer year-round as are the water temperatures. That means that if you want a winter vacation in the sunshine, you’re much better off going to Barbados.
The warmer water temperatures also make Barbados a great spot for snorkeling and enjoying watersports throughout most of the year. While Barbados might be better for watersports, Bermuda does arguably have better beaches.
If hiking and adventurous nature-related activities are more your thing, Bermuda is going to be a better destination for you. Barbados is great, but away from the coastal regions, there aren’t a lot of changes in the landscape to explore.
Finally, if you’re traveling with your family, Barbados has way more tourist attractions and family-friendly resorts. It’s also a lot cheaper than Bermuda, which is more of a couples or retiree kind of destination. Barbados is also great for a getaway with friends as there is a lot of nightlife that’s specifically geared toward tourists.
Barbados vs Bermuda: A Quick Guide to Choosing
Looking for a quick guide to the differences and main information about Barbados and Bermuda? You’re in the right place!
Barbados Mini Guide
- Location Size – 430 km²
- Population – 281,200
- Rainy Season – July to November
- High Season – Mid-December to Mid-April.
- Top Sights – Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park, Bridgetown, St. Nicholas Abbey
- Major Airports – Grantley Adams International (BGI)
If you’re looking for Caribbean culture and tons of family-friendly tourist attractions all in one place, you need to book your next vacation in Barbados. Whether you love history and culture, or gorgeous watersports and amazing nightlife, it’s a great spot to visit.
The main thing to think about when you’re planning on visiting Barbados is the time of year. Barbados is smack bang in the hurricane belt so visiting between July and November can be very wet and windy indeed!
Suggested Reading: Barbados or St Lucia – An Honest Guide To Help You Choose
Bermuda Mini Guide
- Location Size – 53.2 km²
- Population – 63,867
- Rainy Season – No rainy season!
- High Season – May to October
- Top Sights – Crystal and Fantasy Caves, Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, Horseshoe Bay, Hamilton
- Major Airports – L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA)
One of the best things about visiting Bermuda is that it’s a year-round destination. There’s no rainy season at all! However, as it’s further north, it can be a lot colder in the winter months, which isn’t ideal for a paradise island vacation!
With so many caves, coves, and trails, the interior of Bermuda is as beautiful as its expansive coastline. As it’s a much smaller island, it’s also easy to wander between the major sites and check out the many, many different beaches all around Bermuda. Think of it as a beach crawl instead of a bar crawl!
The 5 Key Differences Between Barbados and Bermuda
Okay, so really, what are the major differences between Barbados and Bermuda, and how do the islands stack up in different categories? Let’s dive in and find out more.
How Do The Beaches & Landscapes Compare?
Well, both Barbados and Bermuda have great beaches. Barbados has stunning, quintessential white sand beaches like Bottom Bay, Bath Beach, and Folkestone Beach. In fact, Barbados’ beaches are absolutely amazing for watersports thanks to the warm Caribbean waters!
On the other hand, Bermuda has some of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen. Horseshoe Bay is one of the most popular beaches on the island thanks to its gorgeous pink sand! Away from the coastline, Bermuda also has a ton of great trails and hikes, so you can explore nature and work up a sweat at the same time!
Suggested Reading: Barbados or Bahamas: Which To Choose?
Which Is Better For Activities?
It’s no secret that Barbados is full of tourist hotspots. From the exciting Harrison eco-cave adventures to the Mount Gay rum distillery tour to the historic St. Nicholas Abbey, there’s a little something for everyone. If you want an island vacation with lots of things to do, Barbados is a great option.
Bermuda is all about spending time in the great outdoors. The main attractions and activities are mostly stunning beaches, snorkeling, and nature hikes. If you love spending time in nature or just want a relaxing vacation sitting around catching rays on the beach, you’ll want to book your flights to Bermuda ASAP!
Which Is Better For Nightlife?
Barbados is an amazing place for nightlife, especially bars and clubs that are specifically geared toward tourists. The parties at Harbour Lights are legendary and definitely bring that Caribbean vibe to life. If you love dancing the night away and drinking copious amounts of rum, this is your kind of island.
On the other hand, Bermuda is a lot more laidback when it comes to nightlife. In the capital, Hamilton, you can find a lot of nightclubs and bars, but outside of the main city, there aren’t a whole lot of options. If you’re looking for a party option, then this probably isn’t it.
Which Is Cheaper?
Although Barbados isn’t the cheapest island in the world, there are some more affordable areas and places to visit. Compared to a lot of different Caribbean islands it can be a little cheaper, especially compared to US territories. Of course, there are some areas that are home to millionaires, so it’s all about location, location, location.
On the flip side, Bermuda is a pretty expensive place to visit. As it’s a small island that doesn’t produce a whole lot of stuff, pretty much everything has to be imported from the US or further appeal. In fact, the beer price alone in Bermuda averages out at double the price of the average beer in the US.
Which Is Easier To Get To?
If you’re looking for an island that’s easy to get to, there are plenty of flights to Barbados every day from the US, the Caribbean, and around Europe. It’s a super popular place to visit, so there are a lot of different routes and airlines operating flights to Barbados.
Bermuda is a much smaller island with fewer direct flights. In fact, there are only 11 airports with direct flights to Bermuda, with the vast majority of them being on the Eastern coast of the US. If you’re traveling from further afield, you can find direct flights from the UK, or Ponta Delgada in the Azores.
Suggested Reading: Antigua or Barbados: The Honest Comparison You Need
3 Questions to Help You Decide to Travel to Barbados vs Bermuda
To help you decide between Barbados and Bermuda, we have four simple questions to help you make your decision.
Which Flights are Easier and Cheaper?
On the whole, Barbados is a lot easier to get to due to an increased number of flights and routes to the island. However, as it’s further from the common airports in New York, Boston, and Miami, it’s often a more expensive flight.
Bermuda is a lot closer to the eastern seaboard so the flights do tend to be cheaper, as the flight time is much shorter. You can easily get from New York to Bermuda in two and a half hours, so if you’re looking for a quick weekend away, this is a great option.
Who Are You Traveling With?
If you’re traveling with your family, Barbados is going to be the better island for you thanks to the sure amount of tourist attractions and things to do. Also, if you’re traveling with friends, there is a lot more nightlife in Barbados for you to enjoy!
Looking for more of a laidback holiday for you and a loved one? Or perhaps you’re going with more outdoorsy people. If that’s the case, Bermuda is going to be a good shout. There isn’t a ton of nightlife, so it’s not a party island vibe!
When Are You Planning On Traveling?
With Barbados being in the hurricane belt, you’re not going to want to visit during the summer or in the autumn months. The best time to visit Barbados is during the winter when you want to get some Christmas sunshine!
On the flip side, Bermuda’s peak seasons are the reverse of Barbados. It’s best to visit Bermuda in the summer months as it gets cold in the winter because it’s so far north. So, if you’re looking for a summer vacation island getaway, opt for Bermuda instead.
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