Culture
The culture of Barbuda is influenced by a mix of African, Caribbean, and European traditions. Festivals, music, and local cuisine are integral to the island’s culture. We invite you to immerse yourself in our culture by touring our island and viewing our old historic ruins, which were once magnificent structures, erected on the island in the days of the colonial period while our tour guides awaken your imagination by to what life was during that time.
During the Months of April and May, you can check out the most anticipated festival on island, Caribana which is a five day event filled with a queen show, calypso competition, dancing in the streets, classic horse racing which is certainly one of the premier events during Caribana, the car & bike show, the fun-filled beach bash and the food fair where you can sample most of the islands delicacies and lots of action. In the off months you can view the natural attractions namely The Frigate Bird Sanctuary, The caves on the island, Martello Tower, the beaches and more.
Info from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbuda
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Cuisine
As influenced by its mixture of cultures namely African, European and Caribbean, Barbuda has a wide range of tasty meals from exotic seafood dishes to the national dish of both Antigua and Barbuda fungee and pepper pot. The typical breakfast meal consists of Bread and cheese or raisin bun and cheese which is a sweet roll of dough filled with raisins and eaten with tasty cheddar cheese. It is tastiest when the bun is freshy made and warm. This meal may be accompanied with a cup of bush tea (tea made with local herbs found on the island). The typical lunch meal may consist of season rice which is one pot meal cooked with rice and peas, various herbs, and meat. Another lunch meal may include goat or conch water which is a seasoned, flavourful broth made with goat meat or the sea animal conch and some herbs with dumplings (flour pastries) and Irish potatoes.
Additionally, there are other meals which eaten on the island which you may find selling on the streets or in restaurant. These meals include macaroni pie (baked macaroni with cheese) served as a side to a meal of baked chicken with rice and peas and vegetables. On the streets of the island, you will find freshly grilled lobsters and fish from the days catch being grilled where you will find a crowd of folks waiting to taste this delicacy. You may also find burgers and barbeque chicken cooking on the grills, another weekend meal loved by the islanders.
Info from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbuda
Info from https://www.visitantiguabarbuda.com/traditional-cuisine-of-antigua-and-barbuda/
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History
The first inhabitants of Barbuda were the Arawaks and Kalinago group of people who were described as canoe-driving hunter-gatherers. They arrived around 4000 years ago and grew and ate food such as sweet potatoes, corn, peanuts, cotton, tobacco, vegetables, medicinal plants and other fruits and vegetables.
Upon on the arrival of the Europeans to the island the early settlers were displaced. The English colony was formed on the island in 1666 and in 1685 the island of Barbuda was rented out to Christopher and John Codrington. Hence the Capital of the island is called Codrington. The purpose of the colony was to breed more slaves hence the arrivals of the Africans tot he island.
In 1834, slavery was abolished in Barbuda according to the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 however Barbudans continued to work the land for food cultivation. In 1976, the island of Barbuda was granted autonomy from Antigua which allowed Barbuda to be responsible for regulating its own public works, agriculture, finance etc. After the establishment of the Barbuda Council. On November 1st, 1981, Antigua and Barbuda gained independence from the United Kingdom which established Antigua and Barbuda as an independent state.
Most of the artifacts from the Amerindian period, the colonial period and post-colonial period are found in the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. However, the ruins of the old building still remain on the island and the local tour guides will be happy to share the local history with anyone interested.
Info from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbuda
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Getting to Barbuda
Interested in travelling to Barbuda? There are several diverse ways to get to the island from Antigua.
Want a scenic airplane/helicopter ride then you can book a flight with Calvin Helicopters which offers short premium helicopter rides for those interested in a private charter to the island. Or book a flight with SVG Air which operates scheduled and chartered flights throughout the Caribbean inclusive of Antigua and Barbuda. Additionally, you can book a trip with Fly Montserrat which is a small comfortable aircraft which offers chartered flights between Antigua and Barbuda.
Want to take Barbuda by sea or a cruise then book your excursion through the tour companies, Adventure Antigua and Island Routes where you will cruise on a comfortable catamaran as you explore the Codrington Lagoon, the Magnificent Frigate Bird Sanctuary or enjoy a tasty lunch on the beautiful pink sand beaches.
There are also two main ferries which you can board to take you over to Barbuda which both offer exceptional services with unique experiences these are Barbuda Express ferry and the Codrington Express Ferry Service.
Info from https://barbudaful.net/visiting/your-journey/how-to-get-to-barbuda/
Barbuda Ferry https://www.barbudaexpress.com/
Codrington Express https://www.barbudaferry.com/
Calvin Air https://calvinair.com/
Fly Monseratt Airways https://www.flymontserrat.com/
SVG Air https://flysvgair.com/
Please click the link below to view your travel options.
Tours and Excursions
There are several different tours and excursions which will allow you to explore the un-spoilt beauty of Barbuda. Whether you are cruising on a beautiful catamaran while you soak up the warm sun on your skin on your way to the island where you will be able to sail through the Codrington Lagoon home to the beautiful and diverse Frigate Bird Sanctuary with over 100 bird species or on land doing a guided group tour to explore the wonders of Barbuda. Create wonderful memories as you explore the un-spoilt beauty this is this island.
Once on the island you can book a tour with a local taxi driver which you can book through the tourist office on island, or you can go simply go exploring on your own following the directions provided by the locals on the island.
Click below to see more about Barbuda’s tours and excursions.
Restaurants and Bars
There are several different tours and excursions which will allow you to explore the un-spoilt beauty of Barbuda. Whether you are cruising on a beautiful catamaran while you soak up the warm sun on your skin on your way to the island where you will be able to sail through the Codrington Lagoon home to the beautiful and diverse Frigate Bird Sanctuary with over 100 bird species or on land doing a guided group tour to explore the wonders of Barbuda. Create wonderful memories as you explore the un-spoilt beauty this is this island.
Once on the island you can book a tour with a local taxi driver which you can book through the tourist office on island, or you can go simply go exploring on your own following the directions provided by the locals on the island.
Click below to see more about Barbuda’s tours and excursions.
Accommodations
From luxury to affordable accommodations, choose how you want to experience Barbuda from our beautiful selection of guest houses and hotels. With only two hotels on the island is the five star resort Barbuda Belle with its amazingly beautiful pink sand beach and its new stylish new beach bar which is a short walk from the main hotel. Located on the south of the island is the second hotel Barbuda Cottages which is locally owned and include beach front cottages with Uncle Roddy’s beach bar located close by with its spectacular views over the ocean.
Located in or near Codrington Village you will find more local, modest accommodations such as TimbukOne, Palm Tree Guest House, Dulcina Apartments Barbuda and more which will provide you with ocean views of the coastline of Barbuda or the pink sand beaches. Whatever your preference for where you stay in Barbuda there are a wide range of places so you can view the island at any angle. Please click here for more information.
Info from https://barbudaful.net/visiting/barbudaful-guest-houses/
Things to Do in Barbuda
Once on the beautiful island, indulge yourself in all things Barbuda by exploring all the possibilities on your trip from the beautiful from the magnificent Frigate Bird Sanctuary with over 5000 bird species in the colony to the warm, crystal-care waters of Princess Diana Beach named after the late Princess Diana who loved this beach when she vacationed on the island. Or the ruins of Codrington House once occupied by the wardens from the colonial period. Or the Martello Tower which once stood as a fort of protection by the Spanish against the French and the English from the Spanish.
You can also explore the many caves on the island from the famous at Two Foot Bay to the North of the island or the Darby caves a mile or two away. These caves host a diverse group of species from bats, iguanas, birds and more animals and plant species. There are many more attractions on the island so click the link below and learn more about information.
Info from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g147253-Activities-Barbuda_Antigua_and_Barbuda.html
