Enjoy Barbados like a Local

Seeing the sights and taking in all the tourism offerings of a destination is fine for first-time visitors, but once you become more familiar with a place it's natural to want to look beyond the brochure and discover more authentic experiences on your holidays. If you're looking for a flavour of the 'real' Barbados when visiting the Caribbean island, consulting a little local knowledge can go a long way to helping you blend in and enriching your travels.

Forget the guidebooks and tourist information offices - there's no substitute for experienced native knowledge when it comes to seeking out the best restaurants, bars, shops and other experiences in Barbados. Even though the island is well known for its world-class beaches, some of these tend to be overlooked by visitors without the inside scoop, such as Silver Rock in the south of Barbados which is one of the island's top spots for water sports, such as surfing.

Heading into the clear waters for surfing and spear-fishing is a popular pastime with the locals, as well as curious visitors, and many Barbados residents love nothing more than heading to the beach after a long day at work. There are some activities beloved by locals that are all but unknown to holiday travellers, however, such as the popular sport of car rallying, which takes place on Sundays at Bushy Park and regularly attracts international competitors.

When it comes to finding the best place for a night out, making cheap calls to Barbados will all point you in the same direction - the buzzing St Lawrence Gap. There are plenty of other great activities competing for the attention of visitors and residents alike, including dance bars such as the Reggae Lounge and the varied musical styles of McBride's, which hosts everything from rock nights to salsa.

Don't forget to seek local advice when deciding what cuisine to sample, too. If you're visiting Barbados for an extended period you'll have plenty of chances to explore the wide range of Caribbean cuisine, but if you're only staying for a week or so, there are some signature dishes you should certainly consider trying, such as coconut shrimp in tempura butter.

Among the many stand-out restaurants in Barbados are Brown Sugar, which serves an authentic Bajan buffet, and Bonito, which offers enchanting views over the island's east coast as well as reasonable prices for diners on a budget.

Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.