TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Southern Caribbean Barbados vs St Martin

I own 5 weeks in SXM and I am considering trying a new island. I would love to hear input from whoever has been to both islands and have spent significant time on each. Any comparison would be great. Thank you

Hi Sunshine1111. Barbados is big and busy, with traffic woes just like St. Martin. It's more formal and restaurants are among the most expensive in the Caribbean. There are distinct tourist areas: The "Platinum" coast on the west side of the island. The South coast is less expensive but heavily tourists. The East Coast is secluded and quiet. Barbados caters to wealthy Brits and Canadians. It has a good infrastructure. Depending what area you stay will impact your experience. There are really no "day tripping" opportunities close by like St. Martin. But Barbados is a hub for people travelling to the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago. You won't see toplessness and many restaurants have a dress code for dinner. Currency is the Bajan dollar, pegged to the U.S. dollar. There are golf courses, equestrian centres, hiking and excursions so you won't get bored.

The difference is that Barbados is X-British. SXM is French and Dutch. Now which one would you expect to have the better food

French heritage, great for great food, for sure! Dutch, have to say, not so much!! We went to Holland a few years ago, and the only decent food we had there was Chinese food!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Haven't been to Barbados in 30 years but one thing I did notice was that everyone was more polite. I don't know what it is like now but I would think that it translates as less crime and stress. There seems to be some good reviews on the web for food but I think the French side of St. Martin is untouchable for cuisine.

Travel hat,,

When we were last in Barbados, and I admit, that was quite a few years ago now, we had a lengthy conversation with a charming woman we met one afternoon and one of the things we discussed with her was just what you cited - the politeness of most islanders towards visitors.

She explained to us Barbados at one time grew to be very resentful towards tourists from all countries and often times treated them with derision and deep-seated resentment and this attitude started to take a major toll on the island's tourism popularity. They realized one of their economic mainstays was their popularity as a tourist destination and these negative attitudes had to change. And where better to begin than with the youth?!

Supposedly, according to this woman, they created an educational curriculum that focused not only on the 'Three R's" but on the importance of tourism/tourists to their economy and started teaching this seriously from earliest grade school right through to graduation.

This woman was a teacher on the island and she stressed to us how good behavior and manners were an important part of the daily curriculum of schools and she felt it was one of the major reasons for the turn-around in the island's attitude towards visitors.

I don't know how factual this was but it made a lot of sense to me and personally speaking, we found the Bajan people to be delightful at every opportunity we had to interact with them.

And as a personal opinion, I've often felt it too bad the Virgin Islands didn't take this same approach to tourism. Perhaps they have good cause but we really didn't experience many warm fuzzies there like we did in Barbados and as we almost always do in SXM.

The food in Barbados? Well, it was good and some of it very expensive, just like in some of the better dining experiences around St. Martin, but in neither case did we feel it came close to what we routinely experience in SXM. Perhaps we just didn't find the best places?

It is amazing how a better attitude and some hospitality go in the long run. I love to read reviews on all sites. The majority of the bad reviews all revolve around the people. Granted sometimes the poster is crazy or inferior product is delivered but mostly it involves some staff member not really caring. Many times the front line folks get blamed but it usually comes from the top.
Great examples are all around

It's the only island where my wife was called an "F..ing white b..ch" by a group of young girls and she was only walking by. It's not one of the friendliest islands.

Sorry, are you talking about Barbados, SXM or some other island?

One of the reasons I'm not real big on the USVI's is because of a similar experience on StJ. We were waiting for our cab to pick us up to return us to where we were staying and a local drunk walked up to us and with no provocation or prior interaction tried to start a fight with my husband.

He told us we, and people like us who didn't belong there in the first place, were ruining his island. Okay, then! Thankfully, a lady who knew him and was a part of his group saw what was going on and told him to back off and be nice. Thankfully, he did. Dinner was fun but him? Not so much! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

We're talking about Barbados

ok

Happened to my sister while we were in St. Lucia. Some lady on line behind her was pissed she was there and threw the money at cashier and walked out.
Local crazy was screaming in front of the church about the white devils. This was in Soufriere.
irina

I am so very sorry to hear that.

I guess things sure have changed since we were last there. The people couldn't have been any nicer although I will admit, I hated Bridgetown and couldn't wait to get out of there. But as we know, the cruise ships don't always come into the nicest parts of the island's, and they do try to capture you in their shopping meccas. We wanted to do an activity that was based there so we drove in one day to book the trip and see the city and then back the second time to actually do it and that was more than enough of Bridgetown for me. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

There are Caribbean people on all islands who feel the changes brought on by tourism is a negative way. I do not think it is island specific.

Honeymooned 20 years ago in Barbados, would not go again. Go annually to Aruba & Curacao and love both. Frequently also to Mexico as well. Fav is Curacao, lots to see & do, not so Americanized. Give it a try!

What do you like the best about Curacao?
Any recommendations for places to stay?
Any area we should avoid?
Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Well #1 it is out of the hurricane belt! Residents are very friendly, food is good but not like SXM. Beaches are a little rocky as you go into the water but sandy bottom. Water clarity is unbelievable and with abundant sea life of every kind. Scuba and snorkeling are fantastic. Hotels in the town and outskirts. Car rental is recommended as everything is spread out. Very cosmopolitan, lots of Europeans, mostly Dutch. Not as Americanized as Aruba. Discovered Curacao 9 years ago and usually visit twice a year. One of our favorites! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Hi LBI2SXM,
Sent you a pm.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

Back to you. Kamehameha is the post above you.

We love Barbados and would go there before st. Martin any time...it is not as crowded with traffic , tourists or cruise ships...excellent restaurants in all price ranges...beautiful beaches and not Americanized...the people are lovely...all types of hotels, villas...

When are you visiting Sunshine? I would wait until after the hurricane season has ended (end of November) Maria is now forming to be another Irma and is looking towards Barbados as its first stop.

We have been to Barbados, love the West Indies feel, restaurants are excellent, beaches too, the one downside is Bridgetown is like Manhattan on a Monday morning, heavy traffic in and out as 70% of the population live in or near Bridgetown, go once for shopping then not again