'''St. James Parish''' is in Barbados. The oldest parish, Holetown is the site of the first settlement in Barbados, it is fronts the western side of the island on the Caribbean Sea. The sea-front is lined with cottages and resorts but, like most of Barbados, the parish retains a low key feel.

Cities

  • Holetown
  • Speightstown
  • Other destinations

    Understand

    Get around

    There is one road, with barely two lanes, that runs up the coast in this parish. Perpetually packed with traffic, it makes for a slow but not unpleasant drive. Watch out for pedestrians (there are practically no sidewalks)!

    Buses, both public as well as private, run continuously up and down the west coast road and it is easy to get around without a car. Bus number 12P (about every 20 minutes) connects this area with the airport, albeit slowly.

    See

    Do

    '''Beaches'''

    Eat

    There are plenty of restaurants ranging from beach-front shacks to high-end chef run restaurants. Holetown has the highest concentration of restaurants in this Parish but there are others dotted along the West Coast Road, including a cheap but good Roti place at Paynes Bay. Most of the restaurants on First and Second Street in Holetown are moderate, by Bajan standards, and quite good if you prefer not to venture further afield.

    Budget

  • Roti Shop. ayne's Bay, St. James. cross the Exxon gas station. $5-10. Good roti and curries at this small shop at the turnoff to Harrison's Cave.
  • Chefette. oletown, St. James. cross the West Coast Mall. $5-50. Bajan fast food (dolphin burgers anyone)
  • Barbecue Barn. oletown, St. James. y the chattel houses. $10-50. Barbecued steaks, chicken,etc along with a salad bar that vegetarians will love!
  • The Fisherman's Pub. peightstown, St. Peter. Reasonable priced pub that is hopping on Wednesday nights with live music but sleepy (and closes early) on other nights.

    Mid-range

  • Ragamuffins. oletown, St. James. 1-246-432-2119. $50. Caribbean influenced food: blackened shrimp, curries, and a delicious vegetarian stew.
  • Olives" address=Holetown, St. James. 1-246-432-2112. In a traditional Bajan townhouse with seating in a lovely courtyard garden, Olives serves up excellent modern European cuisine with an Italian bent. The bar upstairs is beautiful and a good place for a drink or three accompanied by bar snacks.

    Splurge

  • The Cliff. erricks, St. James. est Coast Road between Fitt's Village and Holetown. 1 246432-1922. $200. ttp://www.thecliffbarbados.com/. The gourmand destination in Barbados with excellent food at astronomical, for Barbados, prices, and a fantastic cliff-side setting.
  • Daphne's. ayne's Bay, St. James. est Coast Road between Fitt's Village and Holetown. 1 246432-2471. $150. ttp://www.daphnesbarbados.com/. Daphne's is a branch of a London restaurant of the same name.
  • The Fish Pot. ittle Good Harbour, St. Peter. ttp://www.littlegoodharbourbarbados.com/restaurant.html. ear left after Speightstown on the West Coast Road. $100-150/B$50. Excellent seaside setting with eclectic food. Lunch includes lighter panninis and pastas. Ask for a table by the water. Reservations required.

    Self catering

    The Super Center at the West Coast Mall in Holetown has almost everything you can possibly need. Jordan's, at Fitt's Village, is good though the choices are more toward the simple life (all cheese is cheddar!). The Exxon gas station at Payne's Bay is open everyday with staples like beer, bread, and baked beans, plus a few meats and veggies, cheese and milk. There is also a small fish market at Payne's Bay where you can pick up fresh flying fish or dolphin fish.

    Drink

    Sleep

    The West Coast tends to be on the expensive side. Anything with a seaside location is likely to be expensive and, if you want budget accommodation, look for rentals in the interior (Risk Road is a good bet).

  • Sea-U Guest House. 0 ft above sea. ent Bay, Bathsheba. t the east coast in Bathsheba. 46 433 9450. ww.seaubarbados.com . pm. 1 am. rom US$ 109. 3.210620000. 9.515500000. A romantic and affordable hideaway in Bathsheba right on the scenic East Coast overlooking the ocean. Fantastic ocean views, tropical garden with hammocks, close to surfing. Breakfast included, free Wi-Fi.

    Budget

    Mid-range

    Splurge

  • '''Gurland House''', [http://barbadoscaribbean.net Gurland House -Luxury Villa Sandy Lane Estate, St James, West Coast]
  • Gurland House is a 4/5 Bedroom Luxury villa situated on the old 9 hole Sandy Lane Golf Course.<br> Included: All Bedrooms have ensuite, Dining Area, Central Cortyard, Lounge, Pool, Fully fitted Kitchen.<br> Also house has its own private Cabana located on the Sandy Lane Estate Beach.<p> Website [http://www.barbadoscaribbean.net www.barbadoscaribbean.net] Contact [mailto:info@barbadoscaribbean.net info@barbadoscaribbean.net]

    Stay safe

    Watch out for the traffic on the West Coast Road. Otherwise, the area is very safe!