Miami & Barbados Multi & Twin Centre Holidays

With year-round warm weather and plenty of sunshine, it’s difficult to find a bad time to plan your Miami and Barbados multi-centre holidays. But for the perfect time to visit Miami, we recommend avoiding the hurricane season of summer as well as the winter sun-seeking crowds, which can see prices rise. Try April or November for highs of 26°C and just 4 or 5 days of rainfall per month.

For the best time to visit the sun-drenched island of Barbados, look at a stay during the dry season of mid-December to mid-April, where you’ll experience less rainfall and average temperatures around 30°C.     

Miami is generally 5 hours behind the UK and observes Eastern Standard Time (EST). However, if you’re travelling in March or November, look out for when Miami’s time zone changes to Eastern Daylight Time, as US clocks go forward or backward an hour on different Sundays than in the UK. 

Barbados observed Atlantic Standard Time, not changing to daylight savings in the summer months, so the time difference between Barbados and the UK depends on the time of year you visit; from March to October, the island is usually 5 hours behind the UK, and October to March is 4 hours behind.

If your first stop is Miami, you’ll fly direct into Miami International Airport (MIA) from either London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW). If you’re heading straight to Barbados, you can fly directly from LHR, LGW, and Manchester Airport (MAN) to Bridgetown Airport (BGI). Both destinations also offer one-stop flights from Edinburgh.

If you need flight advice for your multi-centre holiday to Miami and Barbados, just ask our USA experts.

We are proud to offer guaranteed prices up to 36 months ahead of your twin-centre holiday. You can secure your perfect package with an initial low deposit today and pay the remainder of your holiday in monthly instalments. Perfect whether you’re on a budget or simply prefer to spread the cost. 

Only got t-shirts, shorts, and sun cream on your packing list so far? You’d mostly be right, especially if you’re planning a summer escape. But be mindful that both climates can vary throughout the year, so you may need to pack a little more. Miami winter nights, for example, can drop to 17°C, so you may want a light jumper or jacket and some jeans. The city’s rainy season also runs from 15th May to 15th October, so if you’re visiting then don’t forget your waterproofs. 

In Barbados, you’re unlikely to need many jumpers, no matter what time of year you visit, as winter temperatures are still a balmy 21°C at night. The island does have a rainy season though, from July to November, so you’ll want those waterproofs then too.
          

Whether you’re timing your trip around Miami’s buzzing events calendar or just want to see what’s on when you’re in town, we’ve rounded up the city’s best annual events.

Winter sees the city come to life, with everything from Art Basel Miami Beach (North America’s largest contemporary art fair) in December and both the South Beach Wine and Food Festival and Miami International Boat Show in February. In March, Spring Break coincides with Ultra Musical Festival, one of the world’s top electronic dance music festivals. The Miami Open is also in March.

April, meanwhile, sees the incredible Miami Film Festival, which has been running for over 40 years, as well as the Formula 1 Grand Prix, which is the newest addition to the city’s sporting calendar.

Later in the year, the schedule is packed with Pride events, carnival, and NASCAR.

With so many incredible events throughout each year, you’d be forgiven for wanting to simply stay in Miami and make the most of it; see all our Miami twin-centre holidays here.
          

Barbados is truly the stuff of Caribbean daydreams, with warm waters and powder-white sands. But while a Barbados beach day is not to be missed, there’s much more to see and do on the island. Try horseback riding along the coast (we recommend trying it at Bath Beach), or sail the western shores known as the Platinum Coast.

The island’s most important cultural event, the Crop Over Festival, takes place in August, culminating in a massive parade with 15,000 brightly coloured dancers and musicians marching the streets of Bridgetown. Keep an eye out for Rihanna, who’s known to love the festival!

Barbados also enjoys a weekly Fish Fry on Friday nights, where you can mingle with the locals and savour fresh fish, cold beer, and great music. 

Why not stay a little longer and explore them all with a Barbados twin-centre holiday?

When it comes to planning your itinerary for your multi-centre holiday to Miami and Barbados, heading to the coral reefs is not to be missed. This part of the world is known for its stunning reefs and marine life, which you can explore - so don’t forget your snorkel and underwater camera!

Miami is close to the only bank-barrier reef in the continental US, which you can access from Biscayne Bay, just south of Miami. Snorkel, dive, or hop on a boat and discover over 500 species of reef fish; just ensure to follow the area’s regulations to help protect the reef.

Barbados, meanwhile, is essentially one big coral reef itself. To truly explore and appreciate the unique island, we recommend the Atlantis Submarine, which dives to depths of 150 feet for a 40-minute underwater voyage, where you can see gorgeous coral reefs and shipwrecks. Or why not head to Carlisle Bay for an unforgettable diving experience?

Miami is known for both its delicious fresh seafood and its Cuban-influenced cuisine, so expect an eclectic fusion during your visit. Savour fresh ceviche, stone crab, conch fritters, and fried snapper, with menus across the city all boasting the dishes. 

Thanks to the city’s rich Cuban heritage though, it’s a Cuban sandwich that has become perhaps Miami’s most famous food. Made with ham, roasted pork, swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread, it’s a total taste sensation.

The national food of Barbados, meanwhile, is coucou and fried flying fish. Coucou, if you’ve not tried it before, is something similar to polenta or grits in texture, made from a combination of cornmeal and okra. Served with the fried fish, often in a creole sauce, it’s a classic Bajan recipe you’ll be wanting to emulate back home. 

Pudding and souse is another popular Bajan dish, especially with the locals – it’s essentially a pickled pork and steamed sweet potato dish, traditionally served for Saturday lunches. Conkies are also a delicious treat, sweet yet healthy and made from corn flour, coconut, raisins and pumpkins.

Whatever you eat, Barbados is known as the “Rum Island” for a reason, so expect to follow your meal with a rum punch (or two!).

The official language of Barbados is English, with the majority of residents speaking Bajan – a British English-based creole, heavily influenced by West Africa.