Barbados has secured a prestigious spot as the only Caribbean destination on National Geographic’s exclusive list of the 25 best places to visit in 2025.
Selected through an extensive process of nominations, research, and reporting, Barbados was honored as one of the 2025 Best of the World travel destinations, curated by National Geographic’s explorers, photographers, and editors.
Barbados earned this recognition due to its pioneering efforts to address and reinterpret its historical involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Highlighted in the selection was the Barbados Heritage District, set to open next year at the historic Newton Plantation site, where many enslaved individuals were laid to rest.
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National Geographic emphasized the importance of the new heritage site, inviting travelers to “encounter a new perspective on slave trade history.” Often overlooked, Barbados’ role in the Americas’ slavery narrative will be foregrounded by the “ambitious” Heritage District project, aiming to reshape public understanding of this history.
Designed by acclaimed Ghanaian-British architect David Adjaye—famed for his work on the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.—the Barbados Heritage District will feature a global research institute connected to the Barbados National Archives and a powerful memorial with 570 timber poles commemorating the enslaved individuals buried there.
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The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) expressed its immense pride in the National Geographic honor. Peter Mayers, BTMI’s USA director, praised the inclusion, attributing it to the dedication of local tourism professionals and stakeholders who continually showcase the island’s unique beauty, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality.
“Barbados is not just a destination,” Mayers stated, “but an experience of a lifetime, rich in history, culture, and beauty.”
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