It’s the busiest time of year in the Caribbean right now: the end of December, when just about every hotel is packed to the brim and every destination is bustling. 

In Barbados, it’s even busier than normal, to the tune of an all-time record. The islands’ Grantley Adams International Airport set its one-day record on Dec. 21, with the arrival of a total of 54 flights — and more than 8,000 passengers in a single day — the most ever in Barbados in one day, according to Barbados Tourism Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill. 

It’s a “historic day” for the airport, which saw 15 wide-body flights, 15 narrow-bodies and 24 flights from around the region. 

“Our airlift strategy has been successful in getting more airlift and visitors to Barbados,” Gooding-Edghill said in a statement obtained by Caribbean Journal. 

For 2024, the airport is projecting a total of 2.35 million passengers handled by the end of the year, up from the previous high in 2019, before the pandemic. 

Are you planning a Barbados getaway? Find flight options here on Google Flights, starting at about $745 out of Miami, roundtrip on American Airlines.

What about where to stay? We really enjoyed the island’s up-and-coming South Coast when we last stayed on that part of the island, highlighted by the lovely 02 Beach Club all-inclusive resort. Prices from $1,646 in January.

For the best all-inclusive option overall, it’s The Club, Barbados, set in one of the best locations in the beautiful Platinum Coast.