Let's Explore The Bahamas

The Bahamas Travel Guide, Transportation, Accommodations, Food, Dishes, Hidden Attractions, and much more...

The Bahamas at a glance

The Bahamas are off of Florida’s coast, a chain of about 2,400 cays and 700 flat coral islands covered with scrub and casuarina pine trees. The beautiful sandy beaches and azure seas that encircle the islands are the natural attractions. Being so close to the States, I am shocked I have not visited more. I remember going and visiting the Atlantis Resort, a complex of hotels, casinos, and Disney-like attractions with the theme of Atlantis, the legendary underwater city. During my time at the amusement park, I recall standing in the resort grand entrance as a parade of contestants for Miss Universe strutted by.

The Bahamas Do's

Generally, in the Bahamas, you have no option but to pay the stated price. One exception is the straw markets, where you may be able to haggle a little; but don’t play hardball when it comes to locals selling their own handicrafts at reasonable prices.
Do stroll down ‘Bay Street’ for some out-of-this-world shopping
Do make sure to snorkel
Be sure to try the conch, it’s so delicious!!

The Bahamas Dont's

Generally, in the Bahamas, you have no option but to pay the stated price. One exception is the straw markets, where you may be able to haggle a little; but don’t play hardball when it comes to locals selling their own handicrafts at reasonable prices.
Don’t spend all your time at the beach, there are so many other fascinating things to do around the islands
Don’t walk around alone at night
DON’T miss a chance to go dancing, Bahamians love to dance & party
DON’T step on black spikey-looking creatures in the ocean (sea urchin). If you do, pour hot wax on your foot (Bahamian secret).

The Bahamas Quick Facts

The Bahamas Fun Guides

Transportation in The Bahamas

The best way to get around the Bahamas is by jitneys (or public buses). They are the most common form of transport from the country’s many airports – Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) and Freeport’s Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO). However, jitneys are not available on other islands (including New Providence Island’s adjacent Paradise Island), so to get around elsewhere, you’ll need to hail a taxi or rent a car. Traveling between Bahamian islands, meanwhile, requires flying from Nassau’s airport using the inter-island air service, Bahamasair, or hailing pricey water taxis. Some cruises and boat tours also make stops at multiple islands.

By Taxi

There’s no shortage of licensed taxis in Nassau and Freeport, where they can be hailed on the streets (many will actually hail you if you seem in need of a lift). Taxis are also the main local transportation in the Out Islands, where they meet all incoming planes and ferries in the larger settlements.

By Jitney

Nassau Streets are busy with jitneys (private minibusses) licensed to operate on pre-established routes, with fares ranging from $1.25 to $2.50. While jitneys nominally run during daylight hours, there’s no timetable, and some routes dwindle to nothing when the demand from local workers isn’t reliable. Freeport Has jitneys between Port Lucaya and Freeport, but services are scant and unreliable. Out Islands, No public transport: taxi, rental car and hotel shuttle are your only options.

By Plane

Interisland flights offer the only quick and convenient way to travel within the Bahamas; islanders ride airplanes like mainlanders use buses. Private charter flights can be an affordable option for those traveling in a group – or they might be the only option for some more remote destinations.

By Rental Car

Major international car-rental companies have outlets in Nassau, Freeport, and other tourist centers, and there are a host of local firms and individuals to choose from. It can be as casual as arriving at the airport and asking around for someone who knows someone, especially In the Out Islands. Ask at your hotel or look for display boards at the airport. Renters must be 21 (some companies rent only to those 25 or older), and collision damage waiver insurance is around $15 per day (smaller local companies may not offer insurance). Rates start at around $55 per day. Golf carts are popular on the smaller islands and cays and rent for about $50 to $70 per day.

By Bicycle

Cycling is not particularly popular in the Bahamas. It’s not safe in traffic-clogged Nassau, though can be pleasant on Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, and the Out Islands. Many hotels rent cruiser bikes for about BS$15 a day; some let guests use them for free.

By Ferry

Despite the ferry and water taxi routes, island hopping in the Bahamas can be very difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. Water taxis provide short service between Nassau and Paradise Island and are common throughout The Out Islands. The most popular inter-island ferry service is Bahamas Ferries, which offers service from Nassau to Harbour Island, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, The Abacos, Long Island, Andros, and The Exumas. One-way fees for adults range from $29 to $81, while rides for children ages 11 and younger cost $16 to $57. Round-trip fares are also available. Tickets can be purchased in advance on Bahamas Ferries’ Book Now page.

Best Dishes in The Bahamas

The Bahamas has a great tradition of delicious local dishes, featuring ingredients like guava, rock lobster, and conch. Bahamian cuisine is influenced by the dishes and cooking style of the American South, which is evident in the side dishes and seasoning used. Grits are common, as is a considerable amount of spice. There are some elements of Bahamian cuisine that are similar to cuisine throughout the Caribbean, such as fresh seafood, peas n’ rice, and some that are unique to the islands of The Bahamas.

Johnny Cake – Its simple flavoring comes from a handful of ingredients: flour, milk, butter, sugar, and baking powder. Best served in wedge-shaped pieces straight from the oven, this dense bread is usually eaten as a snack or side dish.
Conch Salad – n acidic dish made with diced conch meat and chopped green pepper, onion, and tomato that’s tossed with a marinade of fresh lime, lemon, and orange juice. The colorful dish is a refreshing treat on a hot day — especially when you sprinkle with salt and pepper, sit back, and let the citrus explosion dominate your taste buds.
Guava Duff – Guava duff is a spongy cake made with diced guava fruit and dough that’s rolled to create a spiral of guava in the center before being cooked. It’s then served with a coating of sweet butter rum sauce.
Rum Cake – Dense and buttery, rum cake is made with traditional baking ingredients like flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, unsalted butter, buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and eggs. Once the bundt cake cools, a flavorful thick butter rum sauce is drizzled over the cake.

Best Accommodations in The Bahamas

The Bahamas offers a wide selection of accommodations, ranging from small private guesthouses to large luxury resorts. Hotels vary in size and facilities, from deluxe (offering room service, sports, swimming pools, entertainment, and so on) to fairly simple inns.

The Bahamas Top Tourist Attractions

Atlantis Paradise Island is an ocean-themed resort in Paradise Island in the Bahamas. It features a variety of accommodations built around Aquaventure, a 62-hectare waterscape, which includes fresh and saltwater lagoons, pools, marine habitats, water slides, and river rides.

Located in the heart of Nassau, Ardastra Gardens, Zoo, and Conservation Center is a unique attraction that is home to the well-trained, world-famous marching flamingos. Its mini zoo has more than two hundred mammals, birds, and reptiles that are nestled in over four acres of lush, tropical landscape.

Harbour Island lies just northwest of Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. It’s known for the long pink sand beaches stretching along its eastern shore. The west coast also has beaches and several marinas. Outlying coral reefs like the Devil’s Backbone are home to marine life such as stingrays and turtles. The main hub, Dunmore Town, features pastel houses like the 1797 Loyalist Cottage.

The Bahamas Hidden Gems

Inhospitable caverns just beneath this island paradise offer insights into alien worlds. Just below the turquoise water and balmy sea breezes that make visitors lament not being able to stay forever, one of the harshest environments on the planet exists. “Blue Holes,” as they are often called due to the small circle of water they form in the inland soil (and their similarities to the more well-known offshore variety), sometimes form the entrance to a vast network of underground caverns. The caverns are completely submerged and contain zero or near-zero percent oxygen – and that’s just the first of their remarkable traits.

The world’s largest underwater sculpture is found just off the coast of Nassau. Artist, photographer, naturalist, and diver Jason de Caires Taylor introduced his record-breaking public sculpture to the crystal Bahamian waters in 2014. Entitled Ocean Atlas, the installation encourages coral colonization and deters tourists from endangered reefs.

Hand-carved from solid limestone rock by 600 enslaved people, the Queen’s Staircase was built between 1793 and 1794 to provide a direct route from Fort Fincastle, a battery protecting the entrance to Nassau Harbor (notorious in that era for attracting pirates and geopolitical intrigue) to the central part of the Bahamian capital.

The Bahamas Daily Costs

Budget: Less than $300

Accommodation:

Hotel or Hostel (single): $36
Double-occupancy room: $71

Food

Meals for one day: $19

Transportation

Taxis, local buses, train: $11
Intercity: $39

Taxi from airport: $30
Water taxi: $8
Taxi to Cable Beach: $35

Entertainment

Entrance tickets & shows: $10

4-Hr Kayak Tour: $70
1/2-Day Snorkel Trip: $75
10-Dive Package: $299
Jet ski: $50

Tips & Handouts

Guides & service providers: $12

Alcohol

Drinks for one day: $5.91

Cocktail: $6.50

Mid-range: $300-500

Accommodation

Hotel or rental home (single): $85
Double-occupancy room: $171

Food

Meals for one day: $42

Transportation

Taxis or Car rental: $26
Intercity: $108

Taxi from airport: $30
Water taxi: $8
Taxi to Cable Beach: $35

Entertainment

Entrance tickets & shows: $26

4-Hr Kayak Tour: $70
1/2-Day Snorkel Trip: $75
10-Dive Package: $299
Jet ski: $50

Tips & Handouts

Guides & service providers: $13

Alcohol

Drinks for one day: $13

Cocktail: $6.50

High-end (Luxury): More than $500

Accommodation

Resort or hotel (single): $188
Double-occupancy room: $376

Food

Meals for one day: $76

Transportation

Car Rentals or private driver: $57
Intercity: $329

Taxi from airport: $30
Water taxi: $8
Taxi to Cable Beach: $35

Entertainment

Entrance tickets & shows: $67

4-Hr Kayak Tour: $70
1/2-Day Snorkel Trip: $75
10-Dive Package: $299
Jet ski: $50

Tips & Handouts

Guides & service providers: $13

Alcohol

Drinks for one day: $25

Cocktail: $6.50

The Bahamas Money-Saving Tips

Choose the right time of year – You’ll generally get better deals by traveling over the summer or fall — if you’re willing to live with a little risk. (Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.) Hotel rates are almost always lower during this wetter time of year. If you’re worried about hurricanes, consider staying on one of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao), which are outside the main hurricane belt.
Haggle – In many parts of the Caribbean, bargaining for a better deal is an essential part of everyday life. While you may not be able to negotiate much in a big duty-free store or a supermarket, where prices are generally fixed, there are plenty of open-air markets.
Don’t overtip – In some restaurants, a service charge will automatically be added to your bill; if so, you don’t need to leave an additional tip (unless you wish to further reward an exemplary waiter or waitress). Some resorts and hotels also add a service charge onto your bill to cover tips for various members of the staff.
Use public transportation – Many Caribbean islands have local public bus systems — usually small, colorful vans that serve the major routes and towns across the island. Fares on these vans tend to be extremely inexpensive.
Eat where the locals do – You’ll almost always find cheaper, more genuine local meals away from the hotels and touristy restaurants. Look for fish fry-ups on the beach or little roadside snackettes.

Useful Websites & Apps

Hotel booking – Booking.com via InteleTravel
Tours & activities – Viator or Shore Excursions Group
Ferry tickets & schedule – Bahamas Ferries
Bus Schedule – Bahamas Information Center

10 Cool Facts About The Bahamas

Pink sandy beaches The pink sand of Pink Sands Beach, on Harbour Island the Bahamas, comes from Foraminifera, a microscopic marine animal with a bright pink or red shell.
The world’s third-largest wine cellar is in Nassau If you love wine, a tour of Graycliff’s wine cellar is a must! With more than 250,000 bottles from 400 winemakers in 15 countries, the Graycliff collection includes some of the rarest, most expensive wines in the world, such as an 1865 Chateau Lafite and a 1727 Rudesheimer Apostelwein from Bremen Ratskeller.
The swimming pigs of Exuma You’ll need to take a boat out to Big Major Cay, also known as Pig Island for this tour, and once you get close enough to the island, you’ll actually see some of the pigs swimming out to your boat to greet you.
The name “Bahamas” The name “Bahamas” comes from the Spanish words “baja mar”, meaning shallow water or sea.
Some of the clearest waters in the world. The Bahamas is famous for its crystal-clear turquoise waters. It’s possible to see the ocean floor 200 feet below the surface – approximately equal to the height of a 20-story building.
History of pirates The ‘Golden Era’ or the ‘Golden Age’ is said to have been a time during the 1600s – 1700s, when pirates had a booming economy in the Caribbean, particularly in The Bahamas. They targeted merchant ships travelling through the harbor and robbed them. Their bounty included gold, salt and many other goods. Their gains attracted even more pirates, and among the famous pirates in the region at that time was Blackbeard.
The Bahamas is home to its own “sea monster” Look out for the lusca! The Bahamas has been home to its very own version of the mythical Loch Ness Monster since a large sea creature’s carcass washed ashore in 1896. The lusca has allegedly been spotted near the Blue Hole off Andros, and it’s rumored to grow more than 75 feet long. According to some folklore, it can change color, and it’s been described as “half-shark and half-octopus”.
The indigenous people The first people that inhabited the island were called the Tainos.
The first landing of Christopher Columbus A lot of information is available about Christopher Columbus’ journey through the Caribbean region, and The Bahamas is said to have been one of the first places where his crew made landfall. As the story goes, Columbus “discovered” the new world, beginning in either San Salvador, The Bahamas, or Samana Cay in The Bahamas. It is also said that when he got there, the native Lucayan Taino people were already present.
Junkanoo festival Junkanoo is a real Caribbean party if there ever was one. Held on Christmas and New Year’s Day annually, Junkanoo is a big event in The Bahamas. The celebration can be described as the Bahamian version of carnival. If you’ve never experienced a Caribbean carnival, expect lots of music, costumes, live bands, traditional instruments, parties, parades, floats, and lots of excitement.

Travel Insurance

When planning for your trip to The Bahamas, don’t forget about travel insurance! You never know what might happen and it’s better to be safe than sorry.