Posted by There are several misconceptions about the Bahamas. When Hurricane Dorian swept through, several islands were regretfully decimated. The Bahamas, however, are still standing, all 700 islands and cays. The Bahamas are alive and kicking and just waiting for you to visit once we are able to.
Other misconceptions: You do need a passport to visit. The Bahamas are not part of the USA, even though Nassau is a short 45-minute flight from Miami. The Bahamas became an independent Commonwealth realm in 1973 but still keeping Queen Elizabeth II as its monarch. British and Bahamian history colorfully co-exist. On a practical note, US dollars are accepted in the Bahamas but you may get Bahamian dollars in your change!
The burning question is…..Why should you visit the Bahamas?
Since a picture speaks a thousand words, here are a few thousand to mull over.
A friendly Baha Mar attendant
We opted for New Providence Island for our first visit and stayed just outside of Nassau, which is the Capital. Nassau is connected by bridge to Paradise Island, home of the famed Atlantis resort. Since we were traveling as a kids-are-grown couple, we opted for a resort far away from there! Nassau is a port town and cruise ships dock here daily. making it a haven for tourists who want to eat, sightsee, and shop. Its colorful buildings and accommodating locals add welcoming charm. The Island beaches are pristine and the weather consistently warm, outside of the occasional storm. Our memory of the Bahamas will predominantly be about the people. They are warm and sociable, and fiercely proud of their islands.
Since there are so many islands, how do you choose? The most important consideration is, not all of them are inhabited! The largest and most populated is New Providence, followed by numerous smaller but equally enthralling cays. Do your research according to what you want from your experience. My bucket list contains Exuma and Stanley Cay, for a rural swimming-with-the-piggies experience.
Equally important are accommodations. The Bahamas are not Mexico. Not every hotel is all-inclusive, in fact, most are not. This is not a bad thing but it may be more expensive. The upside is you will probably get a better quality resort without all-inclusive. We stayed at the luxurious Baha Mar Resort located on Cable Beach, and it does not get any better. This is a 4.5-5.00 star hotel, depending upon which hotel you select. The Grand Hyatt is a luxurious but more economical option. SLS Baha Mar is the “trendier” version and the Rosewood is more upscale. All share the same indoor amenities and beach. The overall resort is pure luxury, with many restaurants to choose from and an impressive array of pools and outdoor facilities. We visited in October and had our pick of pool-side places and seats at the swim-up bars. It was a perfect time to visit. The resort is currently developing an outdoor water park which will increase the number of families attending, but at the time of our visit, it felt like an adult-only resort. Sandals offer an all-inclusive option, which we did not visit, but is closely situated to the Baha Mar.
Getting There
Miami and several other international airports offer direct flights to the Bahamas. We flew directly from Atlanta to Nassau and then took a taxi to our hotel. Ask for the price of the fare before you get into the car to avoid “confusion.” Depending upon which resort you stay at, there may be a hotel shuttle available for you.
TRAVEL TIP: Are the Bahamas safe? It’s hard to feel unsafe given the warmth of the local people, but as always when traveling anywhere use common sense and judgment. Don’t stray away from main areas at night and keep personal possessions safe.
Once you are there
Since we just had a few days at an amazing resort that we were reluctant to leave, we only ventured into Nassau to sight-see and shop. This is a hectic little town but well worth a visit. There are many historical sights and shopping options. The locals can be persistent with their merchandise but it’s all part of the fun. I opted for souvenirs from the Straw Market and then a hair-braiding session, which was value for money since it lasted six weeks after my return. Be direct and ask for the price on everything before you commit.
There are a variety of walking tours and food tours available in Nassau. Click on the following links to learn more about activities on the Island, including Jeep tours and Boat tours. We saw daily boat tours leaving directly from the hotel dock, but be aware that sailing conditions may affect your plans.
https://www.bahamas.com/islands/nassau-paradise-island
The Cost
From the airport to the hotel (10 minutes) was a $30 taxi ride. It was about the same price for the same distance from the hotel to Nassau city center. Check to see if your hotel offers a shuttle from the airport to save on fare expenses.
We ate at the resort for most of our meals. This was not an all-inclusive bundle and we paid resort fees and tax for every meal and drink. We ate relatively cheaply during the day at the pool-side and beach-side bars and then splurged at the gourmet restaurants at night. The resort fees add up, so keep that in mind when deciding whether to go to an all-inclusive or not. Since the Bahamas import many of their products, local supermarkets can be expensive. Having said that, our dining experiences in Nassau were very economical and tasty. Bear in mind that venturing out will be costly in taxi fares, so make sure to condense your activities as much as possible.
The food!
Conch fish and rum cake are a specialty! You will be able to taste and buy rum cake in specific shops in Nassau and at the airport. Our resort offered gourmet food, with many fish and seafood options.
Would I go back?
Absolutely! There are so many islands to discover, I cannot wait to see more. The warmth of the people, stunning beaches and incredible food makes the Bahamas an irresistible vacation destination.
Enjoy your trip! As the locals say, It’s Better in the Bahamas!
