Your Guide to Visiting the Bahamas
Looking for a Bahamas guide? You’ve come to the right place. If you’re planning a trip to the beautiful Caribbean, then you’ve doubtless got all kinds of questions: when to go, what to do, how to get to the Bahamas, what to expect, and more.
While this island country might not be big, there is a lot to do and a ton of options from which to choose, so it helps to have a bit of expert help. Luckily, our amazing partner The Good Life Bahamas knows everything there is to know about vacationing in this gorgeous West Indies archipelago.
Not only can they answer every query you have about where to eat, drink, walk, sun, sightsee, or party, but they also offer a number of gorgeous villas for your consideration. Take a look.
When to Go
Visiting the Bahamas is something you can do at any time of year, but you should plan for weather changes. It is hotter, cloudier, and muggier in the summer, but cooler and clearer in the winter.
That makes winter the preferred time to visit, which also means that’s the most expensive time. Going in spring and fall, a.k.a. “shoulder season,” is a great compromise between cost and climate.
How to Get There
Unless you are a truly excellent waterman, you will need to fly to the Bahamas. You can find plenty of flights to Exuma Bahamas destinations, as well as other islands, including North Andros, Great Inagua, South Andros, Grand Bahama, Acklins, and more.
The major airports include Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport and Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau.
However, one important note about how to get to the Bahamas is that some destinations are only through domestic airways. You can ask our partner The Good Life Bahamas if you have any questions about getting here.
What to Do
Comprehensively describing what to do while visiting the Bahamas is impossible, because there’s no end of activities. Experience sunbathing, beachcombing, fishing, boating, or even swimming with the famous pigs on Big Major Cay.
Book tours to outlying cays, snorkel and dive at The Grotto or Dean’s Blue Hole, or hike through the jungle on the bigger islands.
How to Get Around
When visiting the Bahamas, there are several places to get around. You can take taxis or jitney buses, rent a car, book domestic flights for island-hopping, or take ferries between close-lying islands and cays.
Although having a car of your own is certainly convenient, you can absolutely skip this and get around in other ways without the responsibility of a rental.
What to Eat
Obviously, when visiting the Bahamas, you’re going to want to try lots of the local fare. Bahamian meals are heavy on seafood, for obvious reasons, but they also bring lots of traditional dishes to the table. Johnnycakes, for example, are a type of cornmeal pancake and are served with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Peas and rice are another popular staple, while tropical fruits make up a huge portion of the diet for many people, especially at breakfast and lunch. Some of the best restaurants overall include The New Duff and Café Matisse in Nassau and Banana Bay and Flying Fish Gastrobar on Grand Bahamas Island.
Make sure to try the coconut. Not only do you want to eat the tender flesh, but drinking coconut water straight out of the shell is a dream experience that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. Ask experts, such as The Good Life Bahamas, for more ideas.
How to Pay and Tip
First of all, what currency does the Bahamas use? While the official currency in the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar, American dollars are accepted widely as well. It’s up to you which approach you want to take; just make sure you always have at least some Bahamian dollars in case you hit a joint that doesn’t take it.
As regards tipping, many places automatically add a 15% gratuity. If not, use your best judgment and tip about how you would in the States. At least 10% is expected.
What to Expect from the Culture
Next up: When visiting the Bahamas, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with a few quirks of local custom. In general, this country is laid-back and cheerful. It operates on Island Time, so things might feel a bit slow to people from other cultures.
When you first meet someone, default to their surname and call them by their first name only if they invite you to. If you have additional questions, The Good Life Bahamas is happy to answer them and help you feel comfortable during your stay.
What to See
Just as with what to do when visiting the Bahamas, listing everything there is to see in one paragraph is a tall order. You can start by talking to a knowledgeable host such as The Good Life Bahamas, which can help you sort out the most important sights for you.
Some of the most popular sights include Atlantis Paradise Island, the Queen’s Staircase, the Glass Window Bridge, and Lucayan National Park, as well as the aforementioned swimming pigs.
Making the Most of the Islands and Cays
Being an archipelago, the Bahamas offer tons of far-flung island options spread amidst gorgeous tropical waters. Make sure you maximize the islands and cays with snorkeling and diving trips, swimming excursions, island-hopping tours, and ferries.
To name a few, Nassau Snorkeling, Made in Water Excursions, and Bahamas Water Toys and Tours are all great options. While you can’t get to them all, every Bahamas home base is within reach of quite a few.
How to Stay Safe
When visiting the Bahamas, make sure to research which areas have crime before you go. While most tourist areas are safe, there are some parts of the city that are a little dicey. Note that Bahamas sharks are a major success story, with the country being a leader in shark repopulation and care.
However, that can present an issue to unwary tourists who try to interact with them or don’t pay attention to warnings, so take care.
Where to Stay
If you’re visiting the Bahamas soon, then the question of where to stay is likely one of the most pressing on your mind, second only to (or perhaps tied with) how to get to the Bahamas. The answer is … it’s easier than you think! Rather than trolling through endless websites or calling travel agents, talk to The Good Life Bahamas instead.
Our partner offers a carefully curated collection of lovely properties. If you’re bringing 10 guests and want lots of space to stretch, consider the Marina House, Casa Bella, or Ballymena, with beautiful private pools and landscaping.
If you have a real crew in tow, consider properties that will fit them comfortably, such as Seaclusion, Seabatical, and Seas the Day. Whatever you need, we can offer.
