The Bahamas – Travel Guide
The Bahamas, an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea, offers idyllic island experiences. From bustling Nassau to serene Exuma, each island boasts unique charms. White sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters attract sun-seekers and water enthusiasts. Snorkeling among vibrant reefs or swimming with dolphins immerses visitors in natural wonder. The islands also resonate with vibrant culture, from rhythmic Junkanoo beats to delicious seafood. Whether seeking adventure or relaxation, the Bahamas promise an unforgettable escape into paradise, where every moment feels like a dream.
All about the Bahamas
The Bahamas FAQ
What are the Bahamas known for?
The tropical island archipelago of the Bahamas is known for its pristine pink sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and idyllic offshore islands. Endless shopping opportunities await in places like the renowned straw market in Nassau along with duty-free shops and sparkling malls. Delicious Bahamian cuisine can be found throughout the islands at fancy restaurants, highly regarded resort restaurants, bustling markets, and beachfront tiki huts. Conch is the national dish of the Bahamas and comes in a variety of ways, conch soup, conch fritters, and even conch pizza! 700 unique islands make up the Bahamas, which are surrounded by some of the largest and healthiest coral reefs in the entire world, with locations like The Abacos, Andros with its famous Ocean Blue Holes and the Exuma Cays. Swim with the pigs on Pig Island! Discover the Island`s pirating history where famous pirates like Blackbeard roamed in the 1600s in search of gold, salt, and other goods to rob. A very long history can be traced back over 1,000 years in the Bahamas with historic attractions such as the Columbus Monument, Fort Fincastle, The Queen`s Staircase, Adderly Plantation, and Dean`s Blue Hole. Celebrate the island culture in the Junkanoo Carnival, a highly anticipated annual event filled with live entertainment, traditional music, and dance, and delicious food and drinks. .
What are the best places to visit the Bahamas?
Nassau is the colorful capital city of the Bahamas, and the largest city in the island nation and a popular travel destination. The city is full of energy and so much to see and do! Do some shopping along Bay Street, check out the colorful architecture, spend a day on the beach, explore the historic Old Town, dine on delicious food in eclectic restaurants and sip on some cocktails at the fun, quirky bars. George Town is a picturesque town in the Bahamas, located on the exotic Exuma Island, a popular tourist destination boasting several quaint shops and vibrant markets, a great selection of restaurants and a pulsating nightlife. The island is filled with stunning natural beauty and decorated with colorful buildings and architecture. Visitors can enjoy the tropical oasis with beautiful stretches of beaches and gorgeous turquoise waters with tons of attractions and activities.
How many days should I spend in the Bahamas?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel, and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around the Bahamas?
Connecting the Bahama Islands is best done by plane or boat. The main airports are Nassau`s Lynden Pindling International Airport and Freeport`s Grand Bahama International Airport. Traveling between the major islands requires flying using inter-island air services or water taxis, there are some cruises and boat tours that also travel to multiple islands. Nassau and Freeport are major cruise destinations.
What is the currency of the Bahamas?
The currency in the Bahamas is the Bahamian Dollar, US dollars are widely accepted and is equivalent to the Bahamian dollar. If you pay in US dollars, you will likely receive change in Bahamian dollars, not the US. There are currency exchange desks at the airport and major banks on the island are open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm and some may open on Saturdays. On the major islands, ATMs can be found at the casinos and commercial banks and the port areas. For more detailed information, consult our guide by clicking here Tipping in the Bahamas.
Do people speak English in the Bahamas?
The official language spoken in the Bahamas is Bahamian Creole, many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. Most of the island’s inhabitants have a good comprehension of the English language. We recommend you get a good English-Bahamian Creole guidebook and learn the common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.
Best time to visit the Bahamas
The tropical Caribbean Islands of the Bahamas are a great destination to visit throughout the year, there is no bad time to visit unless there is a hurricane. High season on the islands is from mid-December to mid-April when it is a popular tourist trap for those escaping the cold winters.
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Temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the year reaching highs of up to 90 degrees in the summer and rarely dipping below 60 in the winter. The rainy season runs from May to June and Hurricane seasons are June 1st until November 30th and the islands are located in the Hurricane belt, so they can be a major factor during these months.
December – April
The winter months from mid-December through mid-April are the busiest time of the year to visit the Bahamas. This is a shoulder season when many visitors come to the tropical Caribbean islands to escape the harsh winters around the world. Many hotels and accommodations, especially the iconic Atlantis Resort on Paradise island are fully booked during these months and are usually booked out months in advance. The prices on the island during this season are noticeably higher and hotels, beaches, restaurants, sights, and attractions are full to the brim.
The weather during these months is perfect with average daily temperatures hovering around 75-84 degrees and rarely dipping below 60 degrees at night. Hence the reasons tourists flock here at this time of year, with soft pink sand beaches and tropical turquoise waters it is the perfect winter destination to soak up the sun, sand, and seas. This is the dry season in the Bahamas and visitors are pretty much guaranteed perfect weather for their stay. The islands provide a great escape for visitors during the holiday season with Christmas, New Years and Spring Break being some of the busiest times.
Events and Festivals
– Abaco Christmas Festival (December)
– Bahamas International Film Festival (December)
– Christmas Day (December 25th)
– Boxing Day (December 26th)
– New Year`s Day (January 1st)
– Junkanoo Winter Festival (December-January)
– Rum Cay Day Festival (February)
– Bahamas Music & Heritage Festival (March)
– Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday (April)
– Whit Monday (Seven weeks after Easter)
May – November
Mid-April through Mid December is considered the summer months on the Bahama Islands with hot, humid weather and the beginning of Hurricane Season (June 1st – Nov 30th). These months are considered to be the low season as the tropics bring hotter weather and the threat of daily thunderstorms and Hurricanes making landfall on the Islands, as they sit on the Atlantic Hurricane belt. The hotels are less crowded during this time and attractions are much easier to visit with fewer visitors on the islands, some of the best deals can be found at this time of year, with cheap flights and hotel rooms some offered at up to 60% off.
The trade winds almost blow continuously throughout the Bahama Islands and can provide relief from the hot summer sun. The peak for hurricanes in the area is normally August through October when the temperatures and waters heat up. However, this can be a relaxing time to visit the islands with less hustle and bustle on the islands and the opportunity to take advantage of fewer crowds at the beaches, pools, and on daily excursions. The hottest time of the day in the summer is noon but the mornings and evenings bring on the cooler breezes and afternoons can bring thunderstorm downpours to cool things off.
Events and Festivals
– Bahamas Carnival (May)
– Island Roots Heritage Festival (every May, excluding election years)
– Bahamas Billfish Championship (May-June)
– Pineapple Festival (May-June)
– Labor Day (First Friday in June)
– Independence Day (July 10th)
– Junkanoo Summer Festival (July)
– Beer Fest (September)
– International Culture Wine & Food Festival (October)
– Discovery Day (October 12th)
Tipping in the Bahamas
The questions `when?` and `how much?` that surround tipping can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies. This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
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Tipping in the Bahamas
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Bahamian Dollar?
The currency in the Bahamas is the Bahamian Dollar, US dollars are widely accepted and is equivalent to the Bahamian dollar. If you pay in US dollars, you will likely receive change in Bahamian dollars, not the US. There are currency exchange desks at the airport and major banks on the island are open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm and some may open on Saturdays. On the major islands, ATM machines can be found at the casinos and commercial banks and the port areas.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
Many restaurants in the Bahamas will automatically add a 15% gratuity to your bill. If there is a service charge on your bill there is no need to leave an additional tip, however, if you receive exceptional service and wish to add more, this is at your discretion. If no service charge is added then general tipping rules advise leaving 15-20%.
Tipping at bars in the Bahamas is a common practice and it is standard practice to leave the bartender at least 10-15% or $1-$2 per round of drinks.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Tipping in hotels in the Bahamas is customary and a general guideline to follow would be leaving your bell boy $1 per bag and tipping your housekeeping $2 per day. Also, a standard common practice on the islands is to leave behind your small change at the end of your stay as a complement to the staff.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
A taxi driver is commonly tipped around 15% in the Bahamas, or round up to the next dollar for short-distance trips.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
Tipping your tour guide between 5-10% is advised by not required in the Bahamas. There are many companies providing services on the island and you may want to consider tipping the people who help you on your day trips and excursions.
Miscellaneous; is there anywhere else I should be aware of to tip in the Bahamas?
It is customary to tip 10% in the Bahamas for spa services, hair dresses, etc. If you received outstanding service you may wish to leave more, which is always greatly appreciated by the staff.
Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. This is also true for hotel staff, however, if you should encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with the manager.
When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.
Top cities in the Bahamas
What to expect while traveling
