Exploring a new destination often brings surprises, both pleasant and challenging. Before setting off on a journey to the Bahamas, a stunning archipelago renowned for its turquoise waters and vibrant culture, it's essential to be well-prepared. From understanding local customs and financial nuances to navigating transportation and dining options, there are many factors to consider to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. This guide outlines key insights and practical tips, based on personal experiences, that every traveler should know before embarking on their Bahamian adventure. Let’s go!
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Travel Tips
- For flights, Skyscanner is excellent for comparing the best airline deals.
- For accommodations, our family trusts Booking.com for reasonable prices.
- Organize your trips easily with a Travel Planner.
- For tried-and-true travel and hiking gear, check out our Amazon Storefront.
Things I wish I knew before going to the Bahamas
Flight Tickets
Whenever I plan trips, I rely on Skyscanner to find and book our flights. I found fantastic deals with American Airlines, which lets each of us bring a carry-on bag weighing up to 40 pounds or 18 kg, no matter the class.
1. Where to Stay: Short walk from Atlantis
For convenient access to restaurants, bars, and shopping malls, Downtown is the ideal option. However, we chose to stay on the tranquil side of Nassau, where we enjoy the serene atmosphere of Paradise Island. It's perfect for families and couples seeking a more beachside experience.
Money Matters: A High-End Travel Destination
The Bahamas ranks among the most expensive countries in the world for travel. It is customary for locals to expect a tip, generally around 15%. While Bahamian dollars are the local currency, US dollars are also widely accepted.
Best Time to Visit
Flight Tickets
Whenever I plan trips, I rely on Skyscanner to find and book our flights. I found fantastic deals with American Airlines, which lets each of us bring a carry-on bag weighing up to 40 pounds or 18 kg, no matter the class.
If you're traveling with little ones, the airline allows up to 12 ounces or 340 grams or 1.5 cups of milk powder, making our journey much easier.
- Roundtrip Flight Ticket: 1,430 USD (LAX - MIA - NAS - MIA - LAX)
Electrical Outlets
For those who live in North America, the Bahamas use the same electrical outlets, meaning all of your electronics will work without an issue. Travellers from the UK or Europe may need a Universal Travel Adapter to charge their devices.
For convenient access to restaurants, bars, and shopping malls, Downtown is the ideal option. However, we chose to stay on the tranquil side of Nassau, where we enjoy the serene atmosphere of Paradise Island. It's perfect for families and couples seeking a more beachside experience.
Check-in: Comfort Suites Paradise Island
2. Beware of Taxis
We arrived at the airport around 9 in the evening, feeling exhausted with a toddler in tow, which made everything a bit stressful. All the restaurants had closed, and there was no information desk available. We decided to hail a taxi outside, where only three were waiting. The driver informed us he only accepted cash, so we had to return to the airport without any local currency. Please note that an additional $5 fee applies for withdrawing money from the ATM.
The driver was friendly and engaging, but then he mentioned that he was the last taxi of the night and that we were lucky to have found him. He claimed his job depended on tourism and that he was struggling financially. He insisted we would need to cover the gas costs since he didn’t have enough to get to Paradise Island. With no other options available, it was dark, and late, and we desperately needed to reach our hotel safely. He requested 11 Bahamian Dollars for gas and asked us to pay a bridge toll fee of 1 USD. In the end, we paid a total of 70 USD for a 30-minute ride from the airport to Comfort Suites, which included a gratuity.
We cannot recommend taxis in Nassau, Bahamas, as they tend to take advantage of travelers, especially late at night when you're tired and traveling with a child. In hindsight, we wish we had opted for the airport transfer from Booking.com, which would have only cost 50 USD and spared us the hassle and frustration. We hope you can learn from our experience. If you're not planning on renting a car, consider booking tours with hotel transfers to avoid the dishonesty of Bahamian taxi drivers. It certainly wasn't a pleasant welcome to the country. Fortunately, Sarah at the Comfort Suites front desk was warm and genuine, providing a nice contrast to our mixed experience on our first day in the Bahamas.
On our return to the airport, we found out that we could request a taxi that accepted credit cards, but rarely available!. Keep in mind that there are no metered taxis, so drivers set the fares based on their discretion.
3. Steer Clear of Food Delivery, if possible
When we arrived late in the evening, when it was raining and our little one got sick, that’s when we decided to order food online.
- Address Paradise Island Drive, Paradise Island, SS6202 Nassau, Bahamas
- Phone: +1 242-363-3680
- Special Offer - King Suite
- 5 days 4 nights: 1,230 USD
Pros and Cons of staying in Comfort Suites:
Nearby place we never knew we needed: Pharmacy
Comfort Suites offers breakfast, but the options are limited, and the taste doesn't quite match the overall price. If it weren't for its convenient location, just a short walk from Atlantis Paradise, we wouldn't have chosen to stay here. The benefit of being on Paradise Island is that it’s quieter compared to the city, making it more family-friendly. If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to staying at Atlantis, Comfort Suites is a decent option. It's only a short stroll to Cabbage Beach, and right across the street, you'll find a food village with plenty of restaurants and shopping opportunities.
2. Beware of Taxis
We arrived at the airport around 9 in the evening, feeling exhausted with a toddler in tow, which made everything a bit stressful. All the restaurants had closed, and there was no information desk available. We decided to hail a taxi outside, where only three were waiting. The driver informed us he only accepted cash, so we had to return to the airport without any local currency. Please note that an additional $5 fee applies for withdrawing money from the ATM.
The driver was friendly and engaging, but then he mentioned that he was the last taxi of the night and that we were lucky to have found him. He claimed his job depended on tourism and that he was struggling financially. He insisted we would need to cover the gas costs since he didn’t have enough to get to Paradise Island. With no other options available, it was dark, and late, and we desperately needed to reach our hotel safely. He requested 11 Bahamian Dollars for gas and asked us to pay a bridge toll fee of 1 USD. In the end, we paid a total of 70 USD for a 30-minute ride from the airport to Comfort Suites, which included a gratuity.
We cannot recommend taxis in Nassau, Bahamas, as they tend to take advantage of travelers, especially late at night when you're tired and traveling with a child. In hindsight, we wish we had opted for the airport transfer from Booking.com, which would have only cost 50 USD and spared us the hassle and frustration. We hope you can learn from our experience. If you're not planning on renting a car, consider booking tours with hotel transfers to avoid the dishonesty of Bahamian taxi drivers. It certainly wasn't a pleasant welcome to the country. Fortunately, Sarah at the Comfort Suites front desk was warm and genuine, providing a nice contrast to our mixed experience on our first day in the Bahamas.
On our return to the airport, we found out that we could request a taxi that accepted credit cards, but rarely available!. Keep in mind that there are no metered taxis, so drivers set the fares based on their discretion.
3. Steer Clear of Food Delivery, if possible
When we arrived late in the evening, when it was raining and our little one got sick, that’s when we decided to order food online.
When it comes to food delivery, our lovely receptionist named Sarah, suggested Kraven, and it turned out to be a mixed experience. There were a few restaurants nearby, including Dunkin Donuts, but unfortunately, they were all closed. We ordered Bahamian cuisine for 50 USD, which included a delivery fee of 7.99 USD, and honestly, we should have chosen Wendy’s instead. The meal was quite disappointing—expensive and not satisfying, especially considering each dish cost over 15 USD. The evening didn’t conclude on a high note with the food, but we remained grateful for our safety in the hotel and kept hoping for better days on the island.
On another day, we decided to order something more familiar and opted for Wendy’s through the app again. Unfortunately, I received the wrong salad; they included onion slices in the burger despite our request to remove them, and our baby's apple slices were missing from the delivery.
We then ordered from Sunset Cafe via the app, and this time the food was fantastic! Although I didn't receive the correct dressing for my salad, the fettuccine with lobster was delightful, accompanied by delicious garlic bread.
I'm puzzled as to why they can't seem to get our orders right; perhaps they simply don't prioritize accuracy. Once you receive your order, it feels like you have little recourse as a tourist since calling to complain isn’t an option, and the app offers little help in reaching out to the restaurant.
4. Overpriced Foods in Restaurants
Most services, including restaurants and food delivery, tend to be overpriced, not factoring in tips. They operate on the basis that 1 USD is equivalent to 1 BHD. A few dining places we went to just didn’t live up to our expectations; food was ok, but not memorable.
On another day, we decided to order something more familiar and opted for Wendy’s through the app again. Unfortunately, I received the wrong salad; they included onion slices in the burger despite our request to remove them, and our baby's apple slices were missing from the delivery.
We then ordered from Sunset Cafe via the app, and this time the food was fantastic! Although I didn't receive the correct dressing for my salad, the fettuccine with lobster was delightful, accompanied by delicious garlic bread.
I'm puzzled as to why they can't seem to get our orders right; perhaps they simply don't prioritize accuracy. Once you receive your order, it feels like you have little recourse as a tourist since calling to complain isn’t an option, and the app offers little help in reaching out to the restaurant.
4. Overpriced Foods in Restaurants
Most services, including restaurants and food delivery, tend to be overpriced, not factoring in tips. They operate on the basis that 1 USD is equivalent to 1 BHD. A few dining places we went to just didn’t live up to our expectations; food was ok, but not memorable.
5. If You're Unwell and Need Medication
Exercise Caution at the Pharmacy and Always Verify Expiration Dates
When our little one fell ill, I had the fever medications ready, but we decided to grab a backup just in case we ran out. Fortunately, we found a pharmacy close to our hotel and walked there. However, we encountered a problem: the medicine we bought had expired. We had to return to request a replacement. Normally, we would check the expiration date, but we were running late for our food tour and thought we could do it later. Have you ever experienced a moment where you usually check something, but for once, you skip it, and that's when something goes wrong? Yes, that happened to us, but thankfully, the pharmacy was nearby and we got a replacement after the unfriendly nods and dissatisfaction from the sales team- like for real? It was frustrating.
6. When Crossing the Street
Cars don’t really stop for pedestrians; one drove by between families crossing. Take care of your legs and don’t trust the drivers.
8. Unfriendly Vibes
7. Safely Withdraw Money
We felt safe withdrawing some cash inside the Margaritaville Beach Resort Mall in Downtown and inside the airport. The exchange rate was acceptable.
We felt safe withdrawing some cash inside the Margaritaville Beach Resort Mall in Downtown and inside the airport. The exchange rate was acceptable.
9. What To Do in Nassau Bahamas
After all the mishaps and disappointments, we made sure to enjoy the trip and greet each day with positivity. Here are the wonderful experiences we had in the Bahamas:
After all the mishaps and disappointments, we made sure to enjoy the trip and greet each day with positivity. Here are the wonderful experiences we had in the Bahamas:
Visit the Atlantis Hotel, Casino, and Mall
- Atlantis is just a few minutes walk away from Comfort Suites, which is one reason why we stayed there. The Atlantis Hotel, Casino, and Mall boast beautiful architecture to admire and an interesting themed aquarium experience.
Dine in at Shake Shack Atlantis
- Shake Shack inside Atlantis offers an interesting dining experience.
Experience the Marine Exhibits at Atlantis Bahamas
- Drop by the Marine Exhibits at Atlantis Bahamas and afterwards, go for a dip in their massive swimming pool. They also offer exciting snorkeling activities.
Sightseeing in Atlantis
- Admire the luxurious lobby of Atlantis Bahamas and explore this massive resort for fun.
Stroll around the Marina Village
- The village is next to Atlantis and offers a laid-back vibe with amazing architecture and a fun dining and shopping experience. There's an ice cream shop to beat the heat, and a conch salad store kiosk if you want to try authentic Bahamian food.
Join a Boat Tour
- Enjoy the beautiful waters of the island by joining a boat and snorkeling tour. Be sure to use Coral Reef-Friendly Sunscreen to protect your skin and our ocean.
Tour Details: Catamaran Voyage with Snorkeling, Pig Beach, Swim with Turtles, and Lunch
Time: 9:30 AM
Duration: 5 hours
Price: 318.04 USD for two adults, Child 2 - 5 yrs old is Free
Includes:
- Snorkeling equipment
- Visit the islands of Rose, Pearl, and Athol
- Visit the swimming pigs (Pearl, Rose, or Athol Islands)
- Snorkel at the reef and Turtle Bay
- Lunch with soda and water
- Unlimited Cuba Libre (Rum and Coke)
What’s Not Included:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Pig interaction is not included but can be paid for on-site (30 USD payable with cash). It includes feeding and taking pictures with pigs. If you're not interested, you can stay on the boat or be taken to a nearby beach.
We booked our tours with GetYourGuide. Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before selecting your tours. Another option for booking your tours is through Booking.com, especially if your desired dates are unavailable.
Swim at Cabbage Beach
- We walked to Cabbage Beach from Comfort Suites, and we simply followed Google Maps. Cabbage Beach features white, fine sand and crystal-clear waters.
From Comfort Suites, we walked away from Atlantis to make our way to Cabbage Beach.
Passed by this viewing deck
Passed by a few beautiful houses
- Don't forget to drive by Nassau's Downtown. It might not be a great idea to walk around here at night with kids, but in daylight, it's fun to admire the historic pink buildings, and if you're craving for Starbucks coffee, there's one there too.
Family-Friendly Nightlife Activities in Nassau Bahamas
- At night, the Marina Village next to Atlantis comes alive with lights and music. It's a family-friendly place, also I didn't see anyone smoking; the atmosphere feels safe for kids to run around. If you're looking for upbeat and amazing tiki bars and disco clubs, head to downtown.
Watch the Sunset
- The Marina Village has great views of the sunset, which is a great way to unwind after a long day.
For the picky eaters
- Marina Pizzeria, located in the village, was delicious! Our little one was not ready for local food, so something familiar was all we needed. There are plenty of food options and boutiques inside the village, and we never run out of things to do, even at night with a kid.
Join a food tour for a delightful culinary adventure
- Conch is a key element of Bahamian cuisine, offers diverse and delicious dishes like conch salad, cracked conch, and conch fritters. This large sea snail is known for its sweet, slightly briny flavor and firm texture, making it a beloved national dish of the Bahamas.
- Conch salad is essentially ceviche but made with a different kind of meat.
- Conch fritters consist of shredded conch combined with flour, then fried to a golden brown. They are served with ketchup and a mayo dressing.
- Sky Juice is my personal favorite, and it can be enjoyed without alcohol as well. It’s a delightful mix of coconut juice, condensed milk, and coconut bits.
- Rum Cake offers a unique twist, and my husband loved it -too sweet for me. It comes in a variety of flavors like piña colada, mocha cappuccino, coffee, and more.
- The Rum shots were strong yet easy to handle, leaving no burning sensation and bringing joy to everyone in the tour group.
Nassau Food Tour Details
We booked our tours with GetYourGuide. Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before selecting your tours. Another option for booking your tours is through Booking.com, especially if your desired dates are unavailable.
Tour Details: Nassau Food and History Bus Tour
Time: 10:00 AM
Price: 198 USD for two adults, Child 0 - 3 yrs old is Free
What's included:
- Local guide
- Transport by air-conditioned minibus
- Lunch and Bottled water
- Food and Drink tasting
- Pickup and drop-off from the cruise ship, a hotel, or a vacation rental
Our tour started at Fort Montagu, and here we tried the famous "Sky Juice" Drink.
A visit to the Queens Staircase was part of the food tour too.
Lunch at Drifters At Da Fish Fry
Address: 3JHR+XP3, Nassau, Bahamas
For souvenirs, we brought the famous rum cake from the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory.
Hotel to the Airport
We booked our taxi with the hotel, and the front desk said they don’t know how much the taxi fee is. I guess it really depends on the drivers, something I don’t like about taxis in the Bahamas. You are at their mercy; some are even charged more based on how they look. That’s what I read during my research, and I was hopeful it wasn’t the case. Our driver charged us 50 USD for the ride, and then only smiled when he saw that my husband gave him a tip. I guess not that bad compared to that driver at the airport.
The Bahamas was an exciting adventure, featuring undeniably beautiful, crystal-clear waters. Our experience was quite different from previous travels, as we had mixed feelings with the locals. The weather in June was similarly unpredictable; it would be hot one moment and then suddenly rain. Despite this, we had a great time and are eagerly looking forward to exploring our next Caribbean destination.
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Do you want more adventure?
Check out Disneyland California!
Where am I going next?
For my next adventure, we’re heading to Point Mugu Beach in California! With summer in full bloom and beautiful weather, we’re ready to soak up the sun.
For my next adventure, we’re heading to Point Mugu Beach in California! With summer in full bloom and beautiful weather, we’re ready to soak up the sun.
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