So, your dream of traveling to the beautiful island of Nassau Bahamas has finally come to fruition! You can’t wait to soak up the impeccable warm weather and breathtakingly exquisite beaches. People from all over the world flock to this Caribbean destination hoping to take a break from the daily hustle and bustle and embrace the island life, if only for a short while. Congratulations! You are on your way to paradise.
Being a native of the Bahamas myself, I will happily guide you through this travel terrain. Ensuring that you have all the knowledge you need to enhance your travel experience and be prepared for your tropical island adventure. So, let’s get right into it shall we?
English is the official language of the Bahamas, so it’ll be spoken everywhere you go. Even though English is the official language, Bahamians speak with dialect. So, expect broken English with a strong accent. Visitors have often told me that I sound like I’m singing when I speak! I take it as a compliment and an invitation to keep on chatting hehehe.
The currency of the Bahamas is Bahamian dollars, but no need to worry if you are travelling with US currency, it’s accepted and on par with Bahamian currency dollar for dollar. You’ll most certainly want to travel with cash and a major credit card though, because you’ll most likely need both during your stay.
Tips are king in the Bahamas! If someone helps you during your stay, tips are encouraged and expected. From taking your pictures to carrying your luggage, plan on offering a tip for the helping hand.
If you are brave enough to rent a vehicle and tour the island yourself, you will be driving on the left side of the road. Also note that the roads are small, and the traffic is intense at times. Other methods of transport include, taxis, and jitneys. I suggest you find a good taxi driver for your stay. I recommend www.taxiandtourbahamas.com.
Because vehicles drive on the left, you’ll want to be mindful of this when you’re crossing streets.
Tourists are treasured on the island and most natives are not only friendly, but eager to talk to visitors. You’ll find lots of smiles and local insight if you take the time to chat!
A very important thing to note is that Bahamians operate on “Bahamian Time”. Nope there’s no time difference, it’s just that everything moves substantially slower on the island than in most first world nations. Also, just about everything is imported so expect to pay double the price on everyday items that you may need during your stay.
Marijuana is illegal in the Bahamas, so do not attempt to bring it in to the country…and if you happen to find a joint on the beach, wink wink, do not attempt to take it back with you.
The weather in the Bahamas is predominantly hot and sunny year-round, only a few items are absolute necessities for a typical trip to the Bahamas. As grey skies are rare, sun protection is a must. A few pieces of travel-ready light cotton or linen clothing will keep you cool through the hottest hours of the day and look great when you head out for dinner in the evenings.
Evenings in the Bahamas can be surprisingly cool between the months of October through February, so a warm layer will come in handy. Good layering options are a lightweight cardigan, or sweater. Find out in advance what toiletries your lodge or resort provides so you can easily stay within TSA guidelines.
Bahamian cuisine is rich with starch, fat, and meat. A typical Sunday dinner in the Bahamas consist of rice, two sides, and two meat combinations. Seafood like conch, fish, and shrimp are available year-round, however crawfish or lobster is seasonal. Enjoy delicacies such as crack conch, conch fritters, conch salad, fried grouper, cracked lobster, minced lobster, coconut and pineapple tart, benny cake, and guava duff just to name a few. A great place for vacationers to experience these Bahamian delights are at the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay.
If your pallet is not ready for these scrumptious entrée’s, a host of fast-food choices such as Subway, Burger King, McDonalds, Wendy’s, KFC and many other options are available.
Here are a few items you will need for your Bahamas escape. (Check out our online shop for everything you may need for your trip) https://mybahamalandvacations.com/shop/
Must Haves
Sunscreen/Lip Balm with SPF
Wide-brimmed hat
Sunglasses
Swimsuit & cover-up
Short-sleeved shirts (quick drying)/tank top
Shorts
Lightweight long pants
Lightweight sweater
Sandals/flip flops
Comfortable walking shoes (sneakers or waterproof hiking shoes) & socks
Sundress for women
Bug repellent
Toiletries/Prescription medications/Motion sickness medication
Water bottle (do not drink the tap water)
(Note: US electronics do not require adaptors)
Smartphone (check with your carrier; beware of roaming charges)
iPad or e-reader
Headphones
Fly-fishing gear
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Required Documents
Passport
Fishing license (if you plan to fish)
Driver’s License (if you plan to rent a car)
Health/Travel insurance information
Dive Certification card (if applicable)
If you’re bringing the entire family for a Bahamian adventure, you’ll be glad to know that there are many family-friendly things to do. While there are the obvious activities of frolicking on the beach and hitting the waves, scuba diving or spending a day at the local nature centre, there are more exotic ways to spend your time too!
Boat Tours – Glass bottom boats, semi-submarines, air boats and that’s just the beginning. There is no deficiency of boat journeys you can attempt. Some are private, some are for gatherings, all deal you an astonishing method for seeing the sea.
Bus Tours – Tour the island, enjoy the sights and let another person do the driving. Transport visits let you see noteworthy spots, beautiful regions and famous vacationer hang outs. You’ll also receive general knowledge and fun facts from your guide, offering you extortionary insight into the place.
ATV tours, Parasailing, Sports Fishing, Golfing, Banana Boat Ride, and Jet skiing are also great outdoor activities to be enjoyed.
You are now equipped with everything you need for your Bahamas vacation!
