Planning a trip to Nassau, Bahamas? After spending a month exploring this beautiful island, I’ve put together my best Nassau travel tips to help you plan your visit.
From where to stay to what to eat, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your Nassau adventure!
There are 3 reasons why traveling in the Bahamas is really easy:
- English is the primary language
- You can pay in US dollars – Bahamian dollars and US dollars are 1:1. You might pay $20 for an item and receive cash back in a mix between Bahamian and US dollars.
- Tax and gratuity are auto added to restaurant bills – the 10% VAT and 15% gratuity is standard and automatically added to the bill
But one thing that DOES NOT make the Bahamas easy to travel? They drive on the left side of the road (not the same as the US) and well… while it doesn’t make it “complicated”, do know that it is NOT cheap to travel on this island.
After spending a month in Nassau, Bahamas, this post has my MOST helpful travel tips, you can skip around via this table of contents…
Things to do in Nassau
This is truly a beach vacation. While there are tours (ATV tours, cultural and walking tours, etc), most people come here to enjoy the beautiful beaches and water.
If I’m honest, I spent an ENTIRE month on this island and had 21 nights to plan a trip for when my boyfriend came to meet me on the island. We did… almost nothing aside from enjoying the resort, the beach, snorkeling and paddling, hanging out in the resort pool and eating out.
Unless you are spending time scuba diving (I recommend diving with Stuart’s Cove), spending 3-4 nights in Nassau is likely adequate for the average traveler. If you are diving, spend more time (I would likely spend 7-8 nights).
Another fun way to enjoy the water is by stand-up paddling. If you’re lucky enough to get a calm, glassy day, the views of the underwater world are unreal. You can spot starfish, sharks, and more from above, and hop in when you see something cool!
If you want something more chill, hop on a boat to Rose Island. You can snorkel, relax, and even swim with the pigs. See this and other top ranked tours on Viator.
Don’t miss out on local events either. Nassau is known for its Junkanoo festivals, full of music, dancing, and Bahamian culture. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re there during one of these events.
Where to stay in Nassau
Accommodations in Nassau are not cheap. Can you find a deal? Yes, but this is not a budget vacation especially if you want to stay at a resort.
You can see the TOP 10 RESORTS on Booking.com by clicking here, but in my opinion, these are the resorts I have heard the best reviews on (or had the opportunity to see myself).
- SLS Baha Mar ($$$$) A sleek and luxurious resort that is very modern
- Grand Hyatt Baha Mar ($$$) Huge resort with modern accommodations and many restaurants, pools, activities, etc
- Paradise Island has a set of properties ($$$-$$$$) with Atlantis being the main ones. It also has Riu and the Ocean Club.
I stayed at Breezes All Inclusive Resort. It’s a charming place, not inexpensive, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.
You can see what the property is like in the video below.
Getting around Nassau
Speaking of taxis, that’s exactly how I’ll be getting around! Renting a car is an option, but I personally prefer to skip driving in Nassau, especially since they drive on the left side of the road. Taxis are convenient, especially if you’re staying at a resort, so you won’t have to worry about navigating the roads yourself.
Is it difficult to drive in Nassau?
See the video below to get a feel for what it’s like!
There is no Uber in Nassau and nor is it a walkable or bike friendly island, making it relatively challenging to get around. Here are some options.
- Taxis – they are easy to take if you are at the resorts, otherwise, it is not easy to flag a cab unless you are in a popular area (such as downtown). I personally walked 45 minutes (in 90+ degree heat) and wasn’t able to find a taxi between the Sandyport and Baha Mar areas.
- Rent a car – I use Rentalcars.com but reminder they drive on the LEFT side of the road and there are few stoplights (they primarily use roundabouts). Also, you don’t pump your own gas and locals drive FAST! Parking is hard especially in downtown.
- Rent a bike – I looked at this bike shop, but in the end I did not rent one given there are NO bike lanes
- Walking – Aside from walking around Downtown (or the path near Baha Mar), there are not very many sidewalks
- Bird Scooters – You can ride across the entire island on a Bird scooter!
- Charter a private plane – Take a little jumper plane to another island.
Prices
Let’s talk prices—Nassau isn’t cheap. It’s not your typical budget-friendly beach destination, so expect to spend a bit more on everything from accommodation to food. That said, there are deals to be found, especially if you travel in the shoulder season, like in April. This is a great time to avoid the hurricanes while still enjoying warmer weather without the heavy humidity of summer.
It is relatively very expensive in Nassau. The Bahamas is often named amongst the most expensive countries to live in the world.
Some price examples:
- Hotels are generally $200-$400/night (and up) depending on where you book (see the prices of the top 10 resorts)
- Taxis: 10-15 minute rides will be $20-$30
- Meals: A flat white, an empenada and a hot toddy is $36 at Bon Vivant
- A small sparkling water, a sushi roll and a plate of fish at The Poop Deck cost $36
- A small random backpack of groceries cost $160
What’s PRICELESS in Nassau? The views. You’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
To see the MOST stunning views of Nassau from a bird’s eye view, see the short drone video below.
Restaurants in Nassau
Now, let’s get to one of the best parts of Nassau—the food! You can’t visit without trying conch.
My go-to spot for fresh conch is Dino’s Conch Shack, which takes a little while to prepare, but it’s totally worth it.
For a more local vibe, I love Manila Grill—it’s a Filipino restaurant that reminds me of home and my childhood. Another spot I’m excited to try next time is Nesbitt’s, a local favorite where you can get traditional Bahamian stew, usually served for breakfast. Definitely check it out if you want something off the beaten path.
Nassau has a great selection of restaurants, but there are some FOODS you should not miss.
Don’t miss a chance to eat:
- Bahamian patties – empenada-like and usually filled with veggies, chicken or beef
- Conch – get it fresh as a salad, fried, or a soup or stew
- Duff – a pastry like dessert bun often filled with fruit like guava and with a sweet sauce over the top.
These were my favorite restaurants:
- Pizza Lab – located inside Baha Mar, get ready for a pizza that is both VERY delicious and not cheap (funghi pizza is $26)
- Manila Grill – in Downtown Nassau, this unassuming little restaurant serves authentic (and delicious) Filipino food. Don’t miss the sizzling pork sisig.
Want to see 16 of the top restaurants and some example prices?
More helpful things to know
- BUGS – There are lots of bugs – primarily mosquitoes. Pack bug spray!
- The water – If you are traveling from the US, I don’t recommend drinking from the tap. Use bottled water. You can expect the resorts to have filtered water and ice. I was sick for over 14 nights just from brushing my teeth with the tap water. This doesn’t mean it will happen to you, but I was unwell for QUITE a long time.
- Bringing a drone? Checkout this video to help you out.
Consider this: Be a smart traveler and stay CONNECTED while you’re traveling Nassau, Bahamas. I always use eSIM cards like Sim Local to help me stay connected when I travel!
Weather
It’s a tropical island! Expect the weather to be warm (always) generally between 70-90 degrees.
- Wet season is June-November (with the “hurricane season” being between August – October)
- Dry season is Dec-May (temps can drop down to 60 degrees). Less humid and cooler.
Weather can change VERY quickly.
Personally, I am planning my return trip in April. A warmer month that’s a bit of a shoulder month.
To see my entire itinerary, see the video below.
Bottom line
The Bahamas is all about spending time on the beach and in the water. THIS is the place to do it. If your trip is short, stay in a resort and travel during dry season to make sure you get great weather!
Want more? Watch the video version of this blog post!