35 Things To Know Before Visiting Bahamas – Bahamas Travel Tips For First Timers

Last updated on March 3rd, 2024 at 08:44 am

35 Things To Know Before Visiting Bahamas – Bahamas Travel Tips For First Timers

We will write about Bahamas travel tips and all the cool facts about Bahamas and things to know before visiting Bahamas for first-timers. This post will be your go-to guide to get to know more of Bahamas and what awaits you from amazing beaches, places to visit, how to move around to delicious food to try in Bahamas.

Read here Turks and Caicos vs Bahamas, 4 Days Nassau Itinerary, Bahamian food, vegetarian food in Bahamas, Bahamas drinks, Bahamian breakfast, what to wear in Bahamas and best restaurants in Nassau

Bahamas Travel Tips And Things To Know Before Visiting Bahamas For First Timers

1. IS IT SAFE BAHAMAS?

Is it safe travel to Bahamas? If you are traveling from a Western country to Bahamas. If you will be vigilant and act accordingly and responsibly you will not have any problem, just use common sense. Try to be cautious when withdrawing money in the ATM take a look around, avoid walking around at night and take a taxi instead. So yes! It is safe to travel in Bahamas.

2. EASY VISA IN BAHAMAS

Things to know before visiting Bahamas is Easy Visa for Bahamas US Citizens and European countries have visa up to 90-days for tourist without visa. So you will have enough time and no hassle about visa concern for Bahamas.

Read here our article for the Schengen Visa Philippines where Rachel explained step-by-step how to get Schengen Visa Philippines.

3. CASH AND ATM IN BAHAMAS

You should know that USD are accepted in Bahamas. The currency of Bahamas is called Bahamian Dollar and as of now, $1 USD is worth 1 BSD Bahamian Dollar. If you are bringing USD you can use them while traveling around Bahamas no need to exchange them in the islands.

Bank or debit cards in an ATM are the recommended way to access your funds while traveling in Bahamas. Know real-time currency exchange here!

4. BEST TIME TO VISIT BAHAMAS

In Bahamas their summer (December to April), there are fewer rains than normal. In their winter (May to November), rains are almost non-stop. For most tourists best time to visit Bahamas is from December to April because of easier transport. 

Click here to know more about the weather in Bahamas!

5. HEALTH TRAVEL INSURANCE

Things to know before visiting Bahamas we recommend always bringing travel insurance when traveling abroad just in case you have any problems. You can always have food Poisson, fever or any other kind of disease.

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

FACTS ABOUT BAHAMAS

6. BAHAMAS IS SO EXPENSIVE

Facts about Bahamas if you are thinking Central America and South America is not so cheap for traveling you are right. Bahamas isn’t as cheap as Bolivia and Ecuador.

Bahamas prices are more expensive than Jamaica and Dominican Republic. You will have to pay an entrance fee for Natural Parks, around $8-10 USD for a dish in a local restaurant. We will tell you below accommodation, food budget and general entrance fees and tour prices in Bahamas.

7. ACCOMMODATION BUDGET TRAVEL IN BAHAMAS

There are dormitory rooms that you can rent the bed in Bahamas as low as $30 USD a night if you want the cheapest option. Double-room hostels can cost up to $60-80 USD a night while mid-range hotels cost more or less $120 USD a night.

Click here if you want to find the best deals with Booking in Bahamas.

8. FOOD BUDGET TRAVEL IN BAHAMAS

You can find local meals in Bahamas around $3-4 USD per person. At lunch you might want a chicken sandwich for $7 USD salad, burger and pizza with a fresh fruit drink for $7-10 USD. You can have a budget of $20 USD a day enough decent meals in Bahamas if you go for street food and free breakfast.

9. WI-FI AND INTERNET CONNECTION IN BAHAMAS

Internet in Bahamas works great in big cities and you will have internet connection in most of the places you will have 4G except in remote areas. You can access free WiFi at hostels and hotels and there are lots of restaurant that are offering free WiFi.

Read here the best Bahamas eSim and best Bahamas sim card for tourist

BUYING A SIM CARD AT NASSAU AIRPORT

I wouldn’t recommend you buy a Bahamas Airport sim card. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Nassau. Read here the best Bahamas sim card for tourist

You can find the cheapest Bahamian eSim with Airalo Bahamas eSim prepaid for $9 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%). MTX Connect eSim Bahamas for €24 with 4 GB data valid for 14 days.

GETTING A VPN?

Sometimes is hard to connect your laptop to the VPN and you have to be patient. If you go for a week you will find VPN with free trials. We used Atlas VPN, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN. When connecting the VPN to your device will make it slower than usual.

Read here Atlas VPN vs Surfshark VPN, Atlas VPN full review, Atlas VPN vs Proton VPN, Nord VPN vs Surfshark VPN, PIA VPN vs Surfshark VPN, Proton VPN vs Surfshark VPN, ExpressVPN vs Surfshark VPN, IPVanish vs Surfshark VPN, Atlas VPN vs ExpressVPN and Atlas VPN vs Nord VPN

10. ADAPTER IN BAHAMAS

In our Bahamas travel tips you should know they use 120 V and frequency the American (United States and Canada) will fit. A few places make it possible to fit your European adapter in the plug because they provide adapters. If you are coming from European countries, we recommend you to bring an adapter to be able to charge everywhere.

11. LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IN BAHAMAS

For local transportation in Bahamas the cheapest way is by public bus and prices are around $2-3 USD per person. If you take taxis around Bahamas prices are expensive around $10-20 USD depending on the distance. There is no Uber available in Bahamas. You can take a water taxi to move around the islands and prices are expensive for this.

12. BAHAMIAN PEOPLE SPEAK ENGLISH

Bahamian people speak English so it will be easy to communicate with them. Since Bahamas was British colony you will manage everywhere. Apart from English Bahamians speaks creole dialect.

13. BAHAMAS HISTORY

Bahamas history starts with Christopher Columbus who was the first one to discover Bahamas in 1492. British were established in Bahamas long time until 10th of July in 1973 when finally Bahamas got the independence and stopped being a British colony.

14. TAP WATER IS SAFE IN BAHAMAS

Tap water is safe in Bahamas. It’s a concern always for tourists when traveling to South America or Central America about the tap water. In this case you can feel safe with tap water in Bahamas in most of the areas. You can always buy water everywhere you will find supermarkets or small shops in Bahamas.

15. ENJOYING THE NIGHTLIFE IN BAHAMAS

The nightlife  is great at Bahamas. Parties start late in the evening and everyone just loves to drink and dance the night away especially in Nassau. Plenty of locals go out to bars and clubs with parties.

Prices of drinks are around $8-10 USD. Most of the bars and clubs for partying will find in the capital of Bahamas and can charge an entrance fee of $20 USD.

16. SUNBLOCK DURING THE DAY AND MOSQUITO REPELLENT AT NIGHT

Make sure you are bringing your sunblock during the day in Bahamas when going to the beach. The weather is so hot and the sun is strong at Bahamas. At night make sure you are bringing mosquitoes repellent around sunset time when the sun goes down mosquitoes are appearing.

17. Driving on The Left Side in Bahamas

Cars are driving in the left side in Bahamas since they were British colony. If you rent a car make sure you drive in the right direction in Bahamas.

18. Street Sellers Everywhere in Bahamas

You will find street sellers in Bahamas anytime in the beach and when walking around Bahamas. Tropical fruits, coconut water and snacks you can buy from them. Street sellers will be also offering rentals like jet-ski.

19. Swimming With The Pigs in Bahamas

Have you ever dreamed of swimming with the pigs in Bahamas? You should know is one of the most popular tours in Bahamas swimming with the pigs. As we mentioned before Bahamas is so expensive and be ready to pay $170 USD per person for a half day tour to swim with the pigs.

20. Diving in Bahamas

With clear waters you should try diving in Bahamas. If you already have your Open Water prices for 1 dive is around $50 USD and maybe you can get cheaper if you buy a package. There are a lot of dive resorts in Bahamas and the sea life is amazing with so many beautiful reefs.

21. Snorkeling in Bahamas

Snorkeling in Bahamas is a must. If you are bringing your own snorkeling gear as we always do it can be free. If you are renting expect to pay around $20-40 USD for a week and if you are joining a tour for snorkeling prices are around $80 USD.

FACTS ABOUT BAHAMAS FOOD

22. Pigeon Peas And Rice

Pigeon Peas And Rice is one of the most popular Bahamas food. You will find everywhere and it can be served with meat, tomato sauce, onions and species.

23. Cracked Conch

Cracked Conch is the national dish in Bahamas. Cracked conch is made deep fried with flour and it can be served with vegetables or rice. Also cracked conch is served with ketchup or hot sauce.

24. Bahamian Stew Fish

Bahamian Stew Fish is one of the most popular dishes in Bahamas. With so much fish and seafood is a must to try fish fried or in a stew in Bahamas. The fish is fried with flour and later added to the stew with onions, spices, carrots, potatoes and tomato paste. Stew fish is served with salad or rice as side dishes.

25. Guava Duff

Guava Duff is the most popular dessert in Bahamas if you have a sweet tooth you will love it. Guava daff is a cake made of guava fruit with butter and rum.

26. Johnny Cakes

Johnny Cakes is made of corn bread, butter, flour and sugar. It’s a perfect snack in Bahamas and even served for breakfast. You can eat with sauce or just having a coffee.

27. RUM PUNCH

Rum Punch is the most popular drink in Bahamas with fruits like orange, lime or pineapple mixed with grenadine and rum. When partying in Bahamas you will see the red drink everywhere!

28. Coconut

Coconut water is a must to try in Bahamas. You will see street vendors at the beach passing by with coconut water and when you under the sun is so refreshing plus so healthy.

FESTIVALS IN BAHAMAS

29. Junkanoo And Junkanoo Carnival

Junkanoo And Junkanoo Carnival is celebrated from 26th of December to 1st of January in Nassau. You will see colorful parades with people dancing wearing costumes everywhere in the streets. As a tourist, you’ll love the cultural immersion in this Carnival.

30. Fox Hill Day Festival

Fox Hill Day Festival is celebrated on second Tuesday of August since 1838 when Bahamians emancipated from British. The festival will be celebrated in the churches , with dances and with a lot of food.

More Bahamas Travel Tips And Things To Know Before Visiting Bahamas For First Timers

Places To Visit

31. Exuma Cays Land And Sea Park Visitor Center

Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is the most popular places to visit in Bahamas. You can join with a day tour and prices are around $170 USD. Apart from swimming with the pigs you will see beautiful corals and a lot of sea life. Fishing and harvest isn’t allowed inside.

32. Nassau

Nassau is the capital of Bahamas and landing point. Most of the visitors are coming by flight or in a cruise. Nassau apart from shopping, museums and nightlife is the best starting point to visit and organizing day trips. You can also go out and enjoy local food in the restaurants at Nassau.

33. Atlantis Paradise Island

Atlantis Paradise Island is a popular luxury resort in Bahamas. You can enjoy all your stay inside the island where they organize day tours for diving and snorkeling. The most popular activity at Atlantis Paradise Island is the sharks and swordfish. Prices to stay at Atlantis Paradise Island per person is around $200-300 USD.

34. Blue Lagoon Bahamas

Blue Lagoon Island is a private island located 5 kilometers far from Nassau. The most popular activities at Blue Lagoon Island apart from enjoying the white sand beaches is watching dolphins and sea lions. If you are traveling with kids the inflatable water park is waiting for you.

35. Harbor Island

Harbor Island is popular in Bahamas because of its pink sand beaches. Harbor Island is full of resorts where you can stay, enjoy activities during the day, eat at restaurants and sipping cocktails at night. Prices are expensive and Harbor Island is a unique place in Bahamas.

Hope you liked our Bahamas travel tips. Let us know if we missed things to know before visiting Bahamas and facts about Bahamas in the comments below.

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Happy Travels!