Jamaica vs Bahamas – The Caribbean islands will always be one of the dreamiest travel destinations anyone could ever dream of visiting. For us, the Caribbean is pretty much high on our travel bucket list, with Jamaica and the Bahamas at the very top.
Let’s look at the top things to do and what to know when you are visiting so you can make a choice about Bahamas blue beaches or and adventure in Jamaica which trip to make for yourself. Read here Costa Rica vs Bahamas and best sim card for Caribbean
However, as much as they are incredibly beautiful, these islands can be pretty expensive as well. The islands are filled with exclusive resorts and restaurants, although the beauty of the beaches is just incomparable. Which one between the Bahamas vs Jamaica should you choose?
READ MORE – Related Bahamas Articles: Best Bahamas eSIM for Tourists w/ Discount Code, Best Bahamian Breakfasts to Try, Top Instagrammable Places to Visit in the Bahamas
READ MORE – Related Jamaica Articles: Best Jamaican eSIM for Tourists w/ Discount Code, Dominican Republic vs Jamaica and best Jamaica sim card
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Accommodation in the Bahamas vs Jamaica
Accommodation In Jamaica
There are dormitory rooms that you can rent the bed for as low as $20 USD a night if you want the cheapest option. AirBnb is also available, mostly for about $30-45 USD a night. Double-room hostels can cost up to $30-40 USD a night while mid-range hotels costs more or less $80 USD a night.
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Accommodation In Bahamas
There are dormitory rooms that you can rent the bed in the Bahamas as low as $30 USD a night if you want the cheapest option. AirBnb is also available, mostly for about $40-60 USD a night. Double-room hostels can cost up to $60-80 USD a night while mid-range hotels cost more or less $120 USD a night.
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Things to do in Jamaica – Jamaica vs Bahamas
1. SEVEN MILE BEACH
Seven Mile Beach is one of the most beautiful places in Jamaica with its shimmering ocean and white gold sand. The Seven Mile Beach is located near Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril, a small hamlet with a population of slightly over 3,000 residents.
Check out Activities in Jamaica
2. FLOYD’S PELICAN BAR
Floyd’s Pelican Bar is located one mile off the coast of Parottee in St. Elizabeth and won the title of the coolest bar in the Caribbean. Floyd’s Pelican Bar, a fascinating bar resembles a large bird nest fashioned from driftwood, palm leaves and coconut tree trunks and is positioned on a sandbar in the center of the azure Caribbean Sea. Dining here and posing with a cold Red Stripe in hand is pretty nice!
3. DUNN’S RIVER FALLS
Dunn’s River Falls is a living legend of Jamaica. Dunn’s River Falls, and its famous shimmering waters draw a large number of tourists and photographers. As a result, ascend the waterfall with a tourist guide who will guarantee that you have enough time to shoot amazing images and footage!
4. RICK’S CAFE – JAMAICA VS BAHAMAS
Rick’s Cafe on the West End cliffs in Negril is one of the best places to watch a Jamaican sunset. Rick’s Cafe first opened in 1974, when Negril was still a small seafaring village, but it is now a major tourist destination visited by thousands of visitors every day.
5. HOLYWELL
Holywell is a pleasant respite from Kingston’s heat, nestled in the tropical mist forests of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. The aroma of pure mountain air and pine trees fills this 330-acre “park within a park,” and the cold temperature at 900 meters or 3,000 feet above sea level allows Holywell‘s environment to maintain a vast variety of ferns, flowers, and trees that are rarely seen in other parts of Jamaica.
6. BLUE HOLE – Jamaica vs Bahamas
Blue Hole is situated into the hills just outside of Ocho Rios, is one of Jamaica’s wonderful hidden jewels. Guests can swim, cliff jump, and swing off ropes into the Blue Hole‘s turquoise waters!
7. COUPLE’S TOWER ISLE PRIVATE ISLAND – Jamaica vs Bahamas
The breathtaking views Couples Tower Isle Private Island is located in the heart of the Caribbean, surrounded by dazzling turquoise waters. White crystal sand and breathtaking scenery characterize this image scenery.
8. BAMBOO AVENUE
Bamboo Avenue is located in the parish of St Elizabeth, between Middle Quarters and Lacovia, on the main South Coast Highway. The Bamboo Avenue was established with Bambusa Vulgaris, a bamboo species that was the first to be brought to Jamaica. Bamboo Avenue is around two and a half miles long, with the tall bamboo forming a canopy over it.
9. YS FALLS
After Dunn’s River Falls, YS Falls is Jamaica’s second most popular waterfall, and it’s simple to see why. The abundance of limestone rock on the island allows for the creation of numerous beautiful, perfectly-tiered waterfalls, and YS Falls is no exception.
10. FRENCHMAN’S COVE – Jamaica vs Bahamas
Frenchman’s Cove is a secluded beach and estuary where you can swim in both fresh and salt water at the same time located in Port Antonio. Frenchman’s Cove beach earns a spot on the list thanks to its silky powder-white sand, crystal clear water and swings!
11. BLUE AND JOHN CROW MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Jamaica’s Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park is a protected area. The park is 495.2 km2 in size and comprises 4.5 percent of Jamaica’s land area. Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park biodiversity is well-known around the world. A perfect place for taking Jamaica photos.
12. BOB MARLEY MUSEUM
Bob Marley Museum is where the reggae legend used to live. Bob Marley’s home is brimming with fond memories and priceless keepsakes, all of which serve to commemorate the life and achievements of this great Jamaican singer.
13. STRAWBERRY HILL
Strawberry Hill Jamaica Luxury Resort is a mountaintop town with homes and cottages that masterfully combine colonial characteristics with architect Ann Hodges’ modern ideas. Nature is all around you!
14. REACH FALLS
Reach Falls are a succession of lovely falls down the Driver’s River. Reach Falls was first found centuries ago by runaway slaves seeking shelter in the John Crow Mountains from plantations in the neighboring parish of St. Thomas.
15. EMANCIPATION PARK
In Kingston, Jamaica, Emancipation Park is a public park. Emancipation Park, which is located in New Kingston, was inaugurated on July 31, 2002, the day before Emancipation Day. The Norman Manley International Airport is about a 30-minute drive from Emancipation Park.
16. MARTHA BRAE RIVER – Jamaica vs Bahamas
Martha Brae River is located in Trelawny Parish on Jamaica’s north coast, snakes its way through the lush rainforest. Jamaica photography at Martha Brae River will be amazing with these clear blue waters.
17. NEGRIL
Negril is a city in Jamaica’s west coast. Negril is famous for miles of sandy beaches in small bays with calm, turquoise waters. If you like taking Jamaica photos Negril is one of the Jamaica tourist spots and people love it so much.
18. MONTEGO BAY – JAMAICA VS BAHAMAS
Montego Bay is the capital of Jamaica’s parish of St. James. By population, the Montego Bay is the fourth-largest in the country. Doctor’s Cave Beach and Walter Fletcher Beach, which has an amusement park, are two popular beaches. Montego Bay is amazing to have Jamaica photography if you love blue waters and beaches.
19. SOMERSET FALLS – JAMAICA VS BAHAMAS
Somerset Falls is a lovely cascade, but in comparison to Hidden Falls and the cave-like grotto it falls into, we’d argue that it’s more of a side attraction. A shelter with picnic tables was located above the lower cascades in the Somerset Falls region, immediately downstream of a wide and colorful pool into which the main waterfall poured.
20. REGAE FALLS
Reggae Falls, also known as Dam Head, is a hidden gem nestled in the steep rural town of Hillside, Saint Thomas. Reggae Falls isn’t fully natural because the Johnson River, which feeds it, was once used to power a hydroelectric power plant.
21. MAYFIELD FALLS
Mayfield Falls is just one of those falls where we had to keep our expectations in check. Mayfield Falls allows to take a shower at its foot or even get behind its water curtain.
22. ROSE HALL GREAT HOUSE
Rose Hall Great House is one the most famous houses in Jamaica. Rose Hall Great House was built in 1770 and provides the perfect backdrop for your Jamaican photography, as well as some interesting history.
23. HELLSHIRE BEACH
Hellshire Beach is the exquisite tropical getaway you’ve always imagined. In Hellshire Beach, the picnic facilities and seating places are excellent! Relaxing on the sand or picnic mats allows you to take in the splendor of tropical nature and the ocean. In Hellshire Beach, you’ll most likely take your most popular Jamaica photography!
24. WINNIFRED BEACH
In Portland, Jamaica, Winifred Beach is a popular local public beach. With local food vendors, donkey rides, and a lovely beach, Winifred Beach offers a completely unique Jamaican experience.
25. OCHO RIOS – JAMAICA VS BAHAMAS
Ocho Rios is a port city on Jamaica’s north coast. Ocho Rios is currently a resort with a cruise ship dock and a busy bay beach flanked with hotels, and it was formerly a fishing community. Ocho Rios can be a great place to take photos of Jamaica and at the same time relaxing in their luxury resorts.
26. PORT ANTONIO
Port Antonio is the municipality of Portland Parish and is located on Jamaica’s northeast coast. Port Antonio is noted for being a jumping off point for adjacent tropical jungles, mountains, and waterfalls!
27. SPANISH BRIDGE
Spanish bridge was erected in the 17th century and flanked by shaded trees and enormous bamboo, hangs over a languid bend in the river. If you’re feeling courageous, there’s a rope swing off the bridge that’s higher than it appears, or you can watch the local lads show off their tricks.
28. MOON PALACE RESORT
Moon Palace Resort Jamaica features several of the Palace Resorts’ hallmark facilities. Moon Palace Resort Jamaica has four pools, one of which is for children, as well as a Flowrider Double Wave Simulator, a swim-up bar, a youth club, a nightclub, a teens restaurant, a fitness center, and an Amazement Spa.
29. KINGSTON
Kingston is the capital of Jamaica, and it is located on the island’s southeast coast. Despite its many commercial opportunities, Kingston’s resort region is also noted for its cultural, educational, and leisure offerings. More museums, food and nightlife alternatives, and event opportunities are available here than everywhere else on the island.
30. TRIDENT CASTLE
Trident Castle is standing above the pure blue Caribbean Sea in front of the Blue Mountains, is a sight to behold. Trident Castle, which was erected for Baroness Elizabeth Siglindy Stephan von Thyssen, is now a costly vacation residence that world-class athletes, well-known politicians, and prominent movie stars rent for thousands of dollars.
31. FORT CHARLES
Fort Charles was built by Jamaicans in the mid-seventeenth century. For decades, Fort Charles guarded Jamaica’s coastal borders. Many kings, aristocrats, and rulers have passed through Fort Charles.
32. PORT ROYAL – JAMAICA VS BAHAMAS
Port Royal is located in Kingston Harbour. Port Royal is a beautiful tourist spot that you can’t miss. If you love history you will learn about the importance of Port Royal in the Spaniard time and it was destroyed by an earthqake on 7th of June 1692.
33. 41 FLEET STREET
The vibrant murals on the walls of 41 Fleet Street in downtown Kingston have turned this odd location into a popular tourist destination. These eye-catching artworks make for a worthy spot, so nice!
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Things to do in the Bahamas – Jamaica vs Bahamas
The Bahamas is much larger than – It has a different white sand beach to visit each day of your trip.
Ever wanted to swim with pigs? That’s possible with a trip to the Bahamas! Visit the Pig Beach on Big Major Cay, where pigs swim freely on the beach of this uninhabited island.
Want to see remarkable ocean life? Also another popular thing to do in the Bahamas! Visit Exumas Cay Land and Sea Park for a jaw-dropping snorkeling experience.
In addition to never-ending beaches, the Bahamas is very focused on its visitors. There is no shortage of tourist attractions, such as guided tours on ATVs or boats, venues with giant water slides, and restaurants with unique seafood offerings. It is a tourist paradise, with a new activity anywhere you look.
Things to do when you’re enjoying a trip in The Bahamas (Jamaica vs Bahamas)
- Enjoy Caribbean beauty on Pink Sands Beach
- Swim with dolphins on Blue Lagoon Island
- Ride the slides at Paradise Island Water Park
- Go beachcombing and caving in the Lucayan National Park
- Shop till you drop in Port Lucaya Marketplace
- Check out the amenities on Cable Beach
- Tour Eleuthera Island from head to toe
- Sip coconuts at Tiki Bikini Hut
- Cruise Castaway Cay
- Devour the Fish Fry on Arawak Cay
- Take in the views from Stocking Island
- Dive the waters around Andros
- Meet the rays on the Stingray Adventure
- Spot the monstrous ships on Prince George Wharf
- Sample the delights of John Watling’s Distillery
Let’s take a deeper look at some of the activities that will make your Bahamian vacation a dream come true.
1. NURSE SHARKS OF COMPASS CAY – Jamaica vs Bahamas
There’s nothing more popular than the nursing sharks in Compass Cay, Bahamas. Nurse sharks are just a mix of wild and beautiful. They are supposedly a predator species (because sharks, right?), however nurse sharks are these calm fishes just swimming by the bay and it’s just too tempting to take a picture with them, with the crystal blue Bahamas waters. Apparently you can even hear them make squealing sounds if you’re swimming near them.
Compass Cay is a private island in the Outer Exemas. From Staniel Cay, you will mostly need a bigger private boat to go to this island. Just be wary to not feel menacing to the fishes. Although it happens rarely, they can still bite / attack. Although nursing sharks are known worldwide as the quiet ones of their species.
2. PABLO ESCOBAR’S SUNKEN PLANE
Wreckage are popular dive sites and photography targets everywhere, and the Pablo Escobar Plane Wreck Dive Site is not immune to this. Divers and swimmers of all levels visit the area to take their viral shot, or even just to memorialize such a beautiful moment.
You will find the Pablo Escobar Plane Wreck Dive Site in Norman’s Cay, pretty far away from everything else so it’ll be an effort just to reach this area itself. This plane wreck is actually a sunken WWII military transport plane that was once used to help fuel Pablo Escobar’s cocaine trade to the United States. A runway was previously built here to support the trade, however the accident happen in 1980. A Curtiss C-46 Commando, registration N355BY mislanding. You’ll see it in a shallow sandbank which can be an easy snorkel, and yes, very big and popular photography spot when in The Bahamas.
3. Ocean Atlas
The Ocean Atlas just off the coast of Nassau, Bahamas is the world’s largest underwater sculpture. Created by Jason de Caires Taylor, the Ocean Atlas was created for coral colonization, and to stop tourists from going to some of the island’s endangered reefs. The monument of Ocean Atlas, a girl statue submerged in water, is crated from sustainable materials to help promote local coral growth. The art itself was created as a portrayal of humankind’s interaction with the natural world.
The Ocean Atlas is located off the west coast of New Providence in Nassau. Atlas is from Greek mythology, one of the Titans who was condemned to carry the heavens on his back for the whole of eternity.
4. Coco Plum Beach
Coco Plum Beach is another beautiful gem in the Bahamas. This white sand beach is located in the northeastern area of Great Exuma. This beach is also known for great shelling and sand dollars during low tide.
5. Pig Beach
If you search Bahamas pictures on the internet, you have probably seem The Bahamas crystalline blue waters, with a tourist, surrounded by cute pigs. Yes, this is the Bahamas popular, the Pig Beach of Exumas. The pigs can be found in Exuma’s Big Major Cay, which is an uninhabited island in the Bahamas. It’s really funny when you find out that these pigs are here, and no one knows how they started to be in the island.
Some stories will say they were left there by some sailors to be cooked later, and others say they swam to the island from a nearby shipwreck. However these cute creatures started to stay in the island, now they are there living an easy life, and becoming popular around the world, one vacation day at a time.
6. The Musician
The Musician is another full-scale statue in the Bahamas that is popular and well sought out for photography sessions. It’s a mermaid and a piano sculpture. The piano left underwater by David Copperfield. You’ll find this photography gem in Rudder Cut Cay, in The Bahamas.
7. Nipper’s Beach Bar and Grill
The Nipper’s Beach Bar and Grill is considered one of the best beach bars in the world. And of course, it is in The Bahamas. But what makes the Nipper’s Beach Bar and Grill one of the best?
The Bahamas is one of the most popular destinations for vacation in the world, and celebrities and high profile people go a lot here, too. Nipper’s Beach Bar and Grill has such an amazing location that just very near the beach bar itself is just a wide uninhabited beach, white sand and crystalline blue waters, with a lot of healthy reef that you can easily snorkel to when you’re looking to spend some time and do an activity. This area of the Bahamas in Great Guana Cay, Abaco Islands.
Nipper’s Beach Bar and Grill itself of popular, colorful and vibrant. And if you’re looking for a celebrity spotting? You’ll mostly be lucky visiting here. Definitely one of the best places in the Bahamas (and in the world), for a beach party.
They serve international and delicious Caribbean and Bahamian cuisine and you can easily order cracked conch, jumbo fried shrimp and sauteed grouper here. If you are visiting on a Sunday, they have their ongoing and very popular pig roast buffets and this always draws a big crowd.
8. Glass Window Bridge
The Glass Window Bridge of The Bahamas is that breathtaking view where you can actually see the separation of the Atlantic ocean on one side of the road and the Bight of Eleuthera (people often mistake the side of the Caribbean Sea) on the other side. These two beauties are separated by a 30-feet wide strip of rock. This bridge is actually given the name, The Narrowest Place on Earth. This bridge is located in Queen’s Highway, which runs the length of Eleuthera.
The original stone arch has been destroyed by hurricanes, bur the bridge name continued. This bridge connects the North Island to the South Island, and a few times strong waves can hit it unexpectedly, so driving cautiously in this small strip of bridge is highly suggested.
9. Tiger Beach
Now going to the West End of Grand Bahama Island, we look at the infamous Tiger Beach, where scuba diving with sharks are very popular. The Tiger Beach is one of the few places in the whole world where you can actually dive with Tiger Sharks. The exact spot where you can actually find several species of sharks is about 20 miles off the West End coast.
Before adding the Tiger Beach to your itinerary, check in with your dive company and diving instructors if they will require you to have a diving certification. Some companies might require you to have the open water certification while others will require you to even have the advance open water certification.
The waters in the Bahamas are warm all throughout the year which makes booking the Tiger Sharks dive experience doable any time, however a lot of people prefer October to January which is the breeding season of the Tiger Sharks. This is a time where a lot of the sharks will be circling around. The reef in this area is also incredible, so you’ll see more amazing marine life, in addition to the sharks, even possibly dolphins!
10. Atlantis Paradise Island
Atlantis Paradise Island is the most popular vacation resort in the whole of The Bahamas. Atlantis Paradise Island is home to the largest open-air habitat in the world with 14 lagoons, and 50,000+ aquatic animals of roughly over 250 marine species. It’s a popular destination not only for families, but even to all types of travelers. It has a 141-acre Aquaventure for lots of water slides and fun activities and have lots of snorkeling excursions. The Atlantis Paradise Resort is located on Paradise Island in The Bahamas, which is just across the bridge from downtown Nassau.
You do have a few price options when staying here, with current room rates starting at $189 per night. It can be quite pricey, however, The Bahamas is really known as a all out vacation destination so definitely something to plan properly with the whole family or with your whole crew.
11. Pink Sand Beach
Pink Sand Beaches – now that’s something unique! The Pink Sand Beach in The Bahamas is found along the eastern Atlantic Ocean side of Harbour Island. What makes this sandy beach pink? The pink color comes from microscopic coral insects, Foraminifera, which have a bright pink or red shell full of holes.
These creatures live on the underside of the reefs, like the nearby Devil’s Backbone, on the sea floors, beneath the rocks and in the caves. The good thing is that the sand in Bahamas Pink San Beach is always cool so that any time of the day you can walk around barefoot, on this beautiful beach.
12. Chat N Chill
Chat N Chill is another popular restaurant in The Bahamas, and you might just want to add it to your Bahamas experience. Enjoying amazing Caribbean cuisine while close to activities like feeding stingrays swimming across the shore and watching Chat N Chill staff crack and remove conch to make fresh conch salad are just some of the things you can enjoy here.
Located in Stocking Island, add the Chat N Chill to your itinerary if grills and beach bars are something you wanna experience in the breathtaking Bahamas Islands.
13. Queen’s Staircase
The Queen’s Staircase also known as the 66 steps, is one of Nassau’s major landmarks. It is located in the Fort Fincastle Historic Complex in Nassau. Just the history around this staircase is pretty surprising as it is made from solid limestone rock by slaves between 1793 and 1794 and it is said that it provided a direct route from Fort Fincastle to Nassau City. The Queen’s Staircase is named after Queen Victoria of Britain.
14. Thunderball Grotto
With Bahamas blue waters come a very beautiful cave system, which is the Thunderball Grotto Bahamas. This underwater cave can be found just west of Staniel Cay and is popular for diving, snorkelling, nad wading. There is so much exotic marine life here, and what makes it very interesting is its small, hidden entrance. When going here, it is advised to enter the cave during ebb tide or at low tide time, when snorkeling gear is optional,
15. 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.
16. HARBOR ISLAND
Harbor Island is a popular in Bahamas because of its pink sand beaches. Harbor Island is full of resorts where you can stay, enjoy activities during the day, eating at the restaurants and sipping cocktails at night. Prices are expensive and Harbor Island is a unique place in Bahamas.
17. 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.
18. LITTLE PIPE CAY – Jamaica vs Bahamas
If you’re planning an even extra luxury in the already luxurious and beautiful Bahamas, you might just want to spend it in Little Pipe Cay – a 38-acre private island retreat in the Bahamas. To get here you’ll need to take a sea plane from the airport of Nassau. Get ready for some barefoot luxury, a retreat and to be just away from everything and be surrounded by a complete beauty.
19. Tour Eleuthera Island
Final Thoughts – Jamaica vs Bahamas
While the beaches of the Bahamas islands are hard to beat, Jamaica is a perfect adventure vacation. If you have the money to spend the Bahamas is for you. And if you love the adventure you will have to go to Jamaica!
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Happy Travels!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.