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Bahamas TRAVEL GUIDE AND DEALS

Easily accessible at only 50 miles from Florida, The Bahamas still feels wonderfully remote. Each of the 700 islands has its own personality, though popular activities like fishing, diving, and sunbathing are enjoyed nationwide.

Why Go

Easily accessible from the U.S., this affordable cruise-ship destination is ideal for all-inclusive vacationers.

Bahamas Travel Guide: Deals to Bahamas | Bahamas Editor Picks | Bahamas Smart Splurges | Bahamas Great Values | Bahamas Hotels | Bahamas Restaurants | Things to do in Bahamas | Bahamas Itineraries | When to go to Bahamas | Getting to Bahamas | Bahamas Local Tips | Bahamas Cities and Islands | Bahamas Additional Resources

See Also: Caribbean and Bermuda

$118+: Mex. & Carib. fares w/$10 off (round-trip) CheapOair

$96/nt+: All-inclusive Grand Bahama Island resort CheapCaribbean.com

Two days free at all-inclusive resorts Club Med

$86/nt+: All-inclusive Bahamas & Curacao resorts SuperClubs

$125/nt+: Deluxe resort getaways in the Bahamas Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

$575+: Bahamas 3-nt resort getaway w/flight Pleasant Holidays

$575+: Chic Bahamas beach resort getaways Pleasant Holidays

Up to $500 off: Luxe Bahamas beach resort vacations Pleasant Holidays

$579+: Sunny Jamaica 3-nt all-inclusive vacation Pleasant Holidays

Up to 500% off: Bahamas getaways w/airfare & more Pleasant Holidays

$675+: Dominican Republic 3-nt vacations w/all meals Pleasant Holidays

$415+: 4-day Wyndham Nassau Resort trip with airfare Orbitz

$564+: Pelican Bay 3-nt resort trips with flight Orbitz

$264+: Weeklong Bahamas cruise from Charleston Cruise.com

$139+: Quick 3-nt oceanview Bahamas cruise CruisesOnly

Up to 75% off: Last-min cruises to Caribbean & more VacationsToGo.com

$499+: Last-min Bahamas & Florida cruise from NYC Vacation Outlet

$139+: Bahamas cruise this February on Norwegian VacationsToGo.com

$179+: Quick Bahamas cruise w/private island stop VacationsToGo.com

$299+: Holiday cruises to popular ports Orbitz

76% off: Caribbean 7-day cruise on Carnival Valor VacationsToGo.com

Bahamas Hotels

Massive resorts dominate Paradise Island, especially along Nassau and Cable Beach where new properties and renovations are commonplace and existing hotels continue to attract visitors in droves (the Atlantis instantly springs to mind). Grand Bahama Island is another hotspot for mega-resorts and while there isn’t as much new development taking place here, many of the popular properties are in the process of receiving a facelift. Those who are willing to jump off the beaten tourist track and explore less developed areas like the Out Islands, will find a far greater range of accommodations, from boutique eco-resorts (these are especially plentiful on the Eleuthera island chain) to private cays reminiscent of a cartoon paradise with a single hotel. Be careful when selecting a hotel, however, as it is not always easy to jump from island to island in the Bahamas. Nightlife-seekers will be happiest on Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island; adventure-types and outdoor lovers will do better in the Out Islands.

= Smart Splurge

= Great Value

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LUXURY
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HIP & TRENDY

Abaco Inn
Located on Elbow Cay, one of the Abaco islands not far from Grand Bahama, the Abaco Inn seems worlds away from civilization.... beach | views

Bell Channel Inn
Chances are if you come to the Bell Channel Inn, you’re here to dive. The 31 rooms - very Palm Beach motel - lookout... diving

Bimini Big Game Resort
If you consider yourself an angler, you have probably heard about this place. For six decades many of the world’s best... great value | fishing | sports

Xanadu Beach Hotel
Xanadu was once the home of billionaire Howard Hughes, though he probably wouldn’t recognize it today. The 85 brightly... beach | great value

Kamalame Cay
This 96-acre private island hideaway just east of Andros Island attracts wealthy adventurous types from across the globe, who... smart splurge | all-inclusive | expensive | water sports | editor pick

The Landing
This stylish boutique hotel is owned by India Hicks, who is the daughter of British designer David Hicks, part English... boutique | trendy | views | great value | editor pick

Old Bahama Bay
A member of Ginn Resorts and the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Old Bahama Bay at Ginn sur Mer is an upscale, family... family

Romora Bay
The site of frequent catalogue photo shoots, quaint Romora Bay is a collection of small cottages on a sloping hillside.... charm

The Cove Eleuthera
The 26 relaxed, island-style bungalows at The Cove are set on 27 acres fronting the most breathtaking pink sand beach in the... beach | great value | waterfront | editor pick

Abaco Inn
Located on Elbow Cay, one of the Abaco islands not far from Grand Bahama, the Abaco Inn seems worlds away from civilization.... beach | views

Bell Channel Inn
Chances are if you come to the Bell Channel Inn, you’re here to dive. The 31 rooms - very Palm Beach motel - lookout... diving

Bimini Big Game Resort
If you consider yourself an angler, you have probably heard about this place. For six decades many of the world’s best... great value | fishing | sports

Xanadu Beach Hotel
Xanadu was once the home of billionaire Howard Hughes, though he probably wouldn’t recognize it today. The 85 brightly... beach | great value

The Landing
This stylish boutique hotel is owned by India Hicks, who is the daughter of British designer David Hicks, part English... moderate | boutique | views | great value | editor pick

Old Bahama Bay
A member of Ginn Resorts and the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Old Bahama Bay at Ginn sur Mer is an upscale, family... family

Romora Bay
The site of frequent catalogue photo shoots, quaint Romora Bay is a collection of small cottages on a sloping hillside.... charm

The Cove Eleuthera
The 26 relaxed, island-style bungalows at The Cove are set on 27 acres fronting the most breathtaking pink sand beach in the... beach | great value | waterfront | editor pick

The Landing
This stylish boutique hotel is owned by India Hicks, who is the daughter of British designer David Hicks, part English... boutique | trendy | views | great value | editor pick

Bahamas Restaurants

Local color and street food is more prevalent in Nassau, but you can still get a good feel for the local vibe on the Out Islands. While Harbour Island is going the way of St. Barts with fancy gourmet menus and exotic themed dining rooms, rustic local fare and beach shacks with fried grouper sandwiches are still prevalent whichever way you look. Obviously, seafood plays a starring role wherever you go in the Bahamas. Call ahead during the autumn slow season to verify that your restaurant of choice is open as many establishment close during this period.

= Smart Splurge

= Great Value

ALL
EXPENSIVE
MODERATE
BUDGET

Ma Ruby's
This popular local dive in the Tinghum Village Hotel dishes out authentic Bahamian fare alongside American favorites like... dive bar

Mate & Jenny's Pizza Restaurant & Bar
This unassuming local place is one of the few places you will ever find that serves conch pizza. Too adventurous? Stick with...

Pub at Lucaya
British pub fare like Sheppard’s Pie and fish and chips the standouts at this bustling bar and grill in the center of... seafood | pub

Seaview Takeaway
This bright pink seafood shack, the first one off the government dock, has been beloved by all walks of life for decades for... editor pick

Nippers Beach Bar & Grill
Perched on a 40-foot sand dune on a small cay near Great Abaco, this extremely happening bar and grill is always the place to... great value | seafood | local favorite

Pisces
Bahamian-Italian would best categorize this popular, nautical themed restaurant in the Port Lucaya Marketplace, a favorite of... seafood | italian | pizza

The Stoned Crab
Open since 1968, this independent, Swiss-owned, Bahamian eatery is located in a pyramid shaped building that’s... great value

Tippy's
Tourists and local Eleutherans alike frequent Tippy’s, the beachside shack with a refined menu from Austrian chef Peter... seafood | local favorite

Rock House Restaurant
Located in a trendy hotel of the same name, the Rock House’s eclectic international menu seems imported straight from... smart splurge | trendy

Sip Sip
Named after the local slang for gossip and a drink, Sip Sip, opened in 2003, on a dune above a three-mile-long beach is the... seafood

The Landing Restaurant
Australian chef Ken Gomes's contemporary menu at The Landing has drawn accolades from as far a field as the New York Times.... trendy

Wally's
The main dining area on the porch of an elegant colonial villa in Marsh Harbour is charming all by itself, but the highlight... restaurants | editor pick