The Bahamas is one of those islands that was on my list of places to visit, and therefore it was very exciting to finally get there and experience it! It was a great place and didn’t disappoint.

The Bahamas has a reputation for being expensive, which is the same for quite a few of the Carribean islands. This is because a lot of what they sell and use in the Bahamas is imported in. It is true that the Bahamas is expensive, but it is completely possible to enjoy the Bahamas on a budget too.

Overview of Nassau

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, located on New Providence Island, and is the cultural and economic hub of the country.

Nassau has a tropical climate, which means it is a great year-round destination for travelers.

Nassau is frequently visited by cruise ships – several ships visit there every day.  It is a great place for bars and restaurants, shopping, and short excursions (see more details below in my personal insights for more details on Nassau and cruise ships and passengers).

Top Attractions in Nassau

Queen’s Staircase: A historical landmark with 66 limestone steps carved in the late 1700s by enslaved people.

Fort Fincastle: Offers panoramic views of Nassau and insight into its colonial history.

Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre: Famous for its marching flamingos and native wildlife.

Junkanoo Beach: A lively public beach close to downtown Nassau, ideal for relaxation and mingling with locals.

Where to Stay in Nassau

There are numerous hotels and resorts around Nassau.

If you want to stay in the heart of Nassau, there are several hotels and resorts to choose from.

We chose a hotel that was in downtown Nassau because we wanted to experience some of the culture of the place that we were visiting. We love to visit museums, local restaurants, and local sights. While I love laying on a beach or by a pool, no vacation is complete for me without some cultural activities.

The hotel we chose was the British Colonial hotel.  It appealed to us as it was an old historic hotel (dating from the turn of the century).  The hotel didn’t disappoint – we had a lovely stay there, it was well run, and we met some fabulous people there.  You can see my complete review of the British Colonial Hotel here.

However, as I will detail below in my personal insights, if you want a place that is more lively at night, you might not want to stay in downtown Nassau.

Paradise Island
Paradise Island is home to the Atlantis Resort, which is a lush oceanside resort, with its famous Aquaventure water park, casinos, and marine habitats.

The resort has 5 distinct hotels to choose to stay at, ranging from family hotels to more luxurious ones.

Bahar Mar
Bahar Mar has 3 different oceanfront hotels to choose from, world class dining options, casino, a water park, clubs and more.

Cultural Highlights of Nassau

Junkanoo Festival: A vibrant Bahamian festival with colorful costumes, music, and dance, traditionally celebrated on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Art and Museums: Visit the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas and the Pompey Museum for insights into Bahamian history and culture.

Local Cuisine in Nassau

Traditional Dishes:
Bahamian cuisine is a flavorful fusion of African, Caribbean, and European influences, with an emphasis on fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and bold spices.

The Bahamas is surrounded by crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, so it’s no surprise that seafood is a cornerstone of its cuisine.

Conch Dishes:
Conch Salad: A refreshing, ceviche-style dish made with diced raw conch (a type of large sea snail), lime juice, orange juice, tomatoes, onions, and green peppers. It’s light, zesty, and perfect for a hot day.
Cracked Conch: Thinly sliced conch meat, battered, and deep-fried until crispy. Often served with a side of tangy dipping sauce.
Conch Fritters: A popular appetizer made by mixing chopped conch meat into a seasoned batter, deep-fried to golden perfection.

Bahamian Rock Lobster:

A local delicacy, these spiny lobsters are typically grilled or steamed and served with melted butter and lemon.

Boiled Fish:

A traditional Bahamian breakfast dish made with flaky white fish (often grouper or snapper), simmered in a broth with onions, celery, and lime juice. Served with Johnny cake or grits.

Steamed Crab:

Fresh crab meat cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce with onions, bell peppers, and herbs.

Peas and Rice:

A flavorful mix of pigeon peas, white rice, tomatoes, onions, and spices, often cooked with salt pork or bacon. This dish is a staple in nearly every Bahamian meal.

Johnny Cake:

A dense, slightly sweet bread made with flour, sugar, butter, and milk. It’s perfect for soaking up stews and sauces.

Macaroni and Cheese:

A Bahamian twist on the classic comfort food, baked with cheese, evaporated milk, and often a hint of spicy mustard or hot sauce.

Souse:

A light and tangy soup made with chicken, pork, or sheep’s tongue, flavored with lime, allspice, and onions. It’s a popular remedy for hangovers!|

Stew Fish:

A rich and hearty dish featuring fish cooked in a thick gravy made with tomatoes, onions, and a touch of flour for thickness. Served with grits or Johnny cake.

Guava Duff:

A unique Bahamian dessert, but it deserves mention here. It’s a steamed dough filled with sweet guava fruit and served with a rum or vanilla sauce.

Bahamian Chicken Curry:

Inspired by Caribbean and Indian influences, this dish features chicken simmered in a fragrant curry sauce with potatoes and carrots, served over rice.

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Street Food and Snacks

Bahamian Hot Patties:

Similar to Jamaican patties, these are flaky pastries filled with spiced beef, chicken, or vegetables.

Bahamian Coconut Bread:

A slightly sweet bread flavored with shredded coconut and nutmeg.

Tamarind Balls:

A sweet and tangy treat made from tamarind pulp, rolled in sugar.

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Desserts

Guava Duff:

A beloved dessert made with guava and dough, steamed or boiled, and topped with a rich rum or brandy sauce.

Coconut Tart:

A sweet pastry filled with shredded coconut, sugar, and spices.

Benny Cake:

A simple yet delightful treat made with toasted sesame seeds and sugar syrup.

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Signature Bahamian Drinks

Goombay Punch:

A popular soft drink with a sweet pineapple flavor.

Bahama Mama:

A tropical cocktail made with rum, coconut rum, grenadine, pineapple juice, and orange juice.

Sky Juice:

A traditional Bahamian drink combining gin, coconut water, and sweetened condensed milk, often garnished with nutmeg.

Kalik and Sands Beer:

Kalik is known as the “beer of the Bahamas,” and Sands is another locally brewed favorite.

Rum and Cocktails:

Highlight the Nassau Rum Distillery and signature cocktails like the Bahama Mama or Goombay Smash.

Outdoor Activities in Nassau

Snorkeling and Diving: Nassau is surrounded by coral reefs, shipwrecks, and marine life, making it a diving paradise.

Blue Lagoon Island: Offers opportunities for dolphin encounters, kayaking, and beach relaxation.

Day Trips: Explore nearby islands like the Exumas for their iconic swimming pigs or pristine beaches.

Shopping and Souvenirs in Nassau

Straw Market
The Straw Market in Nassau is a vibrant, energetic, and bustling marketplace located in the heart of downtown Nassau, along Bay Street (Nassau’s main commercial hub). It is one of the most iconic and must-visit spots for travelers looking to experience authentic Bahamian culture, crafts, and flavors. Vendors are constantly calling out to shoppers, and there is a lot of noise and music!

The Straw Market is a short walk from the Nassau Cruise Port, making it a popular destination for cruise passengers. Its central location makes it easily accessible for tourists staying in Nassau or Paradise Island. It’s surrounded by other attractions such as the Queen’s Staircase, Fort Fincastle, and Junkanoo Beach.

The Straw Market is a treasure trove of locally made crafts, souvenirs, and Bahamian goods. That includes straw goods (from where the market got its name), which are handcrafted straw items, including hats, handbags, and baskets.

It is also a good place for souvenirs and gifts – including t-shirts, beachwear, keychains, magnets, shell jewelry, conch shell ornaments, and carved wooden figurines. Local artists also sell paintings, prints and sculptures, and there are many hand-carved wooden items to purchase.

You can also find some local food and spices at the Straw Market, including hot sauces, Bahamian spices, and guava hames.  Vendors also sell coconut candies and tropical fruits.

Tips for visiting The Straw Market:
Bring Cash. Many vendors do accept credit cards, but cash – both US and Bahamian dollars – is much preferred.
Be Prepared to Haggle.  Haggling is very much part of the culture at the Straw Market. Vendors expect it, and don’t be off-put by it.  Start with a lower price, but be respectful of the vendor’s work and their living to be made.
Go Early.  Visiting earlier in the day means fewer crowds and the best selection of items.
Take Water. It gets very hot inside the Straw Market.

Practical Travel Tips for Nassau

Getting Around: It is very easy to get around Nassau – taxis are frequent and affordable.

Currency:  Nassau, as the rest of the Bahamas, uses the Bahamian Dollar, which is on par with the U.S. Dollar.  Both are widely accepted.  Most people seem to use US dollars.

Language: English is the official language, making communication easy for most travelers.

Airport. The Lyndon Pindling International Airport serves Nassau and The Bahamas.  The airport is a short drive to most of the hotels and resorts.  It does offer TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry.  There is also a small food court with many different food offerings, and Duty Free shopping.

Passports. Everyone entering The Bahamas needs to have a valid passport.  Make sure that your passport has not expired 6 months before your trip.  US and Canadian visitors will need a passport for The Bahamas, as will the rest of the world.

Fun Facts About Nassau

Pirate History
Nassau was once a haven for pirates in the 18th century and is home to the Pirates of Nassau Museum.  Nassau’s pirate history is one of its most fascinating and colorful aspects, adding a layer of intrigue to its sunny shores.

In the early 18th century, Nassau became a notorious stronghold for pirates during the Golden Age of Piracy (roughly 1690–1720). The city’s strategic location near major shipping routes made it an ideal base for raiding merchant ships traveling between Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean.

Nassau earned the nickname “The Republic of Pirates” as it became a self-proclaimed pirate republic, ruled more by pirate codes than by colonial laws. At its height, the pirate population in Nassau rivaled or exceeded that of the local civilian population.

Several infamous pirates made Nassau their home:

Blackbeard (Edward Teach): Perhaps the most feared pirate of all time, Blackbeard used Nassau as a base for his operations in the Atlantic and Caribbean.
Charles Vane: A ruthless pirate who frequently clashed with colonial powers, Vane’s leadership helped establish Nassau as a pirate stronghold.
Anne Bonny and Mary Read: Two of the most famous female pirates in history, who were active in the area and associated with pirate crews operating out of Nassau.

The Bahamian government was weak during this period, allowing pirates to flourish. Governors often turned a blind eye to piracy in exchange for bribes or out of fear of retaliation.

Nassau’s economy was fueled by piracy. Stolen goods, including gold, silver, and valuable cargo, were traded or sold in the town, enriching local merchants and residents.

In 1718, the British Crown decided to restore order in the Bahamas. Woodes Rogers, a former privateer, was appointed the first Royal Governor of the Bahamas. Rogers arrived in Nassau with a fleet of warships and declared a pardon for pirates willing to surrender and renounce piracy (The King’s Pardon). Many pirates accepted, but others, like Charles Vane, resisted and fled.

Today you can visit the Pirates of Nassau Museum, which is located in the heart of downtown Nassau. This is an interactive museum that brings the city’s pirate history to life. You can explore a replica pirate ship, learn about the daily lives of pirates, and delve into the lore of famous pirates such as Blackbeard and Anne Bonny.

Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle, and Fort Montagu were built to protect Nassau from pirate attacks and later from other threats. These forts now stand as reminders of the island’s turbulent history.

Nassau’s pirate history continues to inspire festivals, stories, and tourism. Visitors can enjoy pirate-themed tours, reenactments, and even pirate-inspired cocktails at local bars.

James Bond Connection: Nassau has been featured in several James Bond films, including Thunderball and Casino Royale.  The British Colonial Hotel is one of the places that was featured in James Bond movies.

Colorful Buildings: Downtown Nassau is known for its pastel-colored colonial architecture.

Sustainability and Responsible Travel

Atlantis Paradise Island is committed to the sustainability, revitalization, and education of the thriving waters and marine life in The Bahamas. The Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, the resort’s private non-profit 501(c)3 organization is dedicated to saving sea species and their extraordinary habitats throughout the Bahamas and surrounding Caribbean seas. The Foundation fosters the preservation and conservation of coral reefs, sea turtles, sharks, manatees, cetaceans, and their Bahamian ecosystems, through scientific research, education, and community outreach.

My Personal Insights of the Bahamas

Downtown Nassau was a little disappointing for us.  Reading up on the downtown area of Nassau prior to booking in all kinds of information sources and guides to Nassau, I really thought that we were going to get a quaint little town, still full of the politeness of its colonial past, whilst reveling in its unique soul and culture.

I could imagine us slipping out during the day for shopping trips, and sitting outside cafes enjoying a drink whilst watching the world go by.  I also imagined a great nightlife – with bars and restaurants to take our pick from.

But what we actually experienced of downtown Nassau was a somewhat dull place that was really aimed at pleasing cruise passengers during the day, and was pretty much shut up at night.

Downtown Nassau sees around an average of up to 6 or so cruise ships every day. They usually arrive mid to late morning, and then they are gone by late afternoon.  All those cruise ships tip out their passengers, who all find their way around the downtown area.

Those passengers need to eat and drink. They want to buy Duty Free goods at all the numerous Duty Free shops throughout the downtown area, and they want to shop for souvenirs.  Some of them do make their way further afield than downtown, but the majority of passengers spend their time there, until the horns blow notifying them its almost time to get back on ship!

Therefore all the shops and restaurants downtown are catering to these cruise passengers.  Then once they leave, they literally shut up shop. There are a few restaurants and bars open at night, but most are closed, having served cruise passengers all day.

When I visit Nassau again, I plan on staying somewhere like the Atlantis resort, or similar resort around Nassau and Paradise Island. Those resorts have entertainment, bars and restaurants, casinos, shopping and more that would allow for more variety and things to do in the evenings.