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Destinations / Bahamas

Nassau

Pastel colonial streets and turquoise island waters

beachesfamiliescouplesluxury
Plan your trip to NassauSee the top 10
296,732Population
300,000Metro area
EnglishLanguage
BSDCurrency
5 daysIdeal stay
$250-400Typical day

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas on New Providence Island, a busy cruise port with pastel colonial buildings and beautiful beaches. Paradise Island's resorts sit across the harbor. It suits beach breaks and families.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. Atlantis is a huge resort on Paradise Island with a casino, waterpark, marine habitats and restaurants. Day passes let non guests use parts of it.

    Full dayTime needed
    about $150-250Cost
    yesBook ahead

    Day pass varies.

    Tip. Buy a day pass only if you want the waterpark; the marina and shops can be seen for free.
    See on the map

  2. Downtown Nassau centers on Bay Street, with colonial buildings, Parliament Square and duty free shops. Cruise ships dock nearby.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid cruise crowds, and explore the side streets.
    See on the map

  3. Cable Beach is a long arc of white sand west of downtown Nassau, lined with resorts and the Baha Mar complex. Its water is calm and good for swimming.

    Half a dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Use public access points between the resorts.
    See on the map

  4. The Queen's Staircase is a set of 66 steps cut into limestone by enslaved people in the late 18th century. It leads to Fort Fincastle.

    30 minutesTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Combine with Fort Fincastle and the water tower above.
    See on the map

  5. Fort Fincastle was built in 1793 on the highest point of the island, in a shape resembling a paddle steamer. It guarded Nassau harbor.

    30 minutesTime needed
    about $3-5Cost
    noBook ahead

    Visitor reports put entry at about 3 USD plus tax (2024).

    Tip. Go early in the day before the cruise crowds.
    See on the map

  6. Junkanoo Beach is a small public beach right next to downtown, with bars and loud music. It is popular with cruise passengers.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Go on a weekday, and keep an eye on your belongings.
    See on the map

  7. The swimming pigs of Exuma live on Big Major Cay, a long boat or flight from Nassau. Tours include snorkeling and iguana spotting.

    Full dayTime needed
    about $300-500Cost
    yesBook ahead

    Tour price.

    Tip. Choose a tour that limits feeding and does not let visitors chase the pigs.
    See on the map

  8. Arawak Cay is a strip of brightly painted shacks west of downtown, serving conch salad, fried fish and cold drinks. Locals gather here in the evening.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $15-30Cost
    noBook ahead

    Meals vary.

    Tip. Order the conch salad made fresh in front of you, and visit on a weekend evening for the liveliest scene.
    See on the map

  9. John Watling's Distillery makes rum in the Buena Vista estate, an 18th century house in downtown Nassau. Tours explain rum making and history.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free tour.

    Tip. Combine with a walk along downtown Nassau.
    See on the map

  10. Blue Lagoon Island is a private island near Paradise Island with beaches and marine encounters. Boat transfers run from Nassau.

    Full dayTime needed
    about $100-200Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Package price.

    Tip. Book ahead and check what is included.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Short on time?

Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Nassau in three days

Add Atlantis and the Exumas.

  1. Downtown Nassau and Bay Street2 hours · Free
  2. Queen's Staircase30 minutes · Free
  3. Fort Fincastle30 minutes · about $3-5
  4. Cable BeachHalf a day · Free
  5. Atlantis Paradise IslandFull day · about $150-250
  6. Junkanoo Beach2 hours · Free
  7. Exuma swimming pigsFull day · about $300-500
  8. Arawak Cay Fish Fry2 hours · about $15-30
  9. John Watling's Distillery1 hour · Free
  10. Blue Lagoon IslandFull day · about $100-200
Beyond the city

Day trips

Eleuthera

Pink sand beaches.

50 mi · Ferry about 2 to 3 hours

Andros

Blue holes.

37 mi · Short flight

Rose Island

Snorkeling and beaches.

6 mi · Boat about 30 minutes

Harbour Island

Pink sand beaches and a charming town.

81 mi · Flight or ferry combination

Clifton Heritage National Park

Coastal park with ruins and snorkeling.

12 mi · Drive about 30 minutes

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: December to April. Warm, dry and outside hurricane season.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.75.56.37.1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

74°F
Typical daily high
Average73°F
Rain1.5 in
About5 rainy days
Sun strength3.8 kWh/m²

Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Jan

Junkanoo

December 26 and January 1

Pre dawn street parades of music and costumes on Bay Street.

Jul

Independence Day

July 10

Celebrations marking independence in 1973.

Aug

Emancipation Day

First Monday in August

A public holiday with cultural events.

Year

Goombay Summer Festival

Summer

Music, food and craft events.

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Know before you go

At a glance

3/5
Safety

The US State Department rates the Bahamas at Level 2 (increased caution) for crime; tourist areas are fine by day, but be careful at night in some areas.

3/5
Walkability

Downtown is walkable; beaches need transport.

2/5
Public transport

Jitney buses run on set routes, paid in cash.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
1234

1. Paradise Island

$$$$

Best for: families, luxury

Big resorts and beaches.

2. Cable Beach

$$$

Best for: couples

Long beach with resorts.

3. Downtown

$$

Best for: budget

Close to the port.

4. West Bay

$$

Best for: quiet stays

Quieter beaches and local feel.

Getting there and around

Main airportLynden Pindling International Airport (NAS), 10 mi from the center
To the centerA taxi takes about 25 minutes to downtown.
Around townUse taxis, jitneys and water taxis to Paradise Island.
Taste it

What to eat

Conch salad

Raw conch with citrus.

Cracked conch

Fried conch.

Johnny cake

Sweet bread.

Rum cake

A local dessert.

Guava duff

A rolled pastry with guava.

Good to know

PlugsType A and B, 120 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingA 15 percent gratuity is often added; check your bill.
PaymentsCards widely accepted; USD is accepted at par.
EtiquetteBahamians are friendly and polite; greet with good morning or good afternoon before asking anything. Cover up away from the beach, and do not wear swimwear in town.
  • The Bahamian dollar is pegged one to one with the US dollar, and both are accepted.
  • Driving is on the left, a legacy of British rule.
  • Hurricane season runs June to November, with the highest risk from August to October; consider travel insurance.
  • Jitney buses are cheap and frequent around New Providence, but carry exact change.
  • Many tours include hotel pickup, so confirm times.
  • Taxis are metered by zone, so ask the rate first.
  • Hurricane season runs from roughly June to November.
  • Straw market vendors expect friendly bargaining.

A short history

The British settled the island in the 1600s. Pirates used Nassau as a base in the early 1700s until governors restored order. It later grew on wrecking, blockade running and rum running. The Bahamas became independent in 1973.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Nassau