Bahamas — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Swimming pigs, pink sand, turquoise water, and the world-class Atlantis resort”
The Bahamas is a Caribbean island paradise of emerald-clear water and fine white sand — the Exuma islands famous for their swimming pigs and exclusive sandbars, the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island, the pink-sand beach on Harbour Island, the capital Nassau with its forts and straw market, and reefs and shipwrecks to dive — a world-class spot for relaxation and honeymoons in the Caribbean.
Bahamas at a glance
Choose a city in Bahamas
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Bahamas right for you?
Why people love Bahamas, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Swimming pigs-Exuma
Wild pigs that swim out to greet tourists, on a clear-water sandbar — one of the most famous sights in the world.
Atlantis-Paradise Island
A world-class resort on Paradise Island, with a water park, aquarium, casino and private beach.
Pink sand beach
Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island, with rare pinkish-orange sand found in few places worldwide.
Diving-shipwrecks
Clear reefs, legendary shipwrecks, and the underwater blue holes of the Exumas.
Nassau-history
Fort Fincastle and Fort Charlotte, the native straw market, and pastel colonial architecture.
Cruise port
Nassau's port handles giant cruise ships; you can visit on a day trip from the US east coast.
Bahamas vs its neighbors
| Bahamas | Cuba | USA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $80–170 | $45–100 | $85–200 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Check with embassy | Visa required | Visa required |
| Known for | Beaches-swimming pigs-diving | Culture-music-history | Cities-nature-diversity |
| Currency | BSD/USD | CUP/CUC | USD |
| Getting around cities | Taxis-boats-ferries | Taxis-buses-tuk-tuks | Cars-metro (depends on the city) |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Beach and relaxation
Base in Nassau or on Paradise Island — private beaches, Atlantis, diving, and chilling by the sea.
See this plan → 🐷Adventure and nature
Fly on to the Exumas for the swimming pigs, clear sandbars, blue holes, and kayaking in turquoise water.
See this plan → 💑Honeymoon and couples
Harbour Island's pink sand, a chic boutique resort, sunsets, and cocktails by the water.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🦞
Rock Lobster and Snapper
Local rock lobster grilled or simmered in butter, and fresh fried snapper — seafood from Caribbean waters.
📍 Seafood - 2🍲
Boil Fish and Stew
Fresh fish boiled with potato, onion, lime and spices — a traditional Bahamian breakfast.
📍 Main dish - 3🐚
Conch
The giant conch prepared many ways — fresh as a tartare, battered and fried, or as a steak — the signature dish of the Bahamas.
📍 Local icon - 4🥘
Johnny Cake
A cornmeal bread, baked or fried, slightly sweet and salty, eaten with fish or stew.
📍 Country food - 5🍹
Bahama Mama
A rum cocktail with tropical fruit juice and fruit, by the beach at sunset.
📍 Drink - 6🥞
Grits and Pancakes
A Southern-American-influenced breakfast of ground corn, eggs, and thick pancakes.
📍 Breakfast
- 1🐷
Swimming Pigs Exuma
Wild pigs that swim out to greet tourists on a clear deep-blue sandbar — animals famous around the world.
📍 Exuma - 2🏨
Atlantis Paradise Island
A huge resort with the Aquaventure water park, hydro-slides, an aquarium and a casino.
📍 Nassau - 3🏰
Fort Fincastle
A colonial-era gun fort on the hill, with views of Nassau and the harbour, and the Queen's Staircase carved from rock.
📍 Nassau - 4🏖️
Pink Sands Beach
A 5-kilometre beach of rare reddish-pink sand, created by red-shelled sea creatures.
📍 Harbour Island - 5🌊
Dean's Blue Hole
The deepest blue hole in the world at 202 metres, a world-class free-diving spot, with deep-blue water.
📍 Long Island - 6🛍️
Nassau Straw Market
A native souvenir market of straw-woven goods and handwoven crafts made by local women.
📍 Nassau
🚆 Getting around Bahamas
Nassau Airport
Lynden Pindling International (NAS) takes direct flights from the US, Canada and Europe; from Bangkok you must connect.
Inter-island ferries
Ferries and boats run from Nassau to Paradise Island, Harbour Island and the surrounding islands.
Inter-island flights
Charter and commuter airlines fly to Exuma/Harbour Island/Eleuthera — the fastest way.
Taxis-jitneys
Jitneys are cheap native minibuses in Nassau; taxis have no meters, so agree the price first.
Car rental
Available in Nassau and Freeport; you must drive on the left, and the roads on the main islands are fairly good.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Bahamas
The Junkanoo festival
Parades of music and colourful costumes on Christmas and New Year — the most important tradition in the Bahamas.
Islander friendliness
Bahamians are known for being warm and quick to smile; a friendly greeting is basic culture here.
Driving on the left
The Bahamas drives on the left like the UK, even though most cars are left-hand-drive American models.
Dress modestly in town
Swimwear is fine on the beach, but cover up in markets and residential areas.
Tipping is customary
A 15-20% tip is standard at restaurants, and tour guides and taxi drivers expect a tip too.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Guesthouse / hostel $45–85
Eat at local spots and markets, use jitneys instead of taxis, visit free public beaches, and skip the luxury resorts.
Comfort
🛏️ 3–4 star hotel $100–170
A swimming-pigs tour, diving, good seafood restaurants, and a visit to Paradise Island.
Premium
🛏️ Boutique resort / Atlantis $230+
A beachfront resort, a private yacht, charter flights to exclusive islands, and a world-class spa.
🗓️ When to visit Bahamas
Dry, cool season
Dec – AprCool, pleasant 24-28°C weather, no storms, clear seas — the best window and the busiest with tourists.
Early summer
May – JunGetting warmer, the crowds thinning, accommodation prices dropping, before storm season begins.
Storm season
Jul – OctHigh hurricane risk and hot, humid weather — the cheapest prices, but watch the forecast.
Junkanoo festival
Dec – JanChristmas and New Year, with the lively Junkanoo festival and local culture at its fullest.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Bahamas — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.3💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.3👑 Great for your trip
★ 8.2💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Bahamas?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Bahamas
How many days should I spend in the Bahamas?+
4–7 days — Nassau/Paradise Island 2–3 days (forts, Atlantis, markets) + fly or boat to the Exumas 2 days (swimming pigs, sandbars) + Harbour Island 1–2 days (pink sand) for the full experience.
Do Thai citizens need a visa?+
Check the latest visa conditions with the embassy before you travel, as the rules can change.
Is the Bahamas expensive?+
Fairly expensive, especially the resorts and tourist restaurants. You can save with local spots, jitneys and free public beaches; in storm season (Jul-Oct) prices drop a lot.
How do I get between the islands?+
Charter or commuter flights are fastest; ferries are cheaper and have lovely views along the way. Book ahead, especially during festivals.
Tips before you go to Bahamas
- The swimming-pigs tour in the Exumas must be booked ahead, as spots are limited.
- The Bahamas drives on the left — be ready before you rent a car.
- USD is accepted everywhere instead of BSD, so there's no need to change money.
- Storm season (Jul-Oct) is cheap, but keep a close eye on the weather.
- Jitneys (minibuses) in Nassau are far cheaper than taxis.
- The Atlantis water park is open to non-guests for an entry fee — it's cheaper booked ahead.