Staying Fit
Entry requirements
Valid proof of vaccination must be presented before boarding a flight to the Bahamas. All unvaccinated travelers age 2 and older are required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test — either a negative RT-PCR test or a rapid antigen test — taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to travel and to present the negative test results at check-in before traveling to the Bahamas. (Check for updates.)
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When to go
Rates skyrocket during the high season, which starts in mid-December and lasts through April. That’s when the beaches belong to international tourists. It’s Bahamian winter, so you won’t find many locals going near the water. The tropical weather without extreme heat (high 70s to low 80s) makes this season a visitor magnet, with livelier nightlife but thicker crowds.
Rates are lowest — up to 60 percent off — in September and October, the height of hurricane season, which runs from June through November. Travel insurance, always a good idea, is a particularly important buy at this time. On average, a hurricane passes near the Bahamas every two years and makes a direct hit every four years. Hurricane season is also the rainy season, which may cut into your beach and outdoor time, though showers are typically short-lived.
The June-November low season in the Out Islands turns into a dead season from late August to early November — not the best time to visit. Choices may be limited, with some hotels and restaurants shutting down or using the time to make renovations. However, summer is less expensive, and local communities are in full festival mode — from sailing regattas to musical and cultural events. Join the fun at Nassau’s Junkanoo Summer Festival (usually on Saturdays in July), Eleuthera’s Pineapple Festival, the All Andros Crab Fest and the lively musical Cat Island Rake and Scrape Festival (the last three in June). But the intense summer heat, in the high 80s, and humidity are not for everyone.
Ways to save: In addition to low-season savings, travel Monday through Wednesday. The weekends, starting on Thursday, are peak arrival days, so rates are higher and availability more limited. Check the Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board and the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board for specials and deals; both run seasonal and yearly promotions, such as air credits and companion-fly-free offers.
How to get there
There are 11 international airports in the Bahamas. Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) is the main airport and the busiest. Most international flights to the Out Islands originate in South Florida. Scheduled airlift from the U.S. goes to Nassau, Grand Bahama, Bimini, the Berry Islands, Great Abaco, Great Exuma and North Eleuthera, so they are safe bets if you don’t want to feel too isolated. To reach an Out Island without international air service, fly to Nassau and connect to your destination with a domestic airline.
Taxis are the primary transport from the airport to your hotel. Government-regulated rates range from $18 to $41 in Nassau. Wheelchair-accessible vans from the Nassau airport can be booked through Majestic Tours (book 48 hours in advance) or Courteous Transfers and Tours (book weeks ahead).
Ways to save: Most of the Out Islands with tourist facilities have multiple airports: Andros, Great Abaco, Eleuthera, the Exumas, Cat Island and Long Island, in particular. Find the airport closest to your hotel, which could make the difference between a $30 and a $90 taxi ride. Some hotels have free airport shuttles or designated drivers that offer discounted rates.
Where to stay
First things first. Decide which island you want to visit — more developed Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama or the more remote Out Islands, where your experience will be vastly different. Only 16 Out Islands have tourist facilities; favorites include the Abacos, the Exumas, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Bimini, Long Island and Andros.
Nassau and Paradise Island: With a population of 228,000, Nassau is a compact little town that fancies itself a big city (it’s not). But you won’t have to travel back in time when you visit. While Indigenous culture is ever present, so are contemporary urban elements and technology. The city’s port is actually the world’s most visited by cruise ships. There are also mega-resorts and chain-brand hotels; fast-food joints; a passel of Starbucks (of course); duty-free shops; buzzy bars and nightclubs; record-setting casinos (they’re huge); and restaurants galore. Nassau bustles, as buses and taxis jostle for passengers, local drivers honk their way through traffic, vendors barter in the Straw Market, and Jet Ski operators work the beach. Nassau offers an array of hotels to fit every taste and budget, from all-inclusive properties to intimate boutique properties and sprawling mega-resorts.
