Introducing The Bahamas
Scattered like dabs of possibility on an adventurer’s palette, the Bahamas are ready-made for exploration. Just ask Christopher Columbus, he bumped against these limestone landscapes in 1492 and changed the course of history. But adventure didn’t end with the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. From pirates to blockade dodgers to rum smugglers, wily go-getters have converged and caroused on the country’s 700 islands and 2400 cays for centuries.
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So what’s in it for travelers? There’s sailing to Abacos. Diving Andros' blue holes. Kayaking the countless cays around Exumas. Lounging on Eleuthera's beaches. Pondering pirates in Nassau. Indeed, there’s a Bahamian island to match most every water-and-sand-based compulsion. Each of them framed by a backdrop of gorgeous, mesmerizing blue.
But every adventure has irritations, and here indifferent service, high prices and hungry no-see-ums take the lead. Nassau and Paradise Island are the prime troublemakers. But if casinos, Aquaventure and duty-free shopping don’t top your to-do list, consider dropping off the grid for a bit in the Out Islands. Prices remain high but there’s more bang for your Bahamian buck, with friendlier service, fewer crowds and, well, the pesky no-see-ums haven’t gotten the memo. But don’t wait long. Change is in the air and the Out Islands are blipping onto the radar screens of mega-developers and land grabbers the world over.
For now loaf, paddle, dive and après-snorkel. Paint your own adventure, the palette awaits.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- Take a cruise to a private island in the Exuma chain
- Travel Nassaus's picturesque waters en route to Rose Island
- Join a tour to the world's longest explored underwater cave system
Last updated: Feb 20, 2012
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The Bahamas
Things to do
- All things to do (70)
- Activities (39)
- Entertainment (5)
- Restaurants (5)
- Shopping (3)
- Sights (18)
- Tours (0)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For The Bahamas
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1 Bahamas National Trust Park
For hikers, birders, turtles and more than 50,000 flamboyant flamingos
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2 Clarence Town
Beautiful churches watch over secluded bays and a 660ft deep blue hole
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3 Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
Explore 365 cays by boat and snorkel
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4 San Salvador
Adventurers will love the thrilling wall-diving
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5 Cat Island
African heritage apparent in crumbling slave plantations and obeah practices
Fast Facts about The Bahamas
- Visa
North American, UK and most Western European travelers don’t require a visa; other nationalities need to get one in advance.
- Money
Bahamian dollar (BS$); BS$1= US$1 = €0.64 = UK£0.51
- Official name
Independent Commonwealth of the Bahamas
- Departure tax
US$15. Normally included in ticket prices.
- Area
Over 700 islands spread in a 760-mile (1206km) arc that add up to some 5363 sq miles (13, 890 sq km) of land
- Population
307, 000
- Famous for
Spectacular diving and snorkeling, Sir Sidney Poitier, James Bond films
- Country code
242
- Language
Bahamian Standard English
- Capital
- People
Bahamians
Our favourite The Bahamas Blogs (beta)
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Cooking on Island Time
Blog: A Traveler's Library - 5 April 2012
Tasty Travel Destination: Bahamas Book: Living Off the Land and Sea by Karen Goodfellow By Brette Sember I’ve got a thing about the Caribbean. I love islands. I adore the feeling of being surrounded on all sides by water, and having sand all the way around. The colors of the water are like art to [...]This content is a post from: A Traveler's Library To comment on this post or search for related information, click on the link to A Traveler's Library. We'll leave a light on for you.
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Life in the Bahamas – A Look at Junkanoo
Blog: Landlopers - 12 October 2011
After two trips to the Bahamas, I have come to realize that the islands can be a strange place. It’s a decidedly good kind of strange though, the sort which makes you smile and shake your head. Even though I’ve never been there during Junkanoo...Copyright LandLopers All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
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Heart of the Bahamas
Blog: Landlopers - 2 December 2010
Water is not only featured in the national flag of the Bahamas, but the presence of the soft azure waters of the Caribbean is the life-force of the island-nation, felt everywhere you go. On a trip to Nassau sponsored by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism,...
