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Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, is a hub full of culture, activities, and modern amenities to delight visitors. Beyond the action, you will find an incredible nature at its purest with miles of pristine beaches.

Whatever the reason that brings you to Nassau; you will spend a memorable time on this blissful island. Read on to find out our travel tips to make the most of your stay in Nassau.

When to go to Nassau?

Nassau enjoys a tropical savanna climate with a wet season from May through October and a dry season extending from November through April. Warm temperatures and intense thundershowers dominate the wet season. To make the most of your trip, we suggest planning your visit during the dry season.

Back in April, when we visited Nassau, we had one very brief episode of rain early in the morning, which did not affect what we had planned for the day. Overall, the weather was beautiful and the temperatures were around 30°C every day.

How to get around?

For those arriving by cruise ships and having only a short amount of time to visit Nassau, we would recommend booking a private or group guided tour including transportation and covering places like Nassau Old Town, Paradise Island, Downtown, and Cable beach to name a few.

For those staying in Nassau for a couple of days, the bus is a cheap option to navigate around the island. For 1.25$ per ride, you could reach the main points of interest. Bus drivers are friendly so let them know where you want to go and they will indicate you the right stop. You pay for the ride in cash at the end before leaving the bus. To reach hidden gems or if traveling with children, it is better to rent a car for your own comfort.

Where to stay in Nassau?

In addition to all-inclusive resorts and hotels, there are hostels for budget travelers and plenty of options of private house rental from condo to luxury villas. You could definitely book your flight ticket and your accommodation separately instead searching for an all-inclusive package matching your dates.

We had the opportunity to partner with the Sandals Royal Bahamian, the British Colonial Hilton Nassau, and the Courtyard by Marriott Nassau Downtown Junkanoo Beach during our stay.

Sandals Royal Bahamian

Set on the pristine white-sand Cable Beach, Sandals Royal Bahamian is a luxurious all-inclusive resort that delivers leisure in an oasis of charm and elegance. This adult-only resort is just 15 minutes away from the airport and offers transfer in Rolls Royce or Mercedes Benz.

Among the ten dining options featuring an array of cuisine from Italy to Caribbean Seafood, we had a delightful dining experience at Baccarat French restaurant and at Gordon’s on the Pier Oceanside restaurant. Thanks to the delicate attention provided by the chefs, they are able to accommodate any special dietary requirements. From breakfast to dinner, we ate delicious vegan food at the Sandals Royal Bahamian.

Guest can visit their beautiful offshore island offering fresh water pool, swim up pool bar, whirlpool, and their famous Zen Garden including the Red Lane Spa. The highlight of our visit to the Sandals private island was definitely the relaxing 1-hour massage at the Red Lane Spa. There are two deluxe massage tables per room, which is ideal for couples.

British Colonial Hilton Nassau

Located in the heart of downtown, the British Colonial Hilton Nassau offers a taste of the island’s rich Colonial flair paired with modern amenities. This historical building is within a 10-minute drive to the renowned Paradise Island and at a walking distance from the Bay Street Straw Market.

The British Colonial Hilton Nassau is the only beachfront hotel in downtown. Experience private powder sand beach, amazing views of the cruise ship harbor, and an outdoor freshwater pool. Our favorite water activities were paddleboarding and kayaking, we had so much fun!

After a day full of fun activities, we had a rest in our spacious executive room featuring two double beds, garden view, and a marble bathroom equipped with bath and shower.

Enjoy in-room dining or admire sea views at Aqua, their newest restaurant offering a range of buffet and a la carte meals including international favorites with a Caribbean flair. Among the other dining options, Patio Bar & Grille located near the lush gardens is perfect during the daytime for lite snacks.

Courtyard by Marriott Nassau Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott Nassau Downtown is located just footsteps from the palm-fringed sands of Junkanoo Beach and a short stroll away from the main business district of Nassau. The hotel is also within walking distance of a tax-free shopping area and restaurants serving up local flavors.

Among its amenities, the Courtyard by Marriott Nassau Downtown features a casual bistro serving a variety of breakfast and dinner options, an evening bar, and specialty beverages made with Starbucks coffee. During our stay, The Bistro was our destination for having a refreshing breakfast.

We had a spacious stylish room with two double beds and a scenic view of Junkanoo Beach. After a fun day spent exploring the city, we could not wait to sink into comfortable beds with fluffy pillows. In the morning, we waked up early to start our day with a workout in the fitness center and to take a quick dip in the outdoor adult pool.

Where are the vegan food spots in Nassau?

The Bahamian cuisine is mostly composed of seafood such as fish, conch, lobster, shellfish, and crab to name a few. It also includes tropical fruits, pigeon peas, potatoes, rice, peas, and pork.

Apart from resorts and hotels, the offer for vegan food is quite limited in Nassau. However, it is slowly growing since the demand is increasing. Originally, we had planned to try 2 vegan restaurants situated in the local area but we ended up to taste just one because we were running a little bit out of time.

Eat Right Delights

Serving freshly made breakfast, lunch, desserts, and beverages; Eat Right Delights is a holistic eatery proudly owned by a woman. Meals are prepared using mostly local and organic ingredients to suit your dietary needs.

Eat Right Delights is a takeaway and it also delivers anywhere in town. We tried the black bean burger and the chickpea burger with a side of cauliflower wings and fries. This restaurant is a must-try!

NewLife Natural Vegetation Cell Food

We did not have the chance to try NewLife Natural Vegetation Cell Food but this company is renowned for curing ailments. They research organic, natural foods and compounds to provide the best findings to assist the body with healing. They are located on Independence Drive Business Park where they provide advice on a good diet and how to prepare healthy dishes while serving breakfast, lunch, and beverages.

Chef Jamall Petty

On our last evening in Nassau, we had a private immersive island-inspired dinner experience prepared by Chef Jamall Petty at the Courtyard. We had a delightful gastronomic moment during our 4-course dinner.

Chef Jamal Petty is one of Nassau celebrity chef, silver medalist in the Taste of Caribbean competition and Olympic Bronze Medalist (World Culinary Olympics). He hosts several food events in Nassau so we invite you to follow him on social media to get the chance to attend one of them when you will be visiting the island.

What to do in Nassau?

When in Nassau, you could enjoy the pristine beaches for days but there is so much more to do in town such as meeting new people, learning about Bahamian culture and history, or joining a guided tour to name a few.

People-To-People Experience

Join People-To-People Experience to be paired with a Bahamian ambassador who will show you the Bahamian culture and way of life. To join this free program, speak with the tour desk at your hotel, visit the nearest Bahamas Tourist Office or use the online registration form.

Island Jeep Tour

Available 7 days a week, this unique guided Jeep tour of Nassau provided by Bowcar Rentals is a fun activity to do. Our guide David came to pick us up at our hotel 30 minutes before the activity. After a brief check-in with Alicia at the Bowcar desk to sign a waiver, we were already in the Jeep and so excited to start this tour.

During 2.5 hours, the tour highlights some of the historical and cultural sights of Nassau including the following locations: Fort Fincastle & the Queens Staircase, the Government House, the Arawak Cay, the Caves, and much more.

At each location, we had enough time to walk around and took some pictures. The tour ended up with a Bahamian lunch and beverages. Tour pricing: 115$US (includes a local guide, round trip transportation, and lunch).

Rum Runner’s Passage

The Rum Runner’s Passage provided by Islandz Tours is a rum-infused culinary and historical walking tour of Nassau that takes you back in time. We started the tour at the Pirate Republic Brewing Company, which is the first and only production craft brewery in The Bahamas. There, we learned the proper way to taste rum with 6 samples of different varieties. Then, we visited the Goombay House to take part in a mixologist workshop.

The tour continued in the Historical Nassau where we visited the iconic Graycliff hotel, the John Watling’s Distillery, and the art district. Our guide Julio was so knowledgeable about the history of Nassau and made this tour very interactive. Tour pricing: 64.95$US (includes 6 tastings, 2 cocktails, Bahamian conch fritters, chocolate treats, rum cake, and John Watling’s Distillery ticket entry).

What about safety?

Due to the effort of the local authorities, there has been a decrease in crime since the beginning of 2018. However, travelers in Nassau are commonly exposed to purse snatchings so you just need to stay alert to your surroundings when walking around cruise ship terminals and popular areas. In daylight hours, feel free to use buses but after dark, it is better to consider using taxis.

Regarding water sport or any adventure activities, rent equipment from reputable and locally registered operators only. Ensure that equipment is safe and in good condition, and ask for proper training if needed.

To conclude, here are additional tips to prepare your trip to Nassau:

• • Money – the local currency is the Bahamian Dollar (1 BSD = 1.34 CAD). The Bahamian Dollar is equivalent to the US Dollar and both currencies are used in the Bahamas. In case you need to do a withdrawal, note that several Canadian banks such as RBC have local branches in Nassau.

• • Entry Requirements (for tourism) – there is no visa required for Canadian, American and French citizens. You just need to fill a form when you arrive at the customs.

• • Language – English is the official language in the Bahamas.

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