Planning A Trip To The Bahamas

When you figure out how to plan a trip to the Bahamas, you’ve opened the door to a tropical paradise of hundreds of islands where white-sand beaches meet turquoise waters.  

Whether your dream is to luxuriate at one of the Caribbean’s top resorts or swim with the pigs, proper planning will help ensure your Caribbean dreams become reality. 

Pre-planning: What you need to know about the Bahamas 

The Bahamas are located less than 200 miles from Miami. This makes the country one of the most accessible in the Caribbean for U.S. travelers, whether by air or water. 

Safety 

The islands’ safety is on par with other popular Caribbean destinations. 

Our annual Safest Countries rankings put the Bahamas 39th out of 42 destinations for travel safety. 

The U.S. State Department has given the country a level-2 rating (Exercise Increased Caution), noting incidents of theft and armed robbery, even at resorts. 

GeoSure Global gives Nassau scores in the 50s (out of 100) for health, nighttime safety, physical safety, and safety for female travelers. It gives Nassau a very high score for basic freedoms and a low score for LGBTQ+ safety. 

Country characteristics 

Each island in the Bahamas offers unique experiences – and at 700-plus islands, that’s a lot of unique experiences! 

In general, you’ll find that:  

• Nassau buzzes with cool architecture, historical charm and bustling markets 

• Grand Bahama is the spot for eco-tourism 

• The Abacos attract Jimmy Buffett types – sailors and anglers 

• The Exumas showcase nature … and those swimming pigs 

In addition to the main islands and island groups, many smaller islands are accessible by small craft. These are worth exploring with a guide who knows the region. 

About the swimming pigs 

If you’ve never heard of the phenomenon of swimming with pigs, or if it sounds gross, you might be surprised to hear that it’s one of the most popular things to do for visitors to the Bahamas. 

According to the official swimming-pigs page at the Bahamas tourism site, the pigs live on otherwise uninhabited Big Major Cay ... but they’re not native to the island. The best guess is that sailors left pigs on the island as a future food source and never came back for them. 

Whatever the reason, the pigs are relatively docile and are very good swimmers, making the experience fun for the whole family.  

And as the official site says, “Bring along some fresh fruit and you’ll have a new best friend, or three!” 

Getting to the pigs generally requires getting to Grand Exuma and catching a boat tour from there. Air Canada, American, BahamasAir, Delta, Flamingo Air, Makers Air, Silver, and Western Air all fly to Grand Exuma. 

Planning a family trip to the Bahamas 

As you might expect, a successful Bahamas vacation with the fam starts with choosing the right destination. Your top choices include: 

• Nassau and Paradise Island, which offer direct flights and family-friendly facilities. 

• The Atlantis resort on Paradise Island, whose big draws include waterparks, marine exhibits and kids' clubs.  

• Grand Isle Resort on Great Exuma, which is great for quieter family time. 

With all resorts, peak season runs December through April, though as Cruise Critic notes, “there really is no ‘slow season’ in the Bahamas.” 

Why then say there’s a December-to-April peak? Because that’s when days are sunniest, temps are moderate and northerners are craving a getaway. 

The shoulder-season months of May and November can offer better deals, but it pays to shop around. 

On the flip side, hurricane season runs June through early November. While the Bahamas have largely been spared in the last several rounds of hurricanes, nothing is a sure thing these days. 

If you decide to travel to the Bahamas during hurricane season, travel insurance is even more of a must-have. You can explore the plethora of plans offered by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection here. 

Hunt for deals 

As the previous quote from Cruise Critic suggests, the Bahamas are so popular that slow-season deals seemingly don’t exist. 

Yes, but no. There are travel deals to be found. You just have to channel your inner swimming pig and root them out. 

Specific recs include: 

• Look for packages: Expedia and CheapCaribbean are great places to look for deals that include airfare, lodging and excursions. If your resort is an all-inclusive, so much the better.  

• Check special offers from the resorts themselves: Atlantis offers special packages, including last-minute deals, flexible rates and unique experiences.  

• Check the Nassau Paradise Island website: The official site has an array of discounts and add-ons from area hotels and resorts – perfect for last-minute getaways. 

• Monitor airline and cruise-line sites: Bahamas cruises are often available via last-minute discounts. If you’re a frequent cruiser you don’t even have to look for deals – they’ll come to you! Also, use Google Flights to keep a close eye on fares. 
  
  
• Use a travel professional: Travel agents see more deals in a day than you’ll see in a month. Choose one who specializes in the Caribbean. 

Book family-friendly activities early 

Because the Bahamas and many of its biggest resorts are so popular with families, you’ll want to book family-friendly activities early in the planning process.  

Among the most popular excursions for families are: 

• Dolphin encounters 

• Glass-bottom-boat tours 

• Pirates of Nassau museum visits 

• Shallow-water snorkeling 

• Cultural-landmark tours 

• And, of course, pig swimming 

Some of these activities can be booked through your resort, but it’s always good to book key experiences through reputable operators like Bahamas Cruise Excursions and check event-forward sites like Trip Advisor and Viator. Read reviews before booking. 

When booking family activities, don’t go overboard. (Figuratively and literally.) Resorts in the Bahamas are popular for what they offer as well as what you can do nearby. Be sure to balance outside activities with resort time. 

Bahamas travel requirements 

As you might expect from islands so close to the U.S. mainland, entering the Bahamas is a relatively painless process. You don’t need a tourist visa or special vaccinations – and if you enter the country via a cruise, a passport card will suffice. 

Otherwise, you just need a passport with six-plus months of validity, a return ticket and proof of financial wherewithal, and you’re set. 

You can stay in the Bahamas for up to 90 days without a visa, which is sufficient for most American travelers and trips. 

Flying to the Bahamas 

You can catch a non-stop to the Bahamas from Miami, Atlanta, New York, New Orleans, Charlotte, and many other East Coast airports. Book flights to Lynden Pindling International Airport for the best connections.  

Many Americans also take private planes to the islands, whether they fly themselves or take a charter. These flights not only can operate on your schedule but can take you right to some less-populated islands. 

Cruising to the Bahamas 

Many cruise ships visit the Bahamas, and Bahamas-only cruises are totally a thing. These cruises tend to be of shorter duration (three to five days) and generally focus on Freeport, Nassau and usually a cruise line’s private island.  

Ships depart from Miami, Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, or the Port of Palm Beach. 

These cruises are generally affordable, and can be a very family-friendly way to see the islands. 

Cruise Critic has all the details.  

What to pack for the Bahamas 

You’re headed to the tropics, which for many in the Northern tier, means one thing: You have a legitimate reason to wear shorts. 

We’ve covered what to pack for a warm-weather cruise (and even included a downloadable packing list) previously, but essential items for your tropical adventure include: 

Clothing 

• Light, breathable garments 

• Swimwear 

• Evening wear for upscale dining 

• Light jacket 

Gear 

• Reef-safe sunscreen (required by law) 

• Water shoes 

• Waterproof phone case 

• Dry bag 

• Snorkeling equipment  

Health and safety 

• Basic first-aid kit 

• Motion sickness remedies 

• Prescription meds 

• Insect repellent with a high concentration of DEET 

Miscellaneous 

• Portable charger

• Phone

• Tablet and/or reading material

 

Smart planning tips 

Currency 

American and Bahamian dollars are sort of interchangeable in terms of the exchange rate and where they’re accepted – which is just about everywhere. 

It’s good to have $50-$100 in cash on hand for markets and such, though if your Bahamas vacation consists of you staying at a resort it’s not really necessary. 

Transportation 

BahamasAir can take you to many of the larger islands; small planes and float planes can get you to smaller islands. Check reviews of small-plane flight operators before booking. 

Water taxis are another way to get to smaller islands. You can also charter or rent a boat; the same caveats that apply to planes apply here. 

Nassau is the main place where public and taxi transport comes into play. Public buses (jitneys) are a cheap way of getting around, though they often stop without warning at undesignated stops.  

If taking a taxi, agree on the fare beforehand. 

Remember that they drive on the left in the Bahamas, so look the other way first before crossing the street.  

Costs 

Figure on lodging costs of $100/day (hostels) to $1,000/day and up (luxury resorts). 

In general, a couple can expect to spend $200-$300/day for mid-range travel. Obviously, costs are higher for families and luxury travelers. 

Connectivity 

Buy a SIM card for your phone locally or activate your international calling plan. 

A VPN is a good idea if you plan on using your computer in public areas of Nassau or Freeport. 

Etiquette 

The Bahamas is a friendly country. Greet people warmly.  

Tipping is allowed. A good rule of thumb is to tip 15%-20% at restaurants.  

Travel insurance for the Bahamas 

The Bahamas are a nearby getaway, but they’re not necessarily a cheap getaway. Protect your travel investment with comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and more. 

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection can cover your Bahamian vacation, whether it’s a cruise, family trip, or luxury retreat. 

Your Bahamian paradise awaits. Start planning early, hunt for deals, and protect your trip with travel insurance for the ultimate stress-free Caribbean vacay.