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Nassau is a tropical paradise, an escape from the realities of the everyday. Soft white sandy beaches meet shimmering clear blue waters as sun dances off the waves. Here the weather is always perfect for a beach day. This is the heaven that is Nassau. It is no one wonder why Nassau, as with the rest of the Bahamas, is a calling for so many tourists each year. Thousands of college students come here, usually for spring break, to enjoy the beauty and soak up some sun in this breathtaking city. Nassau is the capital of and the largest city in the Bahamas. With a little more than 200,000 inhabitants, this city makes up 70% of the Bahamas residents. It is truly an untouched slice of heaven in every way. Even the land and coasts aren’t completely developed. Nassau takes in most of its income from tourism since it is a year-round hot spot for vacationing. Once proclaimed a ‘pirate’s den’ in the 1600’s, Nassau was turned over to British rule, and it remains that way today. You will still be able to find remnants of the pirates here, and much, much more. Come to Nassau and enjoy yourself for a while.

Nassau Pictures

Things to do in Nassau

It is easy to get around Nassau by walking. Everything is in pretty close proximity, and the walking views are beautiful. You should definitely take a walk around Old Town. There the brightly colored Caribbean buildings are an interesting change from what you may be used to. There is also a Pirate museum filled with old artifacts, a recreation of Pirate town, and a battle ship. The Parliament House is pretty interesting too. But the main reason to travel to Nassau is for the beaches. Cable beach is one of the largest resort areas in Nassau. You will find here luxury hotels, the casinos and any service or water sport that you can think of. The deserted beach is where you will find nothing except for crystal clear blue water, soft white sand and lots of sunshine. This makes the perfect getaway from the everyday. There’s also Cabbage Beach, which is considered one of the most luxurious beaches in the world. There is about two miles of coastline and it is all filled with impeccable white sand beaches. Caves Beach is close to Cable Beach, but considerably less crowded and more laid back.

Crystal Palace at the Marriott in Cable Beach and The Atlantis on Paradise Island are the two main casinos on the island. Both are fairly casual in dress but serve up a whole lot of fun. The main beaches in Nassau are Cable Beach and a deserted beach that’s far off the beaten path. Old Town is pretty interesting and nice to walk around, with lots of shops and restaurants. Since pirates once inhabited this island, there is a pretty cool Pirate museum here with old artifacts and displays. You will be able to find any water sport on this island that you can imagine. Scuba diving, wake boarding, surfing, fishing, paragliding, and beach-side sports are just a few. You can also charter a small boat with some friends and go from beach to beach.

Find things to do in Nassau

Nightlife in Nassau

The Bahamas is where Rum originated, or so the locals say. The pirates certainly loved their rum and spent a great deal of time on the island. Either way the bars in Nassau have formulated their own version of rum punch and it certainly serves up a kick. The club scene is alive and pumping. The clubs are fun, as long as you go to the right ones. Go to clubs in groups or at least with a couple friends to stay safe. Some of the best nightclubs on the island include Señor Frogs, Waterloo, Club Fluid, and Cocktails and Dreams. Club Waterloo and Señor Frogs are your best bets. Cocktails and Dreams is full of locals and is a bit sketchy. Cover charges will set you back $20, however if you buy at your hotel you might be able to get a deal for $5 cover charge with a pass. The passes are $5 themselves, and drinks typically cost $5 and up.

Dining in Nassau

Food here is great. Nassau is one of the few places that you can get a great cheap Carribean meal and also find foods from everywhere else. Fried fish is a typical dish. You can find many hole-in-the-wall type places that serve fish and chips with a drink for less than $7-8. You can find anything from mid range prices all the way up to a $50 lobster at a nice coastal restaurant. You shouldn’t have to spend all that money though to get a good meal. The British influences mixed with Carribean cuisine makes for an interesting mix here, and you can try it all. Crawfish, conch, and land crabs are local favorites. You will also see a lot of Grouper, Yellow Tail and Red Snapper. Conch is a mollusk fish like an oyster. It is put in chowders, stews, and salads. Grits and boiled fish are breakfast favorites as well. athough you can still find breads and baked goods at some places. Macaroni and Cheese, Grits, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, coconut or pineapple tarts, and bread pudding are served on just about every menu. Switcha, which is similar to lemonade or beer, is served with meals.

Shopping in Nassau

Straw Market, originally a farmer’s market, is still intact and a place for locals to buy goods and tourists to explore and purchase some goods themselves. if you are looking for souvenirs and nick-knacks to take home, this is the place to go. This is still one of the few places you can barter for a better price. Be aware that the shop sellers will price things higher than they are worth because they expect to barter for a deal. US currency is also accepted here, so you don’t have to worry about carrying Bahamian dollars at all times. Potter’s Cay is a cool place to go to. This is where fresh produce is sold. You can buy fish, breads, fritters, seafoods, and other tropical produce such as exotic fruits.

Nassau travel tips

• The official language in Nassau is English.
• The currency in the Bahamas is Bahamian Dollar (equivalent to the USD).
• The climate is semi tropical and temperatures range between 70 and 80 degrees.