Bahamas

The Bahamas is built around water clarity that has to be seen to be believed, from the swimming pigs of Exuma to the coral gardens off the Abacos. Nassau delivers colonial pastel architecture and a busy cruise-port energy, while the Out Islands offer the opposite: quiet, barely developed cays where the main activities are snorkeling, sailing, and fresh conch. With hundreds of islands scattered across turquoise shallows, it's a destination almost entirely defined by its beaches and reefs.

Why go thereBeaches Islands Diving & snorkelling Nightlife & music Food Wildlife Surf Adventure sports Wellness & spa Nature & landscapes

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Conch salad

Raw conch diced with citrus, onion and pepper, made in front of you at the stall.

Cracked conch

Pounded conch battered and fried, served with peas and rice and hot sauce.

Conch fritters

Chopped conch in seasoned batter, fried into balls and dipped in calypso sauce.

Food & drink to try

Conch salad

Raw conch diced with citrus, onion and pepper, made in front of you at the stall.

Cracked conch

Pounded conch battered and fried, served with peas and rice and hot sauce.

Conch fritters

Chopped conch in seasoned batter, fried into balls and dipped in calypso sauce.

Peas n' rice

Pigeon peas cooked with rice, salt pork and thyme, on every plate.

Boil fish

Grouper simmered with lime, onion and potato, eaten at breakfast with johnnycake.

Johnnycake

Dense pan-baked bread, slightly sweet, served with soups and stews.

Souse

Chicken or sheep tongue in a clear lime and pepper broth, a weekend breakfast.

Bahamian rock lobster

Spiny lobster tails grilled or minced into a salad, in season from August.

Guava duff

Guava rolled in dough, boiled in a cloth and served under rum butter sauce.

Switcha

Lime, water and sugar, the islands' answer to lemonade.

Sky juice

Coconut water with gin and condensed milk, sold from a roadside shack.

Baked crab

Land crab meat mixed with bread and seasoning, baked back in its shell.

Practical info

Drives on the left

Entry & health

Set your passport

royalbahamaspolice.org worldstandards.eu en.wikipedia.org

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Many restaurants automatically add a 15% service/gratuity charge to the bill, so check before adding more — otherwise 15% is standard, and 10–15% is typical for taxi drivers, with about $2 per bag for hotel porters.

Swimwear and beachwear are for the beach or pool only — cover up with a shirt or wrap when walking through towns, shops, or restaurants.
Dress modestly and neatly when visiting churches, government buildings, or upscale restaurants; some casinos and fine dining venues enforce smart-casual dress codes.
Bahamians are generally warm and formal in greetings — a friendly hello and some small talk before getting to business is appreciated, especially outside Nassau.
Camouflage clothing is restricted for civilians in The Bahamas (it's reserved for police/military use) and can be confiscated at customs.
Sundays are traditionally quiet, family- and church-oriented days, especially on the Family Islands, so expect many shops and some attractions to be closed.
If invited to a local's home or a Junkanoo event, participate respectfully — Junkanoo is a deeply important cultural festival, not just a tourist show.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Bahamas — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA