Nassau is the capital of The Bahamas and makes up most of the island of New Providence. Approximately 70 percent of the total population of The Bahamas lives on this island alone and with just under 250,000 residents the city is always flowing with life. This popular tourist destination features beautiful sandy beaches, amazing turquoise water, and gorgeous weather that draws the attention of nearly two and tree million tourists each year.
Traveling to Nassau for the first time can be intimidating but with the help of this guide you will come to find that The Bahamas is one of the most relaxing and stress free places in the world. Begin your trip to paradise with this helpful and informative Nassau travel guide.
BEFORE WE BEGIN
History – The Bahamas was originally inhabited by the Lucayans who sailed from Cuba and lived there for hundreds of years. When Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492 the Lucayans were soon sold and shipped to become slaves. Because of terrible farming soil The Bahamas were not much use for the Spanish and were soon abandoned. By the 1600’s the islands became a center for pirates and most of the more famous pirates such as Blackbeard called them home. The English sought to regain the islands and in 1718 send Woodes Rogers to do the job. Soon after many wealthy entrepreneurs came to the island bringing slaves with them. When slave trade was abolished many of the slaves chose to stay and their descendants are what make up most of Nassau. When the Cuban embargo occurred The Bahamas became a hotspot for vacationers and the main industry soon became tourism. In 1973 The Bahamas became their own country and have become a great spot to relax for years.
Weather – The Bahamas has only two seasons, summer and winter, and maintains a mostly tropical climate all year round reaching temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity can be very high depending on which island you are on but generally the weather is sunny and warm. Because The Bahamas are considered a tropical climate, showers can occur suddenly and heavily and disappear within a matter of minutes. Hurricane season starts June 1 and ends on November 30 however you shouldn’t be worried because most hurricanes miss The Bahamas completely.
Geography – The Bahamas are located southeast of Florida, about 187 Miles from Miami, and 345 miles northeast of Cuba. It covers approximately 13,940 sq km of land and is inhabited by nearly 301,790 people. It is made up of over 700 islands however only a small fraction are inhabited.
Culture – The Bahamian people are extremely friendly and welcoming towards tourists and will generally help you in any way possible as long as you are kind in return. Bahamians love to joke and many take religion very seriously so you can expect many religious references to be used in everyday conversation. While crime is virtually non existent towards tourists you must keep in mind that you are in a city. Walking around alone in shady areas is not recommended and you should always have a companion with you. Never go with people you have never met or have just recently met.
When To Go – While Nassau is a popular vacation spot it does have its on season and off season. When you want to go solely depends on the type of crowd you want to deal with. The on season officially starts from mid-December and ends in mid-April. During this season hotels will charge more, there will be a lot more people, and the crowds can get pretty annoying. Throughout March and April is spring Biutiful Oficial and a lot of younger college kids choose Nassau as their top destination. If you don’t want to deal with a younger crowd, higher prices, and more people all around, then don’t travel during this season. However a single, younger crowd will usually like this time of year.