Nassau, Bahamas: Popular Tourist Destination For Floridians
Nassau, Bahamas is a popular spot where cruise-ships stop, tourists thrive and locals live. It's filled with delicious cuisine, lively casinos, high-class resorts, and Bahamian Creole-speaking natives making it a top destination for many travelers.
History
Beyond the white sandy beaches is an island filled with history that lives amongst the local Bahamians. Since the beginning of time, the Bahamas was ruled by the British. As settlers, wars and struggles were brought upon the locals they continued to stay strong.
Fast forward to the end of the era, on July 10th, 1982, the Bahamas became a free country, cutting ties with British rule. To this day, the island is a part of the Commonwealth of Nations and celebrates July 10th as Bahamian Independence Day.
Currency
The Bahamian Dollar (BSD) is the equivalent of the U.S. dollar. To distinguish the currency from others the symbol B$ is used. Businesses in Nassau, Bahamas accept either USD or BSD. If you are given BSD it is advised to use it before departing from the island as it is not accepted elsewhere.
escape to paradise
The Caribbean Island is located off the South-East coast of Florida making it quite accessible for Miami residents. To get to the island there are two forms of transportation: cruise-ship and plane.
Major cruise lines include Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and more, which offer 3-day cruises to Nassau. If one prefers the more conventional way, they can fly nonstop from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Nassau International (NAS) in just under an hour. Airlines that fly direct -- Bahamasair & American Airlines. All that is required to enter the island is a valid passport.
American Airlines flights run 5 times a day from MIA at a fairly reasonable price if your visiting paradise on an off-season.
when to visit
Nassau attracts many from near and far, making for a peak season from Mid-December to Mid-April. Anywhere past June calls for a chance of hurricanes. The Caribbean hurricane season brings unpredictable weather to the island, which is not ideal in any vacationers mind.
Main attractions
There are a handful of notable places to visit & activities to participate in Nassau. When staying at a resort there are plenty of outdoor activities in addition to the beaches. Resorts offer all sorts of water activities including scuba diving, snorkeling, water slides, lazy rivers, and more.
If one is interested in exploring the outer banks of the resort, the Bahamian towns await. Giving tourists a sense of what life is like for the locals. These quaint beach towns radiate positive vibes throughout. Museums, historical landmarks (Queens Staircase, Fort Charolette, etc.) are also available to the public eye.
Things To Do
Graycliff's Wine Cellar, the third-largest in the world
Snorkel or scuba dive, Andros Barrier Reef
Day excursion to one of the 700 islands
Swim in the crystal-clear turquoise waters
Powerboat to Pig Beach in Exuma
ATV tour