How to Find Luxury Hotels in Nassau, Bahamas

The Bahamas has always been considered an island paradise and rightfully so. With its beautiful sandy beaches and warm waters, tourists flock every year to these islands that were once the hideaway of the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Even Christopher Columbus landed here on his way to discover America! Follow these steps to start planning your trip to Nassau, the capital of the commonwealth.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access for making reservations
• Valid passport

Know Your Destination

1. The Bahamas have prospered primary through tourism; so expect to be well taken care of during your visit.

2. Feel free to speak English, the official language. Creole is sometimes spoken among the Haitian population.

Organize Transportation

3. Fly into Nassau's Internation Airport. Nassau is also the hub that connects flights to the other islands.

4. Sail here on one of the dozen luxury cruise lines that service The Bahamas. You'll debark from the boat at Prince George Wharf, on the northern coast.

5. Get around the city by riding local minibuses called jitneys. When you'd like to get off, just yell, "Bus stop!" Pay the driver when you exit.

6. Hail a taxi or just hire one from the front of any hotel. They're metered; but the fares are predetermined by the government.

7. Rent a scooter and drive around town! You can usually rent one at major hotels.

8. You could rent a car; but you'll have to sit in traffic on Nassau's one way streets. This is not a recommended way to travel.

9. Hire a horse drawn surrey and take your time exploring downtown. You can haggle on the fare and even negotiate the length of the tour.

Choose Your Luxury Accommodations

10. Call the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism at 800-BAHAMAS to book your accommodations, or visit the Web site (see Resources below).

11. Choose luxury accommodations on the west side so you can be close to the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Park. Here you'll find irreplaceable photo opportunities in the stunning gardens and wonderful experiences with the indigenous wildlife, like the endangered Bahama parrot.

12. Choose from one of the many beachside luxury hotels that dot Nassau's landscape. Not only will you enjoy unparalleled amenities, but the beach will be only a few steps from your room!

13. Stay in a luxury hotel downtown and be close to attractions like the Pirates of Nassau museum, which has everything you've ever wanted to know about pirates, including lifelike recreations of pirate life.

Tips & Warnings

• Dress for tropical marine weather and enjoy the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.
• Don't go any farther south than downtown if you want to avoid the majority of crime.
• Some con artists impersonate taxi drivers. Make sure to look for the yellow taxi license plates to verify your travel accommodations.
• Young women should stay in groups. Incidents of rape have been on the rise.