Nassau

Sightseeing Parliament House - A pink building in Old Town with a statue of Queen Victoria out front. Free, 1h. Queen's Staircase - A famous set of 66 steps named after Queen Victoria. Free, 1h. Fort Fincastle - A small fort from 1793 on Bennet's Hill that overlooks the city. Price not listed, 2h.

Food & Drink Potters' Cay - Located under the Paradise Island bridge, this is the spot for fresh conch salad and conch fritters. Price varies, 2h.

Outdoor Nature Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Center - The only zoo in the Bahamas where you can see marching flamingos. $15, 3h. Cable Beach - A great spot to relax on the sand. Free, 4h.

Nightlife Club Waterloo - A popular spot on East Bay Street that stays open until 4 AM. $20 cover, 4h. Señor Frogs - Located next to the cruise dock, though you should check the wind direction because of a nearby sewer pipe. $20 cover, 3h.

Cultural National Art Gallery of the Bahamas - Housed in the former Chief Justice residence, it shows art from the precolonial era to now. $5, 2h. Pirates of Nassau Museum - A cheesy but fun museum on George St with recreations of pirate battles. $12, 2h.

Shopping Straw Market - Located on Bay St, this is the place for souvenirs and haggling over prices. Price varies, 2h.

Day Trips Paradise Island - Take a bus tour to see the Atlantis hotel resort and its aquarium. Price varies, 6h.

Here are some spots to stay in Nassau depending on your budget.

Budget

• Sunrise Oceanfront Cottage - Eastern Point. $50/night. A yellow cottage right on the ocean.
• Towne Hote - George Street (Downtown). Budget friendly. A cheaper option if you want to be downtown.

Mid-range

• British Colonial Nassau - Bay Street. Mid-range. It is located at Fort Nassau and has a private beach with views of the cruise ships.
• Graycliff Hotel - West Hill Street. Mid-range. A classic choice on the west side of town.

Luxury

• Grand Hyatt Baha Mar - Cable Beach. Luxury pricing. This resort has the Baha Mar Casino and ESPA spa.
• Atlantis (Paradise Island). Luxury pricing. Most of the high end resorts are located here or at Cable Beach.

For food, try these options:

• Downtown holes-in-the-wall (Bahamian) - Downtown. $8. Great for greasy fish and sides.
• Waterside seafood restaurants (Seafood) - Waterfront. $50. Go here for a high end piece of lobster.
• Sbarro (Pizza/Fast Food) - Downtown. Budget. Good if you need a break from local food.
• McDonald's (Fast Food) - Downtown. Budget. Simple and fast.
• Chinese restaurants (Chinese) - Downtown. Budget. A reliable alternative to conch.

To get to Nassau, fly into Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS). Most major US airlines serve this airport. While the reference data doesn't list specific flight costs from US cities, prices usually vary by season and departure point.

Once you land, you have two main options for ground transport to the city center:

1. Taxi: There is a list of fixed fares posted at the exit. A ride to most hotels in central Nassau costs about $27 and takes you roughly 10 miles (16 km).
2. Bus: No public transit enters the airport. To take the bus, walk out onto John F Kennedy Dr, cross the road, and wave down bus 12B. It runs every 30 minutes and costs $2.50.

Since Nassau is on an island, there are no train or driving options from other cities. If you aren't flying, your only other way in is by sea via cruise ships docking at the Prince George Wharf Cruise Terminal or using Bahamas Ferries if you are hopping between islands.

If you plan to move around once you arrive:

• Jitneys (minibuses) are the cheapest way to get around. They cost $1.25 per person per ride, though some basic fares are listed as $1 for city areas and $2 for outskirts. You pay the driver when you get off.
• For Cable Beach, look for the #10 Jitney on George & Bay Streets in front of McDonalds.
• To reach Paradise Island from downtown, take a water taxi from under the bridge for $6 round trip. Note that the water taxi and jitneys stop running between 6 PM and 7 PM. After 7 PM, you will have to use a taxi, which can be expensive.

If you are planning a trip to Nassau, timing is everything because the weather shifts quite a bit. Based on the climate patterns, here is how I would break it down.

Peak Season: December to April This is the best time for weather. These are the driest months with only 6 to 8 rainy days per month. Because of this, hotels in areas like Cable Beach and Paradise Island charge a premium. Expect to pay $400 to $800 per night for decent resorts during this window. It is crowded, but you avoid the heavy rain.

The Sweet Spot: May and November These months sit right between the dry season and the summer rains. You can often find lower flight prices and hotel rates than in January. The weather is still warm, though you might see a few more showers. It is a great time to walk through downtown Nassau or visit the Queen's Staircase without fighting massive crowds.

Months to Avoid: June to October This is the Northern Hemisphere summer, which is the rainiest time of the year in Nassau. Since it has a tropical monsoon climate, you will deal with significant rainfall and higher humidity. If you hate rain, skip these months.

Practical Details

• Temperature: It stays warm all year. You can expect highs typically between 80°F and 90°F.
• Food Costs: A casual meal of conch fritters or a fresh conch salad at a local spot like Arawak Cay will cost you about $15 to $25 USD. High end dinners at resorts will easily push $75 to $150 per person.
• What to do: If you visit during the dry season, spend time at Junkanoo Beach or take a stroll through the Straw Market.

Stick to the December through April window if you want guaranteed sunshine, but try May or November if you want to save some money.