Where to stay in Nassau, Bahamas

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Thinking of escaping to Nassau for some down time? Are you looking for an action-packed beach holiday with the family or a honeymoon-worthy hotel? Whatever your preference, you can find it in Nassau, Bahamas.  

I’ve been fortunate to be visiting the Bahamas regularly for 20 years, as a travel writer and on vacation with my family. I counted them up, and I’ve stayed at 27 different hotels in the Bahamas, some more than once, as well as 8 different vacation rentals (one several times — this one on Great Abaco island). I have toured at least another 150 hotel and resort properties in the Bahamas.

Based on my experience, here are my top recommendations for where to stay in Nassau.

Where to stay in Nassau – A guide to the best areas for first time visitors

Nassau and its suburbs cover the whole of New Providence Island. The island is relatively small – 21 miles long and 7 miles across at its widest point. About 320,000 people live there, most of them on the eastern half of the island. While that is a lot of people, Nassau feels more like a town than a big city, with beaches within a 10-minute stroll of the downtown core and a streetscape of pastel-coloured low-rise buildings and palm trees.

The resorts and hotels in Nassau are concentrated in four main areas, all along the north shore of the island:

• Cable Beach, west of downtown;
• Western New Providence, in the more residential areas around the less developed beaches which run all along the north shore;
• Paradise Island, which is connected to downtown Nassau by a bridge; and
• Central Nassau, on the waterfront or close to it, within walking distance of restaurants and other tourist attractions.

Each of these areas has its own vibe and pros and cons as a place to base yourself in Nassau. More on that below. All of them offer the fundamentals for an enjoyable stay in Nassau:

• beautiful beaches;
• clean, comfortable accommodation at various price points ranging from budget-conscious to movie star-level luxury;
• nice options for food and drink; and
• things to do when you’ve had enough of lying on the beach.

It’s worth noting that nowhere in Nassau is that far away – you can travel from Paradise Island at the eastern end of New Providence to Jaws Beach at the western tip of the island in 45 minutes.

Nassau lodging options – from budget stays to luxury resorts

Lots of people live in Nassau, and most of them aren’t millionaires. However, the Bahamas is not looking to attract backpackers. They (we) don’t spend enough money and the Bahamas depends on tourism to generate half its national income and employ half the population. As a result, short-term accommodation in Nassau – hotels and resorts – is aimed at the mid-range to luxury traveller.

NOTE: all prices quoted here are in US dollars, which are on par with Bahamian dollars.

The least expensive room in Nassau is $50 a night in high season for a bunk in a dorm room at the only hostel in town, but I cannot recommend it.

The most expensive room in Nassau is $4312 a night in high season for a Luxury Oceanfront Room with a king size bed at The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort on Paradise Island. Double that rate for the Luxury Oceanfront Suite (like the one where Daniel Craig as James Bond beat up the bad guy in Casino Royale).

While it is lovely, I’m not sure it’s $2000+ a night nicer than any other resort in Nassau. I can’t recommend spending that much on a hotel room, unless you are so famous you need the relative privacy that much money buys. In which case, tell your pilot to head to the Exuma Cays.

The Nassau hotels I’m recommending here range in price from $220 a night (a steal in Nassau for a lovely family-run beach hotel) to $1000 a night (!) for a honeymoon-worthy boutique hotel.

Camping is not a thing in the Bahamas, except in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, which I loved — a bucket list experience. Elsewhere, it is illegal and there are no facilities. Remember the Fyre Festival? There is one camping option on Paradise Island, but you’ve got to commit to two yoga classes and meditation sessions a day (details below).      

If you are planning to stay more than a few days or are travelling with family or friends, a vacation rental house or apartment might be the best choice. I find that having a kitchen helps cut costs and is often more practical, especially for families with small kids. I have listed a few vacation rental options below.

The best places to stay in Nassau – My Top 10

NOTE: The cost of accommodation in Nassau varies depending on the season. For reference, I’ve cited rates for a double room (two people) in early March, which is high season in the Bahamas. Prices are quoted in US dollars which are on par with Bahamian dollars.

Western New Providence – escape the crowds

The western half New Providence Providence Island is less populated and less built up than central Nassau, Paradise Island, and the Cable Beach resort area closer to downtown. A string of small, mainly residential neighbourhoods lines the north coast here.

Areas like Sandyport and Gambier, and for those with the means, the exclusive Old Fort Bay – Lyford Cay area at the western end of the island are a good base for visitors seeking to get away from it all rather than to be in the middle of the action. It’s about as far off the beaten track as you can get in Nassau.

1. Orange Hill Beach Inn

($220 a night for an Oceanview Studio with queen bed, kitchenette, ac, free wifi, tv and balcony)

Orange Hill Beach Inn is my go-to place to stay in Nassau. It’s also the least expensive hotel on this list. It is a family-run hotel perched on a low rise overlooking the ocean, which is a couple of minutes walk down the hill and across the road.

It is small and homey, with around 30 guest rooms, two apartments and two cottages, inviting outdoor areas with a pool, palm trees, flowering shrubs, coral stone walls and walkways, and scattered lounge chairs for admiring the ocean view. There is an honour bar and a cozy restaurant serving breakfast daily and lunch and dinner for guests by reservation.

I like this place because it is a quiet, green refuge in Nassau, with an Out Island feel. The owners and staff are friendly and helpful. Everything is scrupulously clean. The guest rooms have a cheery beachy décor. It’s not fancy, but that’s partly why I like it.

Orange Hill Beach Inn offers four different room types: studio rooms which sleep 2; poolside rooms which sleep 4; apartments which sleep 4; and cottages which sleep 2 or 3. In my view, the studio rooms are the best, equipped with a kitchenette and a balcony or patio with an ocean view.

The candy-coloured cottages are also cute and closest to the beach, with sea views from their balconies. The poolside rooms are a little barebones and do not have kitchenettes, but are comfortable and a good deal for a family or friends travelling together. They do sport a mini fridge and coffeemaker.   

There is a bus stop at the foot of the driveway where you can catch the #10 jitney ($1.50, frequent, exact cash only) into Nassau city centre or to Cable Beach, Goodman’s Bay Park Beach, Sandyport or to any other point along Bay Street – Nassau’s main street, which runs the length of the island along the north coast. It takes about half an hour to ride the 8.5 miles into downtown Nassau. The staff will also call you a cab.

Orange Hill Beach Inn is just a 5-minute drive from the airport, if you have a layover enroute to or from the Out Islands.

*To check rates and book a room at Orange Hill Beach Inn CLICK HERE*

2. Sandyport Beach Resort

($345 for a studio with a queen bed; $500 for a one bedroom suite with a king bed and a sofa bed; both with kitchens)

Sandyport Beach Resort is another a great option at this quieter end of the island, one with lots of amenities.

It’s got a relaxed residential air, with colourful two storey blocks of rooms and condos built around a palm-fringed lagoon with a sandy beach and hammocks slung in the trees. All the rooms and suites have verandahs or patios facing the lagoon and some have kitchens, making this a good choice for families, budget-conscious travellers looking for self-catering accommodations, and anyone else seeking a peaceful slice of island holiday life.

There is a pool with slides that kids will love, tennis, basketball and beach volleyball courts, and complimentary snorkel gear for guest use. The resort’s stretch of ocean beach is a five-minute walk away, equipped with beach loungers and a casual beach bar and restaurant (The Blue Sail, open to outside guests). There are several other restaurants, bars, and cafes onsite and within walking distance.

One of the features I like most about Sandyport Beach Resort is that everything you need is within walking distance – the beach, restaurants, a beach bar where you can watch the sunset, another for fancy cocktails or morning coffee, another where you can have a Kalik (beer) and watch the game, a grocery store, bank, onsite laundry facilities, and the bus stop, where you can catch the #10 jitney into Nassau town to do some sightseeing.

*To check rates and book your accommodations at Sandyport Beach Resort CLICK HERE*

The Island House

($1039 for a king room)

I recommend this elegant boutique hotel to couples or anyone who wants to treat themselves or someone else to understated luxury. If you are travelling with kids, they are welcome, and will have fun in the pool and at the beach, but there are other more kid-oriented options in Nassau (see above and below).

The Island House is a honeymoon-worthy destination in Nassau, depending on your personal tastes.

Thirty stylishly spare guest rooms and cottages are built around a large pool. There is a chic southeast Asian restaurant (Shima) and an Italian restaurant (Mogano) for dinner, and the bright and cheerful Yellowbell Café open for breakfast and lunch.

There is also an airy fitness centre and pilates studio with a daily schedule of exercise classes, a spa, an outdoor sauna and cold plunge, and a plush inhouse cinema. It all spells relaxation.

Note: The Island House is not on the oceanfront, but in a secluded setting in the tony Lyford Cay neighbourhood of Mahogany Hill. There is a complimentary shuttle to a private, white sand beach five minutes away anytime you want to go.

*Sound good? To check rates and book The Island House CLICK HERE*

Cable Beach – oceanfront resorts with island cool

For the full beach resort experience, head for Cable Beach, Nassau’s premier resort area. You won’t be alone, and staying here will cost you a pretty penny, but you’ll never run out of things to do and every time you look up, there is that gorgeous turquoise Bahamian ocean. 

A dozen or more hotels, resorts, and vacation condominium complexes line Cable Beach, a 2.5 mile-long ribbon of white sand on the north shore, 15 minutes’ drive west of downtown Nassau.

The star of the show is the chic Baha Mar Resort which sprawls over 1000 acres of prime beachfront, encompassing three hotels (totalling about 2300 guest rooms and villas), a Jack Nicholas-designed golf course, casino, over-the-top waterpark, art gallery, wildlife sanctuary, the requisite spa, 45 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges, live music most nights, 10+ swimming pools, fantastic activities for kids, quiet areas for adults, yoga with flamingos, and an almost endless array of beach holiday activities – some free; some for a fee.

4. Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, at the Baha Mar Resort

($725/$770 for a King Room with a fountain view/Queen Room with two queen beds; both with balcony)

My hotel pick at the Baha Mar Resort is the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, the resort’s least costly but extremely nice hotel, with a crisp, sophisticated décor that’s family-friendly too. Guests have access to all the facilities at the Baha Mar Resort except the two swimming pools at the Rosewood Hotel. Why pay more?

*Ready to go? To check rates and book the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar CLICK HERE*

The Baha Mar Resort’s big draw is the panoply of amenities and activities it offers all its guests (including free access to Baha Bay Waterpark) and the fact you can flip flop from your room to that gorgeous beach in a minute or two. It is a beautiful resort. Pack your bathing suit, a party dress, and your credit card and you’ll have a wonderful vacation.

The main drawback is the price. Added to the hefty room rate, the cost of eating out, frozen cocktails by the pool, and taking advantage of some of the fun activities on offer like the Jr. Marine Biologist program for kids, the Paint ‘n Sip for grown-ups, cooking classes, a round of golf, et cetera can rack up the charges to your account.

There are ways to economize a bit – eat a burger at the pool bar rather than lobster in a white linen restaurant. Kids under 5 eat free. In the end, it’s a question of your budget. Is it YOLO time or is it ‘we’ve got this many dollars to spend on a vacation; where can we go?’

*Is it YOLO time? To check rates & book the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar CLICK HERE*

Downtown Nassau – history, culture and walkable charm

Staying in downtown Nassau offers two advantages: generally lower room rates, and Nassau’s main historical sites, tourist attractions, restaurants and shopping district within walking distance.

The disadvantage of basing yourself in central Nassau is that it can get very congested — with shiploads of tourists and car traffic on the main streets around the cruise ship pier and along Bay Street, especially. It is an urban area.

Unless you are a spring breaker just looking for a place to lay your head, the budget hotels wedged side by side opposite Junkanoo Beach (the Courtyard by Marriott, the Holiday Inn Express, and a few others) would not be my choice of where to stay in Nassau. These hotels don’t offer much in the way of amenities or even greenery, and Junkanoo Beach is Nassau’s most crowded beach — many cruise ship passengers with a few hours to pass in port head here, understandably.

In addition, the room rates on this no-frills hotel strip are higher than one of my favourite Nassau hotels, the Orange Hill Beach Inn in western New Providence.

There are, however, some nice hotels in central Nassau. My top choices are:

5. The British Colonial Hotel

($360 for a Standard King Room)

The British Colonial Hotel is a venerable Nassau institution, built in 1922 and given a complete facelift in 2023. This hotel hits the sweet spot for travellers seeking a less costly but still elegant Bahamian beach resort experience and willing to trade a few of the bells and whistles on offer at Baha Mar for close proximity to Nassau’s main historical sites and tourist attractions.

The British Colonial Hotel’s most attractive feature is its waterfront setting, with a scallop of white sand beach and two swimming pools set among tall graceful palm trees with a view of the harbour and passing cruise ships. The Margaritaville Resort is next door, where you can buy a day pass for its Fins Up Waterpark.   

Note that the rooms don’t have balconies, but there are lots of places to lounge by the pool or in the very classy hotel bar for drinks before dinner. Dining at the British Colonial Hotel gets mixed reviews, but there are several restaurants nearby.

*Ready to go? To check rates and book the British Colonial Hotel CLICK HERE*

6. Graycliff Hotel

($650 for a Deluxe King Room; other room types available)

For serious history buffs who are maybe not much for lying on the beach all day but find themselves in Nassau anyway, the historic Graycliff Hotel is an experience. It is Nassau’s oldest hotel, tucked away on a quiet lane next door to the Governor General’s official residence. Built around 1740, the mansion has a storied past filled with privateers, rum runners, celebrities and royalty.

There are just 16 guest rooms and suites, decked with balconies and set in flowering gardens behind a high stone wall. The beautiful tiled swimming pool built in the 1940s is the centrepiece of a lush, landscaped courtyard.

The inn is furnished with antiques. There is a lot of chintz, polished mahogany and sparkling crystal. Waiters in white jackets. Tea is served every afternoon and cocktails in the cozy lounge, over a game of chess, perhaps. A pianist plays during dinner service each evening. There is a humidor. A renowned wine cellar. Guests dress for dinner.

It’s all very Agatha Christie. The perfect setting for a murder mystery weekend. If they ever host one, I’ll be there.

Nassau’s main historical sights are within walking distance and the ocean is a 4-minute stroll away, with a choice of two beaches within walking distance – the curve of white sand at the British Colonial Hotel (day passes available) or Junkanoo public beach (often crowded). The rest of the island is at your fingertips.

*Ready to go? To check rates and book Graycliff Hotel CLICK HERE*

Paradise Island – family fun, iconic luxury, and yoga on the beach

Tiny Paradise Island, which is connected to downtown Nassau by a pair of bridges, is completely devoted to tourism and dominated by the soaring pink towers of the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas Resort. Another 6 or 7 hotels are tucked under its wing and dotted along Cabbage Beach, including Nassau’s most exclusive lodging, The Ocean Club (remember Daniel Craig walking out of the surf as James Bond in Casino Royale?), now a Four Seasons hotel.

Aside from the rich and famous and the James Bond superfans, the vast majority of visitors head to Paradise Island for one reason: to experience Atlantis, with its spectacular waterpark and lagoons filled with sea creatures. Those are the pink towers of Atlantis you see rising out of the sea off the lefthand side of the plane as you land in Nassau.

There are also other accommodations worth considering on Paradise Island.

7. Comfort Suites Paradise Island

($360 for a King Suite with a king bed and a sofa bed, breakfast included)

For families, the Comfort Suites is the best deal on Paradise Island. Guests booked for two nights or more have free access to the amenities at Atlantis next door, including the iconic Aquaventure waterpark, aquariums, restaurants, pools, beaches and other facilities.

The rooms at the Comfort Suites are spacious, clean, comfortable and nicely decorated, as are the common areas. A hot breakfast buffet is included and served al fresco in a roofed pavilion, which my family enjoyed.

There is a pool, an exercise room and an onsite restaurant, and several other restaurants within walking distance at Atlantis (très expensive) and in the shopping arcade nearby. There is a small grocery store in the arcade where you can buy things for a picnic lunch to save some money (there is a mini fridge in the room).

Comfort Suites is not beachfront, but the hundreds of dollars a day you save is, I think, worth the five-minute walk to the beach at Atlantis.

*Sound good? To check rates and book Comfort Suites Paradise Island CLICK HERE*

8. The Reef at Atlantis Paradise Island

($800 for a Studio Terrace with a king bed and a sofa bed)

If you want the full Atlantis experience, you have five Atlantis hotels to choose from, with rates ranging from $620 a night for the family-oriented Coral to $1240+ a night at The Cove, aimed at the luxury traveller with exclusive perks like an artfully-designed pool for adult guests of the Cove only.

For my money, the best place to stay at Atlantis is The Reef. The Reef, along with the similarly priced Harbourside Resort Villas are the most consistently well-reviewed accommodation at Atlantis. They are spacious, clean, and equipped with kitchenettes or full kitchens and give you the option of making some of your own meals. The Reef has the added advantage of its location on the beach, at the quieter end of the resort, with ocean view rooms.

The best reason to stay at Atlantis is onsite access to its spectacular range of amenities and activities, including the Aquaventure waterpark, 14+ swimming pools and several inviting scallops of beach, an amazing aquarium, spas, dozens of restaurants and lounges, a casino, pickleball, tennis, basketball, and a wide range of activities available at extra cost – snorkelling among shoals of rainbow-coloured fish at the Dig, a full range of water sports, big name entertainment, mini golf and golf golf at the scenically situated Ocean Club golf course.    

The Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in general has a couple of less attractive qualities as a place to base yourself for your Nassau vacation. Top of the list: it is outrageously expensive. The food can be mediocre and is overpriced. This is not a budget holiday, but one you may choose to budget for, if it’s on your bucket list.

Service is definitely hit or miss. I have experienced this myself, and other guests report the same. We still had a great time.

The Aquaventure waterpark, the marine habitats filled with sharks and other amazing sea creatures, and gorgeous Cabbage Beach and Paradise Beach, which run for a couple of miles in front of the resort, are the makings of happy memories. Just know what to expect.

*Ready to go? To check rates and book The Reef at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas Resort CLICK HERE*

9. Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, Paradise Island

(US$564 single occupancy/$764 double occupancy for a beachfront ensuite room with a balcony; $184 per additional person up to 4; two vegetarian meals daily, yoga and meditation classes included).

Less expensive accommodation types also available, including campsites for $65 per person; all accommodations include meals, yoga, and meditation sessions.

For something completely different, those with a passion for yoga may want to make the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas on Paradise Island their destination in Nassau.

The retreat’s Yoga Getaway caters to those looking for a yoga-focused vacation with ample time to relax and do other things like lie on the beach, read a book in a hammock, swim and snorkel. You are expected to participate in the twice daily yoga and meditation sessions. Beginners are welcome. Rum cocktails are not served, but the people who go love it anyway.

You have a choice of accommodations, ranging from ensuite beachfront rooms with private balconies (US$564 single occupancy/$764 double occupancy; $184 per additional person up to 4 – meals and yoga included) to an oceanview deluxe room for $100 less; a simple twin with private bath $276/$368 single/double occupancy. Rustic cabins and furnished tents with shared bath are available for less.  

The ashram is also, to my knowledge, the only place in the Bahamas that offers campsites (except the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park). They are nestled among the trees and along the beach, with access to shared bath ($65 per person, including meals, yoga and meditation sessions; bring your own tent and sleeping bag).

All accommodations include two vegetarian meals a day, two yoga classes a day, morning and evening meditation sessions, as well as access to the ashram’s other amenities like the beach.

Ayurvedic treatments, massages, and special courses and workshops are available at additional cost. Accommodation rates are about 40 percent lower in summer.

The retreat is a ten-minute walk down the beach from Atlantis or a ten-minute water taxi ride from downtown Nassau, but a world away from both, nestled in a grove of palm trees on a peaceful undeveloped stretch of Paradise Beach.

It was established in 1968 when Paradise Island was just bush and beach. I don’t know how the ashram has kept its toehold on Paradise Island all these years as tourism developments have sprung up around it, but it is still going strong, with a full calendar of lectures, wellness workshops and courses.

*Ready for yoga on the beach? To check rates and book the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Paradise Island Bahamas CLICK HERE*

Vacation Rentals in Nassau

For those planning to stay in Nassau for more than a few days and especially those planning to stay for a week or more and for families or friends travelling together, renting an apartment or vacation villa for your stay may be the most comfortable and most economical option.

10. VRBO apartments and condos in Nassau

There are vacation rentals available throughout Nassau, Cable Beach, Paradise Island and the rest of New Providence Island, with prices ranging from budget-conscious to out-of-this-world.

The three options listed below are all in the Sandyport – Delaporte Point area, at the less crowded and slower-paced western end of the island. I like this area because everything you might need for an extended stay is within walking distance — nice beaches, a grocery store, the amenities of Sandyport Beach Resort, several restaurants, and easy access to the #10 jitney to Cable Beach and downtown Nassau.

It is also generally less expensive than comparable accommodations on Cable Beach or Paradise Island.

3 VRBO vacation rental options in Sandyport – Delaporte Point area:

Relaxing Waterfront Stay in the Heart of Sandyport, sleeps two, VRBO Property #3133874vb , $1400 a week

*Is this what you are looking for? Check rates and book it HERE*

If you are travelling with family or friends, this rental, also at Sandyport, sleeps 4:

Two Bedroom Condo at Sandyport overlooking the marina, two bath, washing machine, free parking, sleeps up to four VRBO Property #4403222 $1545 a week

Is this a good fit for you? Check current rates at book it HERE

Delaporte Pointe is across the street from Sandyport Beach Resort. It’s a small gated residential condominium complex on a spit of land jutting out into the ocean, with steps down onto the beach, a bus stop out front, and several restaurants and a grocery store within a few minutes walk. This is where I’d live if I lived in Nassau.

Delaporte Point, 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome, sleeps 4; VRBO Property #3794809 ; $1965 a week)

*Ready to head to Nassau? Check current rates and book this rental HERE *

Not quite what you are looking for?

If these vacation rentals aren’t what you’re looking for, check out other vacation rentals available in Sandyport, Cable Beach, Paradise Island and the rest of Nassau HERE

I use VRBO regularly to book vacation rentals in the Bahamas and other countries (about a dozen times so far) and have always had a good experience with it. I like that VRBO offers discounts for stays of a week or longer.

When is the best time to visit Nassau?

The weather in Nassau

Nassau and the Bahamas as a whole have a consistently warm climate, with day time temperatures ranging from 77°F/25°C to 82°F/28°C November to April, with average lows of 66-67°F to 19-20°C in that period.

The summer months (May – October) are a bit hotter and humid, with high temperatures in the range of 86-90°F / 30-32°C. Most of the rain the Bahamas receives falls in this period and August is the wettest month. However, rain, when it comes, tends to fall in brief thunderstorms in the afternoon then clear off.

The biggest weather concern for tourists and residents alike is hurricanes. Hurricane season officially runs June 1 – November 30. August through October is when there is the highest risk of stormy weather.

Hurricanes don’t happen every year, but they do happen. That is one reason most Bahamians choose to live inland in cement houses and not directly on the water.

The best time of year to visit Nassau cost-wise

The most expensive time to visit the Bahamas is over the Christmas holidays – between mid-December through January 2 or so, although you can sometimes get a better rate if you book far enough ahead. I’ve flown to the Bahamas several times on December 26 or 27, getting decent prices on flights and accommodations by booking far (months) in advance.

January – April is still high season, but room rates are lower than in late December.

If you have some flexibility in your schedule, in my experience, mid November – early December is a nice time to visit anywhere in the Bahamas – it’s shoulder season, coming at the tail end of hurricane season, less busy, and room rates are generally significantly lower than they are in high season, sometimes by as much as half.

The same is true of May and June. That may be a less appealing time to travel for snowbirds (I mean people trying to escape the cold), but it also means the resorts are less crowded.

Getting around Nassau

I wouldn’t bother renting a car in Nassau. Parking can be a hassle and there is not really anywhere to go that you can’t get to more easily by jitney ($1.50, CASH ONLY, exact change; running 6am – 7pm), water taxi ($7 from Nassau to Paradise Island, 10 minutes), by cab, or on foot. You can explore the main historical and cultural sites on a guided walking tour or a bus tour.

Getting around by public bus in Nassau

For most places you might want to go as a visitor, the #10 jitney bus will do you. It goes back and forth along West Bay Street between downtown Nassau and Love Beach in western New Providence. Bay Street is Nassau’s main road, running alongside the north shore of the island.

You can pick the #10 jitney up on Frederick Street at Bay Street near the straw market in downtown Nassau, and hop on and off at Goodman’s Bay Park Beach, Cable Beach, Orange Hill, Sandyport, Love Beach or any other point in between. There are signposted bus stops along the route. If you want to get on the bus, you can flag it down by putting your hand out.

The #10 jitney is $1.50 EXACT CASH ONLY. The jitneys, which are privately owned, run from 6am – 7pm. You pay as you leave the bus.

The best way to get between downtown Nassau and Paradise Island is by water taxi ($7, from in front of Senor Frog’s restaurant in Nassau to near Margaritaville restaurant on Paradise island) or, more easily, by taxi cab. However, If you plan to do a lot of moving around the island, like from Paradise Island to Cable Beach for dinner, taking a cab can get very expensive.

Taking taxis in Nassau

Taxicab rates are set by the government according to zones. The set rates are for two passengers, with $5 charged for each additional passenger. There is an additional fee of $2.20 for each additional piece of luggage beyond two pieces (one suitcase and one carry-on per person). Oversized bags, golf bags and boxes are subject to an additional $3.30 fee. Children under three years of age ride free.

The Lynden Pindling Airport posts current taxi rates from the airport on its website. So, for example, a family of four including two school-age kids with a suitcase each going from the airport to Atlantis on Paradise Island costs $45 (base rate) + $10 (for the two extra passengers) + $4.40 (for 2 extra suitcases) + $2 for the toll bridge to Paradise Island, for a total of $61.40 for the half hour drive, plus a customary 10 – 20 % tip.

From the airport to Cable Beach, the base rate is $29; to downtown Nassau it is $36; to Orange Hill Beach Inn (a 5-minute drive), it is $15.

Walking around Nassau

Nassau’s downtown core is quite compact, and it is easy enough to explore its main attractions on foot. It can be hot walking around, so pace yourself. It gets very crowded with tourists in the blocks closest to the cruise ship terminal. Away from this area, the streets are much quieter. Some of the side streets lack sidewalks or have very narrow sidewalks, so you have to keep an eye out for cars.

Is Nassau safe for tourists?

Yes, Nassau is a safe place to visit. You have to take the normal precautions you would in any city of its size: Don’t put your wallet in your back pocket or hang your purse out of sight on the back of your chair in a restaurant. Don’t leave your wallet wrapped in your t-shirt on Junkanoo Beach while you go for a swim.

Downtown Nassau is quiet at night when the shops close and the office workers go home. Like anywhere else, it’s not safe to walk around deserted urban areas at night. Take a cab.

All of the areas described in this guide are safe to visit and explore with your kids. There are other parts of Nassau where I wouldn’t rent an airbnb or go on my own unless visiting friends who know the area well.

This partly for safety reasons, but also because transportation links are not convenient and most of the things you probably want to do in Nassau — go to the beach, eat out, and sightsee — are located in the areas along the north shore described above.

To get a good overview of Nassau, I recommend taking a guided walking tour.

*BOOK THE TOP-RATED DILLY DALLY GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF NASSAU HERE*

Looking for more ideas for what to do in Nassau?

See my guide to 15 Fun Things to do in Nassau here.  

I hope you find this guide to Nassau’s best lodging options useful.

Cover photo View from Room at Atlantis by Tambako the Jaguar, Creative Commons