Atlantis, Paradise Island is an ocean-themed destination providing a mecca of hotel rooms, 35 restaurants, bars and lounges, a world-class casino, and a marina. Cruise ships are regular visitors to Nassau.

Nassau has its origins back to the year 1650 when it was founded by Britain and named Charles Town. The name changed to Nassau some forty five years later. It was named in honor of William the third of Orange-Nassau. Nassau, as with the Bahamas generally, has a colorful history. The large number of islands in the Bahamas, and the trading that developed brought a large number of vessels to the area. So much so it became a haven for pirates. Nassau was inhabited by pirates who tried to overturn the British. There were many famous battles between the two parties. One of the most acclaimed of those was led by the well known pirate Edward Teach, who was also known as Blackbeard. The British however prevailed, and by 1720 had driven the pirates out of the Bahamas all together.

Nassau the capital of the Bahamas houses seventy percent of the population which is around 290,000. Development has been restricted with buildings mostly being low-rise and spread out.

Bay Street, which runs alongside the shore, is the main street of Nassau. This is where the tourists find their way and as a result there are a lof of souvenir shops, jewellry stores, and tour kiosks along the way. There is a large hill at the back of Bay Street. This is where the government building snad corporate headquarters are congregated. Further on from there are the residential areas for the not-so-rich.

Arriving in Nassau

Most people arrive by either cruise ship or by air. There are often large cruise ships docked in the bay with passengers filling the streets of Nassau. The larger percentage of tourists however come by air and arrive at Nassau's main airport, Lynden Pindling International Airport. It is the biggest airport in the Bahamas, and services many of the main U.S. airlines alogn with international carriers.

The airport itself has seen better days, but the free drinks occasionally served on arrival and the live band serenading the Immigration hall help set the tone. No public transport is available at the airport, but there's a list of fixed taxi fares posted at the exit. It's about $25 (USD) and 10 miles (16 kilometres) to most hotels in central Nassau.

On the way back, note that there are three terminal concourses: domestic and charter flights, flights to the US, and non-US international flights. US Immigration/Customs preclearance can be very time-consuming, so show up at least two hours before your flight. Security for other destinations is considerably more laid back, and an hour should suffice.

Getting around Nassau

Minibuses

Minibuses act as the bus system of Nassau city and New Providence island. Journeys cost a dollar per ride, and buses can be found congregating on Bay St, but figuring out the routes gets complex as they're run by multiple companies — ask around for your destination.

Taxis

Taxis, often minivans and always identifiable by their yellow license plates and little Gothic blackletter "Taxi" lettering, roam the streets of Nassau. They're equipped with meters but will usually refuse to use them, so agree on the fare in advance.

Rental Cars

You could also rent a car. All major U.S car rental shops are in Nassau. Worthy of note for travelers from the UK is the very British feel of the roads. Unlike the nearby US, the Nassau roads are left hand drive, have UK road signs and even the odd roundabout.

Scooters

Scooter (small motorcycle) rental is also popular in Nassau.

Bikes

Bicycle rental is not popular and not recommended as traffic is bad, there are many blind corners in the old streets of Nassau, and cars drive recklessly and on the left side of the road, which you may not be used to.

Walking

Within downtown Nassau, you could walk around. Distances are very short and a walking tour is a pleasant way of exploring downtown Nassau.

What to see

Parliament House
Parliament House
Fort Fincastle.
Fort Fincastle.
Take a walk around Old Town, an interesting mixture of abandoned buildings and bright Caribbean structures. It doesn't take long to get away from the over-scrubbed tourist areas in the very center. Walk ten minutes uphill to the pink Parliament Building, which still has a statue of an enthroned Queen Victoria out front.
  • Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Center, ☎ 242-323-5806 (, fax: 242-323-7232), [1]. 9AM-5PM. Visit the Bahamas' only zoo. See the marching flamingo shows. Let the parakeets land on you as you feed them. $12.  
  • National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, West & West Hill Streets, ☎ 1-242-328-5800. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Opened in 2003, this showcases Bahamian art from the precolonial era to the present. The quality of art is rather uneven to say the least, but the renovated building — once the residence of the Chief Justice — is a sight in itself. Adults $5, Students/seniors $3.  
  • Pirate Museum, ☎ 1-242-356-3759 (). M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 9AM-noon. Recreations of a pirate town, a pirate ship and a pirate battle, with a few real artifacts mixed in. Cheesy, but fun. Try to catch a guided tour. $12.  
  • Fort Fincastle. A small fort built in 1793 which overlooks the city of Nassau from a small hill south of town. Several cannons are on display. Tours are conducted Monday through Sunday, 8am to 3pm. 

 

What to do

The bus tours are pretty interesting. They'll drive you around, and tell you about the local government, tell you about different points of interest, and take you to old forts, and to Paradise Island, to see the famous Atlantis hotel resort and its stunning aquarium.

Shopping

  • Straw Market, Bay St. Originally a locals' market, this is now devoted to touristy bric-a-brac. If you are in the market for some souvenirs, this is the place to come. Don't be discouraged by the initial price of things, as this is the only place you can barter for a better one. You don't have to worry about exchanging any money either, as US currency is accepted universally.
  • Potters' Cay, under the Paradise Island bridge. Best known for its fish market, and there are plenty of stalls that prepare fresh conch salad, conch fritters and other Bahamian seafood delicacies, but there's plenty of other exotic tropical produce available too.

Dining

Get out of the hotel and try real dishes from the Bahamas. You can order oily fish with fries and salad for about $8 at one of the holes-inthe-wall in downtown Nassau. If you want to go more upmarket there is a host of quality seafood restaurants, many situated on the waterfront. Lobsters, prawns, fish fillets, oysters, you name it and they'll catch it and serve it any way you like. There are also plenty of take-away food outlets including McDonalds, and Sharros. There are also a number of Chinese restaurants available.

For moderate spenders

  • The Shoal Restaurant and Lounge, Nassau Street, ☎ 323-4200. Sa-Th 7:30AM-11PM, Fri 7AM-7PM. If the tourist crowds are getting you down, take a taxi out to where the locals eat. Enjoy fish that falls off the bone, friendly service, and a dessert of guava duff. $10-$20.  

Lashing out choice 

  • Cafe Matisse, Bank Lane (behind Parliament Sq, off Bay St), ☎ 1-242-356-7012. Tue-Sat noon-11 PM. Tucked away on a quiet lane, Matisse serves excellent Italian food with fresh local ingredients. Reservations recommended; try to get a seat in the delightful garden courtyard, which is shady by day and lit up at night. "Proper" dress (no shorts or sandals) required for dinner. $50-70. 

Nightlife

Nassau isn't a spring break mecca for nothing. The club scene is nightly and rowdy. Some popular establishments:

  • Señor Frogs, ☎ (242) 323-1777. 11AM-1AM. right next to the cruise dock. Situated next a stinky sewer pipe, check which way the wind is blowing before you order. Doesn't serve Kalik.  
  • Club Waterloo, East Bay Street. 8PM-4AM. on the north side of the island, about two miles from the dock.  
  • Cocktails and Dreams, West Bay Street, ☎ (242) 328 3745. draws a sketchier crowd, although it is on the beach. Come here in a group. 
  • Club Fluid. draws a very local crowd. you will get lots of recommendations from Bahamians you meet but it is not a tourist club at all. It is in a dark, dirty, basement. There is nowhere to sit and the dance floor is concrete. The drinks are terrible and watered down.  

Cover charges average $20, although all major hotels sell "passes" for $5. With a pass, cover charge is only $5, so you actually pay $10. Cover charges on weekends can climb up to $45, so it's a good idea to get a pass from your local taxi driver/hotel desk.

You can also opt for an all-inclusive entertainment pass, which will include a schedule. Expect to follow this itinerary with at least 5,000 other co-eds. (It might be a good idea to pick up this schedule even if you don't plan on participating. It will give you a good idea of places to avoid on certain nights.)

Drinks in clubs can get expensive, depending on the club and its location. Most locals "drink up" before going out, to defray this cost... That or they can be found in the parking lots with a cooler ;) Expect to pay at least $4 for a beer and $5 for a cocktail. The one exception is rum, which is cheap and plentiful. Cocktails with rum at a club, will be strong.

Accommodation hotels

Many of Nassau's major hotels are located the CBD on Paradise Island or Cable Beach.

British Conolial Hilton Nassau One Bay Street, Telephone +1 (242) 322 3301 Facsimile +1 242 302 9010. This hotel caters mainly to the corporate market rather than leisure travelers. It is a unique hotel in that it is located within the historic landmark Fort Nassau, and has its own private beach. It is also close to Nassau's shops, and government buildings and CBD. 

Quality Inn Nassau Bahamas, West Bay & Nassau Street, ☎ +1 (242) 322-1515 (, fax: +1 (242) 322-1514). checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM. Located across the street from Junkanoo Beach, this hotel offers stunning views of white sandy beaches and the crystal-clear blue water of the Atlantic Ocean.  

Sunrise Oceanfront Cottage (www.hostelworld.com), Eastern Point, Nassau, Bahamas (Eastern Road travelling East, pass Prince Charles Drive T-junction on your right, beach on the left, after the 3rd house on your left, turn left, straight ahead yellow cottage on the ocean), ☎ 001-242-324-0105. $50.pp.  

Staying safe 

Colonial wreck, Over-the-Hill
Colonial wreck, Over-the-Hill
The "Over-the-Hill" area south of downtown is the poorest part of Nassau, and tourists might want to be wary. It is, however, much nicer than "slums" in the Third World, and indeed, parts of the United States.

Some criminals target restaurants and nightclubs frequented by tourists. The most common approach is to offer victims a ride, either as a "personal favor" or by claiming to be a taxi, and then robbing and/or assaulting the passenger once they are in the car. Take care to ride only in licensed taxis, identifiable by their yellow license plates.

Be wary of the natives offering goods and services. They will tell you anything to get you jet-skiing, on booze cruises, etc.

Locals may solicit tourists with offers of marijuana, hairbraiding services, or a taxi ride. It gets monotonous but a friendly "no thank you" and moving on will keep both you and the local happy.

Most Cuban cigars for sale in Nassau are counterfeit. Only buy from reputable dedicated tobacconists. See warning on main Bahamas page.

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