Traveling to the Bahamas: Travel Tips, Hotel Hacks & Things to Do

Year after year, as key players in the travel industry put out their top ten lists of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, there’s one country that always makes an appearance: the Bahamas. What’s not to love? White sand beaches, brilliant sunshine and rolling white-capped waves. But it’s so much more than just a tropical getaway. Whether you’ve got your trip to the Bahamas already lined up, or you’re just curious about all it has to offer, we’ve got everything you need to know.

Traveling to the Bahamas from the US

If you’re traveling to the Bahamas from the United States, there are a few key things to keep in mind. If you need more information to prepare for your getaway, we’ve got you covered. 

Do you need a passport to travel to the Bahamas? 

Yes, you’ll need a valid passport to enter the country. As a general rule, make sure that the expiration date of your passport is further than six months away from your scheduled return date. Some countries will not admit you if your passport has an expiration date too close to your return date. 

Do you need a Visa for the Bahamas? 

U.S. travelers coming for tourism will not need a visa if their stay is under 90 days. All other travelers need a visa and/or work permit. For the latest info on Visas for the Bahamas, check out the U.S. State Department site for the Bahamas.                                                                                                               

Finding Flights to the Bahamas

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of flights to the Bahamas. Here are a few tips to help you find the best deals and the best flights. 

• Start your research early and be thorough.  When you’re looking for flights anywhere, you’ll want to make sure you do your research thoroughly and well in advance. This is even more crucial to do for a tourist hot spot like the Bahamas. Look at flight comparison sites and don’t just go for the cheapest deal right away. 

• Look for bundles and all-inclusive trips to the Bahamas. Since the Bahamas is such a popular destination, it’s highly likely that you can find a great deal that includes airfare and resort stay in one package. These usually are great ways to save money.

• Book early morning flights. This will greatly reduce the chances of a delayed or canceled flight. 

• Schedule your trip to the Bahamas during the off season.  Between spring and late fall, The Bahamas generally experiences a drop in tourism, as most of the region is fairly warm during this time frame. But that may just make it the perfect time to score the most affordable flights. 

• Book nonstop flights if you can. Depending on where you live, you might be able to get a nonstop flight to the Bahamas. This is your best bet. You don’t want to have to deal with the stress of making connecting flights unless you absolutely have to.  

Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Can Help

Have you ever opened up your inbox to an email from a travel marketplace announcing an amazing limited-time offer on specific travel dates? In order to take advantage of these deals, you need to seize the moment (and your credit card!) and book your travel plans right away. The only problem is you might not always know what dates will work for you and your travel companions. If you purchase Trip Insurance Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage after you book the deal, you’ll be able to cancel your trip if those dates end up not working out. Travel insurance with Cancel for Any Reason coverage will allow you to be able to recoup some of your eligible, prepaid nonrefundable travel expenses and rebook your Bahamas trip at a later date.

What to Know About All-Inclusive Bahamas Hotels

So, you’ve just booked an all-inclusive trip to the Bahamas! You’ve got your passport, bought some new beachwear and are on your way. While your hotel may have been part of that all-inclusive bundle, here are a few things to keep in mind when booking your stay at one of the many hotels in the country.  

• Know what ‘all-inclusive’ really means. While there are many ‘all-inclusive’ resorts throughout the islands it might mean something different depending on where you stay. In general, a truly all-inclusive resort will include the room, unlimited snacks, meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks which is usually paid for when booking your room. Remember, that’s just a general expectation. Before you book, call your desired resort to confirm what ‘all-inclusive’ means to them. 

• Not all hotels in the Bahamas are in ideal locales. Your hotel may promise ocean views but it may only deliver a parking lot, apartment buildings and a tiny swatch of blue off in the horizon. Think about whether you want to be steps away from a blanket of pink sand and beach vibes or if you want to have a more live-like-a-local experience.  

• Yes, you should tip, even at an all-inclusive resort. You’ll want to tip everyone from the cabbie that drives you from the airport to the hotel, to the porter that carries your bags to the maid who cleans your room. Check out Foders for more specific tipping guidelines for the Bahamas. 

• If you require accessibility accommodations, call ahead. Make sure that your hotel has everything you need. If you use a wheelchair, make sure the halls and doorways are wide enough and that ramps and elevators are available where you need them. Many hotel online reviews will include information on how accessible the reviewers found their hotels to be.

• Ask about Covid protocols. Even as we enter post-pandemic travel, it’s clear that Covid isn’t going to disappear. Whenever you travel, it’s perfectly understandable to be a little Covid-wary. Ask your hotel what Covid safety protocols they follow, including what procedures they follow if a guest tests positive. 

Activities to Do in the Bahamas

There are many reasons why the Bahamas routinely makes the annual top ten lists. Most tourists tend to just focus on one: The Bahamas has some of the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever see in your life. But what if sunbathing and scuba diving aren’t your things? You’re in luck. The Bahamas has a lot to offer beyond its beaches. Here’s just some of the other cool things to do in the Bahamas. 

• Take a walking tour. Although the country only achieved independence in the early 1970s, it was first inhabited hundreds of years ago. A walking tour of Nassau or Freemont, for instance, can give you a sense of history and culture that shaped the country you’re privileged to be vacationing in today. 

• Take a food tour. Most people don’t travel to the Bahamas for work. You’re on vacation and when you’re on vacation the only other thing you have to focus on aside from relaxing is eating. And these islands have some of the best food you’ll ever have. From fire engine (a corned beef breakfast dish served with vegetables and rice) in the morning to conch (snail meat and the Bahamas national dish) in the evening, the Bahama’s isn’t just paradise, it’s a food-lovers paradise. 

• Explore Clifton Heritage National Park. If you’re feeling like a good hike, this is the perfect place for it. From diverse trails to amazing views there’s something for hikers of every ability. 

• Take in the sights and scents at the Versailles Gardens. Though it’s not quite as grand as its French namesake, this garden has some of the most unbelievably beautiful flowers on earth. Treat yourself to a visual and olfactory spectacle you won’t soon forget. 

• Enjoy the view from the Glass Window Bridge. The Bahamian island of Eleuthera is popularly known as the narrowest place on Earth. Before a hurricane destroyed it in 2014, the Glass Window Bridge was a narrow stretch of rock, where you could view the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea in one panoramic sweep. After its destruction, this natural wonder was rebuilt and still provides visitors the same awe-inspiring view. 

For more interesting things to do in the Bahamas, the Lonely Planet has you covered. 

Get Trip Insurance for your Tropical Vacation 

Whether you plan on scuba diving through the Bahamas’ vast network of underwater caves, lounging on of the country’s 700 islands and cays, or feel like exploring Nassau, trip insurance from VisitorsCoverage can help get you there. 

Not only can trip insurance protect American travelers against the financial fallout associated with things like canceled or delayed flights, missed connections or baggage loss but also its Sickness & Accident benefit may cover you for urgent medical care up to $500,000 needed while you’re abroad.

Try out our trip insurance quote generator. Have questions? Our Customer Success Team of licensed travel insurance agents are ready to help