Quick Facts

Location: The Bahamas consists of 700 islands covering 500 miles of water
Capital City: Nassau, on Paradise Island, 185 miles from Miami
Climate: 70 to 75 degrees September through May; 80 to 85 degrees the rest of the year
Official language: English
Currency: Bahamian dollar, equal to the U.S. dollar, which is also accepted

Stacking Your Postcards

Little Harbour Cay:
This Bahamas attraction is one of the few that is accessible by both boat and car. The cay is home to Johnston Studios & Art Foundry, with bronze sculptures that weigh hundreds of pounds. The sculptures were created by Randolph Johnston, who passed away in 1992. His son Peter continues the traditions.

Man -O-War Cay
For those interested in boating and boat building, this is the best Bahamas tourist attraction. Perhaps you'll be lucky to run into Joe Albury, whose family dates back several generations. He continues the craftsman tradition, from Abaco hardwoods, sailing dinghies, model hulls, and gifts. Visitors can also observe the fabrication of sails, canvas bags, and hats.

Great Gyuana Cay
Completely different from New Plymouth and Elbow Cay, this Bahamas attraction is popular with snorkelers, swimmers, and sunbathers for its miles of unspoiled beaches. Guests frequently take time out to enjoy the food and unique libations at Nippers Restaurant, which is open daily. This restaurant, a popular Bahamas tourist attraction itself, is also famous for its weekly pig roast

Shopping In Bahamas
Offering savings of 30-50 percent below international retail prices, duty-free shopping is a popular way to find bargains for jewellery, perfume, watches, china, crystal and liquor, with the tourist zones of Nassau and Freeport providing particularly good buying opportunities. Nassau's Bay Street is famous for its Straw Market , offering a wide array of mats, baskets, hats, dresses, T-shirts and hand-crafted items at bargain prices. While many items at the market are cheap imports, others may be genuine, so a close inspection of the merchandise is usually worthwhile. As one of the better shops, Nassau's Plait Lady (tel 242/356-5584) guarantees its items are 100 percent Bahamian-made. While Straw Market purchases are subject to negotiation, bargaining is not a typical Bahamian custom.

The Bahamas are also known for their Androsian batik fabrics made by a small operation in Andros Town on a remote Out Island. Although the factory is fascinating to visit, batik items are available at many outlets in Nassau, Freeport and major Out Islands like Abaco and Eleuthera.

Destination Guides

Alice Town
Just fifty miles east of Miami, Florida, is the world-famous fishing destination Alice Town on North Bimini. Capital of the tiny Bimini island chain, Alice Town is also one of the most well-known party sites anywhere in the Bahamas. Popularized by Ernest Hemingway, who described it as a hard-drinking fishing refuge, the town's numerous hotels and marinas continue to provide plenty of activity for anglers, divers and snorkellers, as well as a freewheeling, somewhat ribald atmosphere somewhat reminiscent of the town's glory days.

Nassau
Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, located on New Providence Island offers a variety of experiences from non-stop excitement to peaceful relaxation. Nassau is the center of industry, commerce and communications and presents a special charm which captures the elegance of the old world while at the same time incorporating up-to-the-minute modern features. Here one will find well-preserved colonial buildings, exciting attractions, duty free shopping, one of the largest straw markets in the Caribbean, thrilling land and sea sports, pristine beaches, delightful cuisine and unique cultural activities. Beautiful Paradise Island is linked to Nassau by bridge and has gorgeous beaches, luxury hotels, a large casino and first class entertainment

Marsh Harbour
Marsh Harbour is the third largest town in the Bahamas and the main focus of tourism in the Abacos. Featuring most of the hotels, inns, marinas and diving operations on the island, the town is an essential hub for ferries connecting with the rest of the Loyalist Cays. The settlement lies on a peninsula just off the smoothly paved Great Abaco Highway , which runs south through Great Abaco to Cherokee Point and Little Harbour . North of town, the road becomes S.C. Bootle Highway , another smooth stretch that runs north and west toward Treasure Cay and Little Abaco.

Lucaya
Freeport/Lucaya, the island's capital city and the second largest city in the islands, is one of the best-known destinations in the Bahamas. The city was specifically designed for the tourist trade, and as a result features terrific duty-free shopping and many attractions to keep visitors entertained and enthralled. The 10-acre International Bazaar in downtown Freeport is divided into sections that represent different parts of the world, each with its own collection of shops and restaurants. You can easily spend a whole day exploring the Bazaar, and when you run out of money, just pay a visit to the Bahamia Casino nearby!

Lucaya boasts its own shopping mecca, the picturesque Port Lucaya Marketplace and Marina, located across from the beach in Lucaya. This 6-acre complex is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening exploring the duty-free shops or chowing down at one of the many popular restaurants. Boaters won't want to miss the impressive array of luxurious yachts anchored at the huge marina, an official port of entry into the Bahamas. The Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort nearby features a medium-sized casino in addition to lovely beaches and luxurious accommodations. And with the evening breeze come the sounds of tropical rhythms from live entertainment in the Count Basie Square.