What budget to travel Bahamas? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Bahamas?

The Bahamas is a relatively expensive destination. Good to know if you are considering a combined stay between several islands, the Out Islands of The Bahamas Promotional Association often offers special promotions and conditions to visit the Out Islands, the most authentic and most exotic of the archipelago.

One of the flagship programs is the 2 Fly Free program. Free tickets from Nassau to any of the Out Islands when staying at one of the partner hotels: 1 free ticket for a stay of 4 to 6 nights; 2 free tickets for a stay of 7 nights or more.

Activities in the Bahamas can be quite expensive. Count between 75 US$ for half-day excursions and around 150 US$ for a full day. But it is always easy to find a small deserted beach, there are many of them, even in high season, and to settle down to spend a day of relaxation or discovering the underwater world with a simple pair of fins and a mask!

International payment cards are widely accepted in Nassau, but if you are going to the Out Islands, bring cash as sometimes this will be the only way to pay. Again, the posted price almost never includes taxes, which have increased significantly in recent years (VAT increased from 7.5% to 12% in 2018).

What budget to eat Bahamas?

It is difficult to have lunch in a restaurant for less than 25 US$ and to have dinner for less than 35 US$ if it is not in the numerous small gargotes installed in general on the side of the road and where you will often be able to taste a good conch salad for 10 to 15 US$ and a complete dish for less than 20 US$ if you like the local cooking.

Count about ten dollars for a cocktail, 5 US$ for a local beer and more than 12 US$ for a glass of wine in general. Be careful, the service is not included, don't forget the 15%!

What is the budget for accommodation Bahamas?

The quality of the establishments can vary from one island to another, but hotels remain expensive on the majority of the islands. Camping possibilities are non-existent. Continental breakfast is increasingly included in the price of the night (but it is not systematic either), and beware of taxes and services that can quickly increase the bill.

There are several categories of hotels, which will satisfy all clients, from the most modest to the most demanding.

The "mega resorts". These huge hotel complexes, which have an average of 700 to 1,500 rooms, are usually owned by international chains (Sandals, Hilton, Wyndham, Hyatt, Melia, Atlantis) and reproduce the same concept and the same levels of service from one country to another. Well equipped with sports facilities (swimming pools, tennis courts, gym) and offering a wide range of water and land sports activities (diving, sailing, golf...), they also have many restaurants and bars of different categories, and often a private stretch of beach. These resorts are mainly located on the islands of Nassau, Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island. Some offer club and all-inclusive packages, while others offer a la carte packages.

Charming hotels. It is composed of structures of 10 to 60 rooms. There are about a hundred hotels with a warm, even family atmosphere, corresponding to different categories of comfort, from unpretentious Bed & Breakfasts to luxury resorts classified among the most beautiful hotels in the world. Some are housed in century-old colonial-style mansions, while others are housed in newer buildings. Very numerous in the Out Islands, these small establishments offer catering services and sports facilities. It is in this category that we find the most beautiful hotels of the islands.

The human-sized hotels. Between these two extremes are hotels with an average capacity of 200 rooms, "resorts" on a human scale, which offer a wide range of activities and services, restaurants and bars.

Small hotels. Finally, there is also the small hotel industry, offering modest but correct comfort at lower prices. These hotels are generally family-owned businesses, where the atmosphere is more local. They usually attract a young and sporty clientele. There are stops of this type on all the islands.

Villa or island rentals! For longer stays or to privilege independence, you can opt for a villa or condominium rental. Generally quite luxurious, these rentals can include additional services (restaurants and sports activities). This option exists on all the islands. Many Internet sites present catalogs of rentals.

Note that the "2 Fly Free from Nassau" program, launched by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, offers free airfare from Nassau to any Out Island provided you stay at one of the partner hotels: 1 free ticket for a stay of 4 to 6 nights; 2 free tickets for a stay of 7 nights or more

Travel budget Bahamas and cost of living

Watch out for the bill! A vacation in the Bahamas costs a small fortune, even if you choose modest hotels. These islands like to maintain their reputation as an upscale destination. But deserted beaches, crystal clear waters, an open-air aquarium, spectacular activities and often impeccable service are priceless! It is true that the tourist infrastructure, excursions and activities are well established and that the level of service is rarely disappointing

If the airfare to reach the destination remains affordable, accommodation, meals and transportation constitute a substantial budget. Prices vary according to the destination (Nassau, Paradise Island, Harbour Island remain very expensive), the type of accommodation and the various activities and travel on the islands and between islands.

You must also take into account hotel taxes of 15 to 20% (sometimes more), and even service charges, all of which are included in the package if you book through a tour operator, or indicated on the hotel websites. Also note that you will often have to add 15% service charge in bars and restaurants, rarely included in the rates, and tips. It is very difficult to negotiate on the rates, which are established by the government and the different corporations, for example the cab corporation. And with a currency at parity with the US dollar and an economy entirely devoted to tourism, this high price is not surprising! However, you will be able to make good deals by negotiating on the handicraft markets.

Small budget: from 100 to 150 US$ for the room, 60 US$ for the meals. You have to cut back on extras and limit travel to get by on less than US$ 200 per day, especially in high season.

Average budget : from 150 to 300 US$ for the room, 70 US$ for the meals. With excursions, meals, drinks and transportation, you can quickly count on around US$ 300 per day.

Big budget: from US$ 300 per room, US$ 100 for meals. With cab and air travel, good restaurants and a few outings, easily estimate US$ 500 to US$ 600 per day.

Budget: the amount of your stay can (very) quickly climb if you opt for a high-end hotel, sometimes charged at US$ 500, even US$ 800 per person per night.

Tipping. It is de rigueur to leave a 10% tip in bars and restaurants if the service is satisfactory, despite the 15% automatically added to your bill for service. For cabs and hotel bellhops, tipping is at the discretion of the customer.

Haggling. Haggling is not generally practiced in the Bahamas, except in the markets.

Taxes. Prices rarely include taxes. Only small establishments charge tax-inclusive prices. Apart from VAT, which was first applied in January 2015 and is now, in 2022, 10%, there is a 15-20% tax for hotels (rarely up to 25%) and a 15% service charge for restaurants

Good plan. Good to know if you are considering a combined stay between several islands, the Out Islands of The Bahamas Promotional Association often offers promotions and special conditions to visit the "Out Islands", the most authentic and most exotic of the archipelago. One of the flagship programs is the 2 Fly Free from Nassau program. Free tickets from Nassau to any Out Island when staying at one of the partner hotels: 1 free ticket for a stay of 4 to 6 nights; 2 free tickets for a stay of 7 nights or more.