After Americans were banned from vacationing in Cuba, US citizens rushed to the Bahamas. They were greeted with open arms by the capital of the islands, the city of Nassau. So what? It has a beautiful harbor, vibrant nightlife, tropical climate and natural beauty. In such conditions, not only about Cuba – you will forget about your own house with a striped flag.
Other tourists followed the Americans to the islands. Nassau accepted everyone – such a benevolent city. It has gained a reputation as a tourist center where you can relax during the day and light up at night.
How to get there
According to wholevehicles, there are no direct flights from Russia to Nassau. The local airport accepts planes from some US cities, London, Montreal and Toronto. If you have an American visa, then you can fly with a transfer in the States. There is a ferry from Florida to the islands – it departs from Fort Lauderdale every day and spends 5 hours on the way. The Bahamas maintain air links with other Caribbean countries, including Cuba.
Russians do not need a visa to visit Nassau for tourism purposes. When crossing the border, you present a valid passport, round-trip air tickets and confirmation that you have enough money to stay in the country.
Transportation
Public transport is not developed in the Bahamas. The best way to travel between the islands is by plane. But here’s the problem – the flight schedule changes all the time, and passengers are not informed about this.
The best way to get around Nassau is by taxi or by renting a car. Taxi drivers pay by meter. To rent a car, you need to prove that you are over 21 years old and present an international driving license. Remember: in Nassau – left-hand traffic.
Paradise Island (Paradise Island), which is part of the city, can be reached by water taxi.
Nassau Hotels
The choice of hotels in Nassau depends on the thickness of your wallet. But in any case, get ready for the fact that living in the city is not cheap. You can find two-star hotels, more like a cottage, where you will be offered rooms from 1500 rubles. But more often come across hotels of the level of 3 “stars” and above, where a double room will cost from 2.5-3 thousand rubles per night. But in fact, any hotel offers a beautiful view of the ocean, pool and beach in three steps.
In Nassau, many hotels include a 10 percent government tax on their bills. So don’t be surprised if your stay costs a little more than you expected.
Nassau beaches
The beaches in Nassau are paradise – with selected white sand, clear water, coral reefs. It’s great to go sailing, water skiing, diving or sport fishing.
The most famous beach in Nassau is located on Paradise Island. It is connected to the city by a bridge. The beach has a great view of the ocean. The island is suitable for families with children. Many local companies recruit apprentices to teach water sports. In a week, your child will learn how to swim or, for example, play water polo.
Cuisine and restaurants
Nassau has several restaurants that are known even outside the islands. For example, Martinique – with excellent French cuisine and impeccable service. This restaurant was mentioned in one of the first James Bond films. After that, the institution became a place of pilgrimage for Bond fans.
Humidor Churrascaria is a Brazilian diner. Here you can order a steak, roast lamb pork, a variety of salads. More than 200,000 bottles of wine are stored in the cellar, and there are 90 cigars in the establishment alone.
Authentic Bahamian cuisine is best experienced at Portofino. Buffet breakfast is served here, national cuisine days are held on Fridays, and seafood and various delicacies are served on Saturdays.
The shops
In Nassau, most goods are sold duty-free, which affects the pricing policy of stores – perfumes, jewelry, photographic equipment, porcelain, watches are 50 percent cheaper than in other countries.
Local souvenirs are products made from straw and shells, fabrics, perfumes, alcoholic drinks. National clothes, jewelry, as well as symbols and amulets are popular among tourists. There are no restrictions on the import of currency and the export of goods in the country, so you can buy whatever you want.
2 things to do in Nassau
- Getting to the Junkanoo festival is the island’s main festival, which is held at Christmas, New Year and in the summer, from July to August. Actors put on a costumed performance about the Bahamas and its history.
- Meet the dolphins — Paradise Island hosts the world-famous Dolphin Meet program. Under the supervision of an instructor, you swim with mammals, communicate with them, learn to understand these wonderful animals. First of all, this program is designed for children.
Attractions and attractions Nassau
The main attractions of the capital of the Bahamas, which will help you better understand the history and life of this country.
Parliament Square
This is the most romantic place in the city where couples in love gather. All the main government offices of the country face the square with their facades. The center of the capital at lunchtime is occupied by office clerks eating sandwiches, and in the evenings tourists take their place.
Paradise Island
This island is considered the resort area of Nassau. The best hotels, beaches and casinos are concentrated here. At the beginning of the 20th century, only fishermen lived on the island, and few people were interested in it. But soon an unprecedented excitement began here – the island was changing before our eyes. At one time, representatives of the Italian and Iranian monarchies loved to live here.
royal gardens
The islanders still respect the British Empire, although its rule in the Bahamas is purely symbolic. In honor of Queen Victoria, a botanical garden was opened in Nassau. Hundreds of varieties of pink flower beds and tropical trees grow in the park, artificial ponds and channels have been created.
Royal stairs
The staircase is located near the central part of the city. It is a limestone rock with 65 steps carved into it. The staircase connects the lower and upper parts of the capital.
According to legend, after the death of the British Queen Victoria, the governor of the island ordered the slaves to carve a monument in the form of steps into the rock. Each step symbolizes the year of the royal person’s life, and the entire monument symbolizes the high merits of the crown.