Nassau

Eco-friendly travel guide to Nassau advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Nassau, The Bahamas.

The beautiful view of Nassau

Air quality: 3.5 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 3.5 / 5

Public transportation: 3 / 5

Parks: 3.5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 2.5 / 5

Locals' English level: 3 / 5

Safety: 3.5 / 5

Accommodation: US$80 - $150

Budget per day: US$200 - $300

Responsible Travel

Nassau, the capital city of Bahamas, is considered one of the oldest cities in the world. It is no surprise to see foreigners packing up for a holiday to Nassau as it has a gallant culture and many other things that attract foreigners. Nassau is the largest city in the Bahamas, and it also doubles as the capital city. Nassau is very famous around the countries for having many landmarks. Responsible travel refers to traveling in such a way that your actions don't cause any harm to the local communities or the environment. In the current scenario, you must follow various eco-friendly measures and participate actively in protecting our earth.

There are several ways to ensure responsible travel in Nassau, with some being:

While booking your flight, make sure that you take a direct flight. Avoid booking transfer flights as they cause a lot of harm to the environment and take more time to reach the final destination.

Instead of booking a 5-star and luxurious hotel, find out if the hotel is eco-friendly. Eco-friendly hotels are hotels that follow certain environment-friendly practices that support and protect their local environment. You must prefer these hotels as they will help you minimize your carbon footprint. Your trip to the city of Nassau begins the second you book the flight. After securing the getaway, you need to book a hotel for your stay.

You will find pretty much the same products in these stores and only waste time and money. Instead, visit local shops as they are the ones that possess items that will help you understand the local culture, traditions, and livelihood of the Bahaman people.

As a tourist, you will feel that using mineral water bottles and disposable items are a better choice, but they are not. These items create a lot of pollution that uses a lot of natural resources to dispose-off properly.

Air Quality and Pollution

There is a saying that it is better to be safe than to be sorry. Thus, people love to make inquiries before they visit any city as they would not want to compromise their health despite wanting to have fun during the holiday. After all, health is wealth. In line with being eco-friendly, it is good to know about the city's quality and pollution. Compared to other cities, Nassau's air quality is pretty good, but when compared with other cities in the world, it is pretty bad. The Air Quality Index shows that the Air Quality of the city is good. Summer and Autumn are the perfect seasons to visit. The air is fresh and crisp at this time of the year, and you will enjoy bike rides and walking in the city quite a lot.

Respect the Culture

Gestures play an important role in conversations so avoid making any rude or disrespectful gesture even unknowingly, as this could displease the local people. Try and maintain a suitable distance from one another while interacting; however, if a local Bahamans considers you to be a close friend or a loved one, they may end up not respecting your personal space and often get too touchy and clingy. On the whole, stick to the basics mentioned above, smile generously, have lively conversations, and pepper in a few pop culture references to enjoy your time with the local people and be crowned a "good tourist." A few generations of a family may even as of yet all be found in one house. The family is commonly exceptionally close and structures huge organizations of shared help and backing. Henceforth, attempt and show love and regard to any nearby companion or love intrigue's family. By and large, dinners at home in the city will be loaded with jabber, and social graces are not unmistakably formal. Nonetheless, notwithstanding the generally easygoing nature of Bahamans eating, you should even now ensure that your elbows don't lay on the table and that your hands are consistently on show. Likewise, the general agreement is that a little food segment is served first, so you can acknowledge a subsequent making a difference.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Without having any further doubts or queries, we all can say that Nassau has some fascinating places. So this section is significant for knowing the places in the city where you should visit. They are mentioned below; go through them, and you will get a fair idea.

Atlantis Bahamas: Atlantis Bahamas is an extravagant hotel and casino complex. It is located in One Casino Island, Nassau, Bahamas. It is one of the famous resorts in the city of Nassau.

Paradise Island: Paradise Island is a cabbage beach and the Atlantis resort. The island is made up of white-sand beaches include popular beaches.

Salt Cay: Salt Cay is a tiny Caribbean isle with a few eateries. It is a private island located 5 kilometers from the city of Nassau. It serves as a local tourist attraction.

Islas Out: Islas Out is an adventure sport in the city of Nassau. It is a famous island in Nassau, Bahamas.

Nassau Straw Market: Nassau Straw Market is a market selling straw goods and souvenirs. It is located in Nassau, Bahamas. It is a traditional open-air market.

Fort Fincastle: Fort Fincastle is a 1793 stone fort and former lighthouse. It is a historical landmark in the city of Nassau. It is located in Bennet’s Hill, Prison Lane, Nassau, Bahamas. It was established in the year 1793.

Ardastra Gardens, Zoo, and Conservation: Ardastra Gardens, Zoo, and Conservation is a famous zoo in the city of Nassau, Bahamas. It is located in Nassau, Bahamas. It was established in the year 1982.

Fort Charlotte: Fort Charlotte 1788 stone fort with moats and dungeons in the city. It is located in W Bay St, Nassau, Bahamas. It was established in the year 1789. It was made of limestone.

Arawak Cay: Arawak Cay is a seaside area featuring many food vendors. It is also referred to as “Fish Fry,” is an area in the Bahamas.

Queen’s Staircase: Queen’s Staircase is a slave-built stone staircase, circa 1793. It is one of the famous historical landmarks in the city of Nassau. It is located in Elisabeth Ave, Nassau, Bahamas.

Paradise Island

Explore

If you ask some people why they are visiting Nassau, their response will be along the line of exploration. People always want to see something new, and exploring enters their to-do list when in a new city. In Nassau, there are a lot of places for anyone to explore. You will notice many royal buildings, although most of them are now museums with exhibitions. However, these places will help you know more about the city. There are also landmarks in the city, and each of them has unique stories. These stories will stick with you for a long time, and you will see yourself sharing them with others years after you have left the city. Another place you can explore while in the city of Nassau is the parks, and you will get different options.

City Parks

The city is big, and it has a big collection of parks and other such places. It has big open spaces and greeneries where you can spend time with your children and other family members. The views are one thing you cannot take away from parks.

Here are some famous city parks in the city:

Elizabeth Estates Public Park
The Cloister
R. M. Bailey Park
Blair Park

National Parks

The country has always been famous for its beautiful and graceful natural resources, and so that this city has a wonderful collection of national parks and zoos. We are listing down a few of them that may not exactly be located in and around the city but are not very far away from the city.

Clifton Heritage National Park
Primeval Forest National Park
Harrold and Wilson Ponds National Park

Clifton Heritage National Park

Beaches

Many people fantasize about spending time at a beach, and it could be that it is what you do when home. Thus, they are curious about beaches when in a new city. If you fall under this category and visit Nassau, you are in for a treat as it has beaches for people to explore and relax.

Cable Beach
Saunders Beach
Cabbage Beach
Jaws Beach
Goodman’s Bay

Cabbage Beach

Landmarks

In simple terms, we can say that a landmark is a high or long structure that people can quickly locate, helping them keep track of places. When there is a landmark around, it helps with directions and eliminates losing your way. Foreigners are usually happy and gleeful to know of landmarks in the city, and you would see them trying to keep it in mind as no one loves losing their way while exploring. Some of the landmarks that would help you in Nassau are:

Dolphin Encounters
Pirates of Nassau
Aquaventure
Fort Montagu
John Watling’s Distillery

Pirates of Nassau

Museums

People say that it is sometimes impossible to keep a count of museums in Nassau as there are many. The city's idea is to preserve adequate information for the coming generations and help foreigners with knowledge about the city. If you love to know about the cities you visit, we know that you will love or desire to pay a visit to any of its museums. Some Nassau museums are:

The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation
Junkanoo World Museum and Arts Centre
Pirates of Nassau Museum

The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas

Eat

You will find that the locals prefer to eat healthy and nutritious food with lots of vegetables and meats. Apart from these traditional and modern cuisines, the local street food is a must-try one that will leave your mouth lingering with their flavors. You will find that vegetarian, and non-vegetarian dishes are popular, and you will not find much trouble conveying your food preferences. Here are some famous local restaurants, vegetarian and vegan, and street foods are given below.

Traditional Local Restaurants

The local meals of any city are usually a delight as it helps your taste buds explore. Below are some of the traditional local restaurants in Nassau, where you can enjoy the perfection of these meals without any regrets:

Luciano’s of Chicago
Café Martinique
Dune
Olives Meze Grill
Nobu
Graycliff

Vegetarian and Vegan

Many tourists maintain their healthy diet by eating vegetables and keep the tour eco-friendly. Eating healthy vegetables and different vegan dishes helps travelers to stay healthy and fit. If you are one of them, you do not need to worry much as there are many different vegan restaurants available in the city.

Eat Right Delights
Something Better Vegetarian Delights School and Deli
Rsata green n tings
Lil Mustard seed Healthy cafe

Street Food

One of the best things about the city is the street foods that give the best tradition and culture. You will be able to get some of the best street foods in every corner of this city. There are some of the street foods available that are very popular all around the world. You will be amazed to see the street food options, and it will surely wake up the real foodie in you. Some of the best street foods that you need to try in Nassau are given below.

Gyro Grill Greek Street Food
The kitchen deli
Imperial Take Away
Mc Donald’s

Drink

You will find that many decades-old bars and breweries that serve many unique and popular liquors. These places are the ideal ones to visit if you want to experience the alcoholic drinks in the city. The western drinking culture has also seeped in Nassau, and you will also be able to find many pubs and bars serving cocktails and other special drinks. These non-alcoholic drinks are priced higher than the alcoholic. You will discover that local people are avid drinkers, but you will seldom find them participating in public drinking. The young men, women, girls, and the tourists are the ones that can be found indulging in the local drinking culture.

Tap-water

Tap water has many uses, but the constraint is determining the water quality, knowing if it will harm you or not. Of course, no one would want to use anything harmful, so tourists are always seeking information on the state of the water in any city before visiting. You cannot drink the water gushing from the tap or even use it to clean your teeth in some cities. However, Nassau is an exception to such places as its tap water is relatively safe compared to other places. You can drink the water gushing from the taps and some fountains. The city is poised to ensure that its residents are safe, and they would not want foreigners to have a negative perception. Thus, they put effort into ensuring that the water is always clean.

Organic Cafés

The city has stood up to the task of catering for all segments of the population, including those with a preference for organic foods. Since some people would prefer eating organic, it is not out of place to have organic cafes in different cities. While they are not as obvious as the mainstream restaurants, the city has several organic eateries:

Eat Right Delights
Le Petit Gourmet
Louis and Steen’s New Orleans
Lil Mustard seed healthy café

Breweries

The city has stood up to the task of catering for all segments of the population, including those with a preference for organic foods. Since some people would prefer eating organic, it is not out of place to have organic cafes in different cities. While they are not as apparent as the mainstream restaurants, the town has several organic eateries:

Pirate Republic Brewing
Commonwealth Brewery
John Watling’s Distillery

Activities

The museums and art exhibitions are always there for you to explore, making you appreciate art. Even if you are not a lover of artwork, something in you will be compelled when you see them. The city is best known for its art and culture in tourism, and it has many places to explore. However, this is not the case for people who wish to visit Nassau, as there is always something to do. Foreigners hate getting bored when in a new city, so you would see those seeking locals' recommendations. If there is not much to do in a city, then what is the point of visiting there? It would be best to make friends with the locals to have an epic experience in the city.

Yoga and Retreats

Still on the topic of activities and things you can do in Nassau is engaging in yoga. Some people believe that this activity is only for females, but all genders can get involved in it. The yoga process is exciting to learn, especially as it helps to soothe and relax your mind, taking all the stress away. Some people say that it feels like they are in a different world while they are doing yoga. Thus, there is no reason why you should not do the same, also. Many yoga centers in the city are open to both professionals and newbies. However, these places are friendly grounds, and the instructors are also warm. If you are looking forward to making new connections, it is feasible at these places. You may doubt if it is exciting to do yoga, but you will never know, except you try it. The fear of the unknown holds people back from doing many things, but you should not allow it to affect you and your decisions.

Accommodation

We would not say that accommodation in this city is cheap, neither would we say that it is expensive. The price you would get depends on your accommodation option. It may not be as low as what you would get in some cities, but it is not the most expensive in the world. With this clear, we know that the next question concerns the pricing as people want to know to plan their budget. The city has many options when it comes to accommodation, so foreigners are not stranded. These accommodation options range from hotels to apartments, and much more. You can either make accommodation plans when you are in the city or before you arrive. It would be best to do whatever works best for you.

Green Hotels

Many foreigners fail to realize that they have a role to play in protecting the environment, and it does not matter if it is your place of origin or not. If you are an environmental enthusiast, we know that you would search for green hotels in Nassau to ensure that you have an eco-friendly stay in the city. You should play a role in any place you find yourself. Here are some of the green hotels in the city given below:

Breezes Resort and Spa Bahamas
Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina
Melia Nassau Beach
Sandyport Beach Resort

Hostels and Guest Houses

Here are some comfortable and affordable guesthouses as well as hostels in the city. They are given below:

E3C BahaSea Backpackers Hostel
Brownstone 1
City Center Backpacking Gem
Humes House @ Hillcrest

Apartments

We would not say that accommodation in this city is cheap, neither would we say that it is expensive. The price you would get depends on your accommodation option. It may not be as low as what you would get in some cities, but it is not the most expensive in the world. With this clear, we know that the next question concerns the pricing as people want to learn to plan their budget. The city has many options when it comes to accommodation, so foreigners are not stranded. These accommodation options range from hotels to apartments, and much more. You can either make accommodation plans when you are in the city or before you arrive. It would be best to do whatever works best for you.

Couchsurfing

There is an online community known as couchsurfing.com, and if you are a part of it, you will be able to come across dozens of CouchSurfing mates and companions. The perk of Couchsurfing is that it is free. As a foreigner, you do not need to pay your host. However, it is your responsibility to be respectful and abide by the laws of the city. It is a new concept but has taken off quite well in the city. The idea surrounding Couchsurfing is that locals of the city offer hospitality by opening their homes to foreigners. It is usually voluntary so that there will be no complaints. Thus, anyone who signs up to accommodate people through Couchsurfing is expected to treat them right as they were not forced to do it.

Camping

Campers describe the experience as exciting, and it lures those who have never been camping before. It helps you meet new people, and you get to do things you have never done before. If you a lover of nature and the outdoors, we know that you would wish to experience camping in whatever form when you are in a new city. The thing with camping is that there are particular areas for it; else, the whole purpose is defeated. Thus, it is right to know about camping sites.

How to Get There

Nassau has some of the best transport facilities. The transportation network of the city is considered as some of the most excellent ones. These facilities are quite diverse, and you will be able to choose one that is most affordable and suitable to your needs. If you are on a tight budget trip, then prefer using public transportations at the most as they are priced at reasonable costs and also provide the best service.

Air

The airports in the city of Nassau are in good condition. Their planes are also safe and easy to travel. They have embassies in almost all countries. So you can visit the one in your country. Before booking a flight to the city, you have to visit different websites and figure out where you're going to get the best deal. If you're going to book a flight in advance, your fare will not be expensive. On the other hand, you might have to spend much.

Inside the departure terminal at Lynden Pindling International Airport, Nassau

Bus

The bus terminuses are chaotic, and you may have to take some local help to determine which bus to choose for your requirements. This is because the intercity bus terminus is located around one hour from the city. The city has reasonably advanced local bus transport services, but intercity bus services are not very comfortable.

Train

Traveling to the city by trains is a popular mode among travelers as they offer a comfortable service and provide breath-taking views of the countryside. You can use trains to travel from one city to another or even reach far off places. By traveling on the trains, you can meet many locals and tourists and interact with them to increase your knowledge.

Hitchhiking

While the locals are quite friendly and hospitable and hitchhiking is a common practice in many parts of the world, it is not common to encounter hitchhikers in Nassau. Hitchhiking is very much in vogue in the city, but you have to be careful when choosing the right person. Most drivers are naturally wary of picking up strangers, fearing carrying robbers and carjackers. While there are exceptional cases of drivers who would be okay with offering one a lift, most of them would not, especially when driving at night.

Others

Other than these standard modes of transportation, different ways include boats, taxis, and rented cars. These are not the most convenient modes, as they are not affordable and harmful to the environment. Even if you are not on a tight budget, you should avoid these modes of transportations as they result in a lot of wastage of natural resources. Also, these transportations are often overcharged and do not provide much exposure to the local culture.

Moving Around

These modes of transportations are efficient in helping you move around the city and discover the city's hidden gems. If you wish to travel, then the best option at your disposal are public transports such as trains, available buses, and electronic vehicles. Walking is an alternative mode of moving around but is the healthiest and cheapest mode.

A minivan taxi in Nassau

Walk

Despite numerous attempts to decongest the city, including increasing the parking cost in town and banning public service vehicles from accessing certain parts of the town center, the streets have continued congested. Away from the city and into the residential suburbs boasts of many trees along many avenues that provide shade and fresh air as you stroll along. Walking is the most eco-friendly means of transport but also because of the traffic jam. As the city has rapidly grown, Nassau has become known for its unending traffic jams.

Bicycle

If you are visiting crowded markets, parks, and monuments, you have no option but to walk. Walking during the summer could be tiring. Since this group cannot afford public transport every day to and from work, many use bicycles to move around. If you cannot travel long distances by walking, you can use an electronic or mechanical bicycle to cover up distances faster. Bikes are friendly to the environment and your travel budget.

Electronic Vehicles

The government promotes electronic vehicles by setting up various charging stations and parking areas for such cars. The users of electronic cars and bikes also receive relaxation for taxes. More than three million motor vehicles are driving on our roads on any given day. With the rise of electric cars, the country is developing new standards for imported electric vehicles to ensure they are safe for the environment.

Public Bus

Buses are very frequent in this city, and you will get one from almost all corners. Bus stations and bus terminals are scattered throughout the city. The best thing about the local bus is that the fare is meager and they are well connected with all the famous attractions. You will cover all the city's famous attractions with just one bus as they are included in the stoppage.

Tram, Train and Subway

You will be able to get more than one railway station in the range of this city. Trains are quite frequent, and you do not have to wait much for one to arrive. Taking trains will help you get the best experience traveling the city very comfortably without any interruptions. There are many subways available in the town, but they are not well connected to famous points.

Sustainable Shopping

The products are human-made, which requires immense labor, thus, creating employment opportunities. It is the reason why the prices are lower than standard products because the energy is renewable and does not costs much. These products also reduce pollution, including soil pollution. Buying sustainable products also makes you a responsible tourist and reduces your carbon footprints during your tour.

Food Markets

These markets serve as the primary source of fresh and quality food products in the city. You will find that these markets home local businesses and people that sell high-quality products at a reasonable rate. These markets are better options as they are relatively cheaper and better sources than the frozen and preserved food in the supermarkets and departmental stores. By buying produce from the local fishermen, farmers, and producers, you can help them grow their business.

Flea Markets

Some of these markets operate daily, whereas some markets operate on special days or fixed days of the week. Flea markets are markets that sell low priced products by local traders. These markets often consist of used or second-hand items in good condition and can be used again.

Second Hand Stores

Second-hand markets are now evolving all around the world. You will find most of the stores very crowded and filled with quality items. The city is no different, and second-hand markets have grown very well in the last few years. The local people have started to shop for these second-hand products and the tourists, which made these markets very crowded.

Eco-Fashion

If you want to try some eco-friendly fashions that will help you stay healthy and make the city safe, you can try many options available in the city. These shops promote zero waste and recycling that helps to keep the environment safe. You will find that eco-fashion is a viral trend among these people. Many models and brands serve such clothing items, so it is gaining a lot of popularity.

Recycling

The need for proper recycling and waste disposal is essential to protect and conserve the environment. You will find many recycling stores in various districts where you can take your recyclable waste and get it appropriately recycled. It is not a perfect system, but improvements and the dialogue about this mean there is hope. Changing the behavioral habits of these groups will be instrumental in the success of recycling efforts.

Waste

The government needs to come with new rules and guidelines to control waste management. For this, they must install dustbins at various public places so that no one throws garbage on the roads. Many of the people are spotted throwing litter along the river coast and in the river too. However, the government has implemented strict rules regarding polluting the river. Waste requires a massive landform in which all the garbage is collectively dumped. It creates land and air pollution because of its toxic smell. If not kept to the dumping ground, Waste can cause various diseases like yellow fever and many more.

Work and Study Abroad

Working and studying abroad allows individuals to be able to experience a different country and city up close. It is an excellent way to explore the city and discover how the city works truly. When visiting a country as a tourist, it is easy to miss out on life's daily intricacies in a different country. However, suppose you truly want to experience and learn more about a different country and appreciate its culture. In that case, you can only do so by living there for a substantial amount of time. The city welcomes international students, workers as well as volunteers.

Exchange Student

If you are an international student in this country, you should not fear that locals will dominate the educational institutions as you would also see many foreigners. Since the city is amongst the best in North America, tales of ye quality of their universities and colleges spread, and students in other schools will want to do exchange programs in the city. There are several programs for exchange students in the city, and you need to find out from your current University if they are affiliated with any of the institutions.

Au Pair

Au Pair is one of the best ways of getting your study done in a foreign city while earning money. It helps the students or foreigners to explore the city and help out local people. You will be shocked to know how many people in this city desperately need Au Pairs. This is a give-and-take process where you will be taking care of a child or older person for a limited time in exchange for shelter, food, and some money. Taking care of the baby or more senior people might not be comfortable because of the family members' busy schedules—they look out for the Au Pair service to get the best service and focus on work.

Volunteering

There are hundreds of organizations in Nassau that provide volunteering options. Suppose you wish to indulge in a volunteering act while in the city, you would not have difficulty getting any. Volunteering is a way of you helping and giving back to society. It is not done out of force, but because you are passionate about the cause. It is common to see people desire to be volunteers in Nassau, and it is best to attach yourself to an organization to make the process easier. Engaging in volunteering activities while in Nassau shows that you are a responsible tourist.