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Friday Feature: The Bahamas

The Bahamas

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Just a short 50 miles off the coast of Florida, the Bahamas has become especially popular with travelers because, despite it’s close proximity, these islands completely transform you to a Caribbean paradise! The Bahamas are made up of 700 small islands, however only 30 of them are actually inhabited. Spend your days relaxing beach side, swimming with the local animals, tasting the local fare, or golfing on the world reknown courses! How do you get to this tropical paradise? The Bahamas is a popular cruise stop among most major brands but you can also book a non-stop flight from most major US cities.

Best Times to Visit: The best time to visit the Bahamas is from mid-December to mid-April. Though temperatures on the islands are great year-round, they do fall within the hurricane belt, so hurricanes may be a factor between June 1 – Nov 30.

Things to do:

Swim with the pigs! Pig Island is located on the outer Exuma Islands, and one of the biggest tourist destinations in the Bahamas. Arrive by boat and spend the afternoon swimming, feeding, and even holding the baby pigs! Don’t forget to bring your camera. To get to the island, you need to take a boat which can typically be arranged by your resort.

Stroll Pink Sands Beach. Pink Sands Beach is a great spot to get away from the hustle and bustles of the crowded resort area. This little slice of heaven is on the eastern side of Harbour Island and a little less crowded than some of the other beaches.

Snorkel the Andros Great Barrier Reef. The Andros Barrier Reef is 190 miles long, making it the third largest reef in the world. It is located only 1 – 1.5 miles off the coast of the eastern side of the island and home to a large variety of fish and marine life. If you have a GoPro, this is definitely a shot you won’t want to miss.

Check out some of the world class golf courses. If you are a golf lover, the Bahamas is the spot for you! Most courses are located along the cliffs and ocean front, making them as beautiful as they are challenging.

Feature Hotel: Rosewood Baha Mar, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, The Cove Eleuthera

Things to know before you go…

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  • Make sure your passport is valid for 6 months after your travel. If your passport expires before the 6 month timeframe, make sure to give yourself enough time to request an updated one.

  • Don’t hop a taxi without negotiating a rate. Taxi drivers on the islands don’t use meters so make sure to agree on a price before they start driving or you will likely spend a pretty penny.

  • Stick to the left side of the road. This might seem odd but if you find yourself driving in the Bahamas, make sure to stick to the opposite side of the island.

    Click HERE for more information!

Follow the adventure!

@explorateurtravel