Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
RENTAL ACCOMMODATIONS
For group or long-term stays, renting a cottage, villa or house is a good bet, and all the Ba-
hamian islands have a wide variety of offerings. These properties range from modest units
at $850 to lavish villas at $12,000 and more per week. Affordable, charming studios rent
from $600 and three-bedroom houses from $2000 per week. Rates can fall as much as 30%
in summer (May to November).
Many condos are attached to resort hotels to which you have access. These self-con-
tained, fully-furnished apartments are normally timeshare properties with kitchens or kit-
chenettes, and daily housekeeping service. The benefit of these types of accommodations
is that you get to use the resort facilities such as pools, marinas etc. The downside is that
privately-owned units are decorated by their owners - you never know what you're going
to get!
Activities
Not the type to spend a full eight hours a day roasting on the sand? Lucky for you, the Ba-
hamas has a wealth of laid-back and high-octane activities, from hiking to bonefishing to
cave diving and beyond.
The island chapters have more-specific information, including details on sites of partic-
ular interest for each activity and contact information for local activity tour-operators.
BICYCLING
Few people explore the islands by bicycle, but the relative flatness of the islands and the
dearth of traffic on the Out Islands make cycling a lovely option. Many hotels and conces-
sions rent bicycles ($12 to $20 per day). Some places have mountain bikes, but most have
heavy single-gear beach cruisers, which are definitely not for touring. We'd avoid cycling
in or around Nassau because of congestion, narrow roads and speeding minibuses.
BIRDWATCHING
The Bahamas are heaven for birdwatchers (see
Click here
)
. More than two dozen reserves
in the Bahamas protect more than 230 bird species, including West Indian flamingos and
Bahama parrots. Grand Bahama is a particularly popular birwatching spot. The Audubon
Society's annual Christmas Bird Count is a well-attended event here, attracting birders
from near and far.
The
Bahamas National Trust
( 242-393-1317; Village Rd, Nassau; 9am-5pm
Mon-Fri) offers regular guided birdwatching walks and has information on the wonderful
species that visit or live on these isles.
A list of all the Bahamian Wild Bird Reserves is available from the
Department of Agri-
culture
(
242-325-7413; Levy Bldg, E Bay St, Nassau).
