Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the Bahamian government operates in buildings the color of a
conch shell. Downtown Nassau offers several inexpensive ho-
tels that utilize nearby public beaches.
Prince George Dock
always bustles with cruise ship passen-
gers enjoying the city for the day. From the cruise port you'll
also see a tall, curving bridge, which leads to
Paradise Island
.
Nicknamed the “Monaco of the Bahamas,” this is the most luxu-
rious area of New Providence Island. It's an $8 taxi ride from
the city (plus a $2 bridge toll when entering Paradise Island).
Once named Hog Island, this area was revitalized by the invest-
ment of Donald Trump, Merv Griffin and South African busi-
nessman Sol Kerzner, who recently renovated the
Atlantis
hotel at the cost of $1 million a day - every day - in a six-month
renovation and building spree.
Tourists also flock to
Cable Beach
, located 10 minutes west of
downtown Nassau. This stretch of sand is lined with high-rise
hotels and some of the island's hottest nightspots. Shuttles run
between these resorts and Nassau several times daily.
Beyond these two resort areas, the island moves at a quieter
pace. If you crave tranquillity, head to the south shore, about a
30-minute ride from downtown. Here, beneath willowy casua-
rina trees, couples can enjoy privacy and beautiful beaches that
give way to a shallow sea. You can hire a taxi to explore the is-
land, but it's cheaper to rent a car. The quieter roads of the
south side are good for travelers new to driving on the left side
of the road.
You may want to book your visit in spring, summer, or fall to be
assured of a warm weather vacation. Winter temperatures are
usually balmy, but occasionally a cold front reaches its chilly
fingers into these waters and drops temperatures to spring-like
levels. On an early March visit, we dug into our luggage for
sweatshirts and, although temperatures were perfect for island
touring, we found it too chilly for comfortable swimming.
While we're warning you, be careful of March and April book-
ings for another reason: spring breakers. Those low-cost down-
town properties (and even some of the Paradise Island and
Cable Beach resorts) swell with students during these weeks.
Because of charter packages, Nassau is the Caribbean for the
masses and, during this time, that means raucous students.
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