I was born and raised in The Bahamas. Here are 11 of the biggest mistakes I see tourists make.

I've been to eight of the Bahamian islands.Nicole BedfordI was born and raised in New Providence, the most popular Bahamian island. Many visitors make the same mistakes, from eating fast food to overpaying for basic goods at hotels.I encourage tourists to visit more than one island since many are just a day trip away from Nassau.My family has lived in The Bahamas since 1783. Like my ancestors, I was born and raised in New Providence, one of The Bahamas' most heavily touristed islands.Over the years, I've spent a substantial amount of time around tourists.After working in tourism for three of my university summers and taking a job at Atlantis' Mandara Spa for a year, I've witnessed visitors make a fair share of unfortunate missteps.As a proud Bahamian resident of three decades and counting, I want travelers to avoid making these common mistakes to maximize their time visiting my home and show it proper respect.Only visiting New Providence and Paradise IslandThe Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in The Bahamas.Pola Damonte/Getty ImagesNew Providence and Paradise Island (the home of Atlantis Bahamas) are world-famous vacation destinations, leading many people to assume that the islands are the only places worth visiting here.However, there's much more to see and do in The Bahamas.The Bahamas are an archipelago of 700 islands and 2,400 cays across the Atlantic Ocean, and only 30 of those islands are inhabited and open to visitors.Some of those islands include The Exumas, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Bimini, Andros, Long Island, Grand Bahama, Abaco, and San Salvador. Each of the eight Bahamian islands I've visited in my lifetime has a distinct and unique feel.Not island-hopping during your tripMy friends and I went on a boating adventure when we were on Rose Island.Nicole BedfordTourism is The Bahamas' biggest industry. Even though interacting with travelers is part of daily life, New Providence, specifically, can feel overcrowded by visitors.So instead of settling in one place, I recommend island-hopping to more remote locations.Travelers can visit salt deposits in Inagua, swim with pigs in Exuma, and dive over 600 feet into the ocean to explore Dean's Blue Hole off of Long Island. As long as visitors are willing to explore beyond New Providence (Exuma and Rose Island are just a day trip away), they'll find that The Bahamas has something for everyone. Eating fast food instead of local Bahamian cuisineA Bahamian conch salad.Nicole BedfordLike many Western countries, The Bahamas has a lot of fast-food places like McDonald's, Burger King, and KFC.Still, I get disheartened when I see tourists eat at these spots in downtown Nassau instead of grabbing a table at a local Bahamian eatery. The Bahamas has a rich cuisine, from fresh fish to ceviche made with a sea mollusk called conch (pronounced "conk").Visitors who try to find real Bahamian food often fall into the trap of going to places that are marketed as authentic but are actually commercialized shells of what they used to be.Luckily, there are still restaurants that serve great Bahamian food, like Gone Fish'n, Drifters, Frankie Gone Bananas, and Curly's. I always tell newcomers to find real, local dishes under the Paradise Island Bridge.The Family Islands, the name for the islands outside New Providence, are also filled with excellent Bahamian food, like grouper fingers and fries.Never leaving your resort to explore the surrounding areasIsland House is a hotel in New Providence.Nicole BedfordI've seen many travelers check into grand resorts — like Baha Mar, Atlantis, or Sandals — and remain there for the duration of their trip.This hotel-centric itinerary is excellent for the properties, but isn't great for the island. Plus, it's a missed opportunity for visitors to explore. Nassau has so many sites to see, so much culture to experience, and so many locals to interact with. Staying within the confines of a hotel is a common yet significant misstep.Not preparing for prices that may be higher than what you're used to back homeOne of my favorite meals in a conch salad with a Bahamian beer.Nicole BedfordThe Bahamas is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Things like hotel rooms, groceries, and restaurants are more expensive here than they are in places like the US or Canada.Many tourists who don't research The Bahamas beforehand complain about the high cost of food, taxis, and cocktails upon arrival.However, so much of what we have here is imported, which can result in high costs. Eating out at restaurants can be pretty pricey, especially considering most places add gratuity and VAT (value-added tax) on restaurant bills. Definitely do some number-crunching ahead of time so you can better budget for your trip.Skipping local heritage sites and monumentsClifton Pier Heritage Site is located on New Providence.Nicole BedfordA lot of tourists fail to carve out time to learn about The Bahamas, but missing out on the local culture and history does them a disservice. In Nassau, you can visit places like Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle, The Water Tower, The Queen's Staircase, Clifton Heritage National Park, and more. Many museums, like the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, house works created by talented local artists.A visit to John Watling's Distillery, a historic building that's been converted into a rum distillery, is also a crucial stop in Nassau. Only going to downtown Nassau for duty-free shopping and luxury itemsThere are plenty of shops that carry goods crafted by local artisans.Nicole BedfordMany visitors walk through downtown Nassau in search of duty-free luxury items, but the area has more to offer than just designer handbags, Cuban cigars, jewelry, and fancy perfumes.Instead, check out the locally crafted goods and souvenirs. Nassau has a well-known straw market. Plus, Bahamian artisans sell authentic straw bags, conch-shell jewelry, and handmade wood carvings, and other items.Planning a visit during hurricane season, then complaining about the weatherThe Bahamas are filled with hundreds of gorgeous beaches.Nicole BedfordA lot of the visitors who arrive on our shores during the summer months (June through November) have no idea they're coming in the middle of hurricane season. Ergo, it's going to rain a lot.When I worked at a souvenir stall in Nassau in the summer, I'd hear lots of tourists complain about the rain. To assuage their misgivings, I'd tell them the precipitation was "liquid sunshine."Underestimating how easy it is to get a sunburnRose Island is just a day trip away from New Providence.Nicole BedfordThe Bahamian sun's strength shouldn't be underestimated. Since we tend to have a high UV index, people can get sunburned pretty badly by just walking around the island.It's a good idea to wear (and reapply) sunscreen throughout the day. Additionally, remember to wear reef-safe sunscreen and avoid aerosol versions to protect the natural environment.Not staying vigilant and aware of their surroundingsEleuthera is just a short trip away from New Providence.Nicole BedfordTravelers, particularly female solo travelers, should always remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings as they explore new places. Like any big city, New Providence has crime, ranging from petty attempts to swindle tourists at the local straw market to armed robberies.To mitigate these issues, the government of The Bahamas and The Royal Bahamas Police Force have stationed officers in downtown New Providence. Of course, it's always a good idea to stay alert wherever you go.Forgetting to carve out plenty of time to watch the gorgeous sunsetsYobab/Getty ImagesVisitors should build plenty of time for sunsets into their itinerary.Every island in The Bahamas offers its own special vantage point of the sunset. My all-time favorite place to watch the sun go down is on a beach in western New Providence. There's nothing more calming and tranquil than listening to the waves crash, watching the colors change across the sky, and seeing the sun dip beneath the horizon.This story was originally published on July 19, 2022, and most recently updated on August 13, 2025.Read the original article on Business Insider

Comments

Business News

UK inflation to rise as summer spending pushes up hotels and airfares

Evening Standard

I pivoted my tech career to focus on AI. Now I make $6,400 a week — but I care more about staying relevant than the money.

about 3 hours ago

insider

Bridal designer Hayley Paige is making her comeback. Here are 5 lessons she learned after her yearslong legal battle with JLM Couture.

about 3 hours ago

insider

I turned my screened-in porch into a home office this summer, so my daughter and I could work our remote jobs side by side

about 3 hours ago

Joby's flying taxi made a 'major step' with its first test flight between two US airports

insider

Comments

Business News

UK inflation to rise as summer spending pushes up hotels and airfares

Digital challengers top banking customer satisfaction surveys

Cashback concerns raised when people are considering transferring their pension

Retail sales rise a solid 0.5% in July from June helped by rebounding auto sales

UnitedHealth Group shares climb as Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway discloses stake in the insurer

Why privatizing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is a long shot

Digital challengers top banking customer satisfaction surveys

Slipknot Reportedly Selling Music Catalogue For $120 Million

Russian Shaheds Sow Ukrainian Roads With Anti-Tank Mines As They Go

Meet The Mastermind Behind The $1.9 Billion Poppi Deal

Coco Gauff Doesn’t ‘Want To Waste Mental Energy’ On New U.S. Open Event

Radiohead’s Huge Week On The Charts — And It’s All Thanks To One Song

‘Outlander: Blood Of My Blood’ Is An Entertaining Prequel With One Big Problem

Erin To Become 1st Hurricane Of The Season - Will It Affect The U.S.?

Linkin Park Dominates One Chart As An Early-Career Smash Returns

Trump Departs Washington For Meeting With Putin (Live Updates)

Taylor Swift’s Album Of The Year Winner Returns Amidst New Music Excitement

Stephen Bishop On Why He Chose To Make ‘THIMK’ His Final Album

Don’t Let Populists Set Prices

Government will not offer bailout to UK's largest bioethanol plant

Sarah Jessica Parker's home decor bargain is perfect - but you'll love these alternatives

Amazon Echo Dot on sale for £34.99 at Wowcher undercutting Amazon's price

Primark's £20 bag divides opinion over what is meant to go inside

9 best pre-mixed cocktail cans and bottles for BBQs and parties this August bank holiday

DWP date confirmed for bank 'monitoring' in list of tough new measures

Dolce & Gabbana’s ‘fresh and feminine’ cherry perfume is now half price and selling fast

Boden's 'beautiful' ballet flats are a 'total power shoe' and now have £67 off

This oversized denim tote has travelled the world with me as hand luggage and it’s under £60

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov reveals the 3 pieces of advice he got from his dad, an expert in Ancient Rome

I pivoted my tech career to focus on AI. Now I make $6,400 a week &mdash; but I care more about staying relevant than the money.

Bridal designer Hayley Paige is making her comeback. Here are 5 lessons she learned after her yearslong legal battle with JLM Couture.

I turned my screened-in porch into a home office this summer, so my daughter and I could work our remote jobs side by side

Joby's flying taxi made a 'major step' with its first test flight between two US airports

I tested Tesla and Waymo's robotaxis in Austin &mdash; only one felt ready for the future

Iceland to offer customers £1 reward for reporting shoplifters

Pandora prepares to raise prices further as it faces hit from US tariffs

A bad bill to rein in insurance adjusters? Proposed state law draws fire

Some Republicans are salivating at the possibility of Mamdani winning, but Trump may not be

Lefty leanings of Goldman economist Jan Hatzius in Trump crosshairs

Should you get a prenup? Expert advice from family lawyer

Youtuber Caspar Lee shares his investing journey and tips for beginners

As Trump Rolls Back Federal Financial Regulation, Blue State Regulators Step Up

2025 Fantasy Football Mock Draft (How To Draft From Pick 3)

The Last Picture Show: Kodak Says Tales Of Its Demise Are Premature

Why Paramount’s $7.7 Billion UFC Gamble Will Pay Off

Taylor Swift Appearance On “New Heights” Hits Half A Billion Views

FC Barcelona Coach Flick ‘Not Happy’ With Registration Issues Ahead Of Mallorca Debut

To Handle Russia And Iran, The U.S. Must Embrace A New Guiding Principle

Tycoon Ong Beng Seng Avoids Jail In Singapore Gifting Case Involving Ex-Minister

Trump's son-in-law Kushner takes stake in UK lender OakNorth

ITV's Ranvir Singh nails summer trends in 'flattering' Nobody's Child dress that's £40 off

Man's Universal Credit payments stopped because of what stranger did

Sainsbury's Tu shoppers 'run' for 'stunning' £24 top 'just like' Damson Madder

‘I got £90 of free products in a new £9 summer beauty box that gives glowing skin’

Afternoon tea for two now less than £15 but deal ends this weekend

'Fast and really easy’ brow lamination kit costs less than one salon appointment

Millions of workers to face major tax changes within months

Amazon knocks 42% off 'brilliant' Ninja air fryer that's perfect for small kitchens

Bitcoin surges to a new record high on rate cut hopes before easing back

Scale of bank fraud and money mules is 'so vast' it should be a national security threat, think tank warns

I pivoted my tech career to focus on AI. Now I make $6,400 a week — but I care more about staying relevant than the money.

I tested Tesla and Waymo's robotaxis in Austin — only one felt ready for the future