Bahamas on a Budget: A 5 Day Itinerary

With its pristine beaches, luxurious resorts, beautiful weather and proximity to the US, it’s no surprise that the Bahamas is a popular tourist destination.  However, it is definitely not a budget-friendly one.  That being said, it is still possible to not spend a fortune.  Here we share our itinerary and tips on how to plan a trip to the Bahamas on a budget!

Tips for traveling the Bahamas on a budget:

1. Travel during the off-season.  We visited in November and it did not seem that busy.  There were also a lot of flight deals around this time (we scored flights for $500 CAD each, coming from Victoria, BC) and the hotels were not too busy (we were upgraded to oceanfront rooms at no extra cost at both of our hotels).
2. Stick to one island.  Our flight deal was to Nassau but we were interested in visiting some of the outer islands as well.  However, flights between islands are not that cheap (about $200 round trip).  If you have the time, you can opt for the ferries (check prices here), but they still are not super cheap.
3. Eat where the locals eat and not at the hotel.  We were a little shocked at how expensive food was at restaurants so we made a point of eating at the local spots as much as possible.  Plus, the local cuisine is delicious and it is fun to try new things!
4. Stay at a variety of accommodations.  If you want a taste of luxury but don’t want to break the bank, consider splurging on just 2 nights in a resort and the rest at an Airbnb.  It’s nice to get a taste of both worlds.
5. Resist the urge to do all the insta-worthy activities.  The internet is full of photos of vacationers posing with swimming pigs, swimming with sharks and manta rays, etc.  Sure, it makes for stunning photos and special memories, but also comes at a stunning price.
6. Take the bus and walk a lot.  We tried to avoid taking taxis and instead took the local bus and walked a lot!  The fare is only $1.25 per trip, cash only.

 

5 Day Itinerary to Experience Bahamas on a Budget

As mentioned above, our flight deal was to Nassau so we stuck to New Providence Island and Paradise Island to save on additional transportation costs.  Our 5 day itinerary below allowed us to experience the Bahamas on a budget, while still allowing us a taste of luxury in addition to local life.  The perfect combo if you ask us! (Note that the term “budget” in the Bahamas is still a lot more expensive than other countries, as everything in the Bahamas is just generally more expensive!)

Day 1

Hang out at Junkanoo Beach

Junkanoo Beach is located in downtown Nassau, right across from the hotel we stayed at, the Courtyard by Marriott Nassau Downtown/Junkanoo Beach. It is not the most stunning beach, but it was a fun place to hang out right across from the hotel.

The beach can get crowded during the day with all the cruise ship tourists, but they mostly leave by 4pm.  There are a ton of beach huts serving up local food and lots of alcohol, just be sure to check prices before ordering as we noticed some were more expensive than others.

We loved just hanging out on the beach, people-watching, while eating our local food and listening to the hip hop music playing from the speakers at all the beach huts.

Eat dinner at a beach hut

There are a number of beach huts to choose from but we went with Crabs & Tings as the food looked the most appealing.

We went with the conch (the “h” is silent, so it’s pronounced “konk”) salad and fried fish with fries and plantains.  I was also craving a refreshing drink so I ordered a mango smoothie.  To be honest, it was not the best and was expensive at $10 so I would skip it next time.

All together our bill was close to $40.  Not too bad for our first dinner, but not the cheapest of the trip.

Take a ride on the water taxi

After you’ve had enough beach time, stroll down Bay Street to the heart of downtown Nassau.  Head towards the waterfront and you will find the water taxi in front of Sharkeez.  A ride costs $4/person one way.  They only take cash and it is best to have the exact amount as they can be reluctant to give change.

The boat takes you to Paradise Island and it’s a nice, cheaper alternative than taking a taxi over the bridge.  Boats leave every 30 minutes until 6pm, with the ride lasting about 15 minutes.  Note that the boats can be tricky to get in and out of so if you are not able-bodied, I would not recommend it.  Also, if you are wearing a short skirt like I was, it is difficult to get in and out 😉

Explore Atlantis (for free!)

The gigantic Atlantis resort is home to endless paths and underground tunnels that you can explore and gaze at all the marine life.  Normally you need to pay an entrance fee to access the marine habitat, but if you enter past 6pm there are no guards and you can wander throughout for free!

We went to the Atlantis to catch a basketball game during the Battle 4 Atlantis (a fun time if you happen to be visiting during the annual tournament!).  Afterwards we wandered all around the resort and marine habitat, not realizing that normally there is a fee to do so.  Score!

It is a different and magical experience to wander about at night.  Some of the tunnels can be a little dark and creepy, especially when it is so quiet, but it is pretty neat to feel like you have the place all to yourself!

Our favorite part had to be the Predator Lagoon tunnel.

Once you are done exploring, you will have to catch a taxi back to your hotel as the water taxis no longer run at night.  You can catch a taxi from the lobby where there are posted rates for locations around the island.  We paid about $10 for a taxi back to our hotel in downtown.

Where to Stay: Courtyard by Marriott Nassau Downtown/Junkanoo Beach

We liked this hotel due to it being beachfront and it was a quick walk into town.  It is clean, modern and had 2 very nice pools.

If you collect Marriott points like us, you can use them to get a free stay here!

 

Day 2

Breakfast at Imperial Takeaway

Skip the hotel breakfast and walk over to Imperial Takeaway instead.  It’s a hole in the wall restaurant but since you are in the Bahamas on a budget, this is just what you are looking for!

This local joint is quite inexpensive (less than $10, lots of items around $5).  It is quite tasty, too!  A much better choice than the McDonald’s next door, in our opinion. Oh, and they have free wi-fi!

Breakfast is served until 11am.

Check out downtown and Parliament Square

After breakfast, wander the streets of downtown and check out all the pretty pastel buildings.  It gets very busy with cruise ship tourists, so make sure to get off the main streets to enjoy the scenery a bit more.

Hike up the Queens Staircase

It’s not too far of a walk to get to the popular Queens Staircase.  Skip the cab and just walk up Elisabeth Ave, towards the white water tower.  You will pass the hospital on your left and then see a parking lot on the right.  There is a staircase in the parking lot, but this is NOT the Queen’s staircase 😉  Instead, you will find it to the left of the parking lot.  Enter into the treed area.

Once you reach the top of the staircase, turn to the right and you will find restrooms, some street food and souvenir stands.  Just past the souvenir vendors you will come to Fort Fincastle.  There is a small entry fee to get inside.  We ended up just admiring it from the outside.

Lunch at Junkanoo Beach

After wandering around downtown you might want to rest your feet on the beach and enjoy the breeze under a palm tree.  Head back to Junkanoo Beach and enjoy a meal from another food hut.

Our favorite was this unnamed hut that we were drawn to by the delicious BBQ smell wafting in the air.

We got the BBQ chicken with a side of mac n cheese and plantains.  It was absolutely delicious!  Probably my favorite meal of the trip.  And it was only $10!  Enough food for us to share.

Dinner at Arawak Cay

Everyone will tell you to check out the fish fry at Arawak Cay. It is a happening place filled with tourists and locals alike.  If you follow the lights and music to the left, you will find restaurant after restaurant serving up the same type of seafood fare.  Looking at the menus the prices actually weren’t as cheap as we were expecting.

We then wandered to the opposite end of Arawak Cay, to the right of the entrance.  Here you will find it is less busy and less touristy, and mostly locals instead.

You’ve got to try the Sky Juice!  It consists of gin, coconut water and sweetened condensed milk and is so delicious!  Sounds like a weird combo but is so good!  I got mine without the gin as I was pregnant at the time.

For dinner, try the ribs!  I know it’s a fish fry, but the ribs are absolutely delicious and cheap!  Ryan and I split one order as it came with a full rack of ribs and sides.

 

Tip: If you need to use the restroom, they are located by the entrance and exit.  Also, if you need to take out cash, there is an ATM halfway between the restrooms, on the road side, opposite of the restaurants.

Where to stay: Airbnb

To save on hotel costs, try an Airbnb instead!  We loved the Airbnb we stayed at.  Our hosts, Kendra and Edgardo, were super kind and helpful.  They gave us lots of local tips, like where to eat and how to take the bus.  They even offered to pick us up from our hotel downtown and took us to the grocery store!

Tip: When in the Bahamas on a budget, stock up on some groceries for breakfast and snacks (or even lunch and dinner) to save money!  Also, buy large bottles of water and transfer to smaller bottles to take around with you to save on buying bottled water when you are out and about.

Their home is very clean, comfortable and had everything we needed.  It was complete with a kitchenette, large bathroom, wi-fi and the TV even had Netflix.  They even lent us a cell phone to use during our stay, loaded with minutes and data.  We were able to text them if we needed help or directions – such a bonus to have!

New to Airbnb?  Use our link to get $45 toward your first trip!

Best of all, it was easy to walk to and from Arawak Cay, and also close to the bus route along Bay Street.  There was also a gas station (Rubis) nearby where we could pick up late night snacks.

The area felt very safe and we were comfortable walking late at night.

 

Day 3

Breakfast at Louis and Steen

Catch the #10 bus from Bay Street, which is less than a 10 minute walk from the Airbnb.  The bus stop is located right in front of the hardware shop.

To ensure you don’t miss the stop for the coffee shop, let the bus driver know that is where you are intending to go so he can let you know when to get off.  The ride is about 25 minutes long and most passengers will get off before you do, so you may feel like you’ve missed it.

Note: Buses don’t run on a prompt schedule, so be prepared to wait around for up to half an hour.  If you would like to know the routes of the buses, check the official listings here.

Louis & Steen is a New Orleans-inspired coffee shop, right across from the beach.  They have really nice seating areas outside where you can relax and stare out at the beautiful ocean view.

The coffee and food are delicious!  I had an amazing sweet potato yogurt bowl (sounds weird, but was so good!) and Ryan had spicy and sweet chicken and waffles with collard greens.  The prices are more mid-range than budget, but it was a nice treat.

Relax at Love Beach

The best thing about going to the beach in the Bahamas on a budget is it is free!  Love Beach was our favorite beach that we went to.  It was not very busy at all and was absolutely gorgeous.

It was a nice 2km walk from Louis & Steen’s.  To save time and a few bucks, we walked instead of waiting for the bus.  Look for the pale yellow Columbus Cove building on the right and you can enter the beach down a driveway just past it.

Pack some snacks and lots of water and enjoy a perfect afternoon on this white sand beach.  There is also a beach bar there if you get hungry or thirsty.

Try the best conch salad at Dino’s

After you’ve had enough of the beach, walk back up to Dino’s Tropical Conch Shack.  This is one of the best conch shacks on the island, in our opinion!  And the locals we met there agreed.

Go inside to order and they will give you a slip to give to the people outside making the food.

They put pineapple and other fruit in their conch salad and it is such a tasty combination!  You won’t be disappointed at this local spot.  The prices are good, too!

Tip: If you need to use the restroom, there is one in the back, behind the restaurant.

Try some more street food

Across the street from Dino’s are some more food shacks.  We couldn’t resist the conch fritters (6 for only $3)!  They are served with a yummy dipping sauce.  Try a side of mac and cheese as well (a personal favorite of mine).

There is a bus stop right there once you are ready to head back.

 

Day 4 & 5

Check into Atlantis (early)!

The massive Atlantis resort is not a budget place to stay, but if you are in the Bahamas on a budget and have FOMO, the good news is you can still stay there without breaking the bank!

There are many different towers at the Atlantis, each with different draws and price ranges.  The cheapest is the Beach Tower as it is the furthest from all the action and the oldest.  Even though it was older and further, we didn’t mind.  I mean, how much time are you really going to spend inside the room when there is so much to do outside of it?!

The cost worked out to an average of $140/night – a lot cheaper than we expected when we thought of the Atlantis!  However, it is important to note that you must stay a minimum of 2 nights and the cost quoted when booking is NOT the full cost.  You need to remember that you will also get charged a $49.95 resort fee per night plus taxes and gratuity.  So it worked out to a little over $200/night – still a good deal for what you get.  I mean, look at the view we got below!

Also, if you consider that a day pass to Aquaventure is $157/each (!!!) for non-hotel guests, the cost of the room pays for itself as you get free entry!

Note: If you choose to stay at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island next door you also get free entry as it is a partner hotel.

Check in doesn’t start until 4:00pm but head there early anyway.  We arrived at 10am and our room was already available!  This allowed us to have almost a full extra day in the water park!

Each day you can obtain the daily hotel newsletter, The Atlantean, from the lobby.  It is very useful to get a full overview of everything that is going on that day at the resort.  It gives helpful information such as:

• sunrise and sunset times
• free children’s activities
• which restaurants are open that day
• which complimentary movies are playing in the theatre

Enjoy Aquaventure!

Once you’ve checked into the hotel you can head to the water park!  There are security guards at all of the entrances so you will need to show your room key to gain entry.  Then, proceed to any towel hut to get your wristband.  You will need to show your wristband to go on the water slides.

There is so much to do and see!  Our favorite experience was the Rapids River – so much fun!  Much more exciting than the Lazy River, which is located by the Beach Tower.

Tip: Avoid bringing too much into the water park.  You only really need your towel, sandals, sunglasses, room key and wristband.  Lockers are expensive to rent so we just left our towels and sandals on our beach chairs while on the rides/slides.  We took our waterproof phones with us and our room key.  You can charge food and drinks to your room so no need to bring your wallet.

My favorite water slide was The Drop, as you drop down a pitch black tunnel – quite exciting!  We also loved the Serpent Slide and seeing all the sharks around us.  But really, all the slides were super fun!

Grab a casual dinner

You will want to avoid most of the restaurants in the hotel when you are in the Bahamas on a budget.  They are quite pricey!  As in, $20+ appetizers, $40+ mains and $12+ desserts.

One of the most affordable options we found was the The Village Burger Shack.  It is located at the end of the Marina Village and is open from 11am-11pm. This place reminded me of a cross between Johnny Rockets and Shake Shack.

Another more affordable option is the casual pizza joint, Marina Pizzeria.  As the name implies, it is also located in the Marina Village area.  Slices run about $6.75 each and are pretty hearty.  They also have salads available for around $10.

For dessert, you can head to Ben & Jerry’s in the Marina Village as well.

Play the penny slots

Being in the Bahamas on a budget probably means you won’t be gambling away the big bucks.  But you can still have a little fun in the Atlantis casino by playing the penny slots.  I sat down with $5 and managed to win $30!

Fill up at the breakfast buffet

Poseidon’s Table, located in The Royal tower, serves up a bountiful breakfast buffet each morning from 7am-12pm.  At $36.75/person it is not cheap, but you can definitely fill yourself up enough for breakfast and lunch and then just have a light dinner later.

Explore the beautiful Versailles Garden

The Versailles Garden is located a short walk away from the resort.  It is free to enter and is a beautiful place to explore!

Try the food trucks

Another budget tip is to dine outside the resort at the food trucks!  Your best bet is to head towards the employee parking lot around lunch time/early afternoon.  You can find them behind the Scotia Bank in the Paradise Shopping Plaza, which is across the road from the Marina Village.

If you have any additional Bahamas on a budget tips, let us know in the comments below!

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