The Bahamas are an independent country between Florida and Cuba, with over 700 islands and cays. When planning a trip to the Bahamas, it’s important to first decide which part you want to visit a well as which island to stay in Bahamas. While not every island has resorts and tourists services, these are some of the main areas of the Bahamas to consider when planning your trip.
Our below guide is designed to act as a Bahamas travel guide to help you work out where to visit and where to stay in the Bahamas as well as navigating all the fun that comes with all inclusive Bahamas. Wondering which island to stay in Bahamas, we’ve got you covered.
We will cover off all types of Bahamas accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Bahamas resorts as well as how to decide where to stay in Bahamas, the best Bahamas hotels, best places in Bahamas to visit, the best places to stay in Bahamas, hotels near Bahamas attractions, all inclusive resorts Bahamas, Bahamas neighborhood guide and many more. Check out our below guide on Where to stay in the Bahamas!
Updated as of Jan 2021!
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Read more on the Bahamas:
- 9 Reasons Why Traveling to the Bahamas is a Must
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Table of Contents
New Providence/Nassau – Best hotels in Bahamas for couples
The most populated island in the Bahamas, and one of the most popular islands for tourists visiting the Bahamas. You may know New Providence Island better by the name of Nassau, the largest city on the island and the capital of the Bahamas. Paradise Island Bahamas is the hub of entertainment in New Providence, with tons of bars, restaurants and shopping options.
Of all the islands in the Bahamas, New Providence probably has the most attractions such as Cable Beach for travelers who want to stay busy. You’ll find shopping, dining, museums, golf courses, plus the usual scuba, snorkel and boat excursions you’d expect in the Bahamas.
Where to stay in Nassau Bahamas
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Nassau:
BahaSea Backpackers
Budget Hotels in Nassau:
Orange Hill Beach Inn
Club Land’or Resort
Nettie’s Place at Casuarinas
Sun Fun Resort
Mid range Hotels in Nassau:
Marley Resort & Spa
Sandyport Beach Resort
Ocean West Boutique Hotel
A Stone’s Throw Away
Compass Point Beach Hotel
Family Friendly Hotels in Nassau:
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
Courtyard Nassau Downtown/Junkanoo Beach
The Coral at Atlantis Bahamas
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nassau
British Colonial Hilton Nassau
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Nassau:
The Reef at Atlantis
Sandals Bahamas Royal Bahamian Spa Resort
Rosewood Baha Mar
The Island House
The Cove at Atlantis
Breezes Resort & Spa Bahamas
Bahamas All Inclusive Hotels in Nassau:
Melia Nassau Beach – All Inclusive
Warwick Paradise Island Bahamas – All Inclusive
Cat Island – Best places to stay in the Bahamas
For almost the opposite of New Providence, travelers looking for quiet and solitude will love Cat Island. As part of what is called the Out Islands, Cat Island is about 150 kilometers from Nassau, so an additional plane ride is required, either from Nassau or a charter from Florida. With just 1,500 residents, pristine is a word often used to describe Cat Island.
Nature lovers will appreciate Cat Island, which is home to the Bahama’s highest point, Mount Alvernia. Ruins from plantations and a monastery can be explored as well. Of course, it’s still the Bahamas, so there’s plenty of water activities and sandy beaches to explore.
Best places to stay in Cat Island in the Bahamas
Budget Hotels in Cat Island:
Cookie House
Shannas Cove Resort
Greenwood Beach Resort
Mid range Hotels in Cat Island:
Rollezz Villas Beach Resort
The Ocean Dream Beach Resort
Fountain Bay Resort & Marina
Sammy T’s Beach Resort
Family Friendly Hotels in Cat Island:
Orange Creek Inn
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Cat Island:
Flamingo Bay Ocean Club
Pigeon Cay Beach Club
Andros Island – Where to stay in the Bahamas for scuba divers
Another off-the-beaten-path island in the Bahamas is Andros, which is the largest island in the Bahamas, and in fact is larger than all the other Bahamas Islands combined. Despite it’s large size, the population of Andros is relatively small, with less than 8,000 residents. This leaves plenty of room for nature trails and blue holes, waiting to be explored.
A large barrier reef, The Tongue of the Ocean, attracts scuba divers to Andros and it’s also known as the bonefish capital of the world, so sport fishing is another draw. You won’t find mega-luxury resorts here, but lots of hotels, motels and guest lodges to choose from including the famous Kamalame cay.
Best places to stay in Andros Island in the Bahamas
Budget Hotels in Andros Island:
Nathan’s Lodge
Mid range Hotels in Andros Island:
Swain’s Cay Lodge
Love At First Sight Hotel
Family Friendly Hotels in Andros Island:
Sunset Resort Bahamas
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Andros Island:
Mount Pleasant Fishing Lodging
Exumas Cays Island – Where to stay in the Bahamas for swimming with pigs
The Exumas are a chain of about 350 islands, with Great Exuma Bahamas being one of the larger islands at 37 miles long. Great Exuma is where you’ll find Georgetown, the largest city in this area. There are a few flights direct to Georgetown from Miami each day, so it’s somewhat accessible from the States without routing to other islands or taking a charter boat.
This area is super popular with boaters and this is where the famous swimming pigs of Exuma live. There are also nurse sharks and sting rays around some of the many beaches. A boat is really necessary to explore some of the lesser islands of the Exumas, and there are a few ferries to nearby islands such as Stocking Island.
Where to stay in Exuma Cays Island (Georgetown) in the Bahamas
Budget Hotels in Exumas Cays Island:
Island Time Villas
Mid range Hotels in Exumas Cays Island:
Club Peace & Plenty
Family Friendly Hotels in Exumas Cays Island:
Augusta Bay Bahamas
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Exumas Cays Island:
Hideaways at Palm Bay
Grand Bahama Island – Where to stay in the Bahamas all inclusive
After Nassau, Freeport is the second largest city in the Bahamas, and it’s located on Grand Bahama. It’s also one of the closest islands to Florida, so it’s a popular destination for day trips from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Like New Providence, Grand Bahama is full of entertainment options, including shopping, dining, casinos and nightclubs.
The island also has three national parks, including Lucayan National Park which has trails through mangrove swamps for hikers or horseback riders. Unlike some islands with more exclusive lodging options, there are many choices for choosing where to stay in Grand Bahama – from luxury resorts to boutique hotels and private home rentals.
Best places to stay in Freeport in the Bahamas
Budget Hotels in Freeport:
Freeport Resort & Club
Royal Islander
Mid range Hotels in Freeport:
Sunrise Resort & Marina
Dolphin Cove
Family Friendly Hotels in Freeport:
Pelican Bay at Lucaya
Ocean Reef Yacht Club & Resort
Taino Beach Resort & Clubs
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Freeport:
Grand Lucayan, Bahamas
Island Seas Resort
Bahamas All Inclusive Hotels in Freeport:
Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach – An All-Inclusive Resort
Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort – All Inclusive
Bimini – Where to stay in the Bahamas for fishermen
The closest island to Florida is actually Bimini, just 80 kilometers east of Miami. It’s another popular spot for day trips from Miami, with a high speed ferry taking about two hours. Bimini has interesting history from the Prohibition-era, was once home to Ernest Hemingway, and also has a Martin Luther King Jr memorial from his 1968 visit to the island.
Compared to Grand Bahama, though, Bimini is much more pristine and nature-oriented, with miles of sandy beaches. Sport fishermen love Bimini as the Gulf Stream current brings big game fish to the area. If you don’t arrive by ferry, direct flights are also available from Fort Lauderdale.
Best places to stay in Bimini in the Bahamas
Mid range Hotels in Bimini:
Bay Inn Estates
Big Johns Hotel
Family Friendly Hotels in Bimini:
Bimini Sands Resort and Marina
Resorts World Bimini
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Bimini:
Hilton At Resorts World Bimini
Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina
Eleuthera – Where to stay in the Bahamas for relaxation
Eleuthera is a chain of island east of New Providence. Eleuthera is also the name of an island, which, along with Harbour Island, make up the main destinations in this island chain.
Best known for it’s pink sands, pineapple fields and secluded coves, these islands are sometimes called the birthplace of the Bahamas, as early British settlers informed the architecture and way of life which has transferred to other islands. There are three airports on Eleuthera, plus ferry service from Nassau.
Where to stay in Eleuthera in the Bahamas
Budget Hotels in Eleuthera:
Daddy Joe’s
Mid range Hotels in Eleuthera:
Villa Allamanda, Eleuthera
Surfers Manor
Family Friendly Hotels in Eleuthera:
Unique Village
Cape Eleuthera Resort & Marina
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Eleuthera:
Ocean Tally
The Cove Eleuthera
French Leave Resort
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