Bahamas, Nassua

I had purchased a ticket to Nassau, Bahamas in August 2017, just one way, I wasn’t really planning on using it, just having it as my ticket out of the country. However after being in Panama and Colombia for awhile I decided I might as well head to Bahamas and check it out. I brought a return ticket to Orlando, and searched high and low for somewhere to stay that wouldn’t cost me an absolute fortune, most hotels were $150-$200 USD a night, for a freaking hostel that hadn’t be renovated since the 70s, seems ridiculous. I also looked at the all inclusive, 4 nights was going to set me back $1500-$2000USD even with package deals, and most had reviews that seems like it just wasn’t a great deal. I’m to budget for that. But there just wasn’t many hostels that actually had good reviews, in fact the reviews were terrible.

Finally I found BAHASEA Hostel, it’s new to the hostel world as it also has attached air bnb’s. But I have to say it is one of the best hostels I’ve come across, but that’s because of the building itself, its modern and fresh and right on the sea. The social areas were great and I had no problems making new friends to explore the island with. Since its new there are a few problems the hostel faces, one being finding it…its by Sandy Beach Resort, across the road from there in a row of white houses, the office isn’t clearly marked, but its a white door up a cobble stone path. The hostel has 2 pools and big kitchen, is 5 minutes from the supermarket, but a 15-20 min bus ride from downtown. The bus is easy to get $1.25 from right outside the hostel, catch the number 10 bus to Downtown. You can catch the 10 or 12 back to the hostel until 6pm, after 6pm there are no more buses, and it can cost allot for a taxi.

Since I’m a budget backpacker I looked for free stuff to do, but did splurge out on a Lukka Burger from the Lukka Restaurant which is well known there, and is a designation for guests coming off the many many cruise ships that dock just down the road. You can walk around downtown to pass the time, but some sights I would recommend are:

This staircase you have probables seen on instagram, most people head here for the gram and don’t actually stop to learn the history of the staircase. Little do the know the importance of it. We paid a man names Antonio $5 each and he gave us the history of this area, the 66 stairs (not 65 as one was covered when they repacked) were built by slaves from solid limestone rock between 1793 50 1794. They were named in honor of Queen Victoria as her time in reign during which she abolished slavery. There are also bodies of slaves buried under your feet so be respectful when walking up to and up the stairs.

THE STRAW MARKET- if you are after souvenirs then head on in and haggle for a good price, if your aren’t wanting to purchase then be aware they the salespeople are pushy. One guy even came up and put a bracelet around my wrist before I could pull away, says he had change and then took a $5 note then threw another bracelet at me and then quickly ran off, normally I wouldn’t fall for these things, wouldn’t let anyone even touch me let alone put something around my wrist, and would hunt the jerk down, but in this case I let it go as it was kinda comical, and really its $5 for 2 brackets, so I’m not that bothered.

ART MUSUEM- Not free, but was only $5 as they were renovating, normally its $10. Art is not really my thing so I wasn’t overly interested, but the people I was with really wanted to check it out, so I went with to see what its about. It was pretty boring in my opinion but as I said it’s not my thing, bunch of old painting were interesting to look at, but I could’ve skipped it for sure.

THE CAVES- FREE- 4 of us ventured from the hostel for a 1/2 hour walk to The caves, these are Bat Caves (Fruit Bats) with small tunnels you can explore. It’s humid in there, but pretty cool to check out.

And last but not least, ATLANTIS AQUARIUM

NOTE: It’s unsafe to walk around Downtown at night, so it’s best to head towards Atlantis area at night times and taxi back to the hostel, or chill at the hostel at night. It’s more that some of the naughty locals will see a crime of opportunity if you are in Downtown at night.

At 6pm each evening Atlantis Aquarium becomes FREE to tour around, it can take you a good hour to walk around it properly, and at the end you end up outside where you can then see the sharks, turtle and sting rays. The casino is also an ok size if you want to give the machines or tables a go.

Outside Atlantis towers you have the village, this was nice to wander through, although you should expect tourist pricing for anything you wish to purchase.

FORT CHARLOTTE- $5+tax entrance fee.

Fort Charlotte is the largest one in Nassau, just off of West Bay Street, or a short walk from Fish Fry area. It was built in 1788 by Lord Dunmore, and was named after the wife of King George III. It is made up of 3 forts, Charlotte, Stanley (middle section) and D’Arcy (Western section), D’Arcy wasn’t open to the public when we went. We did get to read about the history, walk around the fort and explore beneath in the tunnels. If you have been in a few forts in the past then you can prob skip this one, however if you haven’t been in a fort before then this is a good introduction as its small enough that you don’t have to spend too many hours exploring and getting lost.

Whatever you do with your day, be sure to be patient there are two speeds in Bahamas, Slow and Stop. People are friendly, but also know how to work tourist, so keep your wits about you, keep your stuff close and don’t be that tourist who walks around camera out flashing money!