With 700 islands and awe-inspiring beaches, the Bahamas is one of the world's most popular tourist spots.
According to the country's tourism industry, more than seven million tourists visited in 2019, which is an all-time record.
That is because the natural beauty, coupled with the local craft and cuisine gives visitors an out of the world experience. However, all of this doesn't come at a low price.
Typically, for people coming from most parts of the world, the Bahamas is an expensive place to visit.
So, how much is an average trip to the Bahamas? This guide will give you a rough estimate of how much to save for your first or next Bahamas vacation.
How Much Would It Cost to Get to the Bahamas?
The flight costs vary depending on the time of the year that you’re traveling to the Bahamas.
Most people head to the Caribbean beaches during the winter to escape the heat of their home countries, so December to March is a peak time for tourist influx in the country.
That’s when the weather is pleasant, and there's a lower risk of hurricanes.
Apart from the weather, your destination will also determine the ticket price.
For example, if you go to Nassau, a popular tourist town, the flights will be cheaper than those for lesser-known islands like Eleuthera.
On average, a round-trip flight will cost around $600 and may get as high as $1000 in some seasons.
So, do your research before buying a ticket. Try different itinerary websites such as Trip Advisor to find the best deals and times to travel.
If you want to save some money, don’t travel during the holiday seasons as this is when the prices peak.
How Much is an Average Trip to the Bahamas?
Once you're in the country, you have to pay for many things, including accommodation, activities, drinks, tips, and hiring a tour guide.
Your expenditure could be higher or lower, depending on your personal preferences.
Still, the following are the average costs to give you a vague idea of what to expect:
1. Accommodation
Unless you're living in a $500 per night resort, the accommodation costs are similar to any popular tourist attraction.
On the other hand, there are few hostels in popular towns if you’re a student or looking for a budget-friendly option.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to share a bunk bed with a fellow traveler for $30 to $40 while the costs can be up to $100 a night for a double room.
Before you leave your home country, search for different options, and book beforehand.
You’ll find anything from a cheap $50 per night room in a local home to a $100 per night full apartment.
If you're traveling with kids or friends, it's best to get a full apartment or house.
Some of them go as low as $40 per night. Just don’t expect to find a jacuzzi in there.
Even when staying in expensive hotels, you can bag good deals if you bundle the hotel stay with your flight package.
Websites like Expedia have plenty of options that you can explore to find the best deal.
For example, one night at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar costs around $450, but you can save $50 when booking with Expedia.
Another thing to keep in mind is that most high-end resorts and hotels don't allow children. If you're traveling with family, you may not be able to stay at a fancy place.
2. Transportation
You can do anything from flying to taking a ferry in the Bahamas, depending on how far you want to go.
If you only have a week to spend and want to see as many sites as possible, opt for flying between islands.
The flights have a reasonable price, and multiple local airlines operate daily. For example, you can fly from Nassau to Eleuthera for $100 in just 20 minutes.
Alternatively, if you want to experience the beautiful waters of the Bahamas, consider taking the ferry.
High-speed ferries transport travelers between islands, but they're not always available.
For instance, if you want to go from Nassau to Long Island, it would take you 19 hours, but the ferry only makes one trip a week.
Ferry fares typically cost less than $100, and you get to enjoy the ocean too.
On the other hand, if you want to travel inside the city, you can take a bus. Jitneys are small mini-buses with fares around $2.50.
They don't follow a timetable, though, so you must rely on the driver for information.
Also, jitneys are not available in some cities, while in others, they don't operate at night.
Lastly, the easiest way to get around is the cab service. Just like Uber, cabs in the Bahamas have a flat rate of $4.50.
Add $2.02 for each kilometer, being an ex-British colony, Bahamas uses kilometer conversions, you travel, and that will give you the final fare.
3. Food
You know how they say "When in the Bahamas, do what the Bahamians do?"
That's what we recommend when it comes to food because eating local is the best way to save money.
A local fish food will cost around $10 or less if you’re eating at a small restaurant.
In contrast, if you eat at a restaurant serving American or English cuisine, your bill could be as high as $30.
What's the fun in eating the same food you eat at home, even when away from home?
4. Drinks
While food doesn’t cost that much, drinks in the Bahamas can certainly empty your wallet.
Typically, a drink costs around $10 to $12, depending on the size and kind.
You can save some money by drinking local beer, also called Kalik, instead.
If you like to take a few extra shots on vacation, designate a significant part of your budget to cover the bar bill.
Fortunately, the water in the Bahamas is safe for drinking. So, there's no need to spend money on bottled water; tap water is absolutely fine.
5. Activities
After accommodation, the major part of the budget will go to activities, and there's plenty to do in the Bahamas.
You can go diving or kayaking at Sea Park. Most kayaking trips are spread over a few days, costing around $300.
If you're on a multi-city trip, you can choose a one-day plan, priced at $50.
If you’re interested in the local ecology, you should spend $17 on the admission ticket to the Garden of the Groves.
Housing alligators and exotic birds, the garden provides a habitat to over 10,000 species of plants and animals.
The markets are also a great place to shop for souvenirs to take back home and support the local economy.
With over 60 shops, the Port Lucaya market has everything from restaurants serving local cuisine to live music entertainment.
Although the vendors charge high prices for the locally-crafted goods, you can get a good deal if you know how to bargain.
You can ask at your hotel’s front desk about the best thing to do during that particular season.
Mostly, they have brochures lying around for daily trips and activities.
If you just want to walk around, exploring local culture, you can take a walking tour for above $100.
Most tours include photography, lunch, drinks, and pick up from the hotel room.
Your Estimated Final Budget
So, we’re back to the main question: "How much is an average trip to the Bahamas?"
Your final budget for a one-week stay in the Bahamas can be up to $1700, excluding the flight.
It could be higher or lower, depending on how you plan to spend your time.
For example, if you plan on doing about five activities a week, expect to spend about $1000.
But this doesn't include expensive activities like swimming with the pigs, which can cost over $500 if you get private transport.
In contrast, if you spend time discovering the local islands, sitting on the beach, and eating at local restaurants, your expenditure could be lower.
Here's our final tip: don't try to pack a hundred experiences into a week's stay.
Enjoy fewer things, but do it fully instead of running from one activity to another.
Bahamas Vacation Budget
If planned right, a trip to the Bahamas shouldn’t cost you a lot.
You can always find cheap deals online on travel websites. You can also ask your hotel reception in the Bahamas for free or discounted night clubs and other city activities.
Hopefully, with the information you've learned, you'll have a ball of a time in the Bahamas, among its clear skies and the stunning beaches.
