Bahamas For Dummies

380 Pages·2006·4.485 MB·English

by  Darwin Porter, Danforth Prince

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Bahamas
FOR
DUMmIES
‰
s
4
TH EDITION
by Darwin Porter and
Danforth Prince
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Bahamas For Dummies®, 4th Edition
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2006934822
ISBN-13: 978-0-471-96250-2
ISBN-10: 0-471-96250-3
Manufactured in the United States of America
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About the Authors
Darwin Porter, while still a teenager, began writing about The
Bahamas for the Miami Herald and has been a frequent visitor ever
since. His writing partner is Danforth Prince, formerly of the Paris
bureau of the New York Times, who has co-authored numerous
Frommer’s best-sellers with Darwin, including those to the
Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Virgin Islands.
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Publisher’s Acknowledgments
We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies
online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Editorial Composition Services
Editors:Suzanna R. Thompson, Project Coordinator: Ryan Steffen
Production Editor; Christine Ryan, Layout and Graphics:Carl Byers,
Development Editor Stephanie D. Jumper,
Copy Editor: Elizabeth Kim Barbara Moore, Heather Ryan,
Cartographer: Andrew Murphy Julie Trippetti
Senior Photo Editor:Richard Fox Special Art:Anniversary Logo
Design:Richard Pacifico
Cover Photos
Front:© David Stoecklein/Corbis Proofreaders: David Faust,
Back:© Davis Sacks/Getty Images Christine Pingleton, Techbooks
Cartoons: Rich Tennant Indexer: Techbooks
(www.the5thwave.com)
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies
Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies
Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies
Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel
Kelly Regan,Editorial Director, Travel
Publishing for Technology Dummies
Andy Cummings,Vice President and Publisher, Dummies
Technology/General User
Composition Services
Gerry Fahey,Vice President of Production Services
Debbie Stailey,Director of Composition Services
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Contents at a Glance
Introduction.......................................................1
Part I: Introducing The Bahamas.........................7
Chapter 1: Discovering the Best of The Bahamas ........................9
Chapter 2: Digging Deeper into The Bahamas ............................21
Chapter 3: Choosing Where to Go ................................................33
Chapter 4: Deciding When to Go ..................................................61
Part II: Planning Your Trip to The Bahamas........69
Chapter 5: Managing Your Money ................................................71
Chapter 6: Getting to The Bahamas..............................................81
Chapter 7: Booking Your Accommodations ................................92
Chapter 8: Catering to Special Travel Needs and Interests ....103
Chapter 9: Taking Care of the Remaining Details......................112
Part III: New Providence: Nassau, Cable Beach,
and Paradise Island....................................123
Chapter 10: Settling into New Providence..................................125
Chapter 11: Staying in Style in New Providence........................132
Chapter 12: Dining Out in New Providence................................145
Chapter 13: Having Fun On and Off the Beach
in New Providence..................................................................159
Part IV: Grand Bahama ..................................183
Chapter 14: Settling into Grand Bahama....................................185
Chapter 15: Staying in Style in Grand Bahama..........................191
Chapter 16: Dining Out in Grand Bahama..................................199
Chapter 17: Having Fun On and Off the Beach
in Grand Bahama....................................................................211
Part V: The Abacos: Prime Out Islands.............231
Chapter 18: Marsh Harbour and Great Abaco Island................233
Chapter 19: Elbow Cay..................................................................248
Chapter 20: Green Turtle Cay......................................................260
Chapter 21: Treasure Cay ............................................................271
Part VI: The Out Islands..................................281
Chapter 22: Harbour Island..........................................................283
Chapter 23: Eleuthera ..................................................................297
Chapter 24: Exuma........................................................................314
Chapter 25: San Salvador ............................................................330
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Part VII: The Part of Tens................................339
Chapter 26: Top Ten Myths about The Bahamas......................341
Chapter 27: Top Ten Bahamas Moments....................................344
Appendix: Quick Concierge..............................347
Index.............................................................351
Maps at a Glance
New Providence and Paradise Islands....................................................37
Grand Bahama Island................................................................................39
The Abaco Islands ....................................................................................41
Harbour Island ..........................................................................................45
Eleuthera....................................................................................................46
Exuma..........................................................................................................49
San Salvador ..............................................................................................51
Nassau and Paradise Island Accommodations....................................134
Cable Beach Accommodations..............................................................137
Nassau and Paradise Island Dining ......................................................148
Cable Beach Dining..................................................................................157
Fun in New Providence ..........................................................................160
Grand Bahama Accommodations..........................................................194
Grand Bahama Dining ............................................................................202
Fun in Grand Bahama..............................................................................212
Marsh Harbour........................................................................................235
Elbow Cay ................................................................................................249
Green Turtle Cay......................................................................................261
Treasure Cay............................................................................................273
Harbour Island ........................................................................................284
Eleuthera..................................................................................................298
Great Exuma/Little Exuma......................................................................315
San Salvador ............................................................................................331
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................1
About This Book......................................................................1
Conventions Used in This Book............................................2
Foolish Assumptions..............................................................3
How This Book Is Organized..................................................4
Part I: Introducing The Bahamas................................4
Part II: Planning Your Trip to The Bahamas..............4
Parts III through VI: The Islands.................................4
Part VII: The Part of Tens.............................................5
Icons Used in This Book.........................................................5
Where to Go from Here...........................................................6
Part I: Introducing The Bahamas ........................7
Chapter 1: Discovering the Best of The Bahamas........9
The Best Beaches....................................................................9
The Best Places to Get Away from It All.............................11
The Best Honeymoon Resorts.............................................12
The Best Family Resorts......................................................13
The Best Restaurants...........................................................14
The Best Diving.....................................................................15
The Best Snorkeling..............................................................16
The Best Fishing....................................................................18
The Best Sailing.....................................................................19
The Best Shopping................................................................20
The Best Nightlife..................................................................20
Chapter 2: Digging Deeper into The Bahamas............21
History 101: The Main Events..............................................21
The early years............................................................21
The coming of the English.........................................22
Pirates and privateers................................................22
Loyalists, blockade runners, and bootleggers........23
The war, the duke, and the woman he loved..........25
A declaration of independence.................................25
Building Blocks: Local Architecture...................................26
Living on Island Time...........................................................26
Words to the Wise: The Local Language............................26
Taste of The Bahamas: Local Cuisine.................................27
Eating like a local........................................................27
Drinking island cocktails............................................30
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Bahamas For Dummies, 4th Edition
Jumping to Junkanoo............................................................30
Background Check: Recommended Books .......................31
Chapter 3: Choosing Where to Go.................................33
Introducing The Bahamas....................................................33
Finding the Right Island for You..........................................34
Knowing New Providence..........................................35
Getting to know Grand Bahama................................38
Arriving in the Abacos...............................................40
Hanging out on Harbour Island.................................44
Eloping to Eleuthera...................................................45
Exploring Exuma.........................................................48
Savoring San Salvador................................................50
Visiting More than One Island.............................................52
Narrowing Your Island Choices...........................................52
Chapter 4: Deciding When to Go...................................61
Revealing the Secrets of the Seasons.................................61
Visiting during high season.......................................61
Checking out the islands during low season...........63
Perusing a Calendar of Events.............................................64
January.........................................................................65
February.......................................................................65
March...........................................................................65
April..............................................................................66
May...............................................................................66
June...............................................................................67
July................................................................................67
August..........................................................................67
September....................................................................67
October........................................................................68
November....................................................................68
December.....................................................................68
Part II: Planning Your Trip to The Bahamas.......69
Chapter 5: Managing Your Money.................................71
Planning Your Budget...........................................................71
Lodging.........................................................................72
Transportation............................................................73
Dining...........................................................................73
Sightseeing and outdoor fun.....................................74
Shopping......................................................................75
Nightlife........................................................................75
Taxes.............................................................................75
Cutting Costs — But Not the Fun........................................76
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Table of Contents
Handling Money....................................................................77
Carrying cash, traveler’s checks,
or credit cards?.......................................................77
Converting currency...................................................79
Dealing with a Lost or Stolen Wallet...................................80
Chapter 6: Getting to The Bahamas...............................81
Flying to The Bahamas.........................................................81
Connecting airlines and islands................................81
Getting the best deal on your airfare.......................84
Booking your flight online.........................................85
Cruising to The Bahamas.....................................................86
Reviewing the major cruise lines..............................88
Getting the best deal on your cruise........................89
Choosing a Package Deal.....................................................89
Chapter 7: Booking Your Accommodations.................92
Getting to Know Your Options............................................92
Hotels, resorts, and inns: Enjoying your stay.........93
All-inclusives: Simplifying your vacation.................94
Villas: Vacationing with the comforts of home.......95
Guesthouses: Living like a Bahamian.......................97
Locating Lodging that Suits You..........................................97
Rooming on the main islands....................................98
Choosing the less developed islands.......................98
Understanding the Meal Plans............................................99
Finding the Best Room at the Best Rate...........................100
Surfing the Web for hotel deals...............................101
Reserving the best room..........................................102
Chapter 8: Catering to Special Travel
Needs and Interests....................................................103
Traveling with the Brood: Advice for Families................103
Making Age Work for You: Tips for Seniors.....................105
Accessing The Bahamas: Advice for Travelers
with Disabilities...............................................................106
Following the Rainbow: Resources
for Gay and Lesbian Travelers.......................................107
Planning the Perfect Getaway:
Tips for Honeymooners..................................................108
Saying “I Do” Bahamian Style............................................109
Reviewing the marriage requirements
in The Bahamas.....................................................109
Working out the wedding costs..............................110
Traveling Solo......................................................................111
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Bahamas For Dummies, 4th Edition
Chapter 9: Taking Care of the Remaining Details.....112
Preparing for Arrival and Departure.................................112
Getting a Passport...............................................................112
Applying for a U.S. passport....................................113
Applying for other passports..................................114
Renting a Car — or Not......................................................115
Getting the best deal................................................115
Adding up the charges.............................................116
Playing It Safe with Travel and Medical Insurance.........117
Staying Healthy When You Travel.....................................118
Before you go............................................................118
Emergencies and medical care................................118
Addressing other potential hazards.......................119
Staying Connected by Cellphone or E-mail......................120
Accessing the Internet away from home...............120
Using a cellphone......................................................120
Keeping Up With Airline Security Measures....................121
Part III: New Providence: Nassau, Cable
Beach, and Paradise Island..........................123
Chapter 10: Settling into New Providence................125
Arriving at the Airport........................................................125
Navigating your way through passport
control and Customs............................................126
Getting from the airport to your hotel...................126
Cruising into New Providence...........................................126
Choosing Your Location.....................................................127
Getting Around New Providence.......................................128
Exploring on foot......................................................128
Taking a bus...............................................................128
Taking a taxi...............................................................129
Driving around..........................................................129
Ferrying from island to island.................................129
Other fun ways to get around.................................129
Fast Facts: New Providence...............................................130
Chapter 11: Staying in Style in New Providence......132
Surveying the Scene...........................................................132
The Best Accommodations................................................133
Chapter 12: Dining Out in New Providence...............145
Getting a Taste for New Providence.................................145
Dining at Nassau’s Best Restaurants................................146
Checking Out Paradise Island’s Best Restaurants..........153
Dining at Cable Beach’s Best Restaurants.......................156