Everyone dreams of a vacation in paradise. And where can you find a more idyllic setting for such a scene than the pink and white sand beaches of the Bahamas? But sandy bliss doesn’t come cheap. So, while no one wants to put a price on happiness, your vacation budget is begging you to consider just one question: how much does it cost to go to the Bahamas?
Well, consider yourself in luck. Whether you go with curated Bahamas vacation packages or plan your own, here’s your complete guide to budgeting for your Caribbean getaway.
Table of Contents
- How Much Is It to Go to the Bahamas?
- What Is the Price to Go to the Bahamas: 6 Costs to Consider as You Plan Your Vacation
- How Much Does an All-Inclusive Bahamas Vacation Cost?
- Get Great Deals on Airfare: Let Next Vacay Find You the Cheapest Flights to the Bahamas
How Much Is It to Go to the Bahamas?
Most Caribbean islands aren’t cheap, and the Bahamas are no different. So, before embarking on your dream vacation, it pays to know how much you’ll be spending and what can affect those vacation costs.
- Mode of travel
- Accommodations
- Transportation
- Food
- Activities
- Timing
Thinking about how you’ll get to the Bahamas is just as important as figuring out how you’ll get around the Bahamas. And while you can just plug in the numbers, it helps to do a deep dive into just how much things cost at your destination.
Of course, you can expect some fluctuation depending on the kind of vacation you want, mid-range versus a luxury vacation, and the people you bring along, a couple’s retreat versus a family vacation. So, while you may be eager for takeoff, let’s put temporary breaks on those jet engines and crunch some numbers.
What Is the Average Cost of a Trip to the Bahamas?
A couple on a seven-day trip to the Bahamas can expect to pay around $4,300 for flights, accommodations, food, transportation, and entertainment. Meanwhile, a family vacation for four jumps to roughly $7,000. However, these numbers can go up or down based on when you decide to travel.
What Is the Price to Go to the Bahamas: 6 Costs to Consider As You Plan Your Vacation
Average travel prices to the Bahamas vary depending on how and when you travel. While no one-size-fits-all budget for Bahamas vacations exists, here are six things to keep in mind as you plan your ultimate getaway.
1. Travel to the Bahamas
Once you start planning your Bahamas vacation, the first thing to figure out is how you’ll get there. For most people, that’ll be a flight.
Flying is often the cheapest option for getting to the Bahamas, but for those lucky enough to live in Florida, traveling from the Sunshine State by boat is another convenient alternative.
Flights
Although you’re flying to paradise, flight costs don’t necessarily have to cripple your budget. For example, while the average round-trip flight price from the US to the Bahamas is $600, you can significantly impact that number by adjusting your airport or trip dates.
If you’re flying from a major airport or during the shoulder season, it’s all that much easier to get a good deal. And you can expect some of the lowest prices flying into Nassau, which sees the most visitors and frequent deals.
Here are some average flight prices you can expect to see departing from major airports around the country to two of the biggest airports in the Bahamas.
| DEPARTURE CITY | ARRIVAL CITY | COST |
| Miami | Nassau | $260 |
| Freeport | $340 | |
| Chicago | Nassau | $550 |
| Freeport | $740 | |
| New York | Nassau | $390 |
| Freeport | $600 | |
| Denver | Nassau | $630 |
| Freeport | $760 | |
| Dallas | Nassau | $590 |
| Freeport | $710 |
Your best bet for getting the lowest price is to compare any departure airports around you and plan your Bahamas vacation during the shoulder season. The weather is great year-round, so you won’t be giving up much to go in May over December except for an escape from the cold.
Of course, you don’t have to fly from a major airport to get the lowest prices around. Next Vacay helps you find the best deals to the Bahamas from any airport for your perfect island getaway.
Boat
Traveling to the Bahamas by boat most likely means departing from Florida. The Baleria Caribbean ferry operates out of Port Everglades with 2-4 weekly crossings to Bimini and 2-3 to Freeport. The average round-trip ticket, including tax, costs roughly $260 for a single adult and $135 for a child.
Another option is to travel to the Bahamas by cruise, and you can typically find 3-night cruises starting at roughly $100. If you know where to look to find the best cruise deals, you can sail for even longer without breaking the bank.
2. Accommodations
Luxury and the Bahamas go hand in hand, but it’s not necessary to plan a luxurious Bahamas vacation to enjoy the islands. With all kinds of accommodations available, you can choose from various options to fit your budget.
Budget
The Bahamas aren’t known as a budget destination, but that doesn’t mean budget accommodations don’t exist. When you need a cheap place to crash on your Bahamas vacation, you can pay as little as $60 a night for a decent hostel, three-star hotel room, or private room in an Airbnb.
Consider using a site like Hostelword to filter through a range of hostel, apartment, and hotel options that fit your budget. Additionally, if you’re looking to get more into Bahamian culture while on vacation, you can try checking out the couchsurfing scene, and you may luck out staying with a local.
Suggested Accommodations:
- HumesHouse, Nassau
- Harbor Breeze Villas, Clarence Town, Long Island
- Ocean Front Hostel & Resort Viking Hill at Love Beach, Nassau
Mid-Range
If you’re planning a Bahamas vacation that’s not too budget-conscious—while not straying too far into luxury territory—you’ll have many more options. The average price for a mid-range hotel in the Bahamas falls around $300 a night. You can also find comfortable vacation rentals through Airbnb that include the entire home. We’re talking oceanfront properties for as little as $135 a night.
Suggested Accommodations:
- Cayo Loco Pink Sand Oceanfront Beach House, Eleuthera
- Sunrise Beach Club, Paradise Island
- Stella Maris Resort Club, Stella Maris, Bahamas
Luxury
A luxury vacation starts with a luxury hotel. Those can range from a reasonable $550 a night to an extravagant $2000 per night rate, but the average price is around $650 for a single night’s stay. These four and five-star hotels earn their stripes with incredible amenities like swim-up bars, rooms with balcony views, and even private and uncrowded beaches. Luxury hotels deliver on the pampering aspect of your Bahamas vacation.
Suggested Accommodations:
- The Cove at Atlantis, Paradise Island
- The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Paradise Island
- Fowl Cay Resort, Fowl Cay
3. Transportation
Getting around the Bahamas is so easy you don’t even need a car. But no matter your budget or preferred method of transportation, you’ll find no shortage of options for exploring the islands.
On-Island Transportation
In addition to the usual rental cars or even scooters, you can find cheap public transportation to roam your island of choice. However, if you elect for the former, remember that the right side is the wrong side for driving, as Bahamians drive on the left.
Taxi
On the larger islands like Nassau and Grand Bahama Island, taxis are a convenient way of getting around, and they’re often everywhere: airports, hotels, and stands in downtown areas. Official taxis have orange plates with black lettering, and their prices are government-regulated. You can expect to pay a base rate of $4.50 and an additional $2.30 per km.
A ride from the Nassau airport costs roughly $22 to Cable Beach, $32 to downtown Nassau, and $40 to Paradise Island.
Jitney
Local buses in the Bahamas are called jitneys, and they’re widely available on major islands like Grand Bahama and New Providence but scarce on the Out Islands. Services typically run from early morning, around 6 AM, to mid-evening, 6 PM, with average fares of $1.50 in the downtown areas and a bit more out in the suburbs. With casual service, you can get on and off at any stop.
Pro-tip: Jitneys don’t go to Paradise Island, so travelers headed there will need to get a ride with a taxi or ferry service.
Car
A car rental can afford you the freedom to go anywhere and everywhere you want and is incredibly convenient on the Out Islands, which don’t have as many public transportation options. The average daily cost for most small rental cars is about $70 per day. Keep in mind gas costs are roughly $1.67 per liter in Nassau but may be higher on the Out Islands.
Scooter
Scooters can be a fun way to see the island, with $60 rentals for a half-day. However, while renting a scooter is easy, driving is decidedly less so. The roads can often be busy and narrow and change elevation quickly. If you rent a scooter, stick to the coasts, which are more level, or areas like Paradise Island, which are less crowded and safer for tourists to explore.
Inter-Island Transportation
Getting between islands is a bit more expensive. However, you can easily find a Bahamas package to get from one island to the next or plan a quick day trip on your own private boat.
Water Taxi/Ferry
Water taxis and ferries are a common way of getting around, and they operate within and between islands. Fares range from as little as $4 traveling from Nassau to Paradise Island on a water taxi to $90 traveling from Nassau to Eleuthera on Bahamas Ferries.
Private Boat
If you want to captain your own journey—literally or figuratively—you can charter a private boat. Rates in the Bahamas range from $800 to $2500/day. Meanwhile, catamarans start a little cheaper at around $450 for the day. Some rentals offer the option to set sail with or without a captain, but you’ll need to be able to navigate around the precious coral reefs surrounding the islands.
Airplane
Flying is the way to go when you’d prefer to save on time. Bahamasair operates flights to major islands like Grand Bahamas and Nassau, along with Out Islands like Eleuthera and the Abaco Islands.
The cheapest and most frequent flights to the Out Islands originate from Nassau. For example, booking a Bahamas flight from Nassau to the Out Islands costs around $210 round trip and takes about 45 minutes. So, while it’s not the cheapest option, it does promise quick travel times of under an hour to most islands.
4. Food
One of the best parts of traveling is discovering new foods and chowing down on local favorites. But prepare to give your food budget a little extra padding because Bahamian food is expensive, with many goods imported from outside of the country. However, enjoying the fresh local delicacies may be a fair tradeoff.
Restaurant
No one likes cooking on holiday. Okay, most of us don’t like it anyway. And if convenience beats cost when drafting your travel budget, you’ll likely treat yourself by eating out for most of your trip. In this case, you can plan to spend $40 to $80 per day eating from a combination of food carts, bakeries, mid-range restaurants, and fine dining. Additionally, most restaurants charge 15% gratuity, so you’ll need to factor this into your costs of eating out too.
While it’s no small number, this does mean dining on delicious Bahamian food made by skilled cooks and chefs. And that alone can make the price worth it.
Grocery Store
One way to save money on your Bahamas vacation is by making your meals yourself. Compared to restaurant meals, which can cost you as much as $80 per day, you can stock up on grocery staples like rice, vegetables, and seafood for $80-$100 for an entire week. So, if you have access to a kitchen during your stay, consider saving on your food budget to spend more on fun activities like snorkeling trips.
Alcohol
If you plan to drink during your stay, expect to budget for that accordingly, as alcoholic beverages aren’t cheap. It costs $10-12 for a standard drink at the restaurant. Or, you can purchase a bottle from the liquor store—grocery stores don’t sell liquor. Beer starts at around $5 for one bottle, while rum, the drink of choice for Bahamians, costs between $10 to $20 for a liter.
5. Activities
Activities abound on the islands, and the best part is that you can find an incredible mix of mind-blowingly cheap things to do and fun pricier activities to fill your sun-kissed days in paradise.
Inexpensive Activities
While the Bahamas are known for being expensive, there are plenty of budget-friendly activities too. Case in point, while an all-inclusive resort with two swim-up bars may cost a pretty penny, the beaches are always free and some of the most beautiful in the Caribbean.
In fact, exploring the natural beauty of the Bahamas is unbelievably inexpensive. Lucayan National Park costs just $5, while the Versailles Gardens and French Cloister is free. Delight in complimentary tours on the history of rum, the Bahamas’ liquid gold, at John Watling’s Distillery, or shop for souvenirs at the Straw Market. You can’t go wrong with fun and affordable activities on the islands.
Pricier Activities
Of course, if you want to spend the big bucks, the Bahamas offer plenty of opportunities to spend and vacation like a king.
For the right price, the Bahamas offer up some unique fun and experiences you won’t soon forget. For example, snorkeling tours at Clifton Heritage National Park range from $40-$80 per person, while a trip to Pig Beach can cost between $400 and $600, depending on your transportation method. And if you want to charter a boat and get an intimate, private tour of the islands, you’re looking at upwards of $750 for a half-day.
6. Timing
Is there truly a bad time to visit the Bahamas? Truthfully, not really, but for the perfect island vacay, it’s all about the timing. After all, staying in paradise for one week costs more during peak travel than any other time of year.
Peak Season
Spanning from mid-December to mid-April, peak season is characterized by lots of sunshine and lively festivals. Consequently, it’s no surprise that it sees the highest prices and most visitors, meaning you’re much more likely to run into trouble getting accommodations and waiting in line for popular attractions.
Low Season
The low season coincides with hurricane season in the Bahamas. While it technically lasts from June 1st to November 30th, the worst months for storms come between mid-August and mid-October. However, it is still the Bahamas, and beach days abound. So, if you’re looking for a quieter getaway outside the wild parties and festivals of high season, the summer months are the perfect time to go.
Shoulder Season
There is a prime time to go for more activity, without the crowds, and less chance of getting rained out. Shoulder season in the Bahamas is the sweet spot. Typically running from October to November and from mid-April to June, these periods see lower prices, fewer crowds, and, best of all, less threat of hurricanes.
What Is the Cheapest Month to Go to the Bahamas?
If you want to plan a cheap Bahamas vacation, prepare to head out between August and November. These months in the low and shoulder season offer the best rates for budget travelers with fantastic deals on airfare and hotels. As a bonus, you also avoid high-season crowds.
While these are the best months to visit the Bahamas for cheap, remember that it is the wet season, so your tradeoff for low prices may be more rainy days. However, that doesn’t mean it’s all storm clouds, as even the wet season sees frequent sunshine between rain showers. Just don’t forget to include a raincoat on your packing list!
How Much Does an All-Inclusive Bahamas Vacation Cost?
All-inclusive resorts take Bahamas vacation packages to the next level. But they also take the cost up a notch. While budget all-inclusives can start as low as $2,000 for a seven-night stay for two, luxury all-inclusives can cost three times that much at roughly $7,000.
That price can seem steep on the surface. Yet, the numbers start to add up when you consider everything an all-inclusive resort covers, from food and alcohol to accommodations, water activities, and even airport transfers.
Consequently, an all-inclusive resort is a perfect answer for those who don’t want to watch every penny on their vacation and instead enjoy a worry-free trip.
Get Great Deals on Airfare: Let Next Vacay Find You the Cheapest Flights to the Bahamas
Going to the Bahamas at the perfect time can save you hundreds of dollars on airfare. But with the right deal, any time becomes the perfect time to go, and Next Vacay can make it happen.
With an incredible team of deal hunters working round the clock, finding the perfect deal becomes as simple as signing up for the Next Vacay newsletter. So, the next time an unbelievable deal to the Bahamas pops up, you can book your trip to paradise and know you’re saving hundreds of dollars.
Instead of dreaming about your vacation bill, spend your time dreaming of turquoise waters and blinding white sand. We’ll take care of the rest. It’s time to fly with Next Vacay.
