Bahamas On a Budget (Updated 2026)

Think pina coladas, turquoise water, white sand beaches, and sunshine. The Bahamas are without a doubt a beautiful vacation spot, but it is so expensive! Anywhere in the Caribbean will not be cheap. But there are ways to go to these expensive destinations for much less. In this guide we will go over how to do the Bahamas on a budget.

This post is all about the Bahamas on a budget.

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About The Bahamas

The Bahamas is way bigger than just the capital, Nassau. Consisting of 700 islands, 30 of which are inhabited, the Bahamas is perfect if you want to disconnect from reality. Some of these islands are super hard to get to. Most people go to Nassau and Paradise Island when visiting the Bahamas because they are easiest to get to. So this guide will be focused mostly on these islands.

CURRENCY: Bahamian Dollar

SAFETY: Because the Bahamas has 700 Islands it really depends on which Island you are on. While I was in Nassau I felt I needed to be more cautious, but on Paradise Island I felt extremely safe.

LANGUAGE: English

🇧🇸Read Next - A Complete Guide To Nassau

Where To Stay In The Bahamas On a Budget

Accommodations in the Bahamas are expensive as tourism plays a huge role in the country’s economy. But with that said, be careful where you book. Do not book in downtown Nassau, rather book across the bridge on Paradise Island. All of these hotels will say Nassau because Paradise Island is technically Nassau. Paradise Island is home to Atlantis and other luxury hotels that you can utilize during your stay. Here are some affordable options:

If you would rather stay in a hotel here are some affordable options!

• The Holiday Inn - I would usually never but a chain on my blog, but the Holiday Inn is a good deal and is by the beach.
• Orange Hill Beach Inn - Orange Hill is located right on the beach and is affordable.

Getting Around The Bahamas

Getting around The Bahamas is not easy. If you are in the capital, Nassau then you will be fine getting around either by car rental or taxi. 

If you want to venture off to different islands you will have to either go by plane or boat.

The Nassau airport is the most common airport in the Bahamas, so you will most likely be flying into Nassau. Nassau is super easy to get through weather you are leaving or entering the country. You could arrive two hours early and be fine.

When To Visit The Bahamas

I would go to The Bahamas during a shoulder season. A shoulder season is not quite tourist season but also not the off season. Shoulder seasons are great because you will end up finding affordable flights and accommodations, and there will be less crowds. A shoulder season in The Bahamas would be late April, May, and June. The end of June is the beginning of hurricane season and late April is the end of tourist season in The Bahamas. 

Cheap Things To Do In The Bahamas

Visit Downtown Nassau

You should definitely dedicate a few hours to downtown Nassau. We went right when we got off the plane because we couldn’t check into our airbnb until later. We visited the Straw Market and The Queens Staircase. Both were fun and free. The Queens Staircase requires a bit of a walk but I definitely thought it was worth the walk in the heat. Be aware of pickpockets at the Straw Market. If you are up to it you could visit the Pirates of Nassau Museum as well.

As much as I love downtown Nassau make sure you are cautious about yourself and belonging because I did not feel the safest downtown Nassau.

Book a Tour

Going on a boat tour in the Bahamas is a great way to see the country. Booking an affordable tour in the Bahamas can be very tricky, but it is worth it. I booked a tour through airbnb that brought us to pig island where we went snorkeling and swimming with sea turtles. This tour had a small group which was great. I paid $150 while many tours on tripadvisor were upward of $300 just to see pig island. This is the tour I did (induded - pig beach).

Another tour you could do is a boat dinner tour. This one has great reviews and is not too expensive.

Atlantis

Our airbnb was close to Atlantis. We got to experienced this gorgeous resort without paying a dime. We walked in their cute shopping area, through the waterpark and outdoor aquarium, and along the dock next to the spectacular yachts.

If you want to go on the waterslides you will have to pay a day fee of $100. We preferred the beach.

Cabbage Beach

On the first day of our trip we asked a local what his favorite beach was on Paradise Island, and he said Cabbage beach - then he took us there in his golf cart.

This was by far the most gorgeous beach I have been to. There was no crowd and the water was bright blue.

If you are between a day pass at Atlantis and Cabbage beach, choose Cabbage beach because there is no crowd, it's gorgeous, and it’s free.

Affordable Food Options In The Bahamas

The food prices in the Bahamas will break the bank. My black hot coffee from Starbucks was $8! So my first tip is to buy coffee from the store and brew it yourself in the airbnb. Same goes for breakfast and lunch. Packs of oatmeal for breakfast and pb&j for lunch will definitely save you a few hundred bucks. Everyone wants to go out to dinner on vacation. Avoid anywhere at Atlantis for dinner as you will get an overpriced subpar meal. Instead opt for a local joint with great food that won’t hurt the wallet. I recommend Violas and the Fish Fry. 

Violas is a local joint on Paradise Island. You will see Bahamians here smoking cigars and chatting. The fish fry is a great experience to have while in the Bahamas. Fishermen fry up the fish they caught that day. The Fish Fry truly is Bahamian Cuisine. Both of these dinner options are great ways to do the Bahamas on a budget and still enjoy yourself. 

Bahamas On a Budget FAQs:

Is it possible to visit the Bahamas on a budget?

Yes!! Especially if you follow all of the tips in this article - you should be able to save loads of money in the Bahamas.

What’s the cheapest way to get to the Bahamas?

The cheapest way to get to the Bahamas is via plane or cruise. You can find cheap flights and cruises out of Miami.

Which islands in the Bahamas are best for budget travelers?

Nassau is great for budget travel. Mainly because all of the other Islands cost a fortune to get to!

What’s the best time to visit the Bahamas for lower prices?

Summer and fall are the cheapest time to visit the Bahamas, but the weather is unpredictable during these months.

Bahamas On a Budget Wrap Up

I hope this guide to Bahamas On a Budget will help you save some money on your trip! If you are a fellow budget traveler you may like some of my other posts - A Complete Guide To Nassau, London on a budget, The best guide to Madrid, and 5 Amazing Reasons you should visit Portugal.