MAIN Travel Caribbean Bahamas

Of the more than 700 islands that make up the Bahamas - stretching for miles off the Florida coast to Cuba - the best known among tourists are New Providence, Grand Bahama, Bimini, Cat Island and Eleuthera.

And perhaps the most familiar of these is New Providence, where Nassau is the main port o' call, a colorful jumble of English colonial architecture, mud & thatched roof shanties, and wood houses painted in bright pastels.

Catering to the thousands of tourists who arrive each year there are, or course, the modern mega hotels, the most notable of which is the Atlantis resort & casino located on nearby Paradise Island.

More world-class amenities await in Freeport on Grand Bahama, the chain's largest island, offering the best of modern comfort & exotic adventure including a hopping nightlife, entertainment, and day trips out to the countryside to take in the breathtaking flora and fauna of Lucayan National Park.

Elsewhere around the Bahamas, miles of white or pink sandy beaches are available for swimming, diving or snorkeling around underwater reefs, or just for getting away from it all and letting the sun and tropical breezes restore mind, body and soul.

If you're traveling near the end of December, also don't miss the wild & colorful Junkanoo parades (the most spectacular occuring on Bay Street in Nassau) as all of the Bahamas kicks off its version of Carnival.

The Islands of the Bahamas - The official site, with all you need to know for planning, booking and enjoying your trip to and around the Bahamas, with facts & information on major attractions, shopping & restaurants plus special looks at Nassau, Grand Bahama and Paradise Island, family fun, wedding planning, day trips, diving, snorkeling and off-beat activities.

Bahamas Travel Information - Lonely Planet guide with insider looks at the top attractions in the Biminis, Nassau, Long Island and national parks, typical costs, practical info on getting there and getting around, weather facts, and visitor suggestions in the online forum.

Bahamas Vacation Guide - The go-to place for dozens of detailed maps of the islands plus photos and travel tips, information on major attractions and beaches in Bimini, Nassau, Paradise Islands and more, with passport and entry requirements, interesting history & folklore, recipes, fun facts.

The Bahamian - In-depth guide geared to Bahamians and visitors with information on major attractions, night life, restaurants, hotels, events & festivals, plus more on everything from where to find a good beautician to the local political scene, with chat and message boards.

Bahamas travel guide - Good overview from Wikitravel with typical costs, getting around by plane, bus or car, historical notes and weather facts, related links.

Bahamas Tourist Guide - Go virtual island-hopping via a clickable map, learn more about where to go and what to do, practical tips on air travel and transportation, interesting historical and cultural guides, suggested reading and related links.

Grand Bahama Island - The big tourist mecca offering guides to major attractions, hotels & restaurants, shopping, beaches & outdoor activities, tours and suggested itineraries, maps, travel tips, FAQ.

Rum Cay, Bahamas - The beautiful, unspoiled "dot" near Long Island offering information on how to get there by sea or air, news, photo gallery.

Bahamians Online - Catch up on what's new and happening around the islands, help with moving to the Bahamas, forum and chat room, photo gallery.

also see in Travel -> 10 Top Caribbean Romantic Spots

The Steel Forest Takes Root in the Bahamas

Spring Break in the Bahamas | Diving & Snorkeling

also see in Holidays -> Bahamas Independence Day | Junkanoo

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