Bahamas Vacation Packages

Beginning 64 kilometers (40 miles) off the tip of Florida and sprawling across 259,000 square kilometers (100,000 square miles) of water, the Bahamas actually lie in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea. The chain ends just north of Hispaniola, the island of Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. However, since it shares much of its heritage and beauty with its southern neighbors, it is often referred to as part of the Caribbean. Independent from Britain since 1973, this archipelago comprises more than 700 large islands, smaller low-lying landmasses called cays ("keys"), and landfalls hardly larger than boulders. The nation's population of nearly 255,000 lives on only about two dozen of these mainly flat, coral islands.

The vistas, beautiful coastlines, and lifestyle make the Bahamas vacation special. From the international city of Freeport on Grand Bahama and its neighboring Lucaya resort to the pink sand beaches of tiny Harbour Island, travel to the Bahamas offers a wide choice of vacation opportunities. With its many islands and cays, this country could take months of exploration. In the old days, mail boats often spent weeks completing the circuit of inhabited islands. Before the arrival of airplanes, these boats served as the local inter-island transportation for people as well as correspondence. Even today, some Bahamians and adventurous visitors still choose this leisurely, rough-and-tumble mode of travel.

Visitors looking for the excitement and conviviality of casinos, a vibrant nightlife, and varied dining have Nassau and the adjoining Paradise Island, as well as a Freeport vacation. Some of the larger resorts here are self-contained and cater to guests not interested in exploring much beyond their hotels. Vacationers who do wish to get to know Nassau and Freeport during their stay can begin with bus or taxi tours available through hotels and the tourist bureau. Those with a more adventurous spirit can take tours on their own by using the local jitneys, or minivans. Doing so can be fun and gives the flavor of what life is like for residents.

Vacationers seeking a slower pace and more serene surroundings should definitely consider visiting one of the outter Islands. Formerly called the Family Islands, these more reclusive spots are often striking in their beauty. They bring visitors closer to the natural wonders of the islands' land and sea and introduce them to people not jaded by the tourist trade that booms in Nassau, Paradise Island, and Freeport.