Should i go to bahamas

This is the gateway, after all. Nassau has cool restaurants , high-design hotels, the best seafood shacks around — and a fair share of resorts not too far outside town. One of my favorite Bahamas memories is sitting outside one of the food trucks at Baha Mar, sipping a Kalik, and feeling like I was in my own little world just 10 minutes from the international airport. There, we were able to experience the crystal-clear, blue waters of the Bahamas and ride the tallest waterslide in North America.

Every time I go to the islands I'm overwhelmed by the kindness of the people and the joy and pride they have for their home. From the brightly colored buildings to the pink sands, delicious food, and golf cart-filled streets, this beautiful little island holds onto so much history while also embracing the new and whimsical.

From dinning at the bustling Sip Sip — a local, family-owned restaurant that has stood the test of time thanks to its local delicacies with modern flair — to staying at Coral Sands , which had recently been revamped by famed designer Eddie Lee, I was able to see how this island has earned a spot in so many hearts, as evidenced by the generations of families that gather at its shores.

Few tourists venture to this small strip of paradise that neighbors the more frequented Harbor Island. The mostly pink sand beaches are completely isolated, and my favorite is Double Bay Beach. Growing up, trips to the Bahamas were a summertime ritual; some of my most visceral childhood memories are set against a backdrop of Caribbean breezes and technicolor tropics, reggae beats and fresh-caught conch.

Now that I live in West Palm Beach, the tradition lives on as weekend jaunts to the Bahamas with my husband — in Palm Beach County, the islands are our extended backyard.

The club and the people who worked there were some of the most warm and welcoming humans I had ever met. Sitting on a swing in the ocean at the club was truly one of the most peaceful moments in my life. The food, the entertainment, and the golf made the trip memorable, but it was the people of Abaco who made it unforgettable.

You can contribute to the Abaco-Winding Bay Relief Fund , with all contributions going to the people of Abaco 'in the form of food, shelter, medical aid, supplies and assistance in the island's clean-up and rebuilding efforts' here. It's paradise on its own, with crystal blue waters and lengthy beaches counterbalancing a lush forested landscape, but it's not just the dance parties with Mickey Mouse and endless soft-serve that keep guests coming back year after year.

It's the Bahamian escape's way — once you're there, toes tucked into those soft, sandy shores — of making you feel like you can, at long last, finally relax. Still, pinpointing one shade to label those gorgeous waters was impossible. In contrast, the sand was the brightest white. A couple of years ago I arrived on tiny Staniel Cay via nine-seat Cessna and spent three blissful days hopping from cay to cay, snorkeling in spots with names like Thunderball Grotto and Sea Aquarium, examining endless conch shells on castaway beaches, and wandering among native Bahamian Rock Iguanas on picture-perfect Guana Cay.

I went there a few years ago for the first time and immediately realized I've just been going to the wrong beaches. Nothing beats the island's clear, sapphire-blue waters, warm white sand, and swimming with the pigs in Exuma.

Now, no matter where I go, I compare every seaside experience to the Bahamas' picture-perfect coastline. The culture that lives on the island is artistic, historic, and inspiring. Though it's just a quick jump from Miami by seaplane, Bimini is one of the Caribbean's best kept secrets. I can't stay away! Take a trip to Inagua. Want to explore some historical sites? Check out Cat Island.

Like many island destinations, The Bahamas are rich with history, particularly in the capital of Nassau. Exploring some of these historical sites can give you insight into the winding path The Bahamas took before becoming the paradise that it is today, and help you understand the melting pot culture.

Many of the most extravagant resorts have staked claim on some of the best shoreline in the world, so if lounging around on an idyllic coastline aligns well with your idea of a good time, The Bahamas will be an especially good destination for you.

Sun, sand, and gentle waves will be in large supply regardless of the type of accommodation you choose. Instead of a contrived shopping center meant to impress tourists, The Bahamas feature open air markets full of locally crafted, authentic items, oftentimes sold by the very people who crafted them. If you are particularly interested in getting to know the local culture wherever you visit, The Bahamas will give you the opportunity not just to mingle with talented Bahamians, but to take a little piece of that culture home with you in the form of a work of art.

Plus, supporting these local endeavors is a great way to bolster the economy so others can enjoy the beauty of the area for years to come. The Bahamas do experience a wet season in the summer that lasts into the early fall, but for the most part you can bank on the weather being sunny and dry. Tropical destinations are prone to somewhat temperamental weather, but The Bahamas boast unusually stable conditions, so you can make concrete plans without much risk that your outdoor activities will be foiled.

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