Visiting Nassau, The Bahamas: The Vacation of a Lifetime

A Place in

New Providence Island is located in the sparkling waters just 180 miles southeast of Florida, centrally placed among the 700 unique and beautiful islands of The Bahamas. The island is home to the capital city of Nassau and recognized as the heart of Bahamian culture and commerce. With Baha Mar just a 12-minute drive from Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport, your Bahamas vacation can start as soon as you arrive.

Originally inhabited by native Lucayan islanders, European settlers brought agricultural development to the islands beginning in the late 1400s. The Bahamas was declared a British colony in 1718, which it remained until independence was granted in 1973. Today, Afro-Bahamians comprise over 90% of the population and drive the culture with their rich customs, warm hospitality, and creative artistry. The Bahamas enjoy a stable parliamentary government and one of the strongest economies in the Caribbean, based largely around tourism and banking.

Age Of

From 1690 to 1720, The Bahamas were home to some of the world’s most legendary pirates, including Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Calico Jack. Attracted by the islands’ close proximity to cargo-rich shipping lanes, these pirates outnumbered the island’s few hundred inhabitants and easily took total control of the region. They were finally expelled by Governor Woodes Rogers, who coined the phrase “Piracy expelled, commerce restored.” This remained the national motto of The Bahamas until independence was claimed in 1973.

Glamorous

The rise of commercial air travel in the early 1950s brought a glittering new era to Nassau, and especially to Cable Beach. Wealthy socialites from North America and British aristocrats known as the “jetset” began to spend their winters here, throwing stylish parties by the shore, sipping rum cocktails at exclusive beach clubs, and enjoying all the warmth and beauty of the islands. Today, The Bahamas plays host to all types of discerning travelers, but on Cable Beach, that essence of relaxed Bahamian glamour lives on.

The natural ecosystem of The Bahamas is our greatest, and most fragile resource. That’s why Baha Mar is committed to the conservation of our island home. Through innovative sustainability practices, partnerships with leading environmental organizations such as The Reef Rescue Network, and education efforts at our ecosanctuary, we will continue to do everything in our power to keep The Bahamas spectacular.

Baha Mar is more than a resort—it’s a hub for Bahamian culture. Here you’ll find The Current gallery, a place for local and international artists and writers to collaborate and create. Throughout the year, the resort also plays host to vibrant junkanoo and music performances, introducing visitors to the unforgettable rhythm of the islands.

As one of The Bahamas’ largest employers, Baha Mar is dedicated to the island community. Since our opening in 2017, we have sponsored the National Basketball Team, Fourteen Clubs, a local youth golf organization, and The Valley Boys, one of The Bahamas’ leading junkanoo groups.

The Bahamas is home to hundreds of skilled artisans and craftspeople. Many practice the art of straw weaving, which has been an important part of the Bahamian tradition for centuries. These artisans use over 60 unique weaving styles to create beautiful baskets, handbags, dolls, and more. In the local markets, you will also see crafts made with shells, sisal, wood, and coconut, each serving as an environmentally friendly homage to the nation’s history and culture.

Music and

While The Bahamas is home to many styles of traditional dance and music, it all comes together for the biggest celebration of them all: Junkanoo.

Taking place between Christmas and New Year’s Day, this unforgettable festival includes high-energy street celebrations that combine rhythmic dancing; intricate, colorful costumes; and live music with drums, bells, whistles, and horns.

Watching and participating in sports is a huge pastime for Bahamians, who enjoy nearly perfect weather to play in all year long. While cricket is officially the national sport of The Bahamas, basketball, football (soccer), and track and field are all very popular.