According to Conde Nast, the Bahamas was among 2018's must-visit destinations. If you're considering a tropical vacation, why not Nassau, the Bahamian capital? It lies on the island of New Providence and neighboring Paradise Island is accessible via Nassau Harbor bridges. A popular cruise ship stop, New Providence has a hilly landscape and is known for beaches as well as its offshore coral reefs, popular for diving and snorkeling. It retains many of its typically pastel-colored British colonial buildings, like the pink-hued Government House.
Thankfully, there are plenty of regular, relatively inexpensive flights between Portland and Nassau. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked with the trendy adventurer in mind. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)
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Cheapest Nassau flights
The cheapest flights between Portland and Nassau are if you leave on Aug. 22 and return from Bahamas on Aug. 27. Delta currently has roundtrip tickets for $458.
There are also deals to be had in July. If you fly out of Portland on July 10 and return from Nassau on July 17, United can get you there and back for $463 roundtrip.
Top Nassau hotels
Regarding where to stay, here are two of Nassau’s top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction.
The Melia Nassau Beach Resort (West Bay Street)
If you're looking to splurge on top quality, consider The Melia Nassau Beach Resort. The hotel has a four-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $189.
This beachfront resort is near Cable Beach and the Cable Beach Golf Club. With seven restaurants, four bars and two beachfront heated pools, you could spend your entire vacation on Melia's grounds.
The Reef Atlantis (1 Casino Drive)
There's also the 4.4-star rated The Reef Atlantis. Rooms are currently set at $179/night.
The Atlantis has amenities for both adults and children, with a casino and entertainment programs for toddlers, older kids and teens.
Featured Nassau restaurants
Nassau has plenty of top-notch dining options. Here are a few of the most popular, according to Skyscanner.
Twin Brothers (Nassau)
One of Nassau's most popular restaurants is Twin Brothers, which has an average of 4.7 stars out of 34 reviews on Skyscanner.
"Great place to go eat 'real' Bahamian food," wrote visitor Daniel. "Don't settle for a burger. Definitely try the conch ... . It's a Bahamian favorite."
The Poopdeck (Sandyport Marina Village)
Another popular dining destination is The Poopdeck, with 4.6 stars from 18 reviews.
Local seafood with a gourmet twist is accompanied by ocean views.
"This restaurant ... has a local band often and beach views are fabulous," wrote reviewer April.
Senor Frog's (Woodes Rodgers Walk)
If you're looking for a solid place to grab a drink, plan to visit Senor Frog's.
"The atmosphere in this bar is off da chain," wrote Simple. "The bar was giving out shots, having drinking and dancing contests on stage and just being really entertaining. ... You should definitely stop by here when you come to the Bahamas."
Cafe Matisse (Bank Lane)
Finally, there's Cafe Matisse.
Filet mignon, unique seafood dishes and homemade pastas are served in an old colonial home lined with Matisse prints. An informed staff tends to guests with exceptional attention to detail.
"Cafe Matisse has one of the most sparkling reputations in the Bahamas — and for good reason, " wrote Ramona. "Make sure you ask for a table in the picturesque courtyard so you enjoy beautiful scenery while a team of impeccably trained chefs and servers deliver gourmet dishes, like lobster ravioli and hearty rosemary steaks, that are guaranteed to impress."
What to see and do in Nassau
Not sure what to do in Nassau, besides eat and drink? Here are a couple of recommendations, provided by Skyscanner.
National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (Villa Doyle)
The top-rated visitor attraction in Nassau, according to Skyscanner, is the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas.
"This is my go-to place every time I visit Nassau," wrote visitor Donna. "[The] building is beautiful and exhibits are true Bahamian art."
Love Beach (New Providence)
Love Beach is another popular destination.
A popular place for snorkeling, Love Beach is adjacent to a 40-acre underwater preserve with coral reefs.
"The name says it all," wrote visitor John. "This beach is romantic and evocative."
This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
