Nicole Bedford smiling on beach
I've lived on New Providence for 28 years and counting.Nicole Bedford
  • New Providence is the most popular island in the archipelago.

  • Visitors make the same mistakes as they eat fast food.

  • Tourists should visit more than one island since many are just a day trip away from Nassau.

I was born and raised in New Providence, so I interact with tourists a lot.

Nicole Bedford selfie on left, Exuma on right
I've been to eight Bahamian islands throughout my life.Nicole Bedford

My family has lived in the country. New Providence is one of the most heavily touristed islands in The Bahamas.

I spend a lot of time with tourists. After working in tourism for three summers and working at Atlantis' Mandara Spa for a year, I've seen visitors make a lot of bad decisions.

Travelers should not make common mistakes when visiting my home because I want them to maximize their time there and show proper respect.

There are more places to visit than New Providence and Paradise Island.

The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in The Bahamas.
The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in The Bahamas.Pola Damonte/Getty Images

Many people think that New Providence and Paradise Island are the only places worth visiting in The Bahamas. There are many things to see and do.

Only 30 of the 700 islands in the Bahamas are open to the public.

The Exumas, Cat Island and Eleuthera are some of the islands. There is a distinct and unique feel to each of the eight islands I have visited.

There weren't enough people island-hoping.

Nicole Bedford with her friends in red boat on Rose Island
My friends and I went on a boating adventure when we were on Rose Island.Nicole Bedford

The biggest industry in the country is tourism. New Providence can feel crowded even though interacting with travelers is part of daily life.

I recommend island hopping to more remote locations.

Travelers can visit salt deposits in Inagua, swim with pigs in Exuma, and dive over 600 feet into the ocean to see Dean's Blue Hole.

Visitors will find that The Bahamas has something for everyone if they are willing to visit beyond New Providence.

Tourists are eating fast food instead of local food.

A Bahamian conch salad.Nicole Bedford

Fast-food places like McDonald's and Burger King can be found in the country. I get discouraged when I see tourists eating in downtown Nassau instead of going to a local restaurant.

Conk, a sea mollusk, is found in the waters of the Bahamas and is used in a wide range of dishes.

Visitors who go to places that are marketed as authentic but are actually shells of what they used to be are more likely to fall into the trap.

There are still great restaurants in the area that serve great Bahamian food. I always tell people to look for local dishes under the bridge.

Grouper fingers and fries are some of the excellent food found on the Family Islands.

It's a big mistake to never leave your resort to go to the island.

Island House is a hotel in New Providence.Nicole Bedford

Many travelers check into a grand resort and stay there for the duration of their trip. The itinerary is good for the hotels, but not great for the island. It's a missed chance for visitors.

Nassau has a lot of things to see and do, as well as a lot of locals to interact with. It's a common mistake to stay in a hotel.

Some people think that their country's prices are the same as theirs.

Dining out can be pricey in The Bahamas.Nicole Bedford

The cost of living in the Bahamas is among the highest in the world. Hotels, groceries, and restaurants are more expensive in this country than they are in the US or Canada.

Many tourists complain about the high cost of food, taxis, and cocktails when they arrive in the Bahamas. VAT and gratuity can add up to a lot of money at restaurants.

Budget your trip in advance.

The prices of groceries in The Bahamas are cheaper than at hotels. I recommend leaving the resort and buying specific items from a grocery store.

Renting a car and staying in an apartment are two other ways to save money. It's true that we drive on the left.

Local heritage sites and monuments are not visited by many people.

Clifton Pier Heritage Site is located in New Providence.Nicole Bedford

A lot of tourists don't take the time to learn about the local culture and history.

You can visit a lot of places in Nassau. The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas houses works by local artists.

John Watling's Distillery, a historic building that's been converted into a rum distillery, is a very important stop in Nassau.

Tourists who go to downtown Nassau for duty-free shopping don't get to choose what they buy.

There are plenty of shops that carry goods crafted by local artisans.Nicole Bedford

The area has more to offer than just designer handbags, Cuban cigars, jewelry, and fancy perfumes.

You can check out the locally made goods. The straw market in Nassau is well known. There are also authentic straw bags, jewelry, and wood carvings from the Bahamas.

Tourists complain about the rain when they visit during hurricanes.

The Bahamas are filled with hundreds of gorgeous beaches.Nicole Bedford

I worked at a souvenir stall when I was younger.

Tourists complain when it rains in the summer. We would tell them the precipitation was liquid sunshine.

Most of the visitors who come to our shores during the summer months don't know they're in the middle of hurricanes.

It will rain a lot.

Tourists shouldn't think that it's hard to get a sunburn in the Bahamas.

Rose Island is just a day trip away from New Providence.Nicole Bedford

The Bahamian sun is strong. People can get sunburned pretty badly if they just walk around the island.

It is advisable to wear sunscreen throughout the day. Don't use aerosol sunscreens to protect the natural environment.

Tourists should keep an eye out for their surroundings.

Eleuthera is just a short trip away from New Providence.Nicole Bedford

Female solo travelers should always keep an eye out for their surroundings as they travel.

New Providence has a lot of crime, from attempts to scam tourists at the local straw market to armed robbery. The island has seen an increase in crime.

The Royal Bahamas Police force has put officers in New Providence to deal with these issues.

Staying alert wherever you go is a good idea.

There is plenty of time for tourists to watch the sunset.

Tourists should travel to multiple islands outside of New Providence, like Rose Islands.Nicole Bedford

Every island in The Bahamas has a different view of the sunset. The best place to watch the sun set is on the beach in western New Providence.

Listening to the waves crash, watching the colors change across the sky, and seeing the sun dip beneath the horizon are all calm and tranquil.

Visitors should have plenty of time to enjoy the sun setting.

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