Frommer's^® Bahamas 2005

by Darwin Porter; Danforth Prince

• ISBN13: 9780764570667
• ISBN10: 0764570668
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Frommers

Summary

You2ll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer2s. It2s like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go- they2ve done the legwork for you, and they2re not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer2s Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You2d be lost without us! Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer2s Bahamas 2005 features gorgeous color photos of the magnificent white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and schools of brilliant tropical fish that await you. Inside you2ll get complete details on the major resort areas of Nassau, Cable Beach, Paradise Island, and Freeport/Lucaya, with candid reviews of the best resorts, restaurants, casinos, and attractions. Then we2ll take you to the Out Islands, where you can find the perfect place to get away from it all on a your own stretch of secluded white sands. In every destination, you2ll find complete details on beaches, snorkeling, diving, deep-sea fishing, golf, and other active adventures-plus the best beach bars and the top restaurants for authentic, spicy island cuisine. Whether you want an elegant honeymoon hideaway or an affordable family resort, Frommer2s Bahamas 2005 can help you plan the island getaway that2s right for you. You2ll even get a color fold-out map, a complete cruise guide, and tips on find the best package deals.

Table of Contents

List of Maps	vi
What's New in The Bahamas	1	(3)
The Best of The Bahamas	4	(17)
Bahamas Beaches 101	8	(2)
The Best Beaches	10	(1)
The Best Diving	11	(1)
The Best Snorkeling	12	(1)
The Best Fishing	13	(1)
The Best Sailing	13	(1)
The Best Golf Courses	14	(1)
The Best Tennis Facilities	14	(2)
Eco-Tourism Highlights of The Bahamas	15	(1)
The Best Honeymoon Resorts	16	(1)
The Best Family Vacations	17	(1)
The Best Places to Get Away from It All	18	(1)
The Best Restaurants	19	(1)
The Best Nightlife	20	(1)
Planning Your Trip to The Bahamas	21	(60)
The Islands in Brief	21	(5)
Hemingway in Bimini	23	(3)
Visitor Information	26	(1)
Entry Requirements & Customs	26	(2)
Money	28	(3)
What Things Cost in The Bahamas	29	(2)
When to Go	31	(5)
The Bahamas Calendar of Events	33	(3)
The Active Vacation Planner	36	(4)
Travel Insurance	40	(2)
Health & Safety	42	(1)
Specialized Travel Resources	43	(4)
Women Traveling Alone in The Bahamas	47	(1)
Planning Your Trip Online	47	(2)
The 21st-Century Traveler	49	(1)
Getting There: Flying to The Bahamas	50	(5)
Packages for the Independent Traveler	55	(3)
For the Cruise-Ship Traveler	58	(11)
Getting Around	69	(2)
Tips on Accommodations	71	(10)
Fast Facts: The Bahamas	75	(6)
New Providence (Nassau/Cable Beach)	81	(50)
Orientation	82	(3)
Favorite New Providence Experiences	84	(1)
Getting Around	85	(2)
Fast Facts: New Providence	86	(1)
Where to Stay	87	(13)
Junkanoo Festivals	96	(4)
Where to Dine	100	(9)
Beaches, Watersports & Other Outdoor Pursuits	109	(4)
Seeing the Sights	113	(10)
Going Over-the-Hill	114	(3)
Walking Tour: Historic Nassau	117	(5)
Journeys into the Wilds	122	(1)
Shopping	123	(5)
New Providence After Dark	128	(3)
Paradise Island	131	(20)
Orientation	131	(1)
Getting Around	132	(1)
Where to Stay	132	(7)
Where to Dine	139	(6)
Beaches, Watersports & Other Outdoor Pursuits	145	(2)
Favorite Paradise Island Experiences	146	(1)
Seeing the Sights	147	(1)
Shopping	148	(1)
Paradise Island After Dark	149	(2)
Grand Bahama (Freeport/Lucaya)	151	(37)
Orientation	152	(2)
Getting Around	154	(3)
Fast Facts: Grand Bahama	156	(1)
Where to Stay	157	(9)
Family-Friendly Hotels	164	(2)
Where to Dine	166	(9)
Beaches, Watersports & Other Outdoor Pursuits	175	(4)
The Ultimate in Relaxation	178	(1)
Seeing the Sights	179	(2)
Shopping	181	(3)
Grand Bahama After Dark	184	(2)
A Side Trip to West End	186	(2)
Bimini, the Berry Islands & Andros	188	(26)
Bimini	189	(10)
Fast Facts: Bimini	191	(2)
Island in the Stream	193	(6)
The Berry Islands	199	(2)
Andros	201	(13)
The Abaco Islands	214	(25)
Marsh Harbour (Great Abaco Island)	217	(5)
Elbow Cay (Hope Town)	222	(4)
Exploring the Abacos by Boat	225	(1)
Man-O-War Cay	226	(1)
Great Guana Cay	227	(2)
Treasure Cay	229	(2)
Green Turtle Cay (New Plymouth)	231	(6)
Spanish Cay	237	(1)
Walker's Cay	237	(2)
Eleuthera	239	(22)
Rock Sound	240	(3)
Tarpum Bay	243	(1)
Windermere Island	243	(1)
Palmetto Point	243	(2)
Governor's Harbour	245	(2)
Hatchet Bay	247	(1)
Gregory Town	248	(2)
The Current	250	(1)
Harbour Island	251	(8)
Spanish Wells	259	(2)
The Exuma Islands	261	(16)
George Town	264	(9)
Life on a Houseboat	266	(7)
Little Exuma	273	(1)
A Romantic Legend & a Movie Star	274	(1)
Staniel Cay	274	(1)
Sampson Cay	275	(2)
Norman's Cay	276	(1)
The Southern Bahamas	277	(21)
Cat Island	277	(5)
San Salvador	282	(5)
The Columbus Question	283	(4)
Long Island	287	(4)
Acklins Island & Crooked Island	291	(2)
Mayaguana Island	293	(2)
Great Inagua	295	(3)
With Salt, Please	297	(1)
Index	298	(1)
General Index	298	(6)
Accommodations Index	304	(2)
Restaurant Index	306