Paradise Island City Guide

The Bahamas

Paradise Island City Guide

New Providence District

Paradise Island is a resort-focused island near Nassau in The Bahamas. It’s known for its beaches and the Atlantis Resort. The island blends luxury tourism with a relaxed vibe and easy access to Nassau’s city life.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Local dishes like conch salad and Johnnycakes are popular. International options are wide, with growing vegan and vegetarian choices. Late-night food mostly at resorts.

Local Dishes:
Conch Salad, Fried Fish, Johnnycakes
International Cuisine:
Italian, Japanese, American, Caribbean
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
7

Nightlife centers around Atlantis with casinos, bars, and clubs. Nassau offers additional spots.

Coffee Culture
Limited
5

Coffee options are growing, mostly chains and some local cafes, mainly in Nassau.

💰
Tipping
Required
15%

Tipping is expected. Around 15% at restaurants and 15-20% for taxis.

Top Attractions
Atlantis Paradise Island
Sightseeing
Water park, aquarium, and marine habitat combined.
Cabbage Beach
Nature
Popular beach with clear water and white sand.
Versailles Gardens and French Cloister
Nature
Peaceful garden area on the island.
Downtown Nassau
Sightseeing
Markets, shopping, and historic spots nearby.
SIM Cards

You can buy local SIMs from BTC and Aliv, including eSIMs. ID or passport needed for registration.

Available at:
BTC
Aliv
Recommended Apps
WhatsApp(Communication)
Bahamas Local(Utility)
Taxi apps(Transport)
Weather apps(Weather)
Banking apps(Finance)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
8

Resort areas are clean with regular waste services. Recycling is still developing.

24/7 Services
Limited
5

Major resorts offer some 24/7 services. Outside resorts, late-night options are limited.

Groceries
Solomon's Fresh Market
Super Value

Supermarkets stock many international products. Hours are usually 8 AM to 9 PM, closed Sundays and holidays. Bargaining isn’t common.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Credit and debit cards work well at resorts, restaurants, and shops. Cash is still handy for taxis, markets, and small vendors.

ATMs

ATMs are found at major resorts and in Nassau. Fees can be high, so it’s best to withdraw larger amounts less often.

Schools
International

Nassau has international schools offering English. Admissions need planning; some have waitlists.

Available Schools:
Lyford Cay International School
St. Andrew's International School

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
3
Available Spaces:
The Hub
Flexible coworking and meeting rooms in Nassau.
Baha Mar Convention Center
Business services and meeting spaces in Nassau.
Atlantis Business Center
Business services at the resort, no full coworking space.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Limited
Starbucks
At Atlantis with Wi-Fi and seating.
Dunkin'
Located in Nassau; casual spot with Wi-Fi.
Resort Cafes
Some cafes within resorts offer Wi-Fi.
Louis & Steen's New Orleans Coffeehouse
Local cafe in Nassau with Wi-Fi and laid-back vibe.
Alternatives:
Hotel Lobbies
Quiet spots to work off-peak hours.
Nassau Public Library
Public space for quiet work.
Business Centers at Resorts
Available for guests needing workspace.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
3

Small nomad community; few co-working spots and meetups mainly in Nassau.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Beaches and some gardens are available; good spots for running and relaxation.

Running
Good
7

Popular routes along beaches and bridges, generally safe and well-maintained.

Gyms
Available

Gyms are available primarily in resorts and Nassau, offering modern facilities.

Available Gyms:
Atlantis Fitness Center
Club One Fitness Centre
MacFit360
Tennis
Good
6

Courts available mainly at resorts like Atlantis, mostly booking needed.

Padel
Poor
0

Padel is rare, mostly found at some private clubs in Nassau.

Yoga
Good
6

Yoga studios and wellness spas mainly in Nassau and resorts with English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Limited
4

Limited dojos on Paradise Island; more options in Nassau with varying language support.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing due to tropical climate.

Water Sports
Excellent
8

Many water sports available like kayaking and paddleboarding, mostly at resorts with good equipment.

Surfing
Poor
2

Limited surfing; best in winter and for experienced surfers only. No surf schools on Paradise Island.

Diving
Excellent
9

Excellent diving with reefs, wrecks, and marine life. Sites suit all levels with equipment rentals.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
6

Princess Margaret Hospital is public; Doctors Hospital is private with English-speaking staff. Pharmacies are open regular hours with common meds.

Hospitals:
Princess Margaret Hospital
Doctors Hospital
Pharmacies:
Local pharmacies near resorts and Nassau
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is desalinated and generally safe to drink, but many prefer bottled water.

Common Scams
Taxi overcharging, Jet ski scams, Pressure from vendors

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
9

Many kid-friendly spots, especially at Atlantis with water parks and aquariums. Resorts offer kids clubs and parks.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
6

Generally welcoming in tourist areas, but the country is somewhat conservative.

Pet Friendly
Limited
4

Mixed pet policies at accommodations. Vet services in Nassau; pet parks are limited.

Communities
Expats in Nassau, Bahamas Facebook Group (Social)
Nassau, Bahamas Community Facebook Group (Social)
Bahamas Travel Forum on TripAdvisor (Travel)

Quick Facts

Population
227,940
Power Reliability
Good
7/10

Power is mostly reliable in resort areas but can go out during storms.

Beach Access
Available

Several accessible beaches with turquoise waters and white sand, including Cabbage Beach and Paradise Beach.

Languages
English(90%)
Emergency
911
Emergency Services
919
Emergency Services

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
1
🏔️
Earthquake
Very Low Risk
2

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Hurricane season
June, July, August, September, October, November
Storms and heavy rain likely between June and November, with peaks in late summer and fall.

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