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For many, shopping is one of the Grand Bahama's greatest delights. Wandering around Port Lucaya Marketplace, or the International Bazaar, in Freeport, is an experience in itself.
Don't forget to look in the hotel arcades, which have many elegant shops. You can return home with a variety of handmade Bahamian goods or splurge at duty-free shops. You'll find duty-free prices - generally 25%-50% less than U.S. prices - on imported items such as crystal, linens, watches, cameras, sweaters, leather goods, and perfumes. Most of island's shops are located in Freeport or Lucaya.
You can try to bargain with the locals, but prices in shops are fixed. The impressive displays of Cuban cigars, imported by bahamian merchants, lure aficionados to the Bahamas for cigar buying sprees. A number of stores along the main shopping strip do stock only the best authentic Cuban stogies. Clothing is no great bargain on Grand Bahama, but many stores sell fine imports. Perhaps the best local buy is bright batiked Androsia fabric - available by the yard or sewn into sarongs, dresses, and blouses - produced on the island of Andros.
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Seafood is the staple in the Bahamian diet, and conch is one of the more popular offerings. You'll find it served fresh and uncooked with limejuice and spices or deep-fried, steamed, stewed, added to soups and salads or made into conch chowder and conch fritters. |
 
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You can also sample the Bahamas rock lobster, a spiny lobster without claws, it is also extremely popular and usually served broiled, minced or in salads. Bahamian food is spicy and heavily influenced by the American South. This is also a good place to sample local rums. Different variations of rum punch are easy to find. If you're not ready to deal with the rum, try Kalik, a light and wheaty Bahamian beer.
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Grand Bahama Island resorts have their own flashy clubs where residents and visitors alike can enjoy a variety of late-night entertainment. The attire for attending these spots is typically as casual as the atmosphere, although some clubs require dressier threads. Leave your black tie at home, the casinos in the Bahamas are not fancy European gaming houses, and attire reflects the casual atmosphere. You have to be at least 21 years old to gamble; Bahamians and permanent residents are not permitted to indulge
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Prices are for a standard double room in winter, excluding 9% tax and 10%-15% service charge. The government hotel tax doesn't apply to guest houses with fewer than four rooms. Rates between mid-April to mid-December tend to be 15% to 30% lower than peak season rates. Grand Bahama Island is fortunate to have an extensive range of hotels, from quaint, family-owned guest houses to megaresorts. The homey, friendly little spots will probably not be on the beach - and you'll have to go out to eat unless you have access to a kitchen. On the flip side, your stay is likely to be relaxing, low-key, and less removed from everyday Bahamian life. The plush resorts are big and beautiful, glittering and splashy, but they can be overwhelming. In any case, these big, top-dollar properties generally have more amenities than you could possibly make use of, a selection of dining options, and a full roster of sports and entertainment. Hotel rates tend to be lower on Grand Bahama Island than in Nassau, Cable Beach, and Paradise Island. Choose from among the island's many rooms and suites, ranging from attractive one- and two-bedroom units in sprawling resort complexes to practical apartments with kitchenettes to comfortable rooms in economy-oriented establishments. If your priorities focus less on the beach and more on gambling, golf, and shopping, you will enjoy being right in Freeport, where some hotels provide complimentary transportation to the beach. Small hotels on the Out Islands are mostly owner operated, which ensures a personal touch. Many hotels specialize in fishing or diving and offer packages that include these activities. There are also self-contained resorts, which have their own sports facilities, and numerous furnished house rentals, which can be economical for extended stays.
It's hard to put a price on the total escape these resorts offer. Many hotels operate on the European Plan (with no meals), but others use either the Continental Plan (with a Continental breakfast), Breakfast Plan (with a full breakfast) or the Modified American Plan (with breakfast and dinner), Full-American Plan (all meals are included), or are all-inclusive (including all meals and most activities).
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If you have lots of free time, you can explore the the entire island in one day, including occasional stops. The terrain is flat, and getting around is easy. Most of the historic sites in Grand Bahama Island can be reached on foot or by bicycle, scooter, or horse-drawn carriage. A rental car is probably your best bet, or you can pick up a scooter for a more adventurous ride. Either way, drive on the left side of the road. Wear comfortable shoes, and try to do most of your walking before the sweltering Bahamian sun reaches its full midday force. Here's our highly selective list of the very best things to see and do in the Bahamas.
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Scheduling
Summers in the Bahamas can be warm and rainy, with daytime temperatures reaching about 95 F (35 C). Hurricane season lasts from July to October. Although the beaches are most crowded, the best time to go is during the high season, which runs from November to mid-April |
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