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Tourism is the major industry in the Bahamas island, and these stunning islands of gregarious people, sunny skies, and beautiful ocean scenery are one of the most popular vacation and cruise ship destinations on the planet. So when on vacation in the Bahamas, or any of the other Caribbean islands, you will benefit from having a good quality tourist map and guide book at hand. We take great care to promote only products that we feel meets our high standards, and that we would expect as tourists ourselves. The following are our top picks:

How to Have Fun in the Bahamas If It Rains

It would be nice to say that it never rains in the Bahamas, but that wouldn’t be true, as so many visitors have found. Should your stay be interrupted by rain, don’t let it dampen your spirits or your fun. The last thing you want to do is spend your time sulking in a hotel room waiting for the rain to stop.

Unless there are thunderstorms, you can still go into the water, and snorkeling is an excellent activity rain or shine. You’ll find it more private to snorkel in the rain anyway because most other people won’t be in the water during inclement weather.

Museums are open whether it rains or not, and you can spend at least one day learning more about the islands and enjoying fascinating exhibits. If museums aren’t your thing, there are free movies you may want to take in while those showers are falling.

How to Have Fun in the Bahamas in the Great Outdoors

The islands rarely see temperatures below 60 degrees F, and in the hottest season, 90 degrees is about as hot as it gets. Water temperatures seldom get lower than the mid 70s even in the winter, and generally hang in the low 80s in summer. For this reason, water sports are always a popular way to have fun in the Bahamas. Fishing of all kinds is available year round for angling enthusiasts.

Pleasant temperatures and warm waters add up to the best times outdoors, and you don’t even have to plan what you are going to do to have fun in the Bahamas because just being there is all most people need to kick back and relax.

Great sunrises and sunsets are yours merely for the price of your stay. You should relax and enjoy the natural order of things for at least a portion of your time on the islands, enjoying the rewards of living on “island time.”

If you need to be entertained, consider the shows that feature sea life, the tours complete with the fascinating history of the islands, or go to an adventure park for the day. If you are on the islands and you still need to find how to have fun in the Bahamas, you just aren’t looking in the right places, because there’s plenty of fun to be had!

Travel Tip: Find more ways to have Fun in The Bahamas at TripAdvisor

The Demise of the Lucayans

It was into the Lucayan society that Christopher Columbus stumbled in 1492 on the island he named San Salvador. The description Columbus gave of the shallow water of the islands (baja mar) led to the name, The Islands of the Bahamas. Columbus’ discovery soon spelled an end to the Lucayans, who were taken into slavery, contracted diseases, and disappeared completely within 25 years of his landing.

Settlement for the English

English seeking a place of religious freedom arrived in 1649, shipwrecking on what is called the “Devil’s Backbone.” They lived in a cave and would have starved if Captain William Sayles hadn’t sailed to America and pleaded for supplies. The food sent back was well appreciated by the islanders who sent brasiletto wood back to the Americas, which was used in building Harvard College.

Frequented by Pirates

Additionally in the 1600s and into the next century, the Bahamas were a regular stop for pirates. The two most notable historically were Calico Jack and Blackbeard. With more than 700 islands dispersed in the area, pirates had many places to hide their stolen goods. Stories abound that treasure is still hidden on some islands today.

The King of England appointed Woodes Rogers as Governor in 1718, and he cleaned out the pirates, offering amnesty to those who surrendered and the gallows to those who didn’t. Hundreds took the opportunity, but Blackbeard and others sailed away.

American Influence in the Bahamas

The history and culture of the Bahamas were influenced by American colonists, who came from the states in the 18th century. Thanks to them, Spanish forces were pushed out of the Bahamas and the island group stayed sovereign to the Crown.

During the Civil War in the U.S., the Bahamas served to support the rebel army until blockades cut them off. In the 20th century, when Prohibition was established in the States, Americans went to Nassau by ship where alcohol was legal. The Bahamas prospered greatly until 1934, when Prohibition was repealed. Then the economy collapsed.

July 10, 1973 was one of the most important dates in the history and culture of the Bahamas for it marked the end of 325 years of British rule. July 10th is commemorated as Independence Day for the Bahamas since they have joined the Commonwealth of Nations.

Travel Tip: Learn more about Bahamas History and Culture at TripAdvisor

Because the waters are shallow in many places, it isn’t possible for cruises to stop just anywhere. Tenders are needed in some places to ferry people ashore to popular locations. Disney’s Castaway Cay doesn’t have this problem because workers blasted coral and dredged sand to create a channel for ships to come in and dock along a pier.

Popular Cruise Lines to the Islands of the Bahamas

Carnival Cruise Lines has regular trips to the Bahamas from several ports so there are many opportunities to visit the Islands. You can find many excellent 3 to 6 day cruise deals with discount fares.

Disney Cruise Line has departures from either New York City or Port Canaveral in Florida. While offering other stops on a cruise, the main point of interest is Castaway Cay, located on Gorda Cay.

As with other Disney theme parks, there are rides and entertainment for the whole family. In keeping with the name, the island is fashioned with buildings appearing to have been put up by someone who has shipwrecked there.

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has many ports from which cruises leave every day for points in the Atlantic. Ships set sail from Baltimore MD, Bayonne NJ, Boston MA, Fort Lauderdale FL, Galveston TX, Miami FL, New Orleans LA, Norfolk VA, Port Canaveral FL, Tampa FL, and other places. This liner is noted for very large ships that have features like on-board surfing and rock-climbing.

Celebration Cruise Lines has a Bahama cruise every other day. They are the only line in Southern Florida that offers a two-night Bahama cruise. Additionally, they have packages to the Grand Bahama for resort stays. The cruises originate from the Port at Palm Beach.

Norwegian Cruise Line has its own island destination at Great Stirrup Cay. In addition, there are also trips to Grand Bahama and Nassau. Cruising to Nassau is also possible with Costa Cruise Line, and the hospitality is strictly Italian.

There are many options for planning cruises to the Bahamas; all you need to do is decide on where you want to go and when you want to leave. The islands await you.

For the most popular Bahamas and Caribbean cruise packages, check out:

7 Night Bahamas Cruise on the Norwegian Jewel from $349.
10 Night W. Caribbean Cruise on the Costa Atlantica from $716.
7 Night E. Caribbean Cruise on the Grand Princess from $549.
7 Night S. Caribbean Cruise on the Westerdam from $599.

All these areas are accessible by cruise ships, but if you are looking for air travel, you will need to consider Nassau, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Exuma, or Eleuthera as your port of entry.

All Inclusive Resorts in the Bahamas

Many vacationers and other visitors prefer package deals that cover transportation, hotel stay, food, and activities all in one lump sum cost. This makes budgeting much easier because you only need to consider things like souvenirs, drinks, unplanned stops, and shopping.

Some of the considerations for all-inclusive package deals for hotels and resorts in Bahamas include:

* Breezes Resort & Spa – Bahamas located in Nassau. It is an adult only package.
* Sandals Grande Emerald Bay, a couple’s only hotel located on Exuma
* Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island, also a couples only retreat in Nassau

Family oriented packages are available at Hotel Riu Palace on Paradise Island, Club Med Columbus Isle on San Salvador, Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach on Grand Bahama, and Paradise Island Harbour Resort on Paradise Island.

Resort Hotels and Spas

If you prefer to just entertain yourself and only reserve a room, there are many hotels rated at four to six stars, which are the best bets for your accommodations. Four stars means facilities are good and service is adequate, and five stars indicate a deluxe place to stay with most amenities you want, located in a prime area of the islands. Six star hotels are the cream of the crop with the finest services, location, and all the amenities you could want.

Some of the top choices in hotels and resorts in the Bahamas are:

* One and Only Ocean Club located on Paradise Island
* Pink Sands Resort on Eleuthera Island
* Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour on Grand Bahama Island
* British Colonial Hilton Nassau Hotel in Nassau
* Atlantis Paradise Island on Paradise Island

The hotels in the Bahamas are upgraded on a continuing basis, so you may find other places that rate highly, too. If you plan a honeymoon on the islands, a family holiday, or just a personal retreat, there are many hotels that will meet your needs.

Visiting the Caribbean?  Find Deals, Compare Rates, & Read Hotel Reviews on TripAdvisor

Originally inhabited by the Lucayans, a branch of the Arawakan-speaking Taino people, The Bahamas were the site of Columbus’ first landfall in the New World in 1492. Although the Spanish never colonized The Bahamas, they shipped the native Lucayans to slavery in Hispaniola. The islands were mostly deserted from 1513 to 1648, when English colonists from Bermuda settled on the island of Eleuthera.

The Bahamas became a Crown Colony in 1718 when the British clamped down on piracy. Following the American War of Independence, thousands of pro-British loyalists and enslaved Africans moved to The Bahamas and set up a plantation economy. The slave trade was abolished in the British Empire in 1807 and many Africans liberated from slave ships by the Royal Navy were settled in The Bahamas during the 19th century. Slavery itself was abolished in 1834 and the descendants of enslaved and liberated Africans form the bulk of The Bahamas’s population today.

In terms of GDP per capita, the Bahamas is one of the richest countries in the Americas (following Bermuda, the United States, Cayman Islands, Canada, and the British Virgin Islands) and one of the richest in the world whose population is predominantly of African ancestry.

A Caribbean island getaway is more than just sandy white beaches, and gently swaying palm trees – its also the ideal way to re-connect your soul and spirit with mother nature in one of the World’s most amazing collection of islands. With so many Caribbean vacation islands to choose from, how do you go about picking the best? Well, we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled a list of our Top 5 rated islands based on a compilation of Trip Advisor reviews (and our own travel experience).

To help plan your Caribbean vacation, here are five of the most popular island destinations with our “Best of the Best” hotel or resort pick (each meeting strict selection criteria).

1. Nassau, Bahamas: A world renown place to snorkel with its crystal clear waters, this remains a favorite Caribbean vacation memory. Of the numerous places we explored, Nassau still feels like it offers the most diverse cultural experience, selection of local cuisine, and abundant ocean life. Our favorite hotel is the Graycliff Hotel. A quaint hotel boasting an on-site cigar factory and gourmet restaurant. This is a great alternative to a crowded resort, and feels more like a bed and breakfast. For more resort options in Nassau visit: Bahamas Resorts.
2. Jamaica: A vibrant and lively island full of color, tantalizing cuisine, and personality. Our favorite “things to do” in this tropical wonderland were: touring a plantation, taking a trek on horseback, and watching a cricket match. Our top resort pick, located in Punta Cana, is the Gran Bahia Principe All Inclusive for its value, range of activities and enthusiastic service. For more resort options in Punta Cana visit: Jamaica Resorts.
3. San Juan, Puerto Rico: Everything you want, without the price tag. San Juan is a great spot for surfing, golfing, and shopping. This place has a cosmopolitan feel yet exudes old-world charm. Our ‘top of the list’ hotel in San Juan is the prestigous Ritz-Carlton. With opulent appeal, this hotel offers luxury and service to the max.  The amenities are second to none, it has an impossible to beat beachfront location, five restaurants, an on-site day spa, and even a 24-hour casino! For more resort options in San Juan visit: Puero Rico Resorts.
4. Aruba: A popular destination wedding location, Aruba can be described as tranquil, exotic, and peaceful. Despite the quietness it offers, there was adrenaline-pumping fun to be had with activities such as the quad racer tour to the coastline and a Harley-Davidson rental, for “do-it-yourself” island exploring. Our resort pick here is the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino for its friendly staff, incredibly lush grounds,  kids’ club, casino, and on-site duty-free shopping. For more resort options in Aruba visit: Aruba Resorts.
5. Dominican Republic: This island has been at the top of our list for some time now. The Dominican Republic offers both holiday relaxation and real adventure, far-removed from the tourist flavor of other islands. This place has remarkable caves to explore, lush mangroves, water sports galore such as windsurfing, snorkeling, fishing cruises and sunset dinner cruise packages. Our ‘hot off the press’ pick hotel is the Majestic Elegance Punta Cana for its great all-inclusive adults-only resort, impeccable food, and top quality facilities. For more resort options in Punta Cana visit: Dominican Republic Resorts.

So there you have it, our Top 5 Carribean destinations. While any one of these Caribbean vacation spots is sure to delight the senses, our favorite is The Bahamas – which reels it in as our 2011 top pick Carribean Island. So for a taste of fresh sea air, pristine Caribbean waters, succulent seafood cuisine, and a revitalizing mental adjustment under the shade of a coconut tree, be sure to set aside some time for your trip to the Caribbean islands.

Insider Tip: Find last minute Caribbean vacation discounts of up to 60% at: HOTELS.COM!

Maureen Winters is a freelance travel writer and editor who lives in New York with her husband and two girls. An avid traveler and visitor of the Caribbean Islands.

Nestled in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the sea is an obvious attraction and a large part of the many things to do while on holiday. Beaches are a huge draw for those who love to sunbathe or just enjoy the crash of the surf and the tropical breezes. You will find no finer or more beautiful beaches anywhere else in the world. Between November and April rain is frequent, but it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of nature when it does come.

Vacation Activities in the Bahamas – Resort Fun in the Capital

Nassau, the capital, is located on New Provincial Island, where many tourists like to visit. You’ll want to see Ardastra Gardens and the flocks of flamingos while you are in town. New Provincial Island serves as a portal to Paradise Island by way of the bridge connecting them. Holiday activities in the Bahamas usually include a visit to the resort where water rides and all types of family fun await.

The Bahamas is a great place for those who enjoy golf, diving, snorkeling, and sightseeing at its best. Endless lagoons and teeming sea life make any excursion into the water one of adventure and fascination. Beautiful living coral is everywhere, and you might even find an old shipwreck from the days when pirates ruled the island chain.

For adult groups, holiday activities in the Bahamas might include some trips to the casinos for an opportunity to play to pay for the vacation without using a credit card. All types of gambling are available from slots to cards to roulette.

Any holiday would be remiss if it did not feature great food, and you won’t be disappointed if you love seafood and fruit. Kicking back at a pub and enjoying some drinks and fine cuisine is just the ticket before moving on to more adventures and good times. Whether you want a private time or are a part of a large group or with your family, holiday activities in the Bahamas have something for everyone.

Travel Tip: Find more Things to Do in The Bahamas at TripAdvisor.com
 

Things to Do in the Bahamas – Fishing Excursions

The Bahamas comprise 29 islands of various sizes and the population of them all is approximately 330,000. The wonderful climate allows for water sports of all types year round. For anglers, there are fishing charters that go out daily for bone fishing, inshore light tackle, and offshore fishing. You can choose to go for a full day, if you are the avid fisherman, or a half day. Knowledgeable captains know where to find the types of fish you want to catch.

Things to Do in the Bahamas – Bicycle, Waterway and Land Tours

For those who prefer private entertainment while on holiday in the Bahamas, bike tours offer the freedom to go and come as you wish. You can take a guide with you to provide commentary about all the places you encounter along your bicycle route.

On Grand Bahama Island, your bike tour takes you by the old settlements of Williamstown and Smith Point. There is a stop by Sanctuary Bay to see where the dolphins live, and then there’s dining at a seaside restaurant and time for a little shopping before your tour is complete.

If you prefer to tour by waterway, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to get a look at the shore lines and sights of the islands. Take a sunset tour for the most amazing sunsets you have ever seen. You can get a closer look by way of land tours that lead you to many points of interest.

Things to Do in the Bahamas – Snorkeling and Cruising

If you love the water, but fishing is not your thing, snorkeling may be more to your liking. There is nowhere else in the world any more beautiful for snorkeling and observing the wonders of the sea than the Bahamas. The clear waters are excellent for viewing lobsters, stingrays, and even sharks.

If you don’t have your own snorkeling equipment don’t worry, there are many places near the popular beaches where you can hire flippers, goggles and snorkel for a few dollars. If your staying in a resort, just ask your concierge to arrange it for you as many have their own supplies.

Things to Do in the Bahamas – Family Entertainment at Its Best

For family fun with something for everyone, Atlantis Waterscape is the ticket. It’s billed as the world’s largest aquarium in the open air. There are lagoons by the score and approximately 200 forms of marine life that call the area home. See live coral and thousands of fish and many sea animals in this fascinating tropical marine habitat.

There are many ways to enjoy the water, too, such as lagoon swimming, waterfalls, and several water slides. Those who like to gamble can try their luck in the casinos playing Caribbean stud poker, roulette, craps, and blackjack.

Whenever you can come, the islands are waiting for you; there’s something for everyone in the Bahamas.

Travel Tip: Find more Things to Do in The Bahamas at TripAdvisor.com