I was born and raised in The Bahamas. Here are 11 of the biggest mistakes I watch tourists make.

• Many visitors make the same mistakes, from eating fast food to overpaying for basics at hotels.
• Tourists usually stick to one island, but I encourage them to explore — many aren’t far from Nassau.

Not island-hopping during your trip

Not staying vigilant and aware of their surroundings throughout their trip

Like any big city, New Providence has crime, ranging from petty attempts to swindle tourists at the local straw market to armed robberies.

To mitigate these issues, the government of The Bahamas and The Royal Bahamas Police Force regularly station officers in downtown New Providence. 

Of course, it’s always a good idea to stay alert wherever you go.

Forgetting to carve out enough time to watch the gorgeous sunsets

Visitors should build plenty of time just for watching sunsets into their itinerary.

Every island in The Bahamas offers its own special vantage point of the sunset. My all-time favorite place to watch the sun go down is on a beach in western New Providence. 

There’s nothing more calming and tranquil than listening to the waves crash, watching the colors change across the sky, and seeing the sun dip beneath the horizon.

This story was originally published on July 19, 2022, and most recently updated on June 25, 2026.