The Bahamas

The Bahamas are technically in the Atlantic, but they are always counted as part of the Caribbean family. The country is made up of around 700 islands and cays, only a few dozen of them inhabited. Nassau, on New Providence, is the capital and busiest spot, with cruise ships, big resorts and duty-free shopping.

The "Out Islands" are where the Bahamas really shine. The Exumas are a chain of cays surrounded by water in impossible shades of turquoise, home to the famous swimming pigs of Big Major Cay. Eleuthera and Harbour Island are known for pink-sand beaches, and Andros, the largest island, sits beside one of the longest barrier reefs in the world.

Flights between Jamaica and Nassau have been offered by regional carriers, but most trips connect through Miami or Fort Lauderdale. From Nassau, small planes and ferries reach the Out Islands.

Jamaicans are generally able to visit the Bahamas without a visa for short stays, but check current rules before you travel.

The Bahamas are flat. There are no Blue Mountains, no rivers to raft, no waterfalls to climb. What they have instead is water: shallow, clear and endless, some of the best in the world for boating, snorkeling and bonefishing.

Bahamians speak English with their own lilt, and the culture shares a lot with Jamaica. The big celebration is Junkanoo, a street parade of costumes, goatskin drums and cowbells held on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Food centers on conch: cracked, in fritters, or in a fresh conch salad. Expect prices noticeably higher than in Jamaica.

Photo: Quintin Soloviev via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

• Swim with the pigs at Big Major Cay in the Exumas on a boat day trip.
• Walk the pink sand of Harbour Island's long beach off Eleuthera.
• Dive a blue hole on Andros or Long Island, including Dean's Blue Hole, one of the deepest in the world.
• Watch Junkanoo on Boxing Day or New Year's morning in Nassau.
• Eat at the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay in Nassau for conch salad made in front of you.

The best weather runs from December to April. The Bahamas get cooler in winter than islands further south.

Nassau and Paradise Island have the biggest resorts, casinos and the most flights, which makes them easy for a short trip. For a more classic Bahamas experience, the Exumas have small resorts and rentals around Great Exuma and the cays. Harbour Island is charming and upscale, with pink sand and golf carts instead of cars, while Eleuthera is long, quiet and good for road trips. Andros is best for fishing and diving lodges. Island hopping takes planning, so choose one or two islands per trip.

• Currency: Bahamian dollar (BSD), equal to the US dollar; US dollars are accepted everywhere
• Language: English
• Driving: left-hand side
• Best for: boaters, beach lovers, fishermen, and Americans wanting a quick trip from Florida

Nassau is easy but crowded when the cruise ships are in. For the Bahamas most people picture, plan at least a few nights in the Out Islands. Hurricane season runs June to November and the Bahamas sit right in the path, so pay attention to forecasts.