One of the most popular destinations for all-inclusive vacation packages is the Bahamas. The Bahamas are a series of twenty-nine islands, hundreds of cays, and thousands of islets that collectively lie in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba and southeast of Florida.
There are many resorts on the main islands; about 50 percent of the Bahamian workforce is related to the tourism industry. The islands collectively cover just over 5,000 square miles, roughly the area of ​​Connecticut and Rhode Island combined, and have a population of about 330,000 people.
History
The Bahamas was originally the first entry point Columbus landed at in 1492 when he arrived in the West Indies from Spain. The Spanish enslaved the native Lucayans and left the islands uninhabited until the British colonized them some 150 years later. Today’s native population is largely made up of descendants of African slaves freed from the British plantation economy instilled during colonization.
Geography and climate
Bimini Island is the closest to the US and is often called the gateway to the Bahamas. To the east of Bimini is the large island of Grand Bahama, one of the most popular islands and also a landing spot due to its proximity to Florida. The largest island is Andros Island, located directly west of Grand Bahama. The capital city of Nassau is located on the island of New Providence.
All the islands are flat and low, usually not exceeding 50-60 feet in height. The highest point exists on Cat Island and is about 200 feet above sea level. The climate is tropical and dictated to some extent in the winter by the waters of the Gulf Stream. Hurricanes threaten the Bahamas in late summer and fall, but these storms often pass close to the islands rather than directly through them.
Sights
At any other time of the year, the islands exhibit an almost surreal mix of white-sand beaches and lush turquoise waters. The islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama boast rows of luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts. The outskirts of Grand Bahama consist of sparsely populated beaches, perfect for those looking for a quieter experience rather than a luxury hotel or all-inclusive vacation package.
Grand Bahama is just seventy miles from the Florida coast and just three hours by plane from New York City. There are tons of shops, bars and restaurants in the Port Lucaya Marketplace and of course throughout the capital city of Nassau. Water sports, dance clubs, and casinos make up an important part of recreational activities in the Bahamas.
best time to go
It really isn’t a bad time to go to the Bahamas unless a hurricane has developed in the area. Hurricane season from June to November is usually a great time of year weather-wise and therefore doesn’t deter many travelers who take advantage of all-inclusive vacation packages. Winters are about ten degrees warmer than Florida, though from time to time the Gulf Stream waters and trade winds can roar with much lower temperatures.
Winter, spring, and early summer are the most popular times of year for vacationers, with the spring season featuring the most tropical weather. The area is consistently humid, but the cooler temperatures help the overall weather stand out as much more comfortable than other parts of the Caribbean.
The Bahamas is actually one of the most successful tourist attractions in all of the Caribbean, with a high percentage of travelers insisting that they will return to the islands in five years for more exciting all-inclusive vacation packages.