Nassau Tourist Traps

At the market square as you get off the ship, there are many locals there wanting to braid your hair. Be warned..they don't clean the combs so you run the risk of lice..Also, they charge per braid so it can get very costly..
be careful!!!

Women watch out: be prepared to be approached A LOT about getting your hair braided. Women from everywhere will swarm around you and touch your hair. Just say "no" politely and keep walking. I never had someone who was rude to me when I said no, just don't expect not to get hassled.

Unique Suggestions: Wearing a hat might help. Just be polite, these people are very friendly.

Make room for an absolutely hideous day if you go on this. They bill themselves as having an early pickup from your hotel with a long leisurely day on their private island. They show up an hour late, then leave you on a pier, baking in the sun and inhaling the odor of rotting garbage while one by one you pay. Hours later, after you finally get out of the broiling heat and underway, you ask for 8 oz of water DING! That will be $2 please. They say they offer all you can eat and all you can drink, but the only drink they offer is some kind of chemical-derived fruit punch that is so sweet its undrinkable. Lunch comes in two flavors, exta-salty, and extra-spicy DING! "Something more to drink, Sir?" They play like one song on the boatride, over and over and over again. Once you finally get to their stupid island, hours overdue, everyone likes to pretend they are the only ones there. Its hot DING! Water! Snorkel and want to rinse your mouth out? Ding! Water! They even have the nerve to ask for tips.

Unique Suggestions: On the windward side of the island, away from the crowded beach, is a place called Cave Point. Its a short walk though the shrubs and there you can have some peace in a nice hammock. Its not as hot and its kind of shady even, more what you want from the Bahamas and, if you go there, you can be what everyone else on the island is pretending to be, alone and in peace.

Fun Alternatives: Pay someone twice what this company asks for ($60) NOT to have to go. You'll come out ahead with the dings. If someone forces you to go, at least bring several liters of water. DING!

My luggage got lost for 1-1/2 days and I had to buy clothes, the first shopping area we came to was like Park avenue only Gucci and Armani and the like. When I explained my problem to the sales girl and inquired about just buying some beach clothes she told me that this was all I would find in the resort so $125. for a pair of trunks and $75. for a shirt and I was on my way. Of course 10 minutes later we came across a souveneir shop and bought 2 shirts 2shorts and assorted souveneirs for $120. I now attempted to return the other clothes to be pointed by the same sales girl to a tiny sign saying no returns only exchanges or store credit !!

Unique Suggestions: Shop in the Atlantis logo stores if you must.

Fun Alternatives: For a $10. (negotiable) cab ride you can go into Nassau where you can buy most anything you need for a fair price.

It may be a fantastic location, and if you are into all inclusive holidays with laid-on entertainment from morning to night (from water sports through to cabarets and casinos), Paradise Island is the place. But 1000 roomed hotels are, as far as I am concerned, a blot on the landscape - and Atlantis Resort is just that - rampant commercialism gone awry.

well, that straw market at downtown Nassau, just beware when you buy items (in case you are looking for legit Bahamian items), i saw a lot of stuff with stickers that said 'made in china' (eheheheh, i thought that was pretty funny).

There is a guy on the far end left side, carving wood -- yeah, his stuff is handmade. Here is a picture of a lady selling these really cool straw rugs, she was a tough cookie, but nice nonetheless. I forgot her name, but she is located at either the two last rows to the right side, as you walk in.

I don’t like resorts, casinos or cruiseships. I stayed at Paradise Island, and except for the huge fish tank, I was not impressed. It’s like Las Vegas in the Caribbean, sorry not my thing