For families on the US west coast, travel to Hawaii is a no-brainer for the first “big” trip with kids. You can quickly reach Hawaii with no layovers, English is the spoken language, and no currency exchange is required. The weather is nearly perfect, and there are tons of activities for the kids. So why would you want to go anywhere else?
My question to you is, “Why wouldn’t you want to go somewhere else?” You’ve experienced Hawaii, so why not try a different part of the world. I know for many families, it can be daunting to travel internationally. Every family member needs to have a passport on hand. You need to be comfortable getting around if English isn’t the spoken language. But above all else, you have to get out of your comfort level and just go for it.
The Bahamas are the perfect next step for a vacation similar to Hawaii, but not Hawaii. You can dip your toes into international travel but don’t have to step too far into the international unknown.
Distance to the Bahamas
We flew from San Diego to Exuma (an island in the Bahamas) with one layover in Atlanta. We opted to take a red-eye and have a layover at the airport, but you can also spend the night at one of the airport hotels to break up the trip. It’s just a few hours more to fly from the West Coast to the Bahamas than if you were traveling to Hawaii, but if you are on the East Coast, it’s less travel time!
Bahamians speak English
Everyone in the Bahamas speaks English, so you don’t have to worry about a language barrier. And if you visit Exuma like I would recommend you do, it’s such a small island it’s easy to get around.
When to Travel
I recommend you travel anytime except during hurricane season, especially if you are a first-time international traveler.
We went in December, and it was a lovely 70°F every day. I have heard April is a fantastic time to go (think kids spring breaks) or anytime up to early July.
Where to Stay
There are two larger resorts on Exuma Island; however, one is for adults only. Most of the hotels on the island are boutique-style small hotels. If you are bringing kids and want to stay at a larger, luxury resort, I recommend the Grand Isle Resort. But if you are looking for a smaller sized resort, Hideaways at Palm Bay is a fantastic choice. There is a restaurant on-site, a pool, and a beach, and many of the units have a kitchenette. We chose to stay in an Airbnb, as that is what we tend to prefer.
How to Get Around
We rented a car with Berlies Car Rental for our entire stay as we wanted to explore all parts of the island. I highly recommend renting a car for at least 1-2 days. If you need to get around the other days, taxis are readily available.
What to Do
I know many people travel to Hawaii with kids to relax on the beach or do kid-type activities. Many go snorkeling off the coast or take a boat excursion around the island. What if you told your kids you could explore a tiny island while being surrounded by iguanas? Or take a boat ride to a place where you could jump in the water and swim with pigs? How about spending the day on a private island feeding the local stingrays? Or swinging on a swing set over the turquoise blue water. Swing set in the water, anyone?
I think any kid would jump at the chance to do any of these activities. And did I mention that the water is crystal clear? Click HERE for more activities to do on Exuma Island.
Food and Drinks
The Bahamians enjoy an abundance of fresh seafood, in particular lobster and conch. There are mouth-watering fish fry’s at many restaurants, delicious ceviche stands, and fancier restaurants if you choose to go that route. Most of the restaurants have a casual feel, which we enjoyed. And don’t forget to try the famous Bahama Mama drink.
If your kids are craving a yummy treat at the end of the day, make sure to head to the Lighthouse Cafe & Ice Cream Parlour or Mama’s Bakery. Mama’s has delicious homemade cookies and loaves of bread – which is sure to make any kid or adult smile!
Currency
The Bahamas are expensive but no more so than Hawaii. And they accept US dollars, which takes the stress out of any currency exchange.
So, What Are You Waiting For – Book That Trip!
Just get your passport ready, and you’ll be on your way to an island adventure. White sand beaches and crystal clear waters await you. No need to stress about a language barrier or currency exchange. All you need to decide is whether you want to relax on the beach one day or take a boat excursion to swim with pigs, stingrays, turtles, or sharks. And after the day has ended, you can sit back and indulge in a delicious meal while sipping on a Bahamian beverage. It sounds like a no-brainer, right? So if you are looking to do something similar to a Hawaiian-vacation and are ready to dabble with international travel, I would highly recommend starting in the Bahamas.
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