Is Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, your next travel destination? If so, one of the top questions on your mind might be, “Is Nassau safe?”
The quick answer is that Nassau is moderately safe. The longer answer is more nuanced.
The U.S. Department of State recommends exercising increased caution in the Bahamas.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau suffers from a high crime rate, especially homicides and armed robberies.
However, a large percentage of the violence is gang and drug-related and won’t necessarily affect tourists.
In fact, a record-breaking eight million tourists visited the Bahamas in 2023.
With hundreds of small islands, gorgeous turquoise water, and white sandy beaches, there is plenty to attract.
So, can you have a safe and enjoyable experience in Nassau? Absolutely. That’s what I’m here to help you with.
Knowing the potential risks will help you make wise choices and ensure you have a great time in Nassau should you decide to visit.
Table of Contents
Is Nassau Safe For Visitors?
Before we go into more depth, let’s take a quick look at what kinds of safety issues exist in the City of Nassau, located on New Providence Island.
Crime Risk
First, it’s important to note that the Bahamas (and Nassau) have high crime rates.
Homicides were especially high in 2022, but sources indicate most were gang or drug-related and most likely to affect the local population.
Robbery, armed robbery, reports of sexual assaults, and petty theft are also common and can affect visitors.
Fortunately, local police patrol the downtown area and other tourist hot spots, ensuring it is a safe destination for travelers.
You should still be alert, though! One of the best ways to keep yourself safe is to dress down and avoid flashing money and valuables.
Be especially attentive to your surroundings in touristy areas such as the Straw Market, where pickpocketing is more common.
Weather
The Bahamas tend to get a lot of rain from June through November.
This is also the season for tropical storms and hurricanes, which have sometimes hit the Bahamas directly and caused a lot of damage.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit during the summer months, but if you do, there’s a possibility of inclement weather affecting your trip.
Transportation
There is also a medium safety risk on buses and taxis. Use only licensed taxis and avoid using local buses after dark.
Be sure to secure your property if using public transportation, and be alert to the possibility of pickpockets.
Safety For Families And Solo Travelers
Families and solo travelers alike can have a great time in Nassau. However, keep the following safety concerns in mind.
First, the sun is much stronger in the Bahamas than in the United States or Canada, so it’s important to slather yourself and your kids in sunscreen before heading outdoors.
Be sure to stay hydrated as well.
Use your common sense, keep to main tourist areas, avoid going out at night, and book reputable accommodations in a safe area.
Unfortunately, solo female travelers need to take extra precautions due to the high level of sexual assaults.
There is also danger from spiked drinks. Women should avoid remote streets and isolated areas, especially one-on-one with men.
Protect your food and drinks, and don’t leave them unsupervised.
Avoid going out at night, and don’t get rides with strangers or with taxi drivers in unlicensed vehicles.
How About Safety At Night?
Unless you’re walking around your resort or the main tourist areas, it’s best to avoid going out at night.
Some areas further outside Nassau, such as Cable Beach, could be totally fine, but downtown empties out after the cruise ship passengers leave.
Even during the day, do your best to avoid quiet, isolated side streets or beaches.
If you do venture out at night, don’t take a street taxi or a bus. Instead, get a licensed taxi.
Which Parts Of Nassau Are Safe, Risky?
Cable Beach, Downtown Nassau, and Paradise Island are some of the safest areas to visit and find vacation rental properties. (If possible, choose an accommodation guarded by private security companies).
During the day, cruise ships off-load thousands of passengers who flock downtown for a day of sightseeing.
Police patrols are vigilant in these areas, contributing to lower crime rates.
One of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Nassau is an area south of Shirley Street called “Over the Hill.”
You’ll also want to avoid Fish Fry, Arawak Cay, and Sand Trap, three other areas with high criminal activity and gang-on-gang violence.
Is Nassau’s Crime Rate High?
Yes, Nassau’s crime levels are high.
Crime statistics for 2022 indicate that the most common crime in New Providence District (where the major city of Nassau is located) is property crime.
In this category, theft topped the list, followed by shop breaking, stealing from a vehicle, housebreaking, and stealing vehicles.
In terms of crimes against people, armed robbery topped the list, followed by robbery, murder, unlawful sexual intercourse, attempted murder, and rape.
On a positive note, in November 2023, the Royal Bahamas Police Force reported that crime was down by 16% in 2023.
My advice? Follow the safety tips included below, and be vigilant.
Avoid taking expensive items out and about with you, and keep a close eye on your property in order to avoid petty theft (such as pickpocketing and purse snatching).
These are especially common in heavily frequented areas like the cruise ship terminals and the Straw Market.
Is It Safe To Travel To Nassau?
Nassau isn’t one of the safest places to travel to, but it isn’t prohibitively risky either.
At the time of this writing, it has the same U.S. travel advisory level as Costa Rica, France, Italy, Sweden, Brazil, South Africa, and most of Central America.
It is entirely possible to have a good time in Nassau, but you should always be informed, stay alert, and do your due diligence to keep yourself and your property safe.
As a resident of Nassau shared on the forums, “I live in Nassau, and while we do indeed have a crime problem, the vast majority of the violent crime takes place well away from tourist areas and inland.”
Is Nassau Swimmable?
Yes! Swimming is one of the most popular things to do in Nassau, whether it’s splashing around in the warm waters of Junkanoo Beach, Goodman’s Bay, or Nirvana Beach or taking a tour to visit the famed Exuma swimming pigs.
Keep an eye on the weather while swimming, especially during hurricane season (June through November).
While we’re on the subject of water sports, note that it’s best not to rent independently operated jet skis because the vendors often try to scam you.
In fact, U.S. government personnel aren’t allowed to use them for this reason.
Commercial recreational watercraft aren’t always well-regulated, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Worried about shark attacks? According to the International Shark Attack File, there have been only 32 unprovoked shark attacks reported in the Bahamas since 1749. Not a bad record!
Is Nassau Expensive?
Nassau is a moderately priced place to visit, especially compared to other Caribbean Islands.
According to Budget Your Trip, the average daily cost of a trip to Nausaau is $188.
Why Is Nassau So Popular?
Nassau is popular because of its stunning beaches, luxurious resorts, comfortable and affordable vacation rentals, tasty seafood, and great rum.
It’s a tropical paradise with sparkling sand, clear aqua water, and hundreds of cays and islands to explore.
Even better, it’s affordable and easy to access.
Nassau Safety Tips
2. Avoid non-tourist areas, especially at night. During the day, keep to public areas where there are a decent number of other people.
3. Don’t flash your money or valuables. Consider using a secure money belt and don’t walk around with your bag open, sling your purse or backpack on the back of your chair, or leave things unattended on the beach.
4. Keep your valuables, documents, and passport in your hotel safe (preferably one that is bolted to the floor).
Close and lock all doors and windows before leaving your hotel room.
5. Don’t walk around with large amounts of cash. Keep your credit cards in their protective sleeves and check your bank statement for signs of fraudulent activity.
6. Use only reputable transportation services and watercraft rental services.
7. Get travel insurance and keep an eye on local weather alerts if traveling during the summer months.
8. Be wary of jet ski operators. They often try to scam visitors by pretending some damage was done to the jet ski. Others are perpetrators of sexual assault.
9. Don’t use drugs or engage in illegal activities. There are strict penalties for drug use in the Bahamas, and police often test foreigners.
10. Booking lodging in Nassau’s main hotels or in a vacation rental is one of the best ways to stay safe.
11. Don’t open the door to your hotel or rental unless you know who is knocking.
12. Be wary of strangers and protect your food and drink from drink-spiking.
13. Women should avoid one-on-one interactions with men in isolated areas.
14. Practice safe sex, as there is a risk of contracting STDs.
15. If you are held up, don’t resist to avoid further violence
16. Don’t leave your luggage unattended, and pack everything yourself. You don’t want to traffic drugs accidentally!
17. During hurricane season (June 1st through November 30th), track local weather reports.
18. Make sure you have a working phone that you can use to keep in touch with people, share your location and plans, navigate, and use in case of emergency.
Safe Places To Stay In Nassau
One of the top ways to keep yourself safe while visiting the islands of the Bahamas is by making sure your accommodations are secure and in a good location.
That way, you’ll have a safe and comfortable spot to return to after exploring Bay Street and Fort Fincastle.
Here are the four best places to stay in Nassau, in my opinion.
Photo credit – Expedia
⭐️ Rating: 8.7/10 📌 Location: Paradise Island Check Rates Here
Stay in a gorgeous resort with lush gardens, beach access, two lovely swimming pools, and bright and inviting hotel rooms.
Located on Nassau Paradise Island, The Ocean Club is a perfect choice for anyone wanting stellar service and enchanting surroundings.
Photo credit – Expedia
⭐️ Rating: 8.1/10 📌 Location: The Pointe Bay Street Check Rates Here
For a modern tropical resort with incredible swimming pools, slides, and a lazy river, Margaritaville Beach Resort in Nassau on the Island of New Providence is a favorite.
Families, couples, and solo travelers alike will have a blast at this highly-rated resort in the heart of downtown.
Photo credit – Expedia
⭐️ Rating: 7.8/10 📌 Location: Paradise Island Check Rates Here
The Royal at Atlantis is an amazing resort located in one of Nassau’s safest regions: Paradise Island.
Beautifully furnished rooms, luxury amenities, and inviting staff make The Royal a great choice.
It has its own waterpark, rock climbing areas, eleven landscaped pools, and 21 restaurants.
It also includes access to comedy shows at Joker’s Wild and the chance to swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cay. How cool is that?
Photo credit – Expedia
⭐️ Rating: 8.1/10 📌 Location: One Baha Mar Check Rates Here
Opulent decor and an onsite waterpark await at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau.
Guests loved the location of this resort and all of the amenities. Everything they needed was available, without needing to go anywhere.
Final Thoughts: Is Nassau Bahamas Safe?
Hopefully by now, you have a good idea of what the safety outlook is in Nassau.
To summarize, although the crime index in Nassau is high, petty crimes such as pickpocketing and theft are the most likely to affect tourists.
Armed robberies and violent crimes are also a concern, but can probably be avoided by taking precautions.
For example, avoid remote streets and isolated areas, leave non-essential valuables at home or secured in your hotel safe, and avoid going out at night.
Stay in a reputable and safe location. If you’re a solo traveler, book lodging in a hotel or hostel with other guests and with security.
Have a safe trip!
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Me in Nassau, Bahamas enjoying the beach and crystal clear waters.
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