Hello, I have a question which is has anyone "done the Bahamas" as a backpacker? I realize it is going to be more expensive than a lot of places, but I know that there is an alternate way to visit there besides the Miami Vice style rich way. If anyone has tips about hotels or guesthouses, please share what you know. Additionally, if you know about the mail boats which go from island to island, please tell me what you know. Thank you in advance.

Hi Lorena,

Until someone jumps in here with a response, you might try reaching out to some BnA members who've been there/live there. You can PM them from these posts:

world explorer

Eppyboy

christopher_poisson

thanks....

Thanks, simon! looks like its not the biggest backpacker-attracting place in the world.

There are a lot of islands in Bahamas. Backpacking is not too popular because apart from beach type activities - i.e diving,snorkelling, fishing... there is not much else. No historical architecture, ruins, etc etc.
Slumming for weeks in Bahamas is also *not* seen unless you are beach person and want hang. In that case realize lots of things are expensive in Bahamas.

I'm moving to the Bahamas in 7 weeks so I may have more to say then, but there are supposedly more "cultural" things to do if you're interested. There are ruins of fortresses, old slave plantations, the spot where Columbus supposedly landed in the Americas (though this is debated), and all sorts of environmental and ecological adventures to explore.

All that said, it isn't a budget destination and probably doesn't attract much of a backpacker crowd.

traveling on the "mailboats" is cheap and fun...once you get to nassau, go to potter's cay, find a freight/mail boat where you want to go, pay, get on and have a ball...