New Providence is 21 miles long and 7 miles wide so getting around is quite easy. Bahamas Golden Pages has assembled a complete guide to transport.

TAXIS are found at hotels and downtown. Stay away from “hackers” (unmarked taxis). Check for the taxi’s BLACK and YELLOW license number plate with the letters NP before the number.

If you’re stuck for one call the nearest big hotel, or Radio Cab: 323-5111 or the Bahamas Taxi Union: 323-4555; both operate 24 hours a day.

You can pay for a taxi by the zone rate (see rates right), by the taxi meter (ask to go by the meter), by the hour for a sightseeing tour or by agreed price (be careful!).

For visitors it’s best to pay by the zone rates. See the zone rate chart below, laid down by the Ministry of Transport.

Sadly, a large percentage of taxis automatically include the tip without telling you.

A visitors’ map called SuperMaps (at your hotel) also publishes the zone rates.

”Jitney” BUSES operate around the island from 6am to 7pm and cost $1 for short and medium journeys, $1.50 from town to Compass Point and $2 beyond Compass Point on West Bay Street. They are privately owned and licensed to operate certain routes. They do not operate on Paradise Island.

Note: on the front of each jitney bus you’ll see a number and the major stops on that bus’s route. Just ask the driver if you’re not sure. Buses are generally air-conditioned and play music, hopefully not too loud. Island residents will often greet you.

FROM CABLE BEACH on West Bay Street catch any #10 bus going towards town.

FROM PARADISE ISLAND to town you first have to find your way over either of the bridges and walk to Shirley St. where you can flag one down. Catch buses # 1, 7, 9, 9a, 9b, 11 or 11a.

FROM TOWN to Cable Beach catch a #10 bus on George St. or on Marlborough St. next to McDonald’s®.

If you need to go beyond Cable Beach or Sandyport, catch the Western Transportation bus for $2. It goes past Compass Point to Clarion South Ocean and Lyford Cay – a cheap sightseeing tour.

FROM TOWN to Paradise Island Bridge or East Bay St. catch almost any bus from Rawson Square on Parliament St. North or on East Bay St.. Look for buses # 9, 9a, 9b, or 11a.

FERRY BOATS (9am - 5pm) cost $3 one way between downtown (Woodes Rogers Wharf) and Paradise Island (under the western Paradise Bridge).

RENT-A-CAR rates vary for a standard compact from $45 to $70 per day, unlimited mileage. All major operators are found at the airport. Avis and Budget have offices on Paradise Island. A number of operators can be found under the category AUTOMOBILE RENTAL in the Golden Pages.

MOTOR SCOOTERS for rent can be found on Paradise Island at Sunshine Scooters (363-3500 ext 6177), on Cable Beach (327-3858) and downtown (356-0741). Rates range between $60 per day to $30 for 2 hours.

As for BICYCLES, only a few hotels, such as Radisson Cable Beach and Breezes on Cable Beach, and Club Med (363-2640) on Paradise Island offer bicycles for their guests. However, anyone can rent a bike from Club Land’Or on Paradise Island (363-2400).

See our BICYCLES or MOTORCYCLES & SCOOTERS FOR RENT categories.

HORSE & SURREY RIDES, with a delightful guided tour of historic Nassau, leave from Woodes Rogers Wharf downtown and cost $10 pp for a 1/2-hour tour (minimum 2 persons).

FREE CASINO SHUTTLES are operated from 6pm to 2am by Nassau Marriott Resort & Crystal Palace Casino and are free for all hotels along the Cable Beach strip. On Paradise Island (only for Atlantis, Harborside and Ocean Club guests), a free half-hourly shuttle operates 8:30am to midnight or 2am on weekends. At 6:30am it makes an early run to the Ocean Club Golf Course from all Kerzner resorts.

TOUR COMPANIES are also a great way to see the island. You’ll find tour desks in most hotel lobbies. Tour buses are air conditioned and the driver’s narration often rich in history and humour. Choose from the standard 2-hour tour ($20), an extended City & Country Tour ($32) which includes Ardastra Gardens, or a 4-hour Combination Tour that includes lunch. You can also book an evening tour with a gourmet restaurant and a local show.

TAXI TOURS vary in quality depending on the driver. With more than two passengers they become good value and they can customize to your personal wish list.

ARDASTRA GARDENS ZOO & CONSERVATION CENTER and the SHOAL SEAFOOD RESTAURANT both offer a FREE BUS SERVICE to and from their establishments. Call for details. See phone directory for their numbers.

HELICOPTER charters and tours around Nassau and anywhere in The Bahamas are offered by Island Helicopters (363-4016). They also fly transfers between Nassau International Airport and Paradise Heliport.

LIMOUSINES: Ask your hotel or look up in the Golden Pages under LIMOUSINES.