| Freeport in Grand Bahama Island is the closest of all | | | | could use some cleaning up since I did see some |
| the Bahamas to the USA. A quick 45 minute flight | | | | cigarette butts and small litter scattered around. This |
| from Fort Lauderdale or Miami will get you into | | | | is also true for some of the areas around the Port |
| Freeport. It is a very popular destination because of | | | | Lucaya area in general as it seems that nobody |
| its close proximity and the fact that US dollars are | | | | wants to take responsibility for bottles and other |
| widely accepted. There are two main clusters of | | | | trash visible to tourists.The taxi fare to Port Lucaya |
| hotels and resorts on Grand Bahama Island. One is at | | | | from the airport was $19 US. There is also a public |
| the Port Lucaya area located on the south shore of | | | | bus service which utilizes vans to take people to |
| island and the other is near downtown Freeport | | | | other parts of the island. The fare is $1.50 US per |
| which is more inland. There are also other individual | | | | person to downtown Freeport so this is definitely a |
| resorts scattered around the west and south shores | | | | much more economical way to get around. One can |
| of the 97 by 17 mile island.I have traveled to | | | | take this bus service to the nearest grocer called |
| Freeport twice and stayed in the Port Lucaya area | | | | Winn-Dixie or the other major shopping area on |
| both times. Most of the hotels here are next to the | | | | Grand Bahama Island called International Bazaar. |
| Port Lucaya Marketplace which is a collection of | | | | International Bazaar is actually next to downtown |
| restaurants, boutiques and other retail services. In | | | | Freeport and near the other cluster of hotels there. |
| addition to the higher end retail, there are also small | | | | This shopping area was similar to the Port Lucaya |
| outdoor vendors selling cheaper goods such as | | | | Marketplace except that it had an international theme. |
| souvenirs and t-shirts. One should be aware that | | | | Unfortunately, the International Bazaar is rapidly going |
| much of the items available for sale from these | | | | downhill as over half of the stores are now closed. |
| vendors are not actually made in the Bahamas but | | | | This is not that surprising since even though there |
| overseas in Asia. There is also a nice sized marina | | | | are attractive hotel rates and another casino located |
| here for those coming to the island via private boat. | | | | in this area, it is really too far from the ocean to |
| For those interested in scuba diving, the Unexso | | | | make it a decent Caribbean spot to stay. Therefore, |
| operator is very convenient since it is located next to | | | | it is highly recommended to stay in the Port Lucaya |
| the marketplace. There are also deep sea fishing | | | | area (or one of the individual resorts near the ocean |
| excursions offered here as well. At the center of the | | | | if one prefers more seclusion).Both of my trips to |
| marketplace is the Count Basie Square where free | | | | Freeport were primarily for scuba diving and with |
| entertainment is featured on some evenings. A | | | | opportunities to dive with both dolphins and sharks |
| casino is on location here as well. The white sand | | | | here, I was not disappointed. |
| beach is quite nice with no rocks in the water but it | | | | |