From carnival costumes to cocktails, discover the Bahamas through the eyes of a local

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Before I landed in the Bahamas, I was excited to revel in the clichés: becoming a beach bum with a backdrop of white sand and glassy waters, sipping a Bahama Mama cocktail and munching a conch fritter or two. But I also wanted to delve deeper into island life.

That led me to the People to People programme, a cultural exchange initiative that connects visitors with Bahamian locals, known as ambassadors, offering a personal lens on the country.

Travellers fill out a simple form covering details about their trip and their interests – anything from fishing to fashion – and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism pairs them with a local volunteer. Solo travellers, groups and families are all welcome.

The initiative began in 1975 and was created with the aim of helping ease visitors into Bahamian culture, as well as encouraging authentic interaction.

It started in Nassau and expanded to Grand Bahama a year later, and since then has grown into a nationwide programme with more than 800 certified ambassadors across 10 islands. In 2024 alone, more than 10,000 visitors took part. A virtual arm was launched during the Covid pandemic, with smallgroup sessions such as cocktail making and cooking classes keeping the spirit of exchange alive.

Culture in the Bahamas