How to Save Money at Baha Mar (Without Missing the Fun)
If you’ve looked into a trip to Baha Mar, you already know, it is stunning…and it can also be very expensive.
Between food, drinks, activities, and extras, the costs can add up quickly. But the good news is that with a little planning, you can have an amazing experience without overspending….or use the money that you save on a splurge like renting chairs at Baha Bay Beach Club!
We recently visited as a family of four, and these are the exact strategies we used to keep our trip more budget-friendly without sacrificing the fun.
Book Grand Hyatt Baha Mar on Points
If you have points through World of Hyatt, this is one of the best ways to save money.
When you book Grand Hyatt Baha Mar on points, you can book a room at zero out of pocket cost to you and the resort fee is waived, which, at Baha Mar with its higher than usual resort fee, that is a big savings and can easily add up to hundreds of dollars over your stay.
In total for the spring break week leading up to Easter, we saved over $5,400 booking this using points. And by save, I really don’t mean save as we would not have been able to stay here if we were paying out of pocket.
Took book the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar on Points without it taking forever, Jeff and I each opened a travel credit card and met the minimum spend. Specifically, Chase Sapphire Preferred cards can help you do this as Hyatt is a transfer partner with Hyatt.
Use Holafly for International Data
International roaming charges can get expensive quickly. We used Holafly esim for data instead of our regular carrier, which helped us stay connected without unexpected fees.
We have used other eSims - some with limited success. I thought Holafly was particularly easy to set up. The link we have used here is our referral link, we will get 5% cash back towards a future Holafly purchase if you use our link - thanks!
Take the Jitney to Eat Local
One of the best ways to save money and have a more authentic experience is to leave the resort for a meal.
Hop on a jitney (the local bus) and head to Arawak Cay Fish Fry, also known as “Da Fish Fry.” The food is much more affordable, the portions are generous, and it was one of the most memorable parts of our trip.
The jitney is $1.50 per adult and $1.00 per kid, bring cash. A taxi ride into town is $30 or more each way. To find the jitney from Baha Mar, head out the front of the resort and then head to the left, you will see the stop, use the one on the left side to head into town.
We also did a self guided tour of downtown and really enjoyed ourselves. We used this guide.
Self guided walking tour of Nassau
We stopped by Greycliff and took pictures before going to Arwak Cay Fish Fry also known as Da Fish Fry
Buy Alcohol at the Airport
At Lynden Pindling International Airport, there is a liquor store to the right as you exit.
Beer and alcohol were less than half the price of the resort, and they will even open one for you to take to go. Having drinks in your room or bringing them to the pool can save a significant amount over the course of your trip.
Request a Microwave in Your Room
This is a simple tip that makes a big difference. Ask ahead or at check-in to have a microwave added to your room. I have heard that a microwave will cost $55 for the week, but we were not charged.
To get a microwave, use the Baha Mar app after it is paired to your room and go to the ‘services’ option at the bottom, choose ‘miscellaneous’ and then you will see a list of things you can request in your room and choose microwave. One was brought to our room and set up in under 20 minutes with little fan fare!
A microwave makes it much easier to heat leftovers, prepare quick breakfasts, and stretch the food you bring with you.
Pack Food and Snacks
We packed more than just snacks, and it helped us save a lot on food.
In our one checked bag, we brought oatmeal cups, homemade muffins, bread stored in a protective container, peanut butter, apples, chips, and Oreos. This allowed us to eat breakfast in the room (which we also love for slower mornings where we don’t have to get dressed and find food) and have easy lunches for the pool or beach, saving restaurant meals for dinner.
Bring Your Own Sunscreen
Sunscreen at the resort is very expensive. While there is sometimes complimentary sunscreen at the towel huts, we found it did not work very well and took a long time to rub in (which is super fun with kids!).
Packing your own sunscreen in your checked luggage is an easy way to save money and avoid the hassle.
Pack Wine Safely
If you want to bring wine, use protective sleeves like Wine Angels to pack bottles in your checked luggage.
Wine Angel works great and we had wine that we know we love available right in the room. It also helped us bring a bottle of local rum back!
Split Meals To Save Money
Portion sizes at Baha Mar are generous, even for kids meals.
We often split meals between between all of us and sometimes we still had food leftover to put in the fridge…and we like to eat.
Order Takeout Instead of Dining In
Instead of dining out for every meal, consider ordering takeout and eating in your room or, even better, on your balcony if you have it.
You can skip expensive drinks and extras (because you have alcohol and lemonade etc in the room from packing or the airport) while still enjoying the same food, which can make a noticeable difference in your total cost.
Our family actually prefers take out anyway (even if the cost were the same) as we are pretty tired at the end of the day. I can understand why some people may really enjoy going out to meals on vacation, and while we appreciate good food, I also appreciate a warm shower and cosy clothes after a long day out!
Take Advantage of Included Activities
There is so much to do at Baha Mar that is already included.
You can enjoy the water park, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, the aquarium at Dean’s Hole, the flamingo parade, and the sea turtle exhibit without spending extra money. Planning your days around these activities helps you get the most value out of your stay.
Baha Mar has a lot of free things to do
A stop by the flamingo sanctuary is always fun and there is a flamingo parade every day at 9:30.
Consider a Grocery Stop on Arrival
We did not do this, but many travelers recommend asking your taxi or driver to stop at a grocery store on the way to the resort (make sure you understand the cost of the stop before you agree to it, some taxi’s charge by the minute!).
This can be a great way to stock up on snacks, drinks, and simple meals. It is also a fun way to explore local foods when traveling. For us, arriving early and not wanting to deal with storing cold items made us skip it, but it is a great option to consider.
Final Thoughts
A trip to Baha Mar can absolutely be worth it, and it does not have to break the bank.
With a little planning, you can cut down on food and drink costs, take full advantage of what is already included, and still enjoy an incredible family vacation.
These simple strategies made a big difference for us, and they can help you do the same.