Budget
Typical costs and budget planning for the Exumas
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Accommodation Costs
| Type | Approximate Nightly Rate |
|---|---|
| George Town guesthouse (basic) | $80–130 |
| Vacation rental (house/villa, George Town area) | $150–300 |
| Chat N Chill cottages (Stocking Island) | $150–250 |
| Staniel Cay Yacht Club | $200–350 |
| Grand Isle Resort (villa) | $400–700+ |
| Beaches Exuma (all-inclusive, per couple) | $600–900+/night |
| Private island villas | $5,000–20,000+/night |
All rates are approximate and before taxes, resort fees, and service charges (typically add 15–25%).
Food and Dining Costs
Budget eating:
- Fish fry / local stalls in George Town: $12–20/person
- Grocery provisioning (Smitty's etc.): $15–25/day with self-catering
Mid-range:
- Chat N Chill (Stocking Island): $20–35/person including drinks
- Santanna's and local restaurants: $15–30/person
- Staniel Cay Yacht Club dinner: $35–55/person
Resort dining:
- Grand Isle Resort restaurant: $40–70/person
- Sandals: included in all-inclusive rate
A realistic daily food budget for two people eating out at mid-range spots (not all-inclusive): $80–140/day. Self-catering with grocery shopping can bring this to $40–70/day for two.
Activities and Transport
Excursions from George Town:
- Full-day group excursion (swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto, snorkeling stops, lunch): $150–250/person
- Private boat charter for a group (half day): $400–600; full day: $600–900
- Rental car on Great Exuma: $80–100/day (limited availability; book ahead)
- Water taxi to Stocking Island: $5–10/person each way
Diving and water sports:
- Snorkel gear rental: $15–25/day
- Kayak rental: $20–40/half day
Daily Budget Estimates
Budget traveler (guesthouse, self-catering plus one local meal, minimal excursions): $150–200/day
Mid-range traveler (vacation rental or modest hotel, eating out twice daily, one excursion every 2–3 days): $300–500/day
Splurge traveler (Grand Isle or equivalent, dining at resorts, private boat charter): $800–1,500+/day
Boating visitors should add marina fees ($50–150/night at Staniel Cay Yacht Club or similar) plus fuel and provisioning costs on top of any of the above estimates.
Money-Saving Tips
- Base in George Town rather than at a resort. You'll have access to affordable local restaurants, the fish fry, and grocery stores while still being able to book group excursions.
- Book group excursions rather than private charters. A group day trip to the swimming pigs from George Town costs about $150–250/person vs. $600+ for a private boat. The experience is similar.
- Self-cater for breakfast and lunch. Stock up at Smitty's in George Town and save restaurant spending for dinners at Chat N Chill or Santanna's.
- Travel shoulder season (May–June or October–November). Rates drop noticeably outside the December–April high season, and the weather is generally still good.
- Fly via Miami. American Eagle from MIA to GGT often has the best fares to the Exumas; comparing Nassau connection options can also yield savings.
- Avoid resort exchange rates. Use US dollars directly (universally accepted at par with the Bahamian dollar).