A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nassau vs. Roatan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nassau or Roatan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or Roatan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Nassau or Roatan?

Nassau

There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.

As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.

Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.

Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.

Roatan

Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.


Which place is cheaper, Roatan or Nassau?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $226, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nassau and Roatan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nassau $108
    Roatan $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nassau $216
    Roatan $22
Compare Hotels in Nassau and Roatan

Looking for a hotel in Nassau or Roatan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Nassau


Hotels in Roatan


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nassau Hotel Prices and Roatan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nassau $32
    Roatan $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $7.99
  • Taxi to Cable Beach
    $25
  • Taxi from Airport
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:

  • NAS Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $28
  • Private One-Way Transfer from Lynden Airport to Bahamas: $45
  • Nassau City Escape Transfer (One Way): $50
  • Nassau Cruise Port to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
  • Nassau cruise port to Nassau Airport (NAS) - Departure Transfer: $51
  • Nassau city to Nassau Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $51
  • Airport Transfers : $58
  • One Way Private Airport Transfer for 4 People or Less: $65
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $84
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau cruise port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $103
  • Nassau Cruise Port to Nassau hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $103
  • Private Nassau Airport and Port Transfer (1 way): $107

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $4.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or Roatan?

Prices for flights to both Roatan and Nassau change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nassau $91
    Roatan $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.

  • Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
  • Savor Old Nassau Dining Stroll by Tru Bahamian Food Tours: $116
  • Nassau Sunset Dinner Cruise: $129
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise: $129
  • Dinner and Dancing: $130
  • Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
  • All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $138
  • Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
  • Saturday Bahamian Cooking Class in Downtown Nassau: $149

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nassau $37
    Roatan $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:


  • Jet Ski
    $50
  • 4 Hr Kayak Tour
    $70
  • 1/2 Day Snorkel Trip
    $75

Tours and Activities in Nassau

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:

  • All New Tour with Seafood Snack Português & Español : $7.00
  • Historical & Cultural Walking Tour: $10
  • Champagne and Diamond Shopping Experience in Downtown, Bahamas: $25
  • Group City Tour and Beach Experience from Cruise Port: $40
  • Private Sightseeing in Fort Montagu with Crab and Seafood meal: $45
  • Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $45
  • Nassau City Tour: $46
  • Big Bus Private Tour (minimum of 15): $50
  • Electric Bus Tour with Food & Drink Samples: $50
  • Banana Boat Adventure: $50
  • Taste Tour and Capture Nassau Island Experience with Photos: $55
  • Cultural Walking Tour of Downtown Nassau Attractions: $55

Tours and Activities in Roatan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:

  • Monkeys and sloths, private tour , and beach: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nassau $19
    Roatan $6.64
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:


  • Cocktail
    $6.49


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nassau and Roatan, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau is in Caribbean Islands and Roatan is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau than you might in Roatan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nassau Expensive? and Is Roatan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nassau or Roatan?

Nassau has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Nassau and Roatan, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.