Ever think about why a bucket list travel list rarely includes a Caribbean resort, despite its grade-A hospitality? A theory: many people have an image in their heads that includes plenty of R&R, but few signs of local culture that leave one feeling truly connected to a place. The offer, while tempting, is just like home, only hotter.

With the Bahamas, you get the sense that it’s a bit different (read: a whole lot more authentic) the second you land in Nassau. An unexpectedly cheery customs agent gushes over her hometown as an ad for the island’s Balenciaga boutique shows overhead. At arrivals, an associate whisks you away to an icy-cold black Suburban, while pastel pink homes with crisp white shutters—a distinctly Bahamian hallmark—whiz by. At the five-star lodgings, you’re greeted by sweeping, hand-painted murals of palm-dotted landscapes, a creative nod to the Providence Island artists who did it first.

Here, the luxury element is still ever-present, but there’s an unmistakable pride in all things Bahamian—and an even more palpable desire to share it. Want to partake in its world-class ocean conservation efforts? There’s a 5-hour, expert-led expedition for that. Eager to take in local art with a preeminent curator? A champagne-in-hand tour awaits. Then there’s the “island time” of it all. Your coconut-run cocktail may come a little slower, but it’s a deeply ingrained reminder to part with the Amazon Prime pace we’ve come to expect. After all, good things (and memorable getaways) take time.

Ahead, our top picks for experiencing the Bahamas, including an upscale stay, one-of-a-kind excursion, Michelin-worthy eats and more.

Things to Do in the Bahamas

Where to Stay

Rosewood Baha Mar

A Caribbean hotel stay doesn’t get more detail-minded than this sanctuary-like resort with amenities to spare. Located a swift ten minutes from Nassau’s international airport, Rosewood Baha Mar goes all in on the little things that anchor you to its deep-rooted culture: warm, island estate-inspired rooms complete with four-poster beds and rattan accents; a curated collection of books—think antique atlases, tropical botany encyclopedias by Taschen and Slim Aarons’ photography books—for your reading leisure; cans of locally produced Goombay Punch, a super-sacharine, pineapple-tinged treat, sitting chilled in the mini fridge. Even the turndown service is thoughtful: a lenscloth laid beside one’s haphazardly placed glasses or a Bahamian vista-printed bookmark tucked amongst a beach read. Between sunning yourself on the perfectly appointed pool deck or sitting down at one of its six restaurants, book in for flamingo yoga (the country’s official bird) with the property’s immaculately cared-for flock amongst its ultra-lush tropical gardens.

Where to Adventure

The Ocean Guardian Experience

Nothing gets you closer to the deep blue than this half-day boating adventure aboard a plush 53-foot yacht. Led by renowned dive expert André Musgrove, the educational-meets-experiential outing dives into the fascinating world of ocean preservation. Equipped with snorkelling gear and a knowledgeable guide, you’ll first explore the globe’s largest underwater sculpture garden, including coming face to face with Ocean Atlas, an 18-foot, 20-ton statue of a Bahamian girl holding up the turquoise-blue sea. Then, alongside a restoration specialist from the Perry Institute for Marine Science, a non-profit operating in the Bahamas for the last 50 years, you’ll swim amongst the artificial coral reefs designed to combat climate change-induced collapse. Between the rousing sights and real-life impact ($100 from each ticket goes directly to the Institute’s endeavours), this voyage offers good reasons for why the ocean is worth protecting.

Where to Eat

Costa

You don’t come to the Bahamas expecting to have the best Mexican food of your life, but such is the case with Costa, a destination restaurant at Baha Mar that blends Bahamian ingredients with traditional modes of cooking from Mexico. If you can swing it, come for Meza de Juan, an intimate communal dinner held on the last Wednesday of every month. It’s dreamed up by executive chef (and Mexico City native) Juan Meza who serves as a cultural guide as much as he does culinary foreman. Course after of course of inventive dishes leave you equal parts breathless and blown away: a small bowl of street corn (or elote) more sumptuous and exquisitely balanced than you’ve ever had before; a mezcal cocktail made using a homemade roasted corn syrup and the milpa method, a Mesoamerican agricultural system that’s symbiotically self-sufficient; and finally, a duck confit taco doused in a triple chili sauce that had the table calling (nay, begging) for more.

Where to Take in Culture

Hussey’s Art Tour

Following a recent return to the Venice Biennale after a 13-year hiatus, the Bahamas’ deeply expressive arts community is ready for its close-up. A visit to the National Art Gallery is worth the trip into town, then reserve a spot on Hussey’s Art Tour with John Cox, a Rhode Island School of Design-educated Bahamian artist who now serves as the Director of Arts & Culture at Baha Mar. With over 1,000 original works on the property and a 16-person curatorial team behind it, art is far from an after-thought here. Cox’s passion for this movement is evident, as he shares the stories behind rising talent like portrait photographer Melissa Alcena and bonafide icons such as Amos Ferguson, the first Bahamian to be featured in the Smithsonian. Beyond embellishing the walls of the resort, Cox sees this artistic investment as a paradigm shift for the island. “We want to influence the definitions of what it is to be Bahamian in small, but hopefully significant ways,” he offers. “We’re trying to reframe paradise.”

What to Wear

Smythe Mini Shift Dress

While the well-to-do Bahamian clientele prefers its preppy wares, we’re sweet on this butter-yellow shift that nods to the pastel homes dotting the coast. Wear it to indulge in handcrafted cocktails with a long pendant necklace and raffia bag.

Rhode Pocket Bronzer

Nothing compares to that golden, Caribbean glow (achieved only after the protection of SPF 50, of course!) but Rhode’s latest bronzer format is the next best thing. Rich in skin-smoothing peptides, this creamy, multi-purpose formula is the only makeup you need to pack.

Reformation Cooper Heeled Sandal

Make like the island’s national bird and opt for vacation footwear that doesn’t blend in. These dragonfruit-hued sandals are equally chic with the aforementioned mini dress as they are with denim bermudas and a ‘90s-inspired tank.