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Practical information Bahamas
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Our expert Bahamas
Rooksana Hossenally
Section editor
Travel is my driving force in life, and although I have had the privilege of visiting 30 countries so far, my heart will always remain in India...
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- Nassau 26°C 27°C 25°C 27°C
- George Town 27°C 26°C 26°C 26°C
Bahamas : Travel Information before you go!
Area
2069 sq.mi
Flights
Between 10 andd 12 hours. Nassau is 4,339 mi from London.
Jet Lag
-5 hours in summer, -4 in winter
Population
330,000 inhabitants
Airports
Nassau International Airport is 8 miles from Nassau. Taxi is the best way of getting to Nassau ($16), Paradise Island ($23) or Cable Beach ($23).
Security
Dangers linked to fauna and flora among the 10 species of snake, including the Bahamian boa constrictor and the pygmy boa, none are poisonous. On the other hand, the black widow can be fatal (this spider is recognisable by its black colour and a red mark in the shape of an hourglass on its back). Beware of the millipedes, Cuban tree frogs, and certain stingrays and jellyfish. With the example of the manchineel, some types of trees and ivies are poisonous (avoid contact with the skin).
Crime: although you are in absolutely no danger at all on all the islands of the archipelago, crime has increased at a worrying rate in Nassau, where you are advised not to walk alone at night.
Crime: although you are in absolutely no danger at all on all the islands of the archipelago, crime has increased at a worrying rate in Nassau, where you are advised not to walk alone at night.
Languages
English and Creole.
Required travel documents for
Your passport must be valid during the length of your stay. A tourist permit, valid for 3 months, will be issued upon arrival. You may be asked to prove justifcation of your return date.
Religion
32% Baptist, 20% Anglican, 19% Roman Catholic, 12% Protestant, 6% Methodist, and 6% Church of Christ.
Currency
The currency in the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar (BSD).
£1 = 1.51 BSD.
Travellers cheques and international cards are widely accepted (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.).
On the New Providence and Grand Bahama islands, banks open from 9:30am to 3:00pm, Monday toThursday, and until 5:00pm on Fridays.
£1 = 1.51 BSD.
Travellers cheques and international cards are widely accepted (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.).
On the New Providence and Grand Bahama islands, banks open from 9:30am to 3:00pm, Monday toThursday, and until 5:00pm on Fridays.
Local transportation
Bus
The jitneys (buses) shuttle between Nassau (from Navy Lion Road), the hotels, Paradise Island, the public beaches, and the residential districts. The trip costs 75 cents and the service continues until 7pm.
Boats
Taxi boats rotate every 20mins between the Prince George jetty in Nassau and Paradise Island. The crossing costs $2. The 'mail boats' serve connections between Paradise Island (leaving from Potter's Cay, under the large bridge) and the Out Islands. Allow for $40 return to Eleuthera and $140 return to Inagua, which is further away. There is a restaurant service on some of the 'mail boats'.
Plane
The company Bahamas Air serves some twenty internal connections on the archipelago, and also flights to Florida and the Turks & Caicos Islands. However, the company is not popular for its punctuality nor its prices, and a private flight can be a better solution for getting on to one of the Out Islands. Take advice from your hotel, which can usually negotiate an air transfer at reasonable prices for you.
Taxis
On New Providence Island, the taxi is the ideal form of transport. Allow for $2.20 minimum, and then around 75 cents/mile. The prices increase according to the number of passengers.
Car
It is easy to hire a car at New Providence from companies such as Avis, Budget and Hertz. You can also hire scooters, shop around for the best price. Driving is on the left, and an international driving licence is recommended.
The jitneys (buses) shuttle between Nassau (from Navy Lion Road), the hotels, Paradise Island, the public beaches, and the residential districts. The trip costs 75 cents and the service continues until 7pm.
Boats
Taxi boats rotate every 20mins between the Prince George jetty in Nassau and Paradise Island. The crossing costs $2. The 'mail boats' serve connections between Paradise Island (leaving from Potter's Cay, under the large bridge) and the Out Islands. Allow for $40 return to Eleuthera and $140 return to Inagua, which is further away. There is a restaurant service on some of the 'mail boats'.
Plane
The company Bahamas Air serves some twenty internal connections on the archipelago, and also flights to Florida and the Turks & Caicos Islands. However, the company is not popular for its punctuality nor its prices, and a private flight can be a better solution for getting on to one of the Out Islands. Take advice from your hotel, which can usually negotiate an air transfer at reasonable prices for you.
Taxis
On New Providence Island, the taxi is the ideal form of transport. Allow for $2.20 minimum, and then around 75 cents/mile. The prices increase according to the number of passengers.
Car
It is easy to hire a car at New Providence from companies such as Avis, Budget and Hertz. You can also hire scooters, shop around for the best price. Driving is on the left, and an international driving licence is recommended.
Health
No vaccine is required. Only visitors arriving from areas contaminated by yellow fever need to have the vaccine. Good health services are available, but are very expensive. Subscribe to good health insurance before leaving. Finally, note that the HIV infection rate is particularly high.
Electricity
Voltage is 120 V. Two-pin plugs, an adaptor is needed.
Tourist numbers
Taxes and tips
Tips usually given to waiters and taxi drivers represent about 15% of the total amount. Some hotels and restaurants automatically include 15% in their prices. In hotels, a 10% tax (in Nassau and Grand Bahama) or an 8% tax (on the other islands) may be deducted. At the airport, on your way out of the country, you will have to pay a mandatory tax of $15, payable by cash only.
Telephone
From London to the Bahamas: dial 00 1 242 + the 7 numbers of the other party.
From the Bahamas to London: 011 + 44 + 20 + number.
From the Bahamas to London: 011 + 44 + 20 + number.
Customer Service: Contact
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