Here is some information and tips to consider when planning your Bahamas vacation. If you have any specific questions feel free to contact us and we’ll do our best to get you the answer.
Banking:
Banking hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In Nassau/Paradise Island there are ATMs at both Paradise Island and Cable Beach casinos and, commercial banks. In Grand Bahama, they can be found at major banks, the casino and Port Lucaya and on The Out Islands ATMs are at banks on all of the major islands. Most are equipped with +PLUS and Cirrus ATM systems.
Climate:
The trade winds that blow almost continually throughout The Islands Of The Bahamas give the islands a warm, agreeable climate that varies little year-round. The most refreshing time is between September and May, when the temperature averages 70-75°F. The rest of the year is a bit warmer with temperatures averaging between 80-90°F.
Hurricane Season:
June through November is The Bahamas’ hurricane season. The weather does influence travel decisions and often inaccurate reporting of information on hurricanes results in needless cancellations by U.S. travelers. Many Bahamian hotels have instituted a Hurricane Hotel Policy that states that visitors who cancel a Bahamas vacation during a hurricane will receive an immediate refund with no penalties.
Rainy Season:
The Islands Of The Bahamas can experience rain year-round; however, the months of May through October constitute the rainy season. The northern islands normally receive twice as much rain as the southern islands.
Clothing:
Casual summer wear can be worn during the day any time of the year; but be sure to bring a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings from December to February. Most hotels/restaurants/casinos require jackets for men in the evening, especially in more cosmopolitan areas, such as Nassau and Freeport/Lucaya.
Though walking the streets in swim trunks in mid-January might sound irresistible, beach clothing is inappropriate on the streets, in churches, restaurants and casinos. Away from beach or pool areas, you are expected to cover your bathing suit with shorts or a long shirt. In the more laid-back remote areas, the dress code is more flexible.
Communications:
The U.S. and Canada are a direct-dial call away and most hotels provide direct-dialing service from your room or conference center. Both visitors and business travelers will find that telecommunication services on The Islands Of The Bahamas are comparable with the service found in most developed nations. A 100% digital switching system allows direct-distance dialing to more than 100 countries. The U.S. and Canada are a direct-dial away and most hotels provide direct-dialing service from guest rooms and/or the conference centre.The Bahamas Telephone Company (BTC) provides a variety of services beyond telephony. Also provided are fax, telex, Internet, cellular, private line service, satellite and radio leasing and an improved VHF-FM radio telephone service that allows you to contact ships at sea. You can save money on long-distance calls by purchasing phone cards. These have great rates to the U.S. and Canada and can be found at any BTC location in Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island or The Out Islands.
For those who refuse to be unleashed from their cell phones, it is very easy to stay connected while visiting The Islands Of The Bahamas. BTC has in place roaming agreements with 128 companies worldwide. Roaming rates for the United States and Canada are $2.24 per minute and is billed through your home service provider. To access BTC’s GSM roaming system simply turn on your phone and wait while it connects to the network. To verify if your home service provider is a roaming partner with BTC or for country specific roaming rates, visit btcbahamas.com.
Currency:
The Bahamian dollar is held on par with the U.S. dollar and both are accepted interchangeably throughout the islands. Credit cards and travelers checks are accepted at most locations on Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island. +PLUS and Cirrus ATMs can be found at banks on Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island and on most of the major Out Islands.
Driving Laws:
British rules apply, so please drive on the left and be extra careful on roundabouts. Visitors may use their home licenses for up to three months and may also apply for an international driver’s license. Pedestrians should remember to look right before crossing streets.
It is the law that all drivers and their passengers wear seat belts while riding in a vehicle in The Bahamas.
A child weighing less than twenty pounds shall face the rear of the vehicle secured in an infant seat fitted to the rear seat.
A child twenty pounds and less than forty pounds – convertible car seat fitted to the rear seat.
A child over forty pounds or up to 4 ft. 9 in. tall shall be secured in a booster car seat fitted in the rear seat.
A child taller than 4 ft. 9 in. and between 8 and 12 years old shall be required to use a seat belt.
Duty Free Shopping:
Most of the major islands have duty-free shopping on cameras, binoculars and telescopes, china and crystal, watches and clocks, jewelry, perfumes, fine linens and tablecloths, liquor and leather goods. Savings on these items are between 25% – 50% below U.S. prices. You can find local arts and crafts in straw markets and specialty shops, or in Nassau’s Festival Place, Paradise Island’s Bahama Craft Center and Grand Bahama Island’s Port Lucaya Marketplace.
Health & Safety:
Inoculations are not required unless traveling to The Islands Of The Bahamas from an infected area.
While in The Bahamas, you can have peace of mind knowing that there are facilities available to serve your health-related and pharmacy needs. The medical facilities on the islands, especially Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island, are staffed with North American and European-trained physicians.
Language:
The official language of The Bahamas is English, more British than American, and generally intertwined with a special Bahamian dialect. Some Indian words like cassava and guava have been retained in the language.
Pets:
Importation of Pets
You may bring your pet into The Islands Of The Bahamas, but you need to make preparations before your departure. An import permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources (Nassau) for all animals being brought into any island. The permit is valid for one year from the date of issue. Applications for such permits, stating the kind of animal, breed, age, sex and country of embarkation (along with a $10 processing fee), must be made in writing. There is no fee for service dogs, e.g. seeing-eye dogs.
Customs Duty for permanent entry of all animals from outside the Commonwealth of The Bahamas (dogs, cats, cattle and horses) is $10 plus 1/2% of the value of the animal. Yearly fees for dog licenses in New Providence, Grand Bahama and The Out Islands are: male or spayed female, $2; un-spayed female, $6.
The Bahamas Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tel: (242) 325-6742. Emergency after-hours Tel: (242) 323-5138.
Veterinary Clinics in The Bahamas
THE ABACOS:
Island Veterinary Clinic
Tel: (242) 367-0062
Fax: (242) 367-5450
THE EXUMAS:
Exuma Veterinary Clinic
Tel: (242) 336-2806/8
Email: hdyoung@batelnet.bs
GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND:
Caribbean Veterinary Health and Healing Centre
Tel: (242) 351-2103
Fax: (242) 351-7438
NASSAU [NEW PROVIDENCE]
Bahamas Humane Society
Tel: (242) 323-5138 or (242) 325-6742
Fax: (242) 356-2659
Tipping and Gratuity:
Tipping in The Islands Of The Bahamas is just like where you’re from tip according to quality of service. Bellboys and porters usually receive $1 per bag, while most other servers (waiters, taxis, etc.) receive 15%. Many establishments include gratuity in the total, so make sure you check your bill to see if it’s been added.
Boating:
Charts of The Bahamas for Navigation/GPS
Fuel (appropriate quantity for trip & extra)
Food & Provisions
Coast Guard approved safety gear (as required per size/type of vessel)
Dock lines and Fenders
Engine & equipment serviced and fully operational
Appropriate spare parts
Quarantine flag (Yellow Flag)
VHF Marine Radio/ Spare Floatable Hand Held Radio
30/50 Amp splitters (if needed)
Proper Boat Ownership / Registration Documents
Proof of Citizenship – Passport
Dock Reservations
Bahamas Weather::
- The Abacos
- Acklins/Crooked Island
- Andros
- The Berry Islands
- Bimini
- Cat Island
- Eleuthera/Harbour Island
- The Exumas
- Grand Bahama Island
- Inagua
- Long Island
- Mayaguana
- Nassau/Paradise Island
- Rum Cay/San Salvador
