Basics

The Basics

Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from first Sunday in April till last Sunday in October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade plugs and flat blade plugs with round grounding, are also standard.
Money: The official currency is the Bahamian Dollar (BSD), which is divided into 100 cents. The Bahamian Dollar is equal in value to the US Dollar and both currencies are accepted throughout the islands. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and many hotels. There are ATMs in the main tourist centres and credit and debit cards are widely accepted in all the big resorts. Travellers cheques can be changed at all banks, although those in US Dollars receive the best rates. Banks tend to be open from 9.30am to 3pm (Monday to Thursday) and 9.30am to 5pm (Fridays).

Currency Exchange Rates

BSD 1.00 =

A$ 1.08

C$ 1.05

€ 0.66

NZ$ 1.33

£ 0.60

US$ 0.98

R 7.61

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: English is the official language.
Entry requirements for Americans: United States passport holders must have a valid passport or a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, as well as proof of citizenship, such as an original or certified birth certificate. A visa is not required for travel to the Bahamas for visits not exceeding eight months.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to eight months. A passport is required, valid for six months after entry, or some form of official photo identification with a birth certificate and/or citizenship card.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians should take a passport or other form of government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, as well as proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. Canadians may stay in the Bahamas for up to three months without a visa; if travelling with other identification documents the maximum stay without a visa is 21 days. Extensions may be granted.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians do not require a visa for a stay of up to three months, but a passport valid for a minimum of six months is necessary.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals must hold a passport valid for at least three months, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealanders do not require a visa for a stay of up to three months, but a passport valid for at least six months is necessary.
Passport/Visa Note: All visitors must be in possession of a return or onward ticket, plus proof of funds, and with the exception of nationals of Canada and the US, all visitors must hold passports which are valid at least six months after entry. Cruise ship passengers must hold a ticket for their ship. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities.
Travel Health: A yellow fever vaccination is required by travellers aged more than one year arriving from infected areas, and Hepatitis A immunisation is recommended for visitors over two years. There is a risk of malaria and travellers should take precautions before travel. Food and water is considered safe. Visitors should note that some types of fish, including tropical reef fish, are poisonous to eat even when cooked. Medical facilities are good in Nassau and Freeport, but expensive and usually require payment in cash on treatment. Medical insurance is advised. Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau, where most emergency surgery is performed, is experiencing a chronic shortage of blood so those with rare blood types are advised to know the names and locations of possible donors in the event of an emergency. The Lyford Cay Hospital has a hyperbaric chamber for treatment of decompression illness.
Tipping: Many hotels and restaurant bills in the Bahamas automatically include a service charge of 15% to cover gratuities, otherwise a 10-15% tip is expected for most services, including taxi drivers. Hotel staff usually receive US$1 per bag.
Climate: In general the weather is good all year and the trade winds ensure that the temperatures remain relatively mild. There is little variation in temperature year round, but the coolest months are December to February, while the hottest are June to August. The rainy season extends from May to November when there is a slight chance of hurricanes. Peak season is between December and April. Generally the northern and western islands, including New Providence Island, are cooler than the southern islands.
Safety Information: Most visits to the Bahamas are trouble-free though care should be taken in the major cities of Nassau and Freeport. Visitors should take sensible precautions and not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery on their person or wander away from the main tourist areas, especially after dark. In light of several fatal accidents and serious injuries that have occurred using rented watersports equipment, it is advisable that only those experienced on jet skis consider renting them on New Providence and Paradise Island. The watersports industry here is poorly regulated and visitors should only rent equipment from reputable operators and make sure that they have received adequate training before going out onto the water. Hurricane season is from June to the end of November.
Local Customs: The British and African influences on the Bahamas are still obvious, but the island's proximity to the US has resulted in a somewhat Americanised culture. Some of the islands and resorts are very upmarket and require a certain standard of dress. Beachwear should be confined to the beach and smart-casual dress is usually expected for the evening.
Business: Nassau is the business centre of the Bahamas, whose economy is heavily dependent of tourism and offshore banking. Business protocol is fairly relaxed, although appropriate business attire is expected. Meetings are usually held in conference rooms, they begin punctually, and business cards are customarily exchanged. Handshakes on introduction are the norm between both men and women; women are treated as equals in the business environment. Office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Communications: The international access code for the Bahamas is +1, in common with the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean, followed by 242. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). Calls from the Bahamas can be expensive, so if possible use a calling card. VOIP services are a much cheaper and more popular means of communication. A mobile network operates on the GSM 1900 band. Internet cafes are widely available.
Duty free: Travellers to the Bahamas over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars or 454g of tobacco; 1 litre spirits and 1 litre wine; and other goods to the value of US$100. Prohibited items include firearms and ammunition without a police permit. Pets and dogs from countries with rabies infections are strictly prohibited from entering the country.