|
Visitor
Information & Travel Tips
Taxis
Taxis are accessible from all areas at all
times. Jitney buses run from downtown and
Cable Beach in Nassau/Paradise Island and
from several depots at Freeport/Lucaya on
Grand Bahama Island at ten minute intervals
for 75 cents per ride.
Driving
Rental cars, scooter, and bikes are available
on almost every island. British rules apply,
so please drive on the left. Visitors may
use their home license for up to three months
and may also apply for an international
driver's license.
What to Bring
Airlines restrict the amount of baggage
you may bring to the Bahamas, especially
if you are commuting on the out islands.
Try to pack light. so you'll meet the baggage
restrictions. The planes that fly to The
Out Islands may restrict you to one bag
and one carry-on bag.
Besides lightweight garments and comfortable
shoes, you'll probably want to bring a camera,
sunscreen, sunglasses and a beach towel.
You can also bring your own fishing or scuba
diving equipment, although these items can
be purchased or rented at most beach resorts.
Whatever you do, remember to leave enough
room for souvenirs!
It's a good idea to set aside B$15.00 to
cover the departure tax, unless you are
leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas from
Freeport on Grand Bahama, where the departure
tax is B$18.00. You may substitute United
States dollars for Bahamian dollars since
American currency is accepted everywhere
and the exchange rate is the same. You will
also need to have the appropriate documents
for entry into The Islands Of The Bahamas.
Please click here to view these documents.
Plan to wear spring and summer attire. The
Islands Of The Bahamas have a semitropical
climate with temperatures ranging from 70°F
to 80°F.
Electricity
Electricity is normally 120 volts AC. American
appliances are fully compatible.
Water
The quality of water varies from island
to island. The water is drinkable; however,
bottled water is available in the hotels,
restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets.
Tipping
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
the gratuity in their bills, so look at
your bill before you leave a tip.
Shopping
11 categories of items are duty-free - Perfumes
and Fragrances, Crystal, Leather Goods,
Jewelry, Fine Linens and Tablecloths, Watches
and Clocks, Photographic Equipment, China,
Binoculars, and Telescopes are all duty
free. Savings on these items are between
25% - 50% below US prices.
Stores in downtown Nassau generally open
for business between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00
p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. In Grand Bahama,
the principal shopping areas are the Lucaya
Marketplace and the International Bazaar
which are open for business at 10:00 a.m.
- 6:00 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. With the
exception of the straw markets and malls,
only a few stores in the downtown area of
Nassau/Paradise Island and the International
Bazaar and Lucaya Marketplace in Grand Bahama
will be found open on Sundays. The straw
markets and malls are usually open for business
on Sundays. On the out islands shops and
store hours may vary, check with your hotel
or host for more information.
Time Zone
Eastern Standard Time is used within The
Islands of The Bahama. April to October
is Eastern Daylight Time, in conjunction
with US summer hours.
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.
Pets
An import permit is required from the Ministry
of Agriculture, Trade and Industry (Nassau)
for all animals being brought into the Commonwealth
of The Bahamas. The permit is valid for
90 days 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.
Official Tourism Office
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
P.O. Box N-3701
Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: 242-302-2000
Fax: 242-302-2098
E-mail: tourism@bahamas.com
Toll Free: 1-800-Bahamas
France
Bahamas
Ministry of Tourism
60
Rue Saint Lazare
75009 Paris
Telephone: +33 1 45-26-62-62
Fax: +33 1 48-74-06-05
Germany
Bahamas
Ministry of Tourism
Leipziger
Strasse 67d
60487 Frankfurt/Main
Telephone: +49 69 970-834-0
Fax: +49 69 970-834-34
Email: btofrank@bahamas.com
UK
Bahamas
Ministry of Tourism
3,
The Billings
Walnut Tree Close
Guilford, Surrey GUI 4UL
Telephone: +44 148 344 8900
Fax: +44 1483-571846
USA
Nassau/Paradise
Island Promotion Board
1200
South Pine Island Road, Ste 700
Plantation, FL 33324
Telephone: +1 954 888 5900
Fax: +1 954 236 0733
Email: cdavis@npipb.com
Bahamas
Ministry of Tourism
150
East 52nd Street, 28th Floor North
New York, NY 10022
Telephone: +1 212 758-2777
Fax: +1 212 753-6531
Bahamas
Ministry of Tourism
3102
Oak Lawn Avenue
Suite #700
Dallas, TX 75219
Telephone: +1 214-560-2280
Fax: +1 214-560-228
|
