Bahamas Travel Guide

Language

English is the official language in the Bahamas.

Currency

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, bureau de change and many hotels. There are ATMs in the main tourist centers and credit and debit cards are widely accepted in all the big resorts. Travelers checks 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).

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Time

Local time in the Bahamas is GMT -5 (GMT -4 from first Sunday in April till last Sunday in October).

Electricity

Electrical current in the Bahamas is 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade plugs and flat blade plugs with round grounding, are also standard.

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

Travelers to the Bahamas over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars or 454g of tobacco; 1 liter spirits and 1 liter 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.

Tourist Office

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Nassau: +1 242 302 2000 or www.bahamas.com

Embassies in Bahamas

• United States Embassy, Nassau: +1 242 322 1181.
• British High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 876 510 0700.
• Canadian High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 876 926 1500.
• Australian High Commission, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 868 822 5450.
• South African High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 876 620 4840.

Bahamas Embassies Abroad

• Bahamian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 319 2660.
• High Commission for The Bahamas, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7408 4488.
• High Commission for The Bahamas, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 1724.

Emergency

Emergencies: 911; Travelers In Distress: 326 4357.

Language

English is the official language in the Bahamas.

Currency

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, bureau de change and many hotels. There are ATMs in the main tourist centers and credit and debit cards are widely accepted in all the big resorts. Travelers checks 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).

1.0030

Time

Local time in the Bahamas is GMT -5 (GMT -4 from first Sunday in April till last Sunday in October).

Electricity

Electrical current in the Bahamas is 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade plugs and flat blade plugs with round grounding, are also standard.

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

Travelers to the Bahamas over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars or 454g of tobacco; 1 liter spirits and 1 liter 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.

Tourist Office

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Nassau: +1 242 302 2000 or www.bahamas.com

Embassies in Bahamas

• United States Embassy, Nassau: +1 242 322 1181.
• British High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 876 510 0700.
• Canadian High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 876 926 1500.
• Australian High Commission, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 868 822 5450.
• South African High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 876 620 4840.

Bahamas Embassies Abroad

• Bahamian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 319 2660.
• High Commission for The Bahamas, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7408 4488.
• High Commission for The Bahamas, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 1724.

Emergency

Emergencies: 911; Travelers In Distress: 326 4357.

Language

English is the official language in the Bahamas.

Currency

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, bureau de change and many hotels. There are ATMs in the main tourist centers and credit and debit cards are widely accepted in all the big resorts. Travelers checks 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).

1.0030

Time

Local time in the Bahamas is GMT -5 (GMT -4 from first Sunday in April till last Sunday in October).

Electricity

Electrical current in the Bahamas is 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade plugs and flat blade plugs with round grounding, are also standard.

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

Travelers to the Bahamas over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars or 454g of tobacco; 1 liter spirits and 1 liter 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.

Tourist Office

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Nassau: +1 242 302 2000 or www.bahamas.com

Embassies in Bahamas

• United States Embassy, Nassau: +1 242 322 1181.
• British High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 876 510 0700.
• Canadian High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 876 926 1500.
• Australian High Commission, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 868 822 5450.
• South African High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 876 620 4840.

Bahamas Embassies Abroad

• Bahamian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 319 2660.
• High Commission for The Bahamas, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7408 4488.
• High Commission for The Bahamas, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 1724.

Emergency

Emergencies: 911; Travelers In Distress: 326 4357.

Language

English is the official language in the Bahamas.

Currency

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, bureau de change and many hotels. There are ATMs in the main tourist centers and credit and debit cards are widely accepted in all the big resorts. Travelers checks 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).

1.0030

Time

Local time in the Bahamas is GMT -5 (GMT -4 from first Sunday in April till last Sunday in October).

Electricity

Electrical current in the Bahamas is 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade plugs and flat blade plugs with round grounding, are also standard.

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

Travelers to the Bahamas over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars or 454g of tobacco; 1 liter spirits and 1 liter 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.

Tourist Office

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Nassau: +1 242 302 2000 or www.bahamas.com

Embassies in Bahamas

• United States Embassy, Nassau: +1 242 322 1181.
• British High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 876 510 0700.
• Canadian High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 876 926 1500.
• Australian High Commission, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 868 822 5450.
• South African High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for The Bahamas): +1 876 620 4840.

Bahamas Embassies Abroad

• Bahamian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 319 2660.
• High Commission for The Bahamas, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7408 4488.
• High Commission for The Bahamas, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 1724.

Emergency

Emergencies: 911; Travelers In Distress: 326 4357.