The Bahamas - Traveller information

Local laws and conventions: The Christian Church has a strong influence on local life and islanders place much emphasis on traditional values. Visitors should dress modestly in towns; beachwear must never be worn outside beach areas.

Visitors must always seek permission before taking photographs of locals or their property.

Penalties for possession or trafficking of drugs are severe and can lead to a heavy prison sentence.

Handshaking is the usual form of greeting for both men and women.

The exchange of business cards is customary when conducting business. Conference facilities are good, with some venues seating up to 2,000 people. Office hours are Mon–Fri 0900–1700.

Immigration and customs: Some nationals will require a visa to enter the country and current visa requirements must be checked well before travel. Passports must be valid for six months from the intended length of stay. It is recommended that visitors carry a copy of their passport and travel documents, and keep the originals in a safe place.

Lone parents coming into the country will need documentary evidence to show parental responsibility for accompanying children.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required by all those arriving from infected countries.

Firearms and fireworks, plants, flowers and fruit are all prohibited imports.

Travel within the country: Traffic drives on the left and car hire is available on the larger islands to drivers aged 25 or over. A national driving licence can be used for the first three months of stay. The wearing of seat belts is mandatory.

Air-conditioned ferries run daily from Nassau to North Eleuthera and Harbour Island, and there is a twice-weekly service to Governor’s Harbour in South Eleuthera. The mail boats that deliver mail and provisions between the islands will also carry passengers, who share facilities with the crew.

Domestic flights are available and are operated by Bahamasair; a number of charter services also run inter-island flights.

Minibuses (Jitneys) operate in Freeport and Nassau, and are an inexpensive way of travelling around. Paradise Island is served by a bus service which stops at every hotel. Taxis are the main form of transport on the smaller islands, where there is no public transport. Most taxis are metered and rates are government-controlled.

Travel health: Medical facilities are good but expensive. Emergency health care is limited, however, and visitors should have comprehensive health insurance that includes air evacuation.

Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B vaccinations are sometimes recommended, and visitors should check the most up-to-date inoculation requirements well before travel.

Although there have been no reported cases in The Bahamas, dengue fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean, and visitors may wish to take insect repellent to protect against mosquito bites.

Tap water is safe to drink; bottled water is widely available. Milk is pasteurised.

Money: American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted, and there are ATMs on the major islands and at the airport. Travellers cheques should be taken in US dollars to avoid additional exchange rate charges. Banking hours are Mon–Thur 0930–1600 and Fri 0930–1700.

There were 1,608,153 tourist arrivals in 2005.