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General Information
Area: 13,939 sq km (5382 sq miles).
Population: 228,862 (1997).
Population density: 20.7 per sq km.
Capital: Nassau. Population: 172,000 (1997).
Geography: The Bahamas consist of 700 low-lying islands, mostly islets (cays or keys) and rocks. The whole archipelago
extends 970km (500 miles) southeastward from the coast of Florida, surrounded by clear, colourful waters. The soil
is thin, but on the more developed islands, cultivation has produced exotic flowers. On other islands are large
areas of pine forest, rocky and barren land, swamp and unspoilt beaches. The Bahamas are divided into two oceanic
features, the Little
Bahama Bank and the Great Bahama Bank.
Government: Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence in 1973. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented
locally by Governor-General Sir Orville Turnquest since 1995. Head of Government: Prime Minister Hubert Alexander
Ingraham since 1992.
Language: The official and national language is English.
Religion: The three main Christian denominations are Baptist, Anglican and Roman Catholic.
Time: GMT - 5.
Electricity: 120 volts AC, 60Hz.
Communications:
Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 1 242. New Providence and all islands have automatic telephone systems.
The state telephone company, BaTelCo, offers both manual- and automatic-dial mobile radio telephones which allow
callers to contact ships at sea. Phone cards can be purchased at discounted rates for international calls.
Mobile telephone: Handsets must be registered with BaTelCo (tel: 394 4000; fax: 394 3573; e-mail: info@batelnet.bs).
Visitors will need to purchase a SIM card if their provider has no agreement with BaTelCo. Handsets can be rented
locally.
Fax: This service is available to the public at the Centralised Telephone Office in East Street, Nassau or in cybercafés.
Machines can also be hired.
Internet/E-mail: There are a few cybercafés on Grand Bahama Island and Nassau Island open seven days a week.
Laptop connections are available, as are webcams and facilities for scanning and copying. The main ISP is BaTelNet
(website: www.batelnet.bs).
Telegram: 24-hour telegraph facilities are available in Nassau.
Postal: Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1730 and Sat 0830-1230.
Press: The three daily newspapers are the Tribune, the Nassau Guardian and the Freeport News. Weekly newspapers
include The Bahama Journal and The Punch. International newspapers available in the Bahamas include: The Times,
The Miami Herald, Wall Street Journal and The Daily Telegraph. |
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| The Islands |
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Abacos
The Abaco Islands are a sailing and boating universe. The major islands of this small archipelago are Great and
Little Abaco, with the off-lying cays of Elbow Cay, Man-O-War Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Guana Cay, Stranger's Cay,
Umbrella Cay and Walker's Cay completing the string.
Andros
As the largest and least-explored island in The islands Of The Bahamas, Andros offers a wide variety of activities
for just about everyone. This 2,300-square-mile island paradise is not only known as the bonefishing capital of
the world, but also boasts the second-largest reef in the Northern Hemisphere and is home to the oldest dive resort
on the planet.
Bimini
Being the closest of The Islands Of The Bahamas to the coast of Florida (you can see the glow of Miami Beach at
night) has made The Bimini Islands a popular destination for American visitors. But it's more than just location
that makes it a hot attraction. The waters surrounding The Bimini Islands are known the world over for top big-game
fishing.
Eleuthera
Miles of glistening pink and white sand beaches, serene colonial villages and rolling acres of pineapple plantations
make Eleuthera Island an island of the most casual sophistication; and Harbour Island reminds many visitors of
a minature Bermuda with its Georgian architecture and fabulous beaches of coral pink sand.
Exumas
The Exuma Islands are located in the middle of The Islands Of The Bahamas, yet remain mostly undisturbed. The Exuma
Islands are a collection of some 365 cays and islands stretching over 120 miles, supported at the southern end
by two main islands, Great Exuma and Little Exuma. The main attractions for visitors to The Exumas are its world-class
sportfishing and boating.
Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama Island is an ecological wonder waiting to be discovered. Endless beaches, emerald green water, charming
fishing villages and enchanting marine life are just some of the Island's attractions that make this a unique destination.
Nassau/Paradise Island
Come visit the jewel of The Islands Of The Bahamas -- Nassau/Paradise Island. As the cultural, social, political
and economic centre of The Bahamas, it is the most visited destination in the islands. Nassau/Paradise Island has
much to offer visitors. There are more sights and activities here than you can experience in one trip.
Out Islands
If you're looking for total escape from the crowds, something different from the everyday and a full menu of the
unexpected, you might want to become "a collector" of our extraordinary Out Islands.
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| Travel |
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Travel - International
AIR: The Bahamas' national airline is Bahamasair (UP). Other airlines with regular flights to the Bahamas include
American Airlines, Air Canada, Air Jamaica, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, British Airways, AOM French Airlines,
TWA, USAir and United Airlines. Charter airlines also fly regularly to the islands.
Approximate flight times: From Nassau to Los Angeles is 7 hours, to New York is 3 hours, to London is 8 hours 30
minutes and to Singapore is 33 hours.
International airports: Nassau International (NAS) is 16km (10 miles) west of the city. Taxi services are available.
Airport facilities include banking (Mon-Thurs 0930-1500 and Fri 0930-1700), car hire, post office, bars, restaurants
(0600-2000) and duty-free shops (0930-1900).
Freeport International (FPO) is 5km (3 miles) from the city. Taxis are available. Airport facilities include banking,
car hire, car
parking, bar/restaurant and a duty-free shop.
The new international airport at Moss Town, Exuma, has been completed.
There are scheduled turbo-prop services between several airports in Florida and Treasure Cay (TCB) and Marsh Harbour
(MHH), Abaco Island; Rock Sound (RSD) and Governor's Harbour (GHB), Eleuthera; and Georgetown (GGT) Exuma.
Departure tax: B$15 (Freeport - B$18). Children under six years of age and passengers for immediate transit are
exempt.
SEA: A large number of international passenger ships from New York and Miami call at Nassau. Nassau has direct
passenger-cargo connections with the USA, the UK, the West Indies and South America. In addition, a large number
of cruise ships call there. Facilities for cruisers in Nassau and some harbours of the Out Islands (Eleuthera,
Andros and Exuma) are being improved. Contact Bahamas Tourist Office for an up-to-date list of cruise operators
to The Bahamas, with all relevant contact numbers. |
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| Entry |
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Passport |
Visa |
Return Ticket Required |
| Australian |
Yes |
No/5 |
Yes |
| British |
1 |
No/3 |
Yes |
| Canadian |
1 |
No/5 |
Yes |
| Japanese |
Yes |
No/6 |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
No/3 |
Yes |
| USA |
2 |
No/4 |
Yes |
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PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 6 months from
date of entry into the Bahamas required by all except:
(a) 1. nationals of Canada and the UK, provided holding a birth certificate, a citizenship card or a certificate
of baptism together with a photo ID for a stay of up to 3 weeks. Passports, however, are required for re-entry
into the UK;
(b) 2. nationals of the USA, provided holding a passport not expired by more than five years, original or certified
birth certificate, naturalisation certificate together with an official photo ID.
Note: Expired passports are not considered proper ID, even if they are endorsed with unexpired visas, unless they
belong to
nationals of Canada or the USA.
VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) 3. nationals of EU countries for visits of up to 3 months (8 months for nationals of Belgium, Greece, Italy,
Luxembourg and The Netherlands);
(b) 4. nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Turkey and the USA for visits of up
to 8 months;
(c) 5. nationals of Commonwealth countries who may stay for up to 8 months (with the exception of nationals of
Namibia and South Africa for visits of less than 90 days, and nationals of Cameroon, Ghana, India, Mozambique and
Nigeria who do need a visa);
(d) 6. nationals of Chile, Israel, Japan, Korea (Rep. of) and Mexico for visits of up to 3 months;
(e) nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia (provided holding either a Green Card or multiple US entry
visas), Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, for
visits of up to 14 days;
(f) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or next connecting aircraft within 3 days provided
holding confirmed onward documentation.
Types of visa and cost: Single-entry, Multiple-entry.
Validity: Usually 3 months. Applications for extension should be made to the Director of Immigration.
Application to: Consulate (or Consular Section at Embassy or High Commission); see address section.
Application requirements: (a) Completed application. (b) Valid passport. (c) Proof of sufficient funds to cover
stay. (d) 2
passport-size photos. (e) Itinerary of trip. (f) Return ticket.
Note: Applications should be made in person.
Working days required: Dependent on nationality of applicant, a minimum of 48 hours. Applications from some nationals
may take up to 6 weeks to process.
Temporary residence: Apply to the Director of Immigration, Hawkins Hill, PO Box N-831, Nassau, New Providence (tel:
(242) 322 7531; fax: (242) 326 0977). |
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| Scuba
Diving |
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Water Temp
Water Temperatures average in the 70's F during the winter. In summer, expect upper 80'sF at it's peak. Calm seas
can be expected pretty much throughout the year, except during occasional winter storms.
Visibility
You can expect 100' most of the time but it has been known to dip down into double digits on occasion.
Diving
Diving is varied throughout the Bahamas. Reefs, wrecks, blueholes, walls and big animals. Whatever your pleasure,
you will find a destination in the Bahamas. If you prefer liveaboard diving, no problem, there are a number of
nice boats to choose from. |
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| Misc.
Info |
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CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: It is illegal to import firearms or ammunition into The Bahamas or
to possess a firearm in the country without appropriate permission. Tourists who arrive by private boat are required
to declare firearms to Bahamian Customs and leave firearms on the boat while in The Bahamas. Penalties for illegal
possession of a firearm or ammunition are strict, and can involve heavy fines, lengthy prison terms, or both.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: The water sports industry in The Bahamas is not carefully regulated,
and visitors should rent equipment only from reputable operators. Ask about the operator's insurance coverage and
insist on sufficient training before using the equipment. A number of Americans have been killed or injured by
the improper use of jet-skis and other personal watercraft.
CRIME: Visitors should exercise normal caution and good judgment when visiting The Bahamas.
Although violent crime is on the increase, most incidents take place in a part of Nassau not usually frequented
by tourists (the "over-the-hill" area south of downtown). Hotel guests should always lock their doors
and should never leave valuables unattended, especially on beaches. Visitors should store passport/identity documents,
airline tickets, credit cards, and extra cash in hotel safes, and should avoid wearing expensive jewelry, particularly
Rolex watches, which have been targeted increasingly by criminals. Visitors should not travel alone on deserted
areas of beaches and poorly lit areas at night. Use only clearly-marked taxis and make a note of the license plate
number for your records.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care is generally good in Nassau and Freeport, but is limited
in other areas. Persons with serious or life-threatening conditions normally must be airlifted to hospitals in
the United States for treatment.
There is a chronic shortage of blood at Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau, where most emergency surgery is performed.
Travelers with rare blood types should know the names and location of possible blood donors should the need arise.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with
their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and
whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover
health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare
and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel
agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including
emergency services such as medical evacuations.
When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals
require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess
of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties, whereas travelers
who have purchased overseas medical insurance have, when a medical emergency occurs, found it life-saving. When
consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare
provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage
for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter
road conditions that differ significantly from those in the U.S. The information below concerning The Bahamas is
provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Fair
Road conditions throughout Nassau and Freeport are generally adequate but drivers should be alert for construction
zones, which are not always properly marked. Road travel in other parts of The Bahamas is limited. Some rural roads
are narrow, winding, and in poor repair. All drivers, especially those on mopeds, must remember to drive on the
left side of the road. Travel by moped or bicycle is very hazardous, especially in the heavy traffic conditions
prevalent in Nassau and Freeport, and visitors should carefully consider whether such travel is worth the risk
of a serious accident. Those who choose to ride a moped or bicycle should wear a helmet and drive defensively.
Pedestrians also should be aware when stepping off curbs that vehicular traffic comes from the right. Death and
serious injuries have occurred when visitors failed to adapt to unfamiliar rules of the road.
BOATING/FISHING: Boaters should be aware that long-line fishing in Bahamian waters
is illegal. All long-line fishing gear must be stowed below deck while transiting through Bahamian waters. Fishermen
should note that stiff penalties are imposed for catching crawfish (lobster) or other marine life out of season
or in protected areas. |
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