Bahamas: Overview
The paradisiac Commonwealth of the Bahamas, an archipelago with more than 600 islands, is sun worshipers and diver’s Mecca. The islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean, east of the USA, west of Caicos and the Turk Islands and north of Cuba.
Climate
Bahaman climate varies between tropical and subtropical and temperature is mild throughout the whole year. The northern and western islands are cooler, while the ones in the south can be very hot in summer. As every Caribbean island, this archipelago suffers a hurricane season from end of summer until autumn. Between May and November the rainy season takes place; there is also a small risk of hurricanes during this time. The peak season goes from December to April.
Important Information
To visit Bahamas you must have a valid passport and a visa. However, there are some tourists who can stay in the country without a visa. Nationals from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela can stay for 14 days; nationals from the EU, Chile, Denmark, Israel, Japan, Korea, Namibia, Mexico, South Africa and Sweden are allowed to a 3 month stay; and the ones from Belgium, the USA, Greece, Italy, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Norway, Low Countries, San Marine, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom can remain in Bahamas for 8 months without a visa.
The official currency is the Bahaman dollar (BSD), which is equivalent to the American dollar and accepted in every island of the archipelago. Currency changes can be made in banks, official changing offices and many hotels. Traveller’s cheques can also be converted in banks although it is good to know that the ones in American dollars have the most convenient rates. In the main tourist centres are plenty cash dispensers and credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Many hotels and restaurants include in the bill a 15% for services and tips; if this percentage is not included in the bill, a 10-15% tip is expected for almost every service, included taxis. Hotel stuff expects US$ 1 per bag.
They are also some vaccination requirements and recommendations concerning health to visit the islands. Anyone travelling from yellow fever or hepatitis A infected areas must produce vaccination certificates from the age of one year old. There is a considerable malaria risk, so you should take some cautions against it. Water and food are safe, although you must know that some tropical fish are poisonous, even when cooked. Medical care and facilities in Nassau and Freeport are very good, although quite expensive; it his highly recommended not to travel without medical insurance. Hospitals are suffering from shortage in their blood banks’ reservations, so it is recommended to those who have rare blood types to know the name and location of possible donors in the event of an emergency. Lyford Cay Hospital has a hyperbaric chamber for treating the decompression illness.
Although there are no big security problems in Bahamas, you should take the basic cautions to avoid inconveniences, especially in Nassau and Freeport. It is recommended not to take large amounts of money, to wear jewellery or to wander away from the main tourist areas, especially at night. Several incidents related with renting water-sport equipment have been reported. Only those people with jet ski experience should consider renting it in New Providence and Paradise Island. Also, it is important to rent equipment only from known operators and to make sure of having received proper training before going into the sea.
Where to go
The most important places in the archipelago are New Providence which offers a wide range of activities and landscapes to its visitors, the neighbouring Paradise Island, Nasseau, the capital of the nation, North Bimini and South Birmini, paradises for the fishermen in search of the perfect prey. Eleuthera, east of Andros full of places to explore, is a popular escape. Besides this, there are hundred of places all over the islands where sun lovers, fishermen, water sports fans and sailors can enjoy a great time.
