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ATMs
Not all ATMs in the Caribbean operate like those in your home country. Some may only accept a four digit PIN number, so if yours is longer you may want to change it before your trip. Ensure you keep your travel money in your primary chequing account as some ATMs default to this account and will not allow you to choose another. Withdrawal fees are generally much higher outside your home country.
The main banks are FirstCaribbean International Bank, RBC Royal Bank and Scotiabank.
FirstCaribbean ATMs accept Discover, MasterCard, Visa and any bank card on the Cirrus or Plus networks and dispense Bahamian dollars. An ATM is located at their branch in Governor's Harbour (tel 242/322-2300) on Eleuthera.
RBC ATMs accept MasterCard, Visa and any bank card on the Cirrus, Maestro and Plus networks and dispense Bahamian dollars. ATMs are located at their branches in Eleuthera (Harbour Island, tel 242/333-2250; Governor's Harbour, tel 242/332-2856; and Spanish Wells, tel 242/333-4131) and Exuma (George Town, tel 242/336-3251). Additionally they have branches on Andros (Andros Town, tel 242/368-2071), Bimini (King's Hwy, tel 242/347-3031) and Long Island (Cartwright's, tel 242/337-0001 and Grey's, tel 242/337-1044).
Scotiabank ATMs accept MasterCard, Visa and any bank card on the Cirrus or Plus networks and dispense Bahamian dollars. ATMs are located at their branches on Andros (Nicholls Town, tel 242/329-2700), Eleuthera (Rock Sound, tel 242/334-2620; and Lower Bogue, tel 242/335-1400), Exuma (George Town, tel 242/336-2652 and Farmer's Hill, tel 242/358-4800) and Long Island (Deadman's Cay, tel 242/337-1029 and Stella Maris, tel 242/338-2000). On Exuma, they also have an ATM at The Four Seasons Hotel in Emerald Bay.
BANKING HOURS
Banks are generally open Mon-Thurs 9:30am-3pm and Fri 9:30am-4:30pm.
CHURCHES/RELIGIONS
Mostly Protestant, including Anglican, Baptist, Episcopalian, Evangelical, Jehovah's Witness, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Seventh-day Adventist. Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Islam, Judaism, Mormon and non-denominational are also represented.
CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS
The local currency is the Bahamian dollar (B$ or BSD), which is divided into 100 cents. Paper money runs in denominations of $1, $3 (rare), $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills, and coins in 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 15¢ (rare) and 25¢ pieces. Although US dollars are accepted everywhere, you'll receive your change in Bahamian dollars. Most shops, hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards. The Bahamian dollar is on par with the US dollar; however, expect to pay a small commission when exchanging traveller's cheques for local currency and when converting local currency into US dollars.
To ensure hassle-free purchases during your trip, you may want to contact your credit card company and let them know you will be travelling abroad.
American Express: lost or stolen card, 800/327-1267; lost or stolen cheques or cheque cards, 800/452-0713
Discover Card: 801/902-3100
MasterCard: 800/307-7309
Visa: 800/847-2911
Western Union: 242/394-1429 (Nassau), 242/352-6676 (Freeport)
DEPARTURE TAX
Air: A $15 departure tax must be paid by every traveller six years and older upon departure. It is included in the cost of your ticket. Additionally, effective July 1, 2007, all passengers must pay a security fee of $5 ($7.50 at Lynden Pindling International Airport on New Providence).
Sea: Passengers travelling by ship pay a built-in $15 departure tax. One-day excursion passengers pay a built-in $13 departure tax. Children under six years are exempt. The departure tax, included in your ticket, is paid by the shipping line with which you are travelling.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
All visitors require a passport valid for six months past the date of their departure from The Bahamas. Citizens of Canada may also present, instead of a passport, an official birth certificate or an original naturalization/citizenship certificate, as well as official photo identification, such as a driver's license. All visitors must also have an onward or return ticket and proof of funds to support the duration of their stay.
Nationals of countries other than Canada, the UK and US may require a visa. For more information contact your nearest Bahamas consulate/embassy or the Bahamas Immigration Department at 242/322-7530.
When you travel to The Bahamas you are given an immigration card to fill in. The immigration officer at the point of entry pulls the card and leaves you with the stub. Be sure to return this portion to the ticket agent upon departure.
Note:
As of January 23, 2007, all persons travelling by air, and as of January 1, 2008, all person travelling by land or sea (including ferries) to the Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico and Bermuda will require a valid passport or other documents as determined by the US Department of Homeland Security to enter and/or re-enter the United States in accordance with the US Government's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. For more information visit the US Government's Bureau of Consular Affairs website at www.travel.state.gov.
Some countries require single/lone parents or other adults travelling alone with children to provide documents showing evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights, and/or documents authorizing consent from the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court for the children to travel. Parents of adopted children, particularly those of a different nationality, should carry the proper documents.
NEAREST FOREIGN REPRESENTATION
British representation: 327-5309 or 357-9005 (emergency consular assistance only), 876/510-0700 (High Commission in Jamaica)
Consulate of Canada: 242/393-2123 or 393-2124 (Nassau), 876/926-1500 (High Commission in Jamaica), 800/387-3124 (toll free to Ottawa)
US Embassy: 242/322-1181 (Nassau) or 242/328-2206 (after hours)
EXCHANGE RATES| As of June 8, 2007 | US$ | B$/BSD | | British pound sterling | 1.98813 | 2.02354 | | Canadian dollar | 0.94443 | 0.96125 | | European Union euro | 1.34826 | 1.37228 | | Japanese yen | 0.008252 | 0.008399 | | Swiss franc | 0.81957 | 0.83417 | | US dollar | -- | 1.01781 |
HEALTH STANDARDS
There are no hospitals in the Out Islands; however, there are numerous health clinics. They are located on Acklins Island (Sprint Point, tel 242/336-2536), Andros (Cargill, tel 242/369-5067; Fresh Creek, tel 242/368-2038; Kemp's Bay, tel 242/369-4849; Mangrove Cay, tel 242/369-0089; Mastic Point, tel 242/329-3055; Nicholl's Town, tel 242/329-2055; and Stanyard Creek, tel 242/368-5238), Bimini (Alice Town, tel 242/347-2210 or 347-2111), Berry Islands (Bullock's Harbour, tel 242/367-8400), Cat Island (Bain Town, tel 242/342-5057; New Bight, tel 242/342-3121; The Bight, tel 242/342-4049; Orange Creek, tel 242/354-2650; and Smith's Bay, tel 242/342-3026), Crooked Island (Colonel Hill), Eleuthera (Bluff, tel 242/335-1122; Governor's Harbour, tel 242/332-2774; Gregory Town, tel 242/335-5108; Hatchet Bay, tel 242/335-0091; Harbour Island, tel 242/333-2227; Lower Bogue, tel 242/335-1089; Palmetto Point, tel 242/335-1520; Rock Sound, tel 242/334-2115; Savannah Sound, tel 242/332-6027; Spanish Wells, tel 242/333-4064; Tarpum Bay, tel 242/334-4102; and Wemyss Bight, tel 242/334-0074), Exuma (Black Point, tel 242/355-3007; Farmer's Cay, tel 242/355-4015; George Town, tel 242/336-2088; Forbes, tel 242/345-4245; and Steventon, tel 242/358-0053), Inagua (Matthew Town, tel 242/339-1249 or 339-1452), Long Island (Clarence Town, tel 242/337-3333; Deadman's Cay, tel 242/337-1222; Roses, tel 242/337-4001; Simm's, tel 242/338-8488; and Stella Maris, tel 242/338-2026) and San Salvador (Cockburn Town, tel 242/331-2105; Bonefish, tel 242/331-2108; and Sugarloaf, tel 242/331-2033).
Hospitals are located on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. On New Providence they include Princess Margaret Hospital (tel 242/322-2861), located on Shirley St, and the privately operated Doctors Hospital (tel 242/322-8411), on the corner of Shirley St and Collins Ave, both in Nassau. A hyperbaric chamber is located at the small Lyford Cay Hospital/Bahamas Heart Institute (tel 242/362-4400) on the western end of the island. On Grand Bahama hospitals include the Rand Memorial Hospital (tel 242/352-6735) located on East Atlantic Dr, the privately operated New Sunrise Medical Centre - Hospital Complex (tel 242/373-3333) on East Sunrise Hwy and the Lucayan Medical Centre East (tel 242/373-7400) also on East Sunrise Hwy.
Doctors and medical facilities often require immediate payment for services. Serious cases may be transferred to Florida in the US. Your home medical program may not provide payment for medical services outside your home country. Obtaining adequate medical/travel insurance, including air ambulance coverage, and consulting a physician or travel medicine specialist six to eight weeks prior to your trip to determine health risks and necessary vaccinations is recommended.
There are numerous pharmacies on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands.
For all emergencies dial 919. For fire and police you can also dial 911.
ILLEGAL ITEMS
Strict laws and penalties apply for possession of dangerous drugs and firearms. Any drugs considered dangerous, including marijuana, bring stiff fines and even jail terms if found in the possession of unauthorized persons. Licences for firearms for sporting purposes are available. Handgun licences are issued only in special circumstances.
For more information call the Bahamas Customs Department at 242/326-4401.
LANGUAGE
English
POSTAL SERVICES
Post offices are located throughout the Out Islands. They include Acklins Island (Mason Bay, tel 242/344-3169), Andros (Fresh Creek, tel 242/368-2012; Kemp's Bay, tel 242/369-4953; Mangrove Cay, tel 242/369-0494; and Nicholl's Town, tel 242/329-2034), Berry Islands (Bullock's Harbour, tel 242/367-8291), Bimini (tel 242/347-3546; Cat Cay, tel 242/347-2232), Cat Island (Arthur's Town, tel 242/354-2043 and The Bight, tel 242/342-3198), Crooked Island (Colonel Hill, tel 242/344-2197), Eleuthera (Governor's Harbour, tel 242/332-2060; Gregory Town, tel 242/335-5180; Harbour Island, tel 242/333-2215; Hatchet Bay, tel 242/335-0197; Rock Sound, tel 242/334-2066; Spanish Wells, tel 242/333-4054; and Tarpum Bay, tel 242/334-4015), Exuma (George Town, tel 242/336-2636 and Black Point, tel 242/355-3043), Inagua (tel 242/339-1248), Long Island (Clarence Town, tel 242/337-3030; Deadman's Cay, tel 242/337-1064; Simm's, tel 242/338-8423; and Stella Maris, tel 242/338-2010), Mayaguana (tel 242/339-3100), Ragged Island (tel 242/344-1517) and San Salvador (tel 242/331-2232).
Airmail to North America can take one to two weeks and to the UK, two to three weeks. Courier service is also available.
Postcards: Airmail to the US (including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands), Canada, the UK, Europe, Bermuda, the West Indies, Central and South America, Africa and Australia - 65¢
Letters: First-class airmail rates (per 1/2 oz):
- 75¢ to Canada, the US (including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands) and the West Indies
- 80¢ to Bermuda, Central and South America, the UK, Europe, the Falkland Islands and the islands of the Mediterranean
- 90¢ to Africa (all countries), Asia, Australia, the islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans and New Zealand
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Jan 1 New Year's Day
Mar/Apr (varies) Good Friday
Mar/Apr (varies) Easter Monday
May/June (seven weeks after Easter) Whit Monday
June (first Fri) Labour Day
Jul 10 Independence Day
Aug (first Mon) Emancipation Day
Oct 21 Discovery Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 26 Boxing Day
Note: When a designated holiday falls on a Sat or Sun the public holiday is observed on the previous Fri or the following Mon.
SHOPPING HOURS
Store hours vary and some may close for lunch. If you plan to shop outside the hours of 10am-4pm or on Sun it's a good idea to call ahead for store hours. Supermarkets, wholesale clubs and building supply stores must close by 12 noon on Sun.
TAXES
Hotels charge a 6-12% tax on your room rate, which is added to your bill on check-out. There is a $7 Bahamas government ticket tax and a $5-$25 travel agency service fee on the price of each airline or cruise ship ticket bought in The Bahamas. The ticket tax is included in the price of your ticket. There is no sales tax in The Bahamas.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The phone system in The Bahamas is modern and Internet and cellular services are available.
The country code is 242. Local phone numbers have seven digits. For local directory assistance dial 916 and for the international operator dial 0.
BTC or BaTelCo (Bahamas Telecommunications Company) is the national telecommunications provider. Public coin phones only accept US25¢ coins. Many public phones also accept prepaid BaTelCo Phone Cards, which you insert into the slot. BaTelCo also sells Bahamas Direct Prepaid Cards, which can be used with any Touch-Tone, cellular or public phone in The Bahamas, Canada, Switzerland, the UK and the US. Both cards are available at BaTelCo offices (Acklins, 242/344-3139; Andros, tel 242/368-2521; Berry Islands, 242/367-8199; Bimini, tel 242/347-3311; Cat Island, tel 242/354-2060; Crooked Island, tel 242/344-2590; Eleuthera, tel 242/332-2712; Exuma, tel 242/336-2011; Inagua, tel 242/339-1000; Long Cay, tel 242/349-3021; Long Island, tel 242/337-3000; Mayaguana, tel 242/339-3635; Ragged Island, tel 242/344-1597; Rum Cay, tel 242/331-2871; and San Salvador, tel 242/331-2571) and vendors throughout The Bahamas.
For more information see the section in FAQs: Can I use my calling card from here?
BaTelCo offers cellular services. Check with your service provider to see if they have a roaming agreement with them.
TEMPERATURES
Temperatures vary between the low 70s to low 80s with a monthly mean of 77°F. The rainy season runs May-Oct.
Dial 915 for the weather forecast.
TIME ZONE
The Bahamas are on Eastern Standard Time, which is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Daylight savings time commences at 2am on the second Sunday in March and continues until 2am on the first Sunday in November.
Dial 917 for the time.
| Disclaimer: Information is provided as a service to visitors and is updated regularly. All
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