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CUSTOMS
Visitors may bring in certain items free of customs and stamp duty. They include apparel, toiletries and similar personal effects; one qt of alcoholic beverage; one qt of wine; one lb in weight of tobacco or 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars (adults only); and any other articles up to the value of $100.
For more information call Customs House at 242/326-4401.
Also see the section in General Info: Illegal items.
IMPORTING ANIMALS
To temporarily import a pet dog, cat or bird you must obtain permission from the Ministry of Agriculture in advance of your arrival. Upon arrival the animal must be at least six months old and you must provide a certificate of vaccination, dated within the past 24 hours, from a veterinarian in the country of export.
For detailed information contact The Bahamas Department of Agriculture at 242/325-7502.
GETTING THERE
BY AIR
Flights arrive at Lynden Pindling International Airport, formerly the Nassau International Airport (airport code NAS; tel 377-7281), which is eight miles west of Nassau. Flying time from Miami is about 40 minutes and from Toronto, about three hours.
Airlines that service the island include Abaco Air (tel 367-2205), Air Canada (tel 888/247-2262 or 377-8220), Air Jamaica (tel 800/523-5585), American Airlines/American Eagle (tel 800/433-7300), Bahamasair (tel 377-5505 or 377-8451), British Airways (tel 800/247-9297 or 377-2338), Chalk's Ocean Airways (tel 363-3114), Continental Airlines/Continental Connection (tel 800/231-0856 or 394-6019), Cubana (tel 377 8752), Delta Airlines/Comair (tel 800/221-1212 or 377-7774), Jet Blue (tel 377-1174), Spirit Airlines (tel 800/772-7117 or 377-0150), United Airlines (tel 800/864-8331), US Airways (tel 800/622-1015) and Virgin Atlantic (tel 800/744-7477 or 377-1220).
Note: The phone numbers listed above are local access numbers unless otherwise stated.
BY CRUISE
The cruise ship terminal is located in Nassau at Prince George Wharf.
Cruise lines that call on The Bahamas include Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Dolphin Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America, Majesty Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Premier Cruises, Premier Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas Cruise Line, Regal Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourne and Silversea Cruises.
BY PRIVATE YACHT
Visitors arriving by private boat must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated port of entry. For Nassau and the rest of New Providence Island, the ports of entry are Arawak Cay, Bayshore Marina, Brown's Boat Basin, Clifton Pier, Coral Harbour Marina, East Bay Yacht Basin, John Alfred Dock, Kelly's Dock, Lyford Cay Marina, Nassau Harbour Dock West and Union Dock, as well as Hurricane Hole Marina on Paradise Island.
Prior to your arrival you should contact the Harbour Control/Marina Office on VHF channel 16. Fly the yellow quarantine flag and Customs and Immigration will come to your vessel. Only the captain can leave the boat until you've been cleared. Everyone on board must fill out an immigration card and provide proof of citizenship.
The entry fee for vessels up to 35 ft is $150 and for those more than 35 ft, $300. The fee covers four people and is valid for two entries during a 90-day period. For each additional person an additional $15 must be paid.
GETTING AROUND
If you're walking where there is no sidewalk, face oncoming traffic.
BY CAR
There are plenty of car rental agencies on the islands. Most rental cars have the steering wheel on the left, which is the North American standard, although driving is on the left, which is the British standard. To rent a car you can use your valid driver's license from home or an international driver's license.
Road conditions in Nassau are generally adequate. Roads are poorly lit outside main areas. Flooding frequently occurs after heavy rain showers. Watch for unmarked construction zones and oncoming vehicles driving down the centre of the road.
Driving is on the left. Seat belt use is mandatory. The speed limit through the city, Cable Beach and congested areas is 25 mph unless otherwise indicated. In school zones the limit is 15 mph (7:30-9am and 2:45-3:30pm). Everywhere else the speed limit is 30 mph, except for west of the Ministry of Works building on John F Kennedy Dr (towards the airport) and Harrold Rd, where it is 45 mph.
If you decide to see the island by motor scooter, drive defensively and be sure to get a helmet from the rental agency. It is for your protection and is required by law.
CAR RENTALS (country code 242)
Airport: Avis Rent A Car, 377-7121; Budget Rent a Car, 377-7405; Dollar Rent a Car, 377-8300 ; Thrifty Car Rental, 377-0355
Elsewhere on New Providence: Adrana's Car Rental (Shirley St), 393-3056; A J Rent A Car (Soldier Rd & East St), 323-1800; Avis Rent A Car (Cable Beach), 322-2889; BPB Auto Sales & Rentals (Robinson Rd), 393-0015; Cadillac Escalade Rentals, 323-7886; Cakes by Adam/Auto Rentals (Golden Gates), 361-3250; Cartwright's Rent A Car (Jerome & Campbell Ave), 393-2269; Centreville Car Rental (East Ave), 326-8270; Dollar Rent a Car (British Colonial Hilton), 325-3716; G G S Car Rentals (Rosetta St), 322-2756; Hertz Rent A Car (Coral Harbour Rd), 377-8684; Ideal Auto & Car Rental (Mackey St), 393-1514; Ideal Rent-A-Car (Jerome Ave), 393-3707; Island Rental's Import Services (Montrose Ave), 326-1298; Millennium Rent-A-Car (Gleniston Gardens), 324-5107; O&B's Car Rentals (Thompson Blvd), 323-3222; Poincianna Car Rental (Bernard Rd), 393-1720; R&E Car Rental (Gladstone Rd), 361-6284; Red Kap Rentals (Coral Harbour Rd), 377-8684; Sanco Car Rentals (Montrose Ave & Rosetta St), 326-8271; Teglo Car Rental Agency (Lyford Cay), 362-4361; Tropical Auto Sales (Mackey & Shirley sts), 393-1994; Virgo Car Rentals (East West Hwy), 394-2122
Paradise Island: Avis Rent A Car, 363-2061; Budget Rent a Car, 363-3095
SCOOTER RENTALS (country code 242)
Festival Place, Prince George Wharf: Fathia Investments Ltd, 356-5739; J&S Scooter Rentals, 363-2561 or 454-7213; Knowles Scooter Rental, 356-0741 or 322-3415
Elsewhere on New Providence: BowCar Investment Ltd, 394-2122; Two A's Scooter Rental (Holiday Inn, West Bay St), 324-8108; Virgo Scooter Rental (Kemp Rd), 394-2122
BY TAXI
Look for the Bahamahost decal in the vehicle's window for knowledgeable and courteous drivers who have completed the Ministry of Tourism's Bahamahost program.
All taxis are required to have working meters. Taxi fares are set by the government, although they may vary by island. On New Providence the first 1/4 mile costs $3 and each additional 1/4 mile, 40¢. For each additional passenger over two it costs an additional $3. There is no charge for accompanied children under five years. Having a taxi wait (except when hired by the hour) costs 30¢ per minute. There is no charge for up to two pieces of hand baggage, plus small bags and packages carried by each passenger. For each additional piece of regular-sized luggage there is a charge of 75¢; for large duffel bags and boxes, $1.
Zone rates can be applied to most standard routes. They apply to one or two passengers. For each additional passenger add $3. Rates are as follows between Lynden Pindling International Airport and Cable Beach, $15; downtown, $22; Paradise Island, $27; South Ocean, $17; and Montagu foreshore, $29. Rates are as follows between Cable Beach and downtown, $12; Paradise Island, $17; and South Ocean, $23. Between Paradise Island and downtown, the rate is $8 (a $1 bridge toll is added for routes to Paradise Island).
Tour cars may be hired for sightseeing at $45 per hr, (five or fewer persons). For each additional 1/2 hr or part thereof, $22.50; large cars, $60 per hr (up to twelve persons), $30 for each additional 1/2 hr.
TAXI SERVICE
- Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (Nassau St), 323-5818
- Jet Set-Taxi-Transfers & Tours, 323-4323
- The Jolly Green Giant Taxi Service, 394-8294
- Lifestyle Limousine (Seabreeze Estate), 364-0264
- Malcolm "Twadez" Mackey Taxi (Bola Alley), 323-4555
- Meter Cabs (Oakes Field), 323-5111
- Jeffery Murphy Taxi, 364-3932
- Radio Meter Taxi (Davis St), 323-5111
- Sterling Silver Missick, 362-0208
- Harry Strachan Taxi, 323-4555
- Taxi Transfers & Tours (St Alban's Close), 323-4323
- Irvin Taylor Taxi, 323-4555
- Uncle Willie Taxi & Tour Service, 362-2553
- P Whitney Taxi & Tour Consultant, 324-8991
BY BUS
Minibuses, called jitneys, operate between the Cable Beach strip, downtown and Paradise Island. Service generally operates between the early morning and 6/7pm. Flag them down along the side of the road. The fare varies depending on your destination. You must have exact change.
BY FERRY
Bahamas Ferries (tel 323-2166 or 394-9700) offers regularly scheduled service to Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera and Exuma. The ferries leave from the main terminal at the western end of Potter's Cay (turn left under the bridge for Paradise Island) in Nassau.
Between Nassau and Eleuthera (Governor's Harbour, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells) the fare for adults is $65 one way and $110 return, and for children 2-12 years, $45 one way and $70 return.
Between Nassau and Abaco (Sandy Point) or Exuma (George Town) the fare for adults is $55 one way and $95 return, and for children 2-12 years, $35 one way and $60 return. Vehicles, motor bikes and bicycles cost extra.
Between Nassau and Andros (Current, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour and Morgan's Bluff) the fare for adults is $40 one way and $75 return, and for children 2-12 years, $25 one way and $40 return. Vehicles, motor bikes and bicycles cost extra.
Schedules and rates are subject to change.
BY AIR
Numerous airlines provide air service to and/or between the Islands of The Bahamas.
Islands with airports include Acklins Island (Delectable Bay), Andros (tel 369-2640, Congo Town; 368-2030, Fresh Creek; 329-2140, San Andros), Bimini (tel 347-3100), Berry Islands (tel 325-5788, Chub Cay; Great Harbour Cay), Cat Island (tel 342-2016, New Bight; 354-6001, Bennet's Harbour), Crooked Island (Colonel Hill), Eleuthera (tel 332-2250, Governor's Harbour; 334-2183, Rock Sound; 333-4760, Spanish Wells), Great Exuma (Moss Town), Great Inagua (Matthew Town), Long Island (Deadman's Cay and Stella Maris), Mayaguana (Abraham's Bay), Ragged Island (Duncan Town) and San Salvador (Cockburn Town).
Airlines that service the Out Islands from Nassau include Airstream (tel 242/356-6666), Bahamasair (tel 242/377-5505), Caribbean Aviation (tel 242/328-6539 or 377-3317), Diving Safaris Ltd (tel 242/393-1179), Four Way Charter (tel 242/377-5751), Island Helicopters (tel 242/363-4016), Leair Charter (tel 242/377-2356), Sky Unlimited (tel 242/377-3276 or 377-8993), Southern Air Charter (tel 242/377-2014 or 377-8993), Take Flight Air Charters (tel 242/362-1877 or 362-2561) and The Travel Club (tel 242/362-1606).
Airlines that service the Out Islands from various Out Islands include Bahamasair (tel 242/300-8359, toll free from the Out Islands), Stella Maris Resort Air Service (tel 242/338-2050, Long Island), Twin Air (tel Abaco - 242/365-8660, Treasure Cay and 242/362-0140, Marsh Harbour; Eleuthera - 242/333-4041, Spanish Wells; 242/333-2444, Harbour Island; 242/332-3340, Governor's Harbour; and 242/334-2795, Rock Sound) and Western Air (tel 242/329-4000, Andros).
| Disclaimer: Information is provided as a service to visitors and is updated regularly. All
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