Grand Bahama, The Bahamas | Travel Information
General Info, Travel Info, & FAQs are provided to assist with your vacation.
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 Grand Bahama International Airport (airport code FPO; tel 352-6020) in Freeport.
Airlines that service Grand Bahama include Abaco Air charters (tel 242/367-2205), Air Canada (tel 888/247-2262), Air Tran Airways (tel 800/AIR-TRAN), American Airlines/American Eagle (tel 800/433-7300), Bahamasair (tel 352-8341), Continental Airlines/Continental Connection (tel 800/231-0856), Delta Airlines (tel 800/221-1212), US Airways, Vintage Props & Jets charters, (386/423-1773) and Western Air (tel 242/329-3167).
Note: The phone numbers listed above are local access numbers unless otherwise stated.
BY CRUISE On Grand Bahama the Lucayan Harbour Cruise Facility (tel 350-8000) is located at the Freeport Harbour.
Cruise lines that call on Grand Bahama include Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruise Line, Discovery Cruise Line and Crystal Cruises.
BY PRIVATE YACHT Visitors arriving by private boat must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated port of entry. On Grand Bahama the official ports of entry are the Lucayan Harbour Cruise Facility, The Lucayan Marina and Port Lucaya Marina, all located in Lucaya, Running Mon Marina and Xanadu Marina in Freeport, and Old Bahama Bay in West End.
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 island. 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 Freeport 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. Freeport and Lucaya speed limits are 25 mph in congested areas, 15 mph in school zones and 45 mph for cars and 30 mph for trucks in the outskirts.
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, 352-7666; Brad's Car Rental, 352-7930; Cartwright's Rent-A-Car, 351-3002; Celebrity Rent-a-Car, 351-6676; Dollar Rent a Car, 352-9325; Hertz, 352-9250; M&K Car Rental, 351-3830; VIP Bahamas Rent-A-Car, 351-3860; Zulu's Discount Rentals, 351-5230
Elsewhere on Grand Bahama: Action Car Rental (West Settlers Way), 352-4279; Avis rent-a-car (Our Lucaya), 373-1102; Bahama Buggies (Forest Ave), 352-8750 and 351-1241 (Lucayan Harbour Retail Complex); Comarcho's Auto & Car Rental (Queens Hwy), 351-6870; Discovery Car Rentals (Coral Rd & East Sunrise), 373-2525; Econo Car Rental (Airport Rd), 351-6700; Hertz (Old Airport Rd), 352-3297; Island Jeep & Car Rentals (Island Sea Resort), 373-4001; KSR Rent A Car (Queens Hwy), 351-5737; Millie's Car Rental (Logwood Rd), 351-3486; Pacific Rentals (Regent Centre), 351-4965; Payless Car Rental (Glover Ln), 351-6910; Sunshine Rent-A-Car (East Sunrise Hwy), 373-2525; Tanner's Car Rental (Bellevue Ln), 351-7142; Thrifty Car Rental (Airport Rd), 352-9308
MOTORCYCLE AND SCOOTER RENTALS (country code 242) - Mac Cycle & Sports (East Atlantic Dr), 352-2629 - Pirates of the Bahamas (Jolly Roger Dr), 373-6375 or 373-4677 ext 241 - Port Lucaya Marina (Sea Horse Rd), 373-8446
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 Grand Bahama, 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.
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 - Freeport Taxi Co, 352-6666 - Union Cab/Grand Bahama Taxi Union, 352-7101 or 352-7858
BY BUS Public buses operate between downtown and Port Lucaya Marketplace, the International Bazaar, West End and East End. The one-way fare is $1 within the Freeport/Lucaya area, $1.50 to Eight Mile Rock, $4 to West End and $8 to McLean's Town. You must have exact change.
BY FERRY On Grand Bahama, a free government ferry service operates between Sweeting's Cay and McLean's Town. It departs Sweeting's Cay at 7:10am and 4pm and departs McLean's Town at 8:30am and 5pm. The trip takes 20 minutes. Schedules 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 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).
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).
Disclaimer: Information is provided as a service to visitors and is updated regularly. All
information should be verified prior to travel.
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