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Before You Go
Bahamas Entry Requirements for UK Citizens:
Visas for visits of up to 3 months
are not required for British nationals visiting the Bahamas. Visitors wishing
to extend their stay must apply to the Department of Immigration in Nassau.
Fines and detention penalties can be imposed for overstaying pending deportation.
If employment is intended or the visit is for any reason other than tourism,
travellers should seek advice from the Bahamas High Commission in London; (tel:
020 7408 4488).
British nationals travelling to the Bahamas
via the USA (under US visa waiver arrangements) who then wish to return to the
USA should seek advice from the US Immigration and Naturalisation Service or
any US diplomatic mission if they have any doubt about their US visa status.
NB: The Bahamas counts as part of the “contiguous territory and islands” for
US visa waiver purposes and time spent in The Bahamas counts towards the 90
day maximum permitted stay in the US under this Waiver.
Bahamas Entry Requirements for US Citizens:
Visas not required for stays of 8
months; however, must carry proof of US citizenship, photo ID & onward/return
ticket. Voter registration cards not accepted. Contact: Embassy
of Bahamas, 2220 Massachusetts Av, NW, Washington DC. 20008. (202) 319-2660
or consulate in Miami or NYC
(212) 421 6925.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth
Office updated travel advisory for visitors to Bahamas. Updated 19th
December 2002.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Visitors should take sensible precautions and
be vigilant at all times. Do not walk alone away from the main hotels, tourist
areas, beaches and downtown Nassau, particularly after dark. Do not carry large
amounts of cash or jewellery. Do not offer resistance in the event of an attempted
robbery, as the assailant is likely to be armed.
Visitors should note that operators offering
sports excursions adjacent to the major tourist hotels are usually independent
entrepreneurs and that many of the hotels themselves disclaim responsibility
in respect of guests using those services. Visitors may wish to assure themselves,
before contracting with such operators, that appropriate health and safety precautions
are evident and that they have adequate insurance cover.
LOCAL TRAVEL
The outlying islands of the Bahamian archipelago
(known as the Family or Out Islands) are attracting an increasing number of
visitors. These islands are relatively free of crime compared to the main islands
of New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) but sensible precautions
should still be taken.
ROAD TRAVEL
Although traffic drives on the left-hand side
of the road most vehicles are imported from the United States and are left hand
drive. Drivers should therefore exercise caution, especially when overtaking.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Penalties for possession or trafficking of drugs are severe. Tourists
may be offered narcotics in pubs and bars. Police are vigilant. Substantial
fines, imprisonment and deportation may result. Pack all luggage yourself and
do not carry anything through Customs for anyone else unless you are certain
of the contents.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
British nationals visiting the Bahamas do not require visas for visits
of up to 3 months. Visitors wishing to extend their stay must apply to the Department
of Immigration in Nassau. Penalties for overstaying include fines and detention
pending deportation. If employment is intended or the visit is for any reason
other than tourism, travellers should seek advice from the Bahamas High Commission
in London; (tel: 020 7408 4488).
The Bahamas counts as part of the "contiguous territory and
islands" for US visa waiver purposes and time spent in The Bahamas counts
towards the 90 day maximum permitted stay in the US under this Waiver. British
nationals travelling to The Bahamas via the USA (under US visa waiver arrangements)
who then wish to return to the USA should seek advice before commencing their
journey, from the US Immigration and Naturalisation Service or any US diplomatic
mission if they have any doubt about their US visa status.
All visitors leaving the Bahamas are subject to a cash departure
tax of $15.00 (US or Bahamian Dollars).
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
Following the Foot and Mouth outbreak in the UK a ban is at present
in place on the importation of meat and animal by-products from the UK and EU.
This includes certain sausages, hams, bacon, milk, cheese and other dairy products.
HEALTH
Medical treatment is of a good standard but
can be expensive. Emergency medical facilities are limited on all the Family
Islands and serious cases are transferred to Nassau, Freeport or Miami by air
ambulance. Travellers should ensure they have adequate comprehensive medical
insurance to cover this eventuality.
Travellers should also be aware of the prevalence
of the HIV/AIDS virus in The Bahamas and take standard precautions.
NATURAL DISASTERS
The Hurricane Season runs from 1 June to the
end of November. In the event of a hurricane threatening The Bahamas, visitors
should listen carefully to information given on the national radio and television
stations and follow the advice of their hosts or hotel management.
Bahamas police have recently notified the public
that counterfeit higher denomination notes are in circulation. Visitors should
check for a ship watermark and metallic strip on genuine notes and not purchase
any currency except at established exchange centres.
For current updates visit The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office
website.
Health: Medical Facilities generally good in
Nassau & Freeport, but limited in remote areas. Doctors & hospitals
usually expect immediate cash payment. Chronic shortage of blood at Princess
Margaret Hospital, Nassau, where most emergency surgery performed. Travellers
with rare blood types should know names & location of possible blood donors.
US medical insurance not always valid outside USA. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including
medical evacuation, has proved helpful.
Crime& Security: Exercise normal caution & good
judgment. Although violent crime on increase, most incidents take place in part
of Nassau or Freeport not usually frequented by tourists - Over-the-Hill area
in Nassau. Store passport/identity documents, airline tickets, unused credit
cards, & extra cash in hotel safes. Avoid wearing expensive jewellery, particularly
Rolex watches, targeted increasingly by criminals. Don't travel alone on deserted
areas of beaches & poorly lit areas at night. Long-line fishing in Bahamian
waters illegal. All long-line fishing gear required to be stowed below deck
while transiting through Bahamian waters.
Money: Bahamian Dollar (Ba$) = 100 cents.
Notes of Ba$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 & 1, & 50 cents. Coins of Ba$5, 2
& 1, & 50, 25, 15, 10, 5 & 1 cents. Bahamian $ on par with US$ &
accepted as legal tender. Major credit cards accepted. In Nassau, Paradise Island
& Freeport/Lucaya. Banks open 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday - Thursday,
& 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. Hours vary on Out Islands.
Weather: Coldest month: Jan av. low 69F (20C),
while warmest month, Aug av. high 89F (32C). Rain showers occur any time of year,
but rainy months, May-Oct.
Advice & Tips for the
Bahamas:
Traffic Safety: Drive on left. Road conditions throughout
Nassau & Freeport generally good. Road travel in other parts limited.
Electricity & Voltage:
120 volts AC, 60Hz. American appliances compatible.
Public Holidays: Jan 01; Mar 28 & 31; May 27; Jun
07; Jul 10; Aug 05; Oct 12; Dec 25 & 26.
Customs Regulations &
Taxes: Fill out & sign Immigration form, keeping portion
of card until departing. Oral baggage declaration required. Each adult visitor
allowed 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes or 1 pound of tobacco, 1 quart of spirits,
& variety of personal effects (personal radio headsets, bicycle, 2 still
cameras, etc.). Purchases $100 permitted by all arriving passengers. When departing,
all visitors required to pay $15 departure tax ($18.00 from Grand Bahama). Children
6 years & under exempt. Departures to US must go thru US Customs pre-clearance.
US visitors may take home US$600 worth of duty-free merchandise. Next $l,000
taxed at 10%. Gifts up to $50 may be mailed home duty-free. One litre of wine,
liqueur or liquor & 5 cartons of cigarettes may be taken duty-free.
Tourism Contacts:
High Commission of the Commonwealth of the
Bahamas
10 Chesterfield Street, London W1J 5JL
Tel: (020) 7408 4488. Fax: (020) 7499 9937.
E-mail: information@bahamashclondon.net
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730.
Bahamas Tourist Office
3 The Billings, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford,
Surrey GU1 4UL
Tel: (01483) 448 900. Fax: (01483) 571 846.
E-mail: btogfd@bahamas.com
Website: http://www.bahamas.org.uk or http://www.bahamas.com
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
PO Box N-3701, Bay Street, Nassau, The
Bahamas.
322 7500 or 322 8634. Fax: 328 0945.
Bahamas Consulate General
231 East 46th Street, New York, NY 10017
(212) 421 6925. Fax: (212) 759 2135.
0930-1730 Mon to Fri.
Bahamas Tourist Office
28th Floor North, 150
East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022
(212) 758 2777. Fax:
(212) 758 6531
Airports
Nassau International Airport
Taxis; To Cable Beach - 10mins & $12 by taxi. To Downtown
Nassau - 20mins & $18 by taxi. To Paradise Island - 30mins & $22 + $2
bridge toll. See below
Departures to US must go through US Customs pre-clearance.
Freeport International Airport
To downtown 5mins. To International Bazaar - 10mins.
Customs Regulations &
Taxes: Fill out & sign Immigration form, keeping portion
of card in hand until departing. Oral baggage declaration required. Each adult
visitor allowed to bring 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes or 1 pound of tobacco, 1
quart of spirits, & variety of personal effects (personal radio headsets,
bicycle, 2 still cameras, etc.). Purchases 100 dollars permitted for arriving
passengers. US visitors may take home US$600 worth of duty-free merchandise.
Next $l,000 taxed at 10%. Gifts up to $50 may be mailed home duty-free. 1 litre
of wine, liqueur or liquor & 5 cartons of cigarettes may be taken duty-free.
Departure Tax: Each
person leaving Bahamas must pay $15 departure tax. Children under 6 years old
exempted.
Now You’re There
Regions and Cities
The Bahamas
- 23 inhabited islands stretching from Grand Bahama to Great Inagua. Cosmopolitan
- just 50 miles or so from Florida.
Nassau is the capital of Bahamas.
Entertainment & Night Life in the Bahamas
Casino gambling legal in Bahamas for non-residents 18
years & over.
Nassau/Paradise Island Atlantis Resort (Floor space
30,000 sq. ft.)
Marriott Crystal Palace Resort & Casino (Floor space
30,000 sq. ft.)
Freeport Bahamia
Casino (Floor space 20,000
sq. ft.)
Lucayan Beach Resort & Casino (Floor space 20,000
sq. ft.)
Jackets required in evenings for men.
Gambling illegal to residents of Bahamas.
Eating Out around the Bahamas
Tipping: 15% service charge usually included in bill.
Legal drinking age in The Bahamas is 18.
AVERY'S, In
picturesque Adelaide Village, Hours: 11 am - Until ... (Daily) .Tel: 362 - 1547
Internationally acclaimed Bahamian Cuisine. Home of Conchy Conch Fritters. Serving
totally native dishes.
BAHAMIAN KITCHEN, Trinity Place, off Bay Street. Hours: 11:30 am - 10 pm
(Mon - Sat) 1 pm - 8 pm (Sun). Tel: 325 - 0702. Pan-fried Turtle Steak
prepared with Sherry & Onions. Famous for Okra Soup & White Rice.
BUENA VISTA, Delancy Street Hours: 7 pm - 9:30 pm (Closed Sun) Tel: 322
- 2811. Housed in one of Nassau's Historic Mansions. Continental Cuisine with variety
of fresh local seafood. Specialties: Cream of Garlic Soup, Bahamian Lobster
"Buena Vista," Fillet of Red Snapper with Honey Mustard & Rack
of Spring Lamb Provencal. Reservations!
CAFE JOHNNY CANOE, West Bay Street, Cable Beach. 7:30 am - 12 midnight (Daily).
Tel: 327 - 3373 Bahamian Historical Restaurant. Features local & some American
Cuisine. Specialties: Blackened Grouper, Cracked Conch, Famous Barbeque Ribs.
Indoor & Outdoor dining.
COMFORT ZONE, 5 Wulff Road. 7am - midnight (Daily). Tel: 323 - 2676 Tasty
Bahamian Boiled Fish daily, with Bahamian made Johnny Cake, Potato Bread or
homemade Bread.
FLAMINGO GARDEN CAFE, 109 Collins Ave. 7:30 am - 4:30 pm (Closed Sun). 356 -
7904. Native dishes. Specializing in Peas Soup & Dumplings, Steamed Conch
& Peas & Grits.
JUNKANOO CAFE, Bay Street & Colony Place, block west of Straw Market. 9:30
am - 5:30 pm (Closed Sun). Tel: 328 - 7944. Fresh Bahamian Seafood. Serving
5 styles of Conch & 3 types of fish daily. Real Fresh Fruit Daiquiri (Mango
& Pineapple). Sidewalk café.
MAMA LIDDY'S PLACE, Market Street. 8 am - 9 pm (Mon - Sat): 8 am - 3 pm (Sun
& Holidays). Tel: 322 - 4201 Home Away From Home Feeling. Serving quality
native dishes. Specialities: Conch Chowder, & Steamed Grouper.
MONTAGU GARDENS STEAK &
GRILL, East Bay
Street. 11 am - 3 pm & 6 pm - 11 pm (Closed Sun) Tel: 394-6347 Chef's Specialties:
Blackened Grouper, Stuffed Lobster, Grouper Almandine with White Sauce, Grilled
Grouper with Wine & Butter.
PASSIN' JACKS WATERFRONT,
East Bay Street, overlooking Harbour. 7 am - 10:30 am,
Noon - 3 pm & 6 pm - 10 pm (Daily). Tel: 394 - 3245. "Dining Experience
you can't afford to pass by." Specialities: Seafood Chowder, Combination
Platter (conch, Shrimp & Grouper), Fajitas, Steaks.
PICK-A-DILLY at the PARLIAMENT,
Parliament Street
off Bay Street. 11 am - 10 pm (Closed Sun). Tel: 322 - 2836 Unique Indoor/Outdoor
Restaurant. All food grilled or blackened. Banana-A-La-Dilly, Banana rolled
in puffed pastry, sprinkled with cinnamon & deep-fried, topped with ice
cream. Famous Barbeque menu every evening.
SILK COTTON CLUB, Market Street off Bay Street. 7 - 10 pm (Tues &
Thurs) 7 pm - Midnight (Wed). Live "blues" band on Wed. 7:00
pm - 2 am (Fri & Sat). 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm (Sun) (Closed Mon). Tel:
356 - 0955 Gourmet dishes in health-conscious manner. Chef's Specialties: Conch
Chowder, Coconut Soup, Calypso Chicken, Silk Cotton Grouper & Breadfruit
Fries: French Fries made with local Breadfruit.
STARS RESTAURANT &
DELI, Circle Palm
Malls, Soldier Road. 7:30 am - 10:00 pm (Daily). Tel: 394 - 1692. Fresh
Boiled Fish daily with personalized loaf of Johnny Cake. Bahamian/Hollywood
style experience. Exotic Bahamian Dishes. Minced Grouper, Peas N' Grits, &
Fried Plantains.
SUGAR REEF, Deveaux Street, off Bay Street. 11:00 am - 3:00 pm & 6
pm - 10 pm (Daily) Happy Hour: 5 pm - 7:30 pm daily. Tel: 356 - 3065. Casual
lunch with fresh salads, sandwiches & burgers. Unique dinner venue with
killer appetizers, pastas, & Bahamian favourites. Seafood, Spectacular Harbour
view.
SUN AND., Lakeview Road off Shirley Street. 6:30 pm - 10 pm (Closed Mon).
Tel: 393 - 2644. Bahamian Guava Soufflé, Stone Crab with Sun And. Mustard Sauce,
& Baked Bread daily. Truly tropical atmosphere & impeccable service.
"Best French cuisine on Island." Reservations!
THE POOP DECK, East Bay Street. 11 am - 10:30 pm (Daily) Tel: 393 - 8175
World famous Bahamian Conch Chowder, Grouper Fingers, Conch Salad, Scorched
Conch, Cracked Conch, Grilled Bahamian Whole Lobster. Unquestionably - Classic
Bahamian Seafood Restaurant. Serving Bahamian dishes for 25 years.
THE SHOAL, Nassau Street. 7:30 am - 12:30 am (Daily). Tel: 323 - 440.
Boiled Fish, Stewed Fish & Seafood Platter (Conch, Shrimp & Grouper)
specialties.
TRAVELLERS REST, West Bay Street, 1 mile from The Caves, by the sea. 11 am -
11 pm (Daily) Tel: 327 - 7633 Home of Banana Daiquiri. Bahamian & Seafood
dishes. Specialties: Grouper, Conch, Minced Crawfish, Guava Cake with Guava
Sauce. Indoor & Outdoor Dining.
TONY ROMAS, West Bay Street, opp. Saunders Beach. 12:00 Noon - 11:00 pm
(Daily). Tel: 325 - 2020 Along with famous original Baby Back Ribs, also feature
home made Bahamian Conch Chowder, Conch Fritters & Cracked Conch.
Shopping in the Bahamas
Bahamian 'Good
Buys' include: watches, jewellery, clocks, china, crystal, leather goods, fine
linens, & cameras. Look for shops that post pink flamingo decal on doors
or windows meeting strict government guidelines & all brands authentic.
Along with international products,
great bargains on local goods, such as Bahamian weavings, jewellery, & crafts.
Business Hours: Downtown Nassau stores generally open from 9:30am to 5:30pm.
Shopping malls from 10am to 8pm Mon to Fri & to 9pm Sat. Grocery supermarkets
in Nassau open Sunday from 8am to 10am.
Have you been to Bahamas and know about some more great highlights worth a mention? Add details for other visitors to read about.
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