Calling Codes

The area code for the Bahamas is 242. From the U.S. and Canada, calls can be made by dialing 1, 242, followed by the local number. From other countries, dial the appropriate international access code, followed by 1, 242, then the local number. Since calls made from the Bahamas can be expensive, use international calling cards whenever possible.

The official currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar, which is pegged on a 1:1 ratio to the U.S. Dollar.

You can do your banking on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands from 9:30am to 3pm, Monday through Thursday. Banks stay open until 5pm on Fridays. On the Out Islands, banking hours vary considerably.

The official hours for shops and other businesses on New Providence Island are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday. Many shops, however, stay open later. Nassau's Straw Market is open on Sunday. Grand Bahama Island shops usually are open from 10am to 6pm Some shops may close earlier, especially on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Straw markets and pharmacies are open on Sunday. On the Out Islands, business hours vary.

Electrical voltage and current in the Bahamas 120V, 60 cycles AC. An adapter plug with two flat vertical prongs and a downward voltage converter are needed for 220V appliances.

Grand Bahama Island
Police: 919
Fire: 42-353-888
Ambulance: 242-352-2628

New Providence Island, the Abacos, North Andros, Bimini, and the Exumas
Police and Fire: 919
Ambulance (New Providence): 242-322-2221

Andros
Dial 242-368-2626 for all emergencies in Central Andros.
Dial 242-329-4733 for all emergencies in South Andros.

Eleuthera
Police (Governor's Island): 242-332-2111
Police (Rock Sound): 242-334-2244
Police (Harbour Island): 242-333-2111
Police (Spanish Wells): 242-333-4030

San Salvador
Police: 218

On the Out Islands, contact the hotel management for assistance in an emergency.

Many hotels and resorts on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands have hookups for laptop computers and Internet access available. The services often are expensive. Be sure to check on the charges first.

English is the official language of the Bahamas. More British than American, it has some West Indian inflections.

New Year's Day: January 1
Good Friday: Friday before Easter
Easter Sunday: in mid-March or early April
Whit Monday: Last Monday in May
Labor Day: First Monday in June
Independence Day: July 10
Emancipation Day: First Monday in August
Discovery Day : October 12
Christmas Day: December 25
Boxing Day: December 26

The Bahamas lies in the Eastern Time Zone (Greenwich Mean Time minus five hours) and observes Daylight Savings Time from the first Sunday in April until the last Saturday in October.

Airport Skycap/Porter: 1 dollar per bag
Bars: 10 to 12 percent
Excursion Boats: 15 percent
Haircare/Personal Services: 15 percent
Hotel Bell Desk: 1 dollar per bag
Hotel Housekeeping: 10 percent
Hotel Room Service: 15 percent
Restaurants: 15 percent. A service charge is sometimes added to the bill.
Parking Attendant/Valet: 1 to 5 dollars
Taxis: 10 to 20 percent

Most major car rental firms have offices in Nassau and Freeport. Cars can be picked up at the airport, in downtown Nassau, or on Paradise Island. Arrangements also can be made at most major resorts. Costs range from about $35 to $80 a day. You may use your own driver's license for up to three months.

Taxis meet incoming flights and cruise ships on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. Radio-dispatched, they also can be found in and around major tourist attractions and resorts. They use meters based on a nationally agreed fare structure, ranging from about $2.20 for the first one-quarter mile and 30 cents for each additional one-quarter mile. Metered fares are not negotiable. You can, however, negotiate with taxi drivers for tours of the island. Taxis service is available on some of the Out Islands.

Nassau and Freeport/Lucaya have state-licensed buses called jitneys. For a cost of about 75 cents per trip, they are an inexpensiv e, but often hot and noisy way to travel. From Nassau, buses also serve the outlying areas of New Providence Island. When using them to travel outside of main tourist areas, be certain you check the routes and return schedules. ur-wheel drive are advisable. Learn the international road signs before driving. Turning right on a red light is prohibited.

Australia: Citizens of Australia need a valid passport, in addition to ongoing or return tickets, to enter the Bahamas.

Canada: Canadians should present a passport or a birth certificate with a raised seal and photo identification for stays of up to three weeks. For longer, stays Canadian citizens are required to have a valid passport.

France:Citizens of France need a valid passport, in addition to ongoing or return tickets, to enter the Bahamas.

Germany: Citizens of Germany need a valid passport, in addition to ongoing or return tickets, to enter the Bahamas.

Ireland: Citizens of the Republic of Ireland need a valid passport, in addition to ongoing or return tickets, to enter the Bahamas.

Japan: Citizens of Japan need a valid passport, in addition to ongoing or return tickets, to enter the Bahamas.

United Kingdom: For stays of up to three weeks, citizens of the United Kingdom may present a birth certificate with photo identification, a certificate of baptism, or a citizenship card. For longer stays a valid passport is required. Those whose flights take them into the United States will need a valid passport for U.S. immigration.

United States: U.S. citizens need a passport or a birth certificate with a raised seal and photo identification to enter the Bahamas.

Casual, colorful clothing is appropriate year-round in the Bahamas. During the winter months (December to February) visitors might need a light sweater or jacket in the evening. In Nassau, especially, men may be expected to wear jackets (and possibly ties) in restaurants, hotels, and casinos. Beach attire is appropriate on the beach, but not on the street. Dress on the Out Islands is quite informal.

Since hiking, horseback riding, and golf are available on the is land, travelers who want to participate should bring appropriate clothing. There's no need to bring watersports equipment. It is widely available throughout the island

The tropical and subtropical climates of the islands of the Bahamas make them a good place to visit year-round. The Gulf stream and trade winds help maintain a fairly even temperature throughout the year, ranging from 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) to 86F (30C) degrees during the day and 62F (17C) to 70F (21C) degrees at night. December through May are the most popular and expensive months in the Bahamas. You'll save as much as 30 percent on your hotel bill during the rest of the year. The temperature, humidity, and rainfall amounts, and the potential for tropical storms are all higher during the off season.

Anyone planning a Bahamas vacation should be aware of Spring Break, when college and some high school students from the U.S. flock to the islands. New Providence and Grand Bahama islands openly court these young people's business. Some of the larger Out Islands do as well. The Spring Break period usually runs from the end of February through the middle of April.