Bahamas Travel Tips
General Travel Information
If you need assistance during your stay in The Bahamas, contact the
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Helpline, - tel 326-HELP (4357)
ATMs
RBC Royal Bank of Canada has one ATM that dispenses US dollars – located at the Lyford Cay Club. This machine accepts Visa, MasterCard and any bank card on the Cirrus, Plus and Maestro networks. Minimum with drawal is $50.
RBC ATMs that dispense Bahamian dollars only are located at RBC branches throughout the island, Royal Bank House and at seven Esso service stations – Village and Soldier Rd’s roundabout, East St and Soldier Rd, Baillou Hill and Harrold Rd’s, Carmichael Rd and Faith Ave, Prince Charles Dr and Fox Hill Rd, FJK Dr at Farrington Rd and on East Bay St at Fowler St. Bahamian-dollar Royal Bank ATMs are also located at Kelly’s Home Centre in the Mall at Marathon, Princess Margaret Hospital and Solomon’s Super Centre on Old Trail Road.
Scotiabank ATMs downtown on Bay St, at the Welcome Centre at Prince George Dock, at Cable Beach and in the Casino at Atlantis dispense both Bahamian and US dollars for MasterCard, Visa and any bank card on the Plus or Cirrus networks. Minimum withdrawal is $20 (Casino at Atlantis is $50). ATMs at other Scotiabank branches dispense Bahamian dollars on the same networks. Minimum withdrawal is $20. ATMs are located at Texaco gas stations throughout Nassau including Faith Ave, East/West Hwy, South Beach, Robinson Rd, Carmichael Rd and Harbour Bay Shopping Centre, East Bay St.
First Caribbean International Bank ATMs dispense Bahamian dollars and are located at branches throughout New Providence and Paradise Island. ATMs are also located in the Shell stations at Golden Gates Shopping Centre and Harrold Rd at Sir Milo Butler Hwy, the Mall at Marathon, Super Saver Drug Store at Village and Bernard Rd’s, Olde Towne at Sandyport and the corner of Bay and Parliament Sts. They accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and any bank card on the Plus or Cirrus networks for cash advances and dispense a minimum of $10.
Bahamas 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.
US Customs
Each US resident (including a minor) may take home duty-free purchases up to US $800 in retail value if he or she has been outside the US more than 48 hrs and has not taken the exemption in 30 days. The exemption may include up to two litres (67.6 oz) of liquor per person 21 or older, provided one litre is manufactured in The Bahamas or another CBI (Carribbean Basin Initiative) county; 200 cigarettes; and 100 cigars (Cuban cigars not allowed) per person 18 or older. A single household family travelling together may pool exemptions, ie, a family of four may take home US $3,200 worth of goods.
Articles up to US $1,000 value accompanying the traveller, in excess of the US $800 duty-free allowance, are assessed at a flat rate of 3%. You may not apply the flat rate more than once every 30 days.
If the returning US resident is not entitled to the US $800 duty exemption due to the 30 day or 48-hr minimum limitations, he or she may still import, duty free, US $200 worth of personal or household items. This exemption may not be pooled and will not be assessed at the 3 % flat rate.
Articles purchased in US duty-free shops and brought back into the US may not be included in your exemption.
One person, on one day, may receive a shipment of goods purchased in The Bahamas and sent to an address in the US so long as the value does not exceed US $200. The shipment will be passed free of duty by US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) unless there is reason to believe the shipment is one of several lots of a single order. Supporting documents are required.
Any number of gifts may be sent into the US free of US duty and tax, provided the recipient does not receive in one day gifts exceeding US $ 100 in value. Gifts may not contain tobacco or liquor. No perfume is free of US duty/tax valued at more than US $5. Retail value and “unsolicited gift “ must be written on the package.
Shops and commercial firms may wrap and mail duty-free gifts for customers who pay for them personally in The Bahamas.
Antiques, Trade Marks, Food, US Money
Antiques are admitted to the US duty free provided they are more than 100 years old. The Bahama store selling an antique should provide the buyer with a form indicating the value and age of the object. The buyer must present this form to US Customs $ Border Protection.
Importation of fruit, plants, meat, poultry and dairy products is generally prohibited. There are however, exceptions. Contact the US Dept of Agriculture, Lynden Pindling International Airport, tel 377 7127.
More than $10,000 in US foreign coin, currency, traveller’s cheques, money orders and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form must be reported to a CBP officer. It is illegal to transport or cause to be transported, any amount into or out of the US, but more than $10,000 must be reported. Ask a CBP officer for the Currency Reporting Form (FinCen105).
Certain items carrying a trade mark or trade name may be brought into the US in specified amounts only or not at all.
Importation of Bahamian tortoise or turtle shell goods is prohibited. Many medicines sold over the counter in the Bahamas are not allowed entry.
For a copy of Know Before You Go, contract US Customs & Border Protection, Lynden Pindling International Airport, tel 377 7126, US Customs & Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20229, or visit www.customs.gov.
Canada Customs
A Canadian may take advantage of one of three categories of duty-free exemptions. After being out of Canada for 24 hours, he or she may make a verbal declaration to claim a CDN $ 50 duty-free allowance (not to include alcohol and tobacco) any number of times per year. After being out of the country for 48 hrs any number of times per year, a written declaration must be made; he or she may claim a CDN $200 allowance which could include up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and two lbs of tobacco, and 40 oz of alcohol.
Anyone who has been out of Canada seven days or more, any number of times per year, may make a written declaration and claim the CDN $750 exemption, including the amounts of alcohol and tobacco indicated for the CDN $200 allowance.
In general, the goods brought in under personal exemption must be for personal or household use, as souvenirs of the trip or as gift for friends or relatives. Goods brought in for commercial use, or on behalf of another person, do not qualify and will be subject to full duties. Goods declared in a child’s name must be for his or her use only.
For the importation of tobacco, the claimant must be over 16. In the case of liquor, wine or beer, the person must have attained the age prescribed by the provincial or territorial authority at the point of entry.
Goods acquired in The Bahamas or elsewhere outside continental North America may be shipped or mailed separately if declared at the first port of entry. Gifts mailed to Canada are duty free to the recipient provided they are valued under CDN $60 and do not contain any advertising matter. For more information visit www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
UK Customs
UK residents may take back from The Bahamas, free of duty and tax, 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco. The alcohol and alcoholic beverage allowance is two litres of still table wine, and one litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22 % alcohol by volume, or two litres of fortified or sparkling wine and other liqueurs. These allowances are not for persons under 17. The allowances for perfume is 60 ml, toilet water is 250 ml.
In addition to these allowances, residents may take back £145 sterling worth of other goods including gifts and souvenirs. If goods are worth more than the limit of £145 , duty must be paid on the full value, not just on the value above £145.
Individuals travelling as a family or group may not pool allowances towards an item worth more than the limit.
All other Goods
Goods brought into the UK worth more than £145 sterling will have duty charged on the full value, not just on the value over £145.
Rates of duty and tax are complicated and change from time to time so it is advisable to check with your airline or travel agent for current regulations when making reservations.
Gifts mailed to the UK are duty free to the recipient if sent to a private person from a private individual abroad. They must not be paid for by the recipient, either directly or indirectly, and must be properly declared. The value of the goods must not exceed £36 sterling (45 euro).
Gifts must be of an occasional nature only, for personal or family use, and not for commercial or trade use. Any tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, perfumes or toilet waters sent at one time must be within the allowances mentioned. For more information visit www.hmce.gov.uk.
General Information
Banking hours:Banks are open 9.30 am – 3 pm Mon-Thurs, and 9.30 am – 4.30 pm Fri.
Currency: If you come across a Bahamian $3 bill, it’s OK. Bahamian paper money comes in half dollar, $1, $3, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 bills. Some visitors keep the $3 bill as a souvenir.
There is also an extra Bahamian coin, the 15¢ piece, which is square with rounded corners and decorated with a hibiscus. The Bahamian dollar is on par with the US Dollar, however expect to pay a small commission when exchanging traveler's cheques for local currency and when converting local currency into US dollars.The table gives approx values for the major currencies against the US dollar. Commercial banks can provide daily rates.
US Dollar is equal to Bahamian dollar
Health: All places that serve food and drink to the public, including native restaurants, are licensed and inspected by Bahamas health authorities. Most visitors prefer drinking bottled water.
Illegal Items: Strict laws and penalties apply for possession of dangerous drugs and firearms. Any drugs considered dangerous, including marijuana, bring stiff fines and evel 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.
Immigration: 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.
Postage
Postcards: Airmail to US (incl. Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands); Canada, UK Europe, Bermuda, West Indies, Central and South America, Africa and Australia - 65¢.
Letters: First class airmail rates ( per ½ oz.)
*75¢ to Canada, US (including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands), and West Indies.*80¢ to Bermuda, Central and South America, UK, Europe, Falkland Islands, Islands of the Mediterranean
*90¢ To Africa (all countries), Asia, Australia, Islands of the Pacific and Indian Ocean, New Zealand.
Air Parcel Post: Parcel post rates to overseas destinations vary considerably and information may be obtained at the Post Office, East Hill St, tel 322 3025.
Shopping Hours: Store hours may vary. Most stores on Bay St. are open Mon-Sat 9 am – 5.30 pm. Some stores are open on Sun. Most stores in malls and on Paradise Island are open Mon-Fri 9/10 am – 8 pm, and on Sat until anytime between 6-11 pm, and on Sun until anytime between 1-5 pm. If you plan to shop outside the hours of 10 am – 5 pm or on Sun, it is a good idea to call ahead for store hours.
Supermarkets, wholesale clubs and building supply stores must close by 12 noon on Sundays.
Taxes: There is no sales tax in the Bahamas. However, there are several other taxes of which visitors should be aware.
There is a 6-12% tax on your hotel room rate. It is added to your bill on check-out. Other service charges may apply. 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.
Taxi Fares: Taxi fares on New Providence and Grand Bahama are set by government. All taxis are required to have working meters.
General Rate: One or two passengers, for the first ¼ mile, $3. For each additional ¼ mile, 40¢. For each additional passenger, $3. No charge for accompanied children under five.
Zone rate: Zone rates can be applied to most standard routes. They apply to one or two passengers. For each additional passenger, add $3. The following rates apply between:
Lynden Pindling International Airport:
& Cable Beach $15
& downtown $22
& Paradise Island $27
& South Ocean $17
& Montagu foreshore $29
Cable Beach:
& downtown $12
& Paradise Island $17
& South Ocean $23
Paradise Island & downtown $8
A $1 bridge toll is added for routes to Paradise Island.
Waiting Charge: Having a taxi wait (except when hired by the hr) costs 30¢ per minute.
Baggage Charges: There is no charge for up to two pieces of hand baggage, plus small bags and packages carried by each passenger. Each additional piece of regular-sized luggage, 75¢; large duffel bags and boxes, $1.
Tour Cars: Tour cars may be hired for sightseeing at $ 45 per hr (five or fewer persons). For each additional ½ hr or part thereof, $22.50, large cars, $60 per hr (up to twelve persons), $30 for each additional ½ hr.
Temperatures (Monthly Average)
| ºF | ºC | |
| Jan | 71 | 22 |
| Feb | 71 | 22 |
| Mar | 72 | 22 |
| Apr | 75 | 24 |
| May | 78 | 26 |
| June | 81 | 27 |
| July | 83 | 28 |
| Aug | 82 | 28 |
| Sept | 82 | 28 |
| Oct | 79 | 26 |
| Nov | 76 | 24 |
| Dec | 72 | 22 |
Traffic Rules: The British custom of driving on the left has been practised here since the advent of the horse and buggy. I you rent a car, most have the steering wheel on the left. Remember to keep 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 – 9 am and 2.45 – 3.30 pm). Everywhere else it is 30 mph except for west of the Ministry of Works building on John F Kennedy Dr (towards the airport) and Harrold Rd, where the speed limit is 45 mph.
If you decide to see the island by motor scooter, be sure to get a helmet from the rental agency. It is for your protection and is required by law. If you are walking where there is no sidewalk, face oncoming traffic.
Featured Bahamas Real Estate Listings
