What Do I Need To Know Before Going To The Bahamas?

Although the Bahamas are a common tourist point, there are many things about the island that are uniquely its own that travelers should be familiar with before planning their next vacation.

a) Passports-Regardless of what country you are coming from you must have a valid passport before entering the Bahamas, and you must be able to present that same passport upon your departure. If your passport is lost during your vacation it will be necessary for you to contact the nearest embassy representing your country; they will be able to assist you in obtaining a new one and arranging for passage home. Even if you do possess a valid passport you will still be required to fill out an immigration arrival and departure card before you will be allowed to officially begin your vacation.

b) Cell Phones and Other Communication-Cellular coverage on the islands is spotty, so it would be best not to rely on your cell phone as your sole means of communication. There are a number of land lines that will allow you to make use of a calling card, and you can make arrangements to have Internet access and a fax machine at your disposal during the course of your stay. If you are intending to bring your laptop computer, cell phone charger or other form of electronic you should have no need of an adapter; outlets in the Bahamas are the same as those in the US.

c) Packing-The weather in the Bahamas is generally very warm, so lightweight summer clothes will suffice. If you are going to be in the city you may want to bring dress clothes for any formal functions you may wish or need to attend; otherwise, casual is the name of the game. Be sure to bring your beachwear! The beaches on the Bahama coastline are exquisite and not to be missed. Be advised, however, that beachwear is not considered appropriate attire while on the city streets, so it would be wise to carry a casual cover-up at all times in case you should have need of it.

d) Language-English is the official language of the islands, although it is British rather that American (a fact that can confound unwary American travelers). Creole and a native dialect are also spoken on some parts of the island, and a smattering of native words are thrown in whatever the language to identify many of the foods, flora, fauna and residents of the island.

e) Money-The currency in the Bahamas, the Bahamian dollar, is equivalent to the US dollar (which is accepted in most establishments). Foreign currency can be exchanged for the Bahamian dollar upon arrival. Traveler's checks are also an accepted currency; however, expect your personal check to be rejected. You will have access to an ATM while on the islands, so you will never be far away from your home bank.

f) Driving-European driving rules apply, so if you are unfamiliar with driving on the left side of the road and dealing with the traffic circles it may be wise to take advantage of public transportation rather than getting behind the wheel yourself.

The most important thing for you to remember is that the Bahamas is founded upon its tourism base, so the local population does its best to be hospitable to their foreign visitors. If you find yourself out of your depth, so to speak, take the time to ask rather than trying to muddle through it yourself. Not only will this give you the opportunity to enjoy your vacation without making an inexcusable gaffe, it will also give you a chance to get to know the people of the islands.