 Tourist
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In Nassau, there are four
Tourist Information Centres: two at the airport, one
downtown in Market Plaza and another at Rawson Square.
For assistance in Nassau, call 326-9772/9781 from 8:30am
to 5:00pm weekdays, or 377-6806/6833 from 5:00pm to
11:00pm daily.
 In
Freeport/Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island, there are six
Tourist Information Centres. You'll find them at the
airport, the International Bazaar, Port Lucaya Market
Place and Freeport Harbour. On Grand Bahama, call
352-8044 between 8:30am and 5:00pm on weekdays, or
351-2052 from 8:30am to 5:00pm on weekends and holidays.
Tourist Offices are also located on Abaco (call
367-3067), Eleuthera (call 332-2142), Exuma (call
336-2430), Harbour Island (call 333-2621), North Bimini
(call 347-3529) and Andros (call 368-2010).
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Money
Matters: |
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Currency:
The
Bahamian dollar is on par with the US dollar, and you
can use either throughout the islands; however, one can
expect to pay a small commission when exchanging
traveler’s cheques for local currency & when converting
local currency into US dollars.
The following values for major
currencies in relation to the Bahamian dollar:
Daily exchange rates.
Currency Converter
If you
come across a Bahamian $3 bill, it is o.k. Bahamian
paper money runs 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-cent piece, which is square with rounded corners &
decorated with a hibiscus on one side.
Departure Tax: Each person leaving The Bahamas
must pay a $15.00 departure tax. Children under 6 years
old are exempted.
Tipping: The usual tip is 15%; however, many
resorts and hotels automatically add a service charge to
cover gratuities.
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Language: |
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English is the official
language of The Bahamas.
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Population: |
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The last official census
result was in 1990. At that time, there were 171,542
people living in New Providence, and 254,685 in The
Bahamas. The 1998 Bahamas’ population was about 293,700.
Projected estimate for the year 2000 is 302,836.
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Telecommunication: |
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The area code for all
Bahamas telephone numbers is 242.
The Bahamas telecommunications system is up to date and
efficient, operating in much the same way as the systems
of North America. The islands' service provider is
BATELCO, whose cards are needed to operate local pay
phones and can be purchased at most tourist centers and
convenience stores. Personal calling cards can also be
used at Bahamian pay phones; after dialing zero an
operator will place to call for you using your card
number.
The Internet is also accessible from some hotels,
villas, etc., though internet cafés are located
throughout the Bahamas where this option is not
available.
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Medical
Facilities |
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Good medical facilities
exist in The Bahamas. Every hotel has a doctor on call
for guests. Most medical doctors are trained in the USA,
Canada, Great Britain or The University of The West
Indies. In Nassau, Princess Margaret Hospi- tal
(Government operated) has 455 beds and Doctors Hospital
(privately operated), 24 beds. In addition, there is the
Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre. In Freeport, Grand
Bahama, The Government operates the Rand Memorial
Hospital. In the Family Islands, there are 50 health
centres.
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Transportation: |
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Taxicabs, rental cars and
motor scooters are available in most areas in The
Bahamas. Buses are also a great way to get around-in
Nassau and Grand Bahama, jitney buses run daily from
6:00am to 6:30pm. Ask about the many convenient bus
routes that are available.
Remember that you must drive on the left, and
look right when crossing streets on foot. You may use
your driver's license for up to three months, after
which you must obtain a Bahamian one. A protective
helmet is mandatory if you are traveling by motor
scooter.
Island hopping is another easy way to travel. Scheduled
air service is available to specific island
destinations, plus the mail boat and a car ferry provide
weekly connections between Nassau and most other major
islands.
The
usual large North American companies, Budget
Rent-A-Car (800-472-3325 or 297-8-28600), Hertz
(800-654-3001 or 297-8-24886) and
AVIS
(800-331-1084 or 297-8-24800) are represented on Grand
Bahama and New Providence Island. Small independent
agents can be found on the out islands.
More....
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Health: |
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All places which serve food
& drink to the public, including native restaurants, are
licensed & inspected by Bahamas health authorities. Most
visitors prefer drinking bottled water.
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Illegal
Items: |
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Strict laws & penalties
apply for possession of dangerous drugs & firearms. Any
drugs considered dangerous, including marijuana, bring
stiff fines & even jail terms if found in the possession
of unauthorized persons. Licenses for firearms for
sporting purposes are available. Handgun licenses are
issued sparingly & only in special circumstances.
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Immigration: |
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When you travel to The
Bahamas from abroad, you are given an immigration card
to fill in. The Immigration officer at the point of
entry pulls the card & leaves you with the stub. Be sure
to return this portion (stub) ticket agent upon
departure.
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Taxes: |
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There is no
sales tax in The Bahamas. However, there are several
taxes that visitors must be aware of. A government tax &
resort levy of 8% on hotel room rates is added to your
bill upon check-out. Additional charges may apply at
individual hotels. A $7.- ticket tax is payable on the
price of each airline or cruise whip ticket bought in
The Bahamas & is included in the price of the ticket.
Air:
A $15.- government departure tax must be paid in cash to
the airline you are traveling with by every traveler 6
yrs. old and over leaving the Bahamas. An additional
security fee of $3.- is also payable by the
International passengers departing Freeport.
Sea:
passengers travel ling by ship pay a $15.- built in
departure tax. One day excursion passengers pay a $13.-
built in departure tax. Children under 6 yrs. old are
exempted. The departure tax is included in the ticket
and is paid by your shipping line.
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Traffic
Rules: |
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The old
British custom of driving on the left hand side of the
road has been practiced here since the horse & buggy. If
you rent a car, most have the steering wheel on the left
(even the English models, because they were made for the
American market).
REMEMBER
TO KEEP LEFT. Freeport and Lucaya speed limits are
25 mph in congested areas, 15 mph in school zones, 45
mph for cars & 35 mph for trucks in the outskirts.
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