Travel to Bahamas
All
of the islands have airports, or at least an airstrip. Flying
into the Bahamas, you will usually arrive in Nassau or Freeport,
and if bound for an out island, a smaller commuter plane will
complete your journey. Listed below are scheduled airlines,
however there are a number of charter flights available, check
with your travel agent.
Nassau/Paradise Island Airport Service
Air Canada
- Toronto, Montreal
Air Jamaica
- Montego Bay, Philidelphia, Newark, New York
Bahamasair
- Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando
American Eagle
- Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Tampa
Gulfstream
Chalks
Ocean Airways
Delta
US Airways
Grand Bahama Airport Service
Bahamasair
Gulfstream
Continental
Miami Air
Lauda
Air Tran
American Eagle
Treasure Cay Airport Service
US Airways
Continental
/ Gulfstream
International
Bahamas
Air
Air Sunshine
Gulfstream
Marsh Harbour Airport Service
American Eagle
Gulfstream
North Eleuthera Airport
Gulfstream
Entry
Requirements
| Western
Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The
proposed implementation timeline has two phases:
Beginning
January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens,
traveling by air between the United States and Canada,
Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and
Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport,
Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document,
or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
As
early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S.
citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico,
Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda
by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to
present a valid passport or other documents as determined
by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative
changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State
and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements
as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided
to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards
for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens
traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.
U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory
are not considered to have left the United States and
do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include
the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands. More
Details...
|
USA Citizens
To enter The Bahamas, U.S. citizens are required to have a passport
and also need a return or onward journey ticket and proof of
funds to support the visit. If you are using an electronic ticket,
please show Bahamas Immigration a copy of your travel itinerary
and ticket number. Stays are not to exceed eight months.
Canadian Citizens
To enter The Bahamas, Canadian citizens need one of the three
documents listed below, accompanied by a return or onward journey
ticket and proof of funds to support the visit. Stays not to
exceed 21 days.
NOTE:
A married woman whose birth certificate does not match her Government
issued identification should also bring along her marriage license.
If you are using an electronic ticket, please show Immigration
a copy of your travel itinerary and ticket number.
Passport
Current or expired (up to a maximum of five years since expiration
date).
OR
Official Birth Certificate
For persons 17 years of age and older:
An original certificate issued by the Canadian Govt. or court-certified
copy (raised or ink seal) is required, accompanied by an Official
Photo ID issued by the Canadian Govt. (driver’s license,
or voter's card). Current and expired IDs are accepted. Student
Photo ID alone is not acceptable as adequate documentation.
For persons 16 years of age and younger:
A birth certificate is all that is required. If the traveler
is a student and possesses a student ID, the traveler should
also carry the student ID to facilitate being processed by Bahamas
Immigration.
For persons 16 years of age and younger, traveling alone:
A notarized parental letter of consent is required. In the case
of organized group travel, a letter is not necessary. It is
assumed that the chaperon has obtained prior permission.
NOTE:
A laminated credit card-sized birth certificate is acceptable,
as long as it is an original or certified copy (raised or ink
seal).
OR
Original Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate
An original certificate is required, accompanied by a recent
photo if photo on naturalization paper is not recent.
NOTE: Persons are advised to purchase return tickets (and seek
reimbursement upon returning home for the unused ticket), even
when they are certain to return via a private boat – the
chance of an airline/cruise line ticket agent allowing travel
on a single ticket is very slim. If, however, the person gets
to the point of Bahamas Immigration on a single ticket, the
Captain of the boat would have to present himself and the cruising
permit. However, a copy of the cruising permit will be permitted
for crew members, who may be arriving by plane and returning
by boat as their names will appear on the manifest. A letter
will not suffice.
Citizens from other countries
To enter The Bahamas, citizens from countries other than the
U.S. and Canada require a Passport that must be valid for six
(6) months beyond the dates of travel and/or a valid Bahamas
Visa. You must also possess a return or onward journey ticket
and proof of funds to support the visit.
NOTE: If you are using an electronic ticket, please show Immigration
a copy of your travel itinerary and ticket number. PASSPORT
refers to a valid passport from the individual's country of
birth. VISA refers to a Bahamas Visa only. If a person is born
in one country and resident in another (other than the U.S.
or Canada), the documentation required is based upon the country
of birth.
Upon
your arrival to The Islands Of The Bahamas, you will be asked
to fill out an Immigration Arrival/Departure Card, which you
will keep part of until your departure.
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers
over one year of age coming from the following countries: Angola,
Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Cameroon, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Ecuador, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,
Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Peru and Sudan. Travellers
are required to be vaccinated 10 days prior to entering The
Islands Of The Bahamas and must have a valid certificate of
vaccination against Yellow Fever.
Customs
When you enter The Islands Of The Bahamas, you will be asked
for a verbal baggage declaration. However, your luggage is also
subject to customs inspections. If you are carrying dutiable
items, you will need to fill out a Baggage Declaration Form.
Custom Duty
Baggage declaration by temporary visitors is oral, but baggage
is subject to Customs inspection. In case there are dutiable
articles, the visitor will be required to complete a Baggage
Declaration Form. Each adult is allowed 50 cigars or cigarettes
or one pound of tobacco and one quart of spirits free of Customs
Duty, in addition to personal effects. In addition, purchases
up to a value of one hundred dollars ($100.00) are permitted
by all arriving passengers.
Household effects, such as small appliances (such as blender
etc.) are dutiable at 45% of the cost. Linen and china are duty
free for each arriving visit. Computers such as laptops are
considered a part of your personal effects and therefore are
duty-free.
For
the latest entry requirents for your country, please visit:
http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/about/entryrequirements.aspx?sectionid=59196
Getting Around
Taxis are accessible from all areas at all times. Jitney buses
run from downtown and Cable Beach in Nassau/Paradise Island
and from several depots at Freeport/Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island
at ten minute intervals for 75 cents per ride.
Driving
Rental cars, scooter, and bikes are available on almost every
island. British rules apply, so please drive on the left. Visitors
may use their home license for up to three months and may also
apply for an international driver's license.
Helpful Tips
What to Bring
Airlines restrict the amount of baggage you may bring to the
Bahamas, especially if you are commuting on the out islands.
Try to pack light. so you'll meet the baggage restrictions.
The planes that fly to The Out Islands may restrict you to one
bag and one carry-on bag.
Besides lightweight garments and comfortable shoes, you'll probably
want to bring a camera, sunscreen, sunglasses and a beach towel.
You can also bring your own fishing or scuba diving equipment,
although these items can be purchased or rented at most beach
resorts. Whatever you do, remember to leave enough room for
souvenirs!
It's a good idea to set aside B$15.00 to cover the departure
tax, unless you are leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas from
Freeport on Grand Bahama, where the departure tax is B$18.00.
You may substitute United States dollars for Bahamian dollars
since American currency is accepted everywhere and the exchange
rate is the same. You will also need to have the appropriate
documents for entry into The Islands Of The Bahamas. Please
click here to view these documents.
Plan to wear spring and summer attire. The Islands Of The Bahamas
have a semitropical climate with temperatures ranging from 70°F
to 80°F.
Electricity
Electricity is normally 120 volts AC. American appliances are
fully compatible.
Water
The quality of water varies from island to island. The water
is drinkable; however, bottled water is available in our hotels,
restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets.
Tipping
Tip according to quality of service. Bellboys and porters usually
receive $1 per bag, while most other servers (waiters, taxis,
etc.) receive 15%. Many establishments include the gratuity
in their bills, so look at your bill before you leave a tip.
Shopping
Stores in downtown Nassau generally open for business between
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. In Grand Bahama,
the principal shopping areas are the Lucaya Marketplace and
the International Bazaar which are open for business at 10:00
a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. With the exception of
the straw markets and malls, only a few stores in the downtown
area of Nassau/Paradise Island and the International Bazaar
and Lucaya Marketplace in Grand Bahama will be found open on
Sundays. The straw markets and malls are usually open for business
on Sundays. On the out islands shops and store hours may vary,
check with your hotel or host for more information.
Other Activities (when you are not diving)
The Bahamas have some of the most beautiful white powdery sand
beaches in the world. On the out islands, you may find yourself
all alone to enjoy.
Dining in The Bahamas can be an enjoyable experience, differing
from meal to meal. Most dishes center around seafood like conch
or rock lobster, but you’ll find a tremendous variety of fare
throughout the islands.
Exploring nature and the environment is a fun and exciting vacation
activity. The Bahamas has many national parks that protect and
preserve the natural environment and offer unsurpassed viewing
of rare and indigenous wildlife.
There seems to always be a carnival or some sort of festivities
somewhere in the islands. You may experience some of the most
lively and varied events of any place on the planet! Events
celebrating everything -- fishing, sailing, shopping, eating,
drinking, dancing and more -- can be found on the islands throughout
the entire year. In The Bahamas, the party never stops.
The Bahamas have long been known as a mecca for sportfishing.
Deep-sea fishing and bonefishing are the two standouts, with
events held nationwide throughout the year. Experienced guides
and fishing lodges are plentiful in the islands and are fully
outfitted to make sure you have the very best fishing experience
possible. From chartered boats to flats fishing, The Bahamas
have just about every type of fishing for first-timers and fanatics.
Are you a high roller or are slot machines more your speed?
The casinos of Nassau/Paradise Island and Freeport/Lucaya offer
cards, dice, roulette, slots, sports betting and live shows.
One of the real pleasures of the Bahamas is that each island
has its own personality. No matter what kind of nightlife entertainment
you want, you’ll find it on one of our islands. Peaceful nighttime
serenity abounds on The Outer Islands. A world of glamour and
gaming thrive on Grand Bahama and Nassau/Paradise Island. Whether
you choose to spend your vacation nights under the stars or
under the bright lights, there’s an island waiting for you,
or if it’s variety you seek, some islands offer both!
Cruising the islands can be fun and adventurous. Day sailing
on catamarans, or overnight bareboat experiences await. Cruise
and enjoy what the islands are all about.
|
