The Bahamas
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“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list” SUSAN SONTAG
© Tord Elfwendahl
© 2006 AbsoluteCaribbean/all rights reserved. Us of this website constitutes acceptance of AbsoluteCaribbean Last update 30.5 2008
Location The Commonwealth of Bahamas, a geographical
conglomerate of over 700 islands, is located on the North Part of
Caribbean Sea, southeast of the State of Florida (in the United
States).
Area Archipelago nation of approximately 700 islands, of which 40
are populated. The islands cover an area of about 100,000 square
miles. Family lslands: Eleuthera, Exuma, Abaco, Bimini, Spanish
Wells, Walker's Cay, Rugged Island, Berry Island, Crooked Island,
Andros, Cat Island, Mayaguana, long Island, Akilos, San Salvador,
Little lnagua, Great Inagua.
Climate The Bahamas are slightly cooler than other Caribbean
island groups owing to their proximity to the continental North
American cold air systems. Temperatures average around 20°C (68°
F) during the winter season, and 30°C (86°F) during the summer.
The rainy season is May-October, when the showers are usually
short but heavy.
Time Atlantic Standard Time, US EST -1, GMT -4. During the
summer, Eastern Daylight Savings Time is adopted.
Population Approx.260,000 .
Language English.
Religions Christians.
Capital Nassau, located on the island of New Providence.
Grand Bahama. Major city, Freeport.
Government Independet nationstate within The Commonwealth.
Entry Requirements No Visa is required. You must carry a valid
passport with photograph, and a two-way air or sea ticket, to enter
and stay on Bahamas as a tourist.
Currency The Bahamian dollar (B$) is the national currency. It Is
equivalent to, and interchangeable with, the American dollar.. Major
Credit Cards are widely
accepted. Bring bills of 50 US$ or smaller.
Banking Hours Mo-Th 9:30am-3:00pm and 9:30am-5:00pm on
Fridays. ATMs
disburse US dollars.
Medical Treatment / Health care Excellent medical care is available
in The Bahamas. Hospitals in Nassau and Freeport offer private,
general and maternity care and provide the services of a variety of
specialists. Dental clinics and dentists are also available. Modern,
dependable medical centers and private practitioners serve the
out¬islands. Vaccinations are not needed. Eat and drink freely.
There is a hyperbaric chamber in Freeport on Grand Bahamas
Island. Air evacuation services are available on all islands that supply
diving services. All Bahamas diving operators carry oxygen and
emergency first aid supplies.
Drinking Water Bottled water is always safe.
What to Wear Required clothing: Lightweight or tropical, cottons all
year round. Light raincoats are useful during the wet season. Casual
summer wear can be worn during the day any time of the year; but be
sure to bring a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings from December
to February. Most hotels/restaurants/casinos require jackets for men
in the evening, especially in cosmopolitan Nassau. Beach clothing is
inappropriate on the streets of downtown Nassau, in churches,
restaurants and casinos. On the more laid-back Out Islands, dress-
codes are much more flexible.
What to Bring Film and video cassettes, batteries,
sunscreen, disposable diapers, sporting goods and books
are all generally more expensive on The Bahamas. Local stores carry
a good selection of most items.
Cellular phones / Internet Travelers can use their cellular
phones. Direct international call from hotel room, hotel
internet service and internet cafés.
What to buy New Providence Island Nassau has some of the best
shopping in the Bahamas. The duty-free shops offer a good
selection and especially good prices on perfumes, jewelry, cameras,
china, and other fine merchandise. The Straw Market in downtown
Nassau is a must for colorful clothing, decorated straw handbags,
and other items and souvenirs. Unlike in the duty-free shops, visitors
should feel free to negotiate prices at the Straw Market. Store hours:
Mo–Fr 9am–5:30pm; Sa 10am–5:30pm. Many stores tend to close
for lunch and most are closed on Sundays.
Tipping The usual tip is 15%. Many hotels and resorts automatically
add the 15% service charge to cover tips.
Transport There are taxis, car rentals, buses, jitneys and private
limousines available throughout the country.
Taxi Taxis are a nice way to know the islands, fares are regulated by
the government and units have meters. Transportation can also be
arranged by bus or on a rented car, an attractive option for the more
independent travelers.
Traffic Throughout The Bahamas, driving is on the left side of the
road. Asphalt roads generally in good condition.
Driving License Foreign and international licenses are
accepted.
Electricity 120 A.C./ 60 cycles (North America standard).
Dual voltage appliances from Europe and South America will
need an adapter plug.
Criminality The Bahamas is in general
considered to be safe and secure destination. However, this
doesn’t mean that you should not take the obvious measures
of course: use the hotel’s safe for any valuables, precious
jewelries, cash, etc; don’t leave wallets, purses, cameras, etc
out of sight; don’t leave valuables visible in your parked car.
NOTE It is prohibited to collect and export any kind of coral
stones and shells!
conglomerate of over 700 islands, is located on the North Part of
Caribbean Sea, southeast of the State of Florida (in the United
States).
Area Archipelago nation of approximately 700 islands, of which 40
are populated. The islands cover an area of about 100,000 square
miles. Family lslands: Eleuthera, Exuma, Abaco, Bimini, Spanish
Wells, Walker's Cay, Rugged Island, Berry Island, Crooked Island,
Andros, Cat Island, Mayaguana, long Island, Akilos, San Salvador,
Little lnagua, Great Inagua.
Climate The Bahamas are slightly cooler than other Caribbean
island groups owing to their proximity to the continental North
American cold air systems. Temperatures average around 20°C (68°
F) during the winter season, and 30°C (86°F) during the summer.
The rainy season is May-October, when the showers are usually
short but heavy.
Time Atlantic Standard Time, US EST -1, GMT -4. During the
summer, Eastern Daylight Savings Time is adopted.
Population Approx.260,000 .
Language English.
Religions Christians.
Capital Nassau, located on the island of New Providence.
Grand Bahama. Major city, Freeport.
Government Independet nationstate within The Commonwealth.
Entry Requirements No Visa is required. You must carry a valid
passport with photograph, and a two-way air or sea ticket, to enter
and stay on Bahamas as a tourist.
Currency The Bahamian dollar (B$) is the national currency. It Is
equivalent to, and interchangeable with, the American dollar.. Major
Credit Cards are widely
accepted. Bring bills of 50 US$ or smaller.
Banking Hours Mo-Th 9:30am-3:00pm and 9:30am-5:00pm on
Fridays. ATMs
disburse US dollars.
Medical Treatment / Health care Excellent medical care is available
in The Bahamas. Hospitals in Nassau and Freeport offer private,
general and maternity care and provide the services of a variety of
specialists. Dental clinics and dentists are also available. Modern,
dependable medical centers and private practitioners serve the
out¬islands. Vaccinations are not needed. Eat and drink freely.
There is a hyperbaric chamber in Freeport on Grand Bahamas
Island. Air evacuation services are available on all islands that supply
diving services. All Bahamas diving operators carry oxygen and
emergency first aid supplies.
Drinking Water Bottled water is always safe.
What to Wear Required clothing: Lightweight or tropical, cottons all
year round. Light raincoats are useful during the wet season. Casual
summer wear can be worn during the day any time of the year; but be
sure to bring a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings from December
to February. Most hotels/restaurants/casinos require jackets for men
in the evening, especially in cosmopolitan Nassau. Beach clothing is
inappropriate on the streets of downtown Nassau, in churches,
restaurants and casinos. On the more laid-back Out Islands, dress-
codes are much more flexible.
What to Bring Film and video cassettes, batteries,
sunscreen, disposable diapers, sporting goods and books
are all generally more expensive on The Bahamas. Local stores carry
a good selection of most items.
Cellular phones / Internet Travelers can use their cellular
phones. Direct international call from hotel room, hotel
internet service and internet cafés.
What to buy New Providence Island Nassau has some of the best
shopping in the Bahamas. The duty-free shops offer a good
selection and especially good prices on perfumes, jewelry, cameras,
china, and other fine merchandise. The Straw Market in downtown
Nassau is a must for colorful clothing, decorated straw handbags,
and other items and souvenirs. Unlike in the duty-free shops, visitors
should feel free to negotiate prices at the Straw Market. Store hours:
Mo–Fr 9am–5:30pm; Sa 10am–5:30pm. Many stores tend to close
for lunch and most are closed on Sundays.
Tipping The usual tip is 15%. Many hotels and resorts automatically
add the 15% service charge to cover tips.
Transport There are taxis, car rentals, buses, jitneys and private
limousines available throughout the country.
Taxi Taxis are a nice way to know the islands, fares are regulated by
the government and units have meters. Transportation can also be
arranged by bus or on a rented car, an attractive option for the more
independent travelers.
Traffic Throughout The Bahamas, driving is on the left side of the
road. Asphalt roads generally in good condition.
Driving License Foreign and international licenses are
accepted.
Electricity 120 A.C./ 60 cycles (North America standard).
Dual voltage appliances from Europe and South America will
need an adapter plug.
Criminality The Bahamas is in general
considered to be safe and secure destination. However, this
doesn’t mean that you should not take the obvious measures
of course: use the hotel’s safe for any valuables, precious
jewelries, cash, etc; don’t leave wallets, purses, cameras, etc
out of sight; don’t leave valuables visible in your parked car.
NOTE It is prohibited to collect and export any kind of coral
stones and shells!
Nassau Downtown Nassau features private and government buildings and other attractions dating as far back as the 18th century. Be sure to walk down the 65 steps of Queen's Staircase and visit Government House and Parliament Square. Nassau Casinos, New Providence Island When the stars come out, visitors to New Providence Island visit one of the many restaurants and nightclubs or try their luck at the Crystal Palace Casino at the Nassau Marriott Resort on Cable Beach, or at the Paradise Island Casino at Atlantis. Both are Las Vegas-style casinos - casual, big, and noisy. No one under 21 is admitted. Junkanoo Junkanoo, a Bahamian national festival, is a kaleidoscope of colour and sound. The rhythmic sounds of cowbells, goat skin drums and whistles, accompanied by an array of brass instruments, create a sweet musical beat that will move you; while brilliantly coloured costumes capture your eye, and bring much visual delight. The biggest National Festival of the Bahamas. The Junkanoo Parade is held twice a year, December 26th, boxing day and January 1st New Years Day. It is the most exciting display of Art and Culture in the world, displaying elaborate and colorful costumes in a variety of shapes and sizes. There is even a museum showcasing Junkanoo costumes, art and artifacts in downtown Nassau - a cultural highlight and must-see attraction for all visitors. Diving & Snorkeling The Bahamas has a yearlong diving season, with water temperatures ranging from 76°F in the winter in the Northern Bahamas to 84°F throughout the islands in the summer. Operators do have wet suits for rental. |
Our Villa on the Bahamas
Capricorn House, Eleuthera * * * * *
Capricorn House, Eleuthera * * * * *