Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for the Bahamas depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for the BahamasEmergency Numbers
- General
- 911
Currency
- Name
- Bahamian Dollar
- Code
- BSD
- Symbol
- B$
Pegged 1:1 to the USD, which is universally accepted. ATMs in Nassau and Freeport. Cards accepted throughout. Outer island resorts accept USD cash and major credit cards.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B
- Voltage
- 120V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
Time Zone
EST (UTC−5) — EDT (UTC−4) in summer
Best Time to Visit
December–May is dry season — ideal for Nassau, the Exumas, and Eleuthera. Water temperature is perfect for swimming and snorkelling year-round. June–November is hurricane season; September–October are highest risk months. Junkanoo (Christmas and New Year street festival) is unmissable in Nassau.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 15% | Service charge sometimes included — check the bill |
| Taxis | 15% | Taxis from Nassau airport have fixed posted rates |
| Hotels | $1–2 USD per bag | — |
| Water sports / dive guides | $10–15 USD per trip | — |
Dress Code
- Resort casual throughout — the Bahamas is relaxed
- Nassau's historic downtown and markets: modest attire appreciated
- Smart casual for upmarket Paradise Island and Cable Beach restaurants
Social Etiquette
- Bahamians are warm and friendly — a polite 'good morning' before any conversation is important cultural protocol
- Junkanoo (Boxing Day and New Year's) is the national celebration — extraordinary music, costume, and energy in Nassau
- The Exumas' swimming pigs (Big Major Cay) and swimming nurse sharks (Compass Cay) are genuinely wild animals — follow responsible wildlife guidelines
- Out Island Bahamians (Family Islands) have a more traditional pace of life than Nassau
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ activity was decriminalised in 1991; same-sex marriage is not recognised; social attitudes vary
- Drug trafficking carries severe penalties; personal possession of marijuana is technically illegal though enforcement is relaxed in practice
- Coral and marine life: protected — do not collect, stand on coral, or feed wildlife
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Bahamian English) | Hey! / Good morning! | good MOR-ning is the important one — always greet first |
| How are you? (Bahamian) | How ya doin'? | hao yah DOO-in |
| Thank you | Thank you / Thanks a lot | standard English with warm delivery |
| Everything's fine (Bahamian) | It's all good / No worries | standard island affirmation |
| Junkanoo | Junkanoo! | JUNK-ah-noo — the national festival and spirit |
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