North and Central America

Bahamas

Still current at: 17 May 2008

Updated: 12 May 2008

Terrorism
 
There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

 
Crime
 
Violent crime is usually within the local community, but tourists have been the victims of robbery, sometimes armed, particularly when alone or in isolated locations.
 
You should be vigilant at all times.  It is not advisable to walk alone away from the main hotels, tourist areas, beaches and downtown Nassau particularly after dark.  Extra care should be taken if travelling on local bus services after dusk on routes away from the main tourist routes.  Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery.  Do not offer resistance in the event of an attempted robbery, as the assailant is likely to be armed.
 
The outlying islands of the Bahamian archipelago (known as the Family or Out Islands) are attracting an increasing number of visitors.  These islands are relatively free of crime compared to the main islands of New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) but sensible precautions should still be taken.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
 
Political Situation

Bahamas Country Profile
 
Local Travel
 
You should note that operators offering sports excursions adjacent to the major tourist hotels are usually independent entrepreneurs and that many of the hotels themselves disclaim responsibility in respect of guests using those services.  You may wish to assure yourself, before buying an excursion, that appropriate health and safety precautions are evident and that the operator has adequate insurance cover.
 
Road Travel
 
You can drive in The Bahamas on a UK or international driving licence.  Although traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road most vehicles are imported from the United States and are left hand drive.  Drivers should therefore exercise caution, especially when overtaking.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.
 
Water Sports
 
Despite new legislation in 2006, the water sports industry in The Bahamas is poorly regulated.  Every year people are killed or seriously injured by the improper use of jet skis or other watercraft or by the careless or reckless operation of such equipment by others.  In view of a number of accidents, we advise you not to rent jet-skis or other water sports equipment unless you are an experienced user.
 
If you choose to rent any type of water sports equipment, you should first consider the dangers involved and satisfy yourself that adequate safety precautions are in place.  Once satisfied about this, rent only from reputable operators and insist on sufficient training before use.  Also ensure that the operator is licensed and has adequate insurance cover.

Penalties for possession or trafficking of drugs are severe.  Tourists may be offered narcotics in pubs and bars.  Police are vigilant and you could face a substantial fine, imprisonment and deportation.  Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through Customs for anyone else.

 

You should carry photocopies of your passport and travel insurance documents and keep the originals in a safe place.

 

Visas

 

British nationals visiting The Bahamas do not require visas for visits of up to 3 months. If you wish to extend your stay you must apply to the Department of Immigration in Nassau.  Penalties for overstaying include fines and detention pending deportation.  If travelling via the USA you should have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport.

 

The Bahamas counts as part of the “contiguous territory and islands” for US visa waiver purposes and time spent in The Bahamas counts towards the 90 day maximum permitted stay in the US under this waiver.  If you travel to The Bahamas via the USA (under US visa waiver arrangements) you should seek advice from either the US Immigration and Naturalisation Service or any US diplomatic mission before commencing your return journey if you have any doubt about your US visa status.

 

Travelling with children

 

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  

 

All visitors leaving The Bahamas are subject to a cash departure tax of $15.00 (US or Bahamian Dollars), which may or may not be included n the price of your ticket.

Medical treatment is of a good standard but can be expensive.  Emergency medical facilities are limited on all the Family Islands and serious cases are transferred to Nassau, Freeport or Miami by air ambulance.  You should ensure that your medical insurance covers the cost of an air ambulance.

Dengue Fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year.  In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases across the region but to date there have been no reported cases in the Bahamas.

In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 6,500 adults aged 15 or over in Bahamas were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 3.3% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Bahamas and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Natural Disasters

The hurricane season in the Bahamas normally runs from June to November.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the National Hurricane Centre. For more general information see Hurricanes. 

Insurance

 

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Consular Assistance

 

The British High Commission in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas closed in April 2005.  Please address queries to the British High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica.

 

In the event of a genuine consular emergency in The Bahamas, please telephone 1 242 327 5309 or 1 242 357 9005.  This number should not be used for passport or visa queries.

 

Money

 

Bahamas police have recently notified the public that counterfeit higher denomination notes are in circulation.  You should check for a ship watermark and metallic strip on genuine notes and not purchase any currency except at established exchange centres.