Bahamas | our practical guide to planning your trip

The Bahamian dollar is at parity with the US dollar, and the two are used interchangeably. International credit cards are accepted everywhere. Don’t forget to carry cash, as ATMs can be found at major banks, the casino and the Port Lucaya market on Grand Bahama. What’s more, if you want to buy a few things and negotiate, it’s always easier with a bit of cash. The official language of the Bahamas is English, often mixed with typically Bahamian expressions. Tipping is based on quality of service. Baggage handlers generally receive $1 per bag, while most other services (waiters, cabs, etc.) receive 15%. Many establishments include the service in their prices.

No vaccine for the Bahamas.

Pack mosquito repellent, sun cream and after-sun lotion.

The medical facilities on the islands, particularly Nassau / Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island, are staffed by North American and European doctors.

• Formalities : passport valid + 6 months and return or onward ticket (ESTA required for transit to USA)
• Visa: no visa for EEC nationals for stays of less than 3 months
  

• Current: 110 Volts and American plugs; You’ll need a universal adapter and a multiple socket to connect all your appliances.
  

• On the island of Grand Bahama, you’ll find around 25 hotels, depending on your budget. Fortuna Beachfor its value for money and its location on the beach and 15 minutes from the airport. There is also the Pelican Bay hotel that I can recommend. On Nassau and Paradise Island, there are about fifty of them. For nature lovers, you’ll find environmentally friendly ecolodges throughout the Bahamas archipelago.
• The camping is forbidden on the islands.
• There are no private beaches in the Bahamas, even those in front of hotels are public.

• Car rental:

Car rental is available upon arrival at Freeport International Airport (Grand Bahama). You need your French licence and your international license if your stay exceeds 3 months. In the Bahamas, we drive on the left, so be careful. Transportation is generally included in your excursions, or ask your hotel reception for a shuttle. There are no tolls on Bahamian roads, except for cars using the bridge between Nassau and Paradise Island ($2).

Find here your cheapest car rental

• Internal flights:

Inter-island routes are operated by Bahamasair or by private airlines. You can also rent your own plane.

• Ferry:

A ferry service runs from Nassau vers Harbour Island, Eleuthera, Andros, Abaco… Another option: The Mail Boat serves the islands from Nassau.

• Cruise:

It is also possible to take a catamaran cruise between the islands of the Bahamas, and I invite you to contact me for a quote.

You will have the opportunity to sample the local gastronomy either during your daily excursions or at your hotel. All inclusive. Fish and shellfish are present on every table: conch in all its forms (soup, fritter, stew, etc.), grouper (fishing is prohibited in December, January and February) and of course lobster (except from April 1 to July 31, when fishing is prohibited). Spices and coconut oil are the perfect accompaniment to these lightly spiced culinary specialties. Sun-drenched fruits surprise with their exotic flavors, such as tomatoes from Abaco or pineapples from Eleuthera.

No security problems in Bahamas but as everywhere, be vigilant in markets to avoid pickpockets, guinguettes or cities.

• Light clothing (shorts, tank tops, dresses, skirts, Bermuda shorts, tee shirts, but also a little wool for the cooler evenings from December to February)
• You don’t need shoes to swim in the Bahamas
• Comfortable shoes for sightseeing
• If you’re planning a hike, a small backpack to carry your belongings for the day.
• Hat and sunglasses
• Flip-flops and a bathing suit
• Mosquito repellent
• Sunscreen
• Waterproof clothes in case of rain, a Kway will be parafit
• Plug adapters (American system)
• A first-aid kit with your medication if necessary

You’ll be able to bring back lots of souvenirs of your trip to the Bahamas. On Grand Bahama Island, you can buy rum, local beer and chillies. You can shop at Port Lucaya where you’ll find huts selling local handicrafts as well as straw hats, jewelry, objects woven from plant fibers, wood carvings, ceramic and shell items. If you’re looking for real seashells to decorate your bathroom, you can legally bring them back and collect them on the beach. You’ll also find colorful fabrics, key rings and handbags…

You’ll also find great bargains at the taxfree boutiques “excluding taxes” in Nassau and Grand Bahama, as products are around 25% cheaper than in Europe, and some even organize sales.

The great thing about the Bahamas is that it’s sunny all year round thanks to the presence of the Gulf Stream! The islands enjoy a mild tropical climate, with temperatures fluctuating between 25°C to 32°C maximum all year round. A short daily shower is a welcome refreshment at the end of the day or at night. The water temperature varies from 24°C in winter to 29°C in summer.

But beware: the weather can vary from island to island, and no two islands are alike!

• In winter (December to March): days are short and warm, with sunsets around 5:30 pm/6 pm. Expect a maximum of 28°C during the day, with water temperatures averaging 25°C, and cooler temperatures in the evening, around 18-20°C at night. In January, on some islands, it can be very windy.

• In summer (April to November): long days (sunset at 9:30pm from June to September). Expect daytime temperatures of 28°C to 32°C, average water temperatures of 26°C to 30°C and night-time temperatures of around 24°C.

• Best season to discover the Bahamas:

The high season is often Christmas and the February school vacations. And yes, you’re not the only ones to see the sun in winter or during the school vacations. Think about discovering the archipelago in spring or, like us, in autumn. You’ll find great prices and fewer crowds.

• Rainy season:

There is no rainy season in the Bahamas. You can expect short showers at the end of the day or during the night in winter, and tropical showers lasting around 45 minutes in summer. On Grand Bahama, when we were there at the end of October, the rain rarely lasted more than 10 minutes!

• Hurricanes:

Don’t worry, the Bahamas are generally very little affected by hurricanes as the island of Cuba, to the south acts as a mountainous barrier if they do have them at all, it’s often between August and October.

To request a quote for a personalized trip to Bahamas, you can contact me by email at contact@mademoiselle-voyage.fr For 8 days/7 nights the minimum price for an all-inclusive hotel package with flights is €1,700/person; Add to this your excursions, which cost between $100/p and $150/p. Prices depend of course on seasonality and availability, but the Bahamas are quite affordable, contrary to what you might think!