Bahamas Facts
Country:
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas
Capital:
Nassau
Time:
Eastern Standard Time is used on all islands. April to October is Eastern
Daylight Time, in conjunction with US summer hours.
Currency:
The legal tender is the Bahamian dollar (B$1), which is equivalent in
value to the US dollar. Most of the times, you can either pay in US
Dollars or Bahamian Dollars.
Weather:
The Bahamas consist of more than 700 islands and cays, many of which
are not inhabitated. The islands cover an area of 100,000 square miles
of Atlantic Ocean, located between Hispaniola and South Florida.
Bahama welcomes its visitors with an ideal climate avaeraging 80-90
degrees F in the summer and 70 - 80 degrees F during the winter month.
Water temperatures in the Bahamas are never below 72 degrees F.
Rainy season is between May and September, but showers generally come and go very quickly.
Average Temperatures:
Month Temp (F) Humidity (%) Rain/month (inches)
January 62/77 78 (%) 1.86
April 66/82 74 (%) 2.12
July 75/90 77 (%) 6.21
October 71/86 80 2.23
Custom Regulations:
Upon entering The Bahamas, everyone must fill out and sign an Immigration form, keeping a portion of the card in hand until departing. Adults are allowed to bring a maximum of 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes or one pound of tobacco, one quart of spirits, and a variety of personal effects. Purchases up to a value of one hundred dollars are permitted by all arriving passengers.
When departing, all visitors (over 6 years old)are required to pay a $15.00 departure tax ($18.00 from Grand Bahama); Departures to the US must go through US Customs pre-clearance. you may bring home up to US$600 worth of duty-free merchandise. The next $l,000 is taxed at 10%. Gifts valued up to $50 may be mailed home duty-free. One litre of wine, liqueur or liquor and five cartons of cigarettes can be taken duty-free.
Banking Hours:
Banks in Nassauare opened from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through
Thursday
and 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Please note that banking hours
vary throughout the Islands.
Electricity:
Electricity is normally 120 volts AC. American appliances are fully
compatible.
Tipping:
Waiters and Tab drivers receive 15% according to quality of service.
Bellboys and porters usually receive $1 per bag. Some establishments
include the gratuity in their bills.
Getting Around:
Driving in the Bahamas is influenced by the British, so cars drive on
the left. Visitors can drive using their home license for up to three
months and may also apply for an international driver's license. Pedestrians
please be careful and remember to look to your right before crossing
streets.
Taxi's are located at the international airports, major hotels and
downtown Nassau.
Meter Cabs: Davis Street, Nassau - 242-323-5111
Bahamas Taxi Cab Union: Nassau Street - 242-323-4555
Buses run throughout the day normally until dusk every 30 minutes.. Buses to the Cable beach area leave from Navy Lion Road North depot. Buses to the Eastern area leave from Frederick Street North depot. Buses to the malls leave from Marlbourgh Street East.
Medical Services:
Princess Margaret Hospital - 242-322-2861
Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre - 242-324-6881
Doctor's Hospital - 242-322-8411
Acute Care - 242-328-5596
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