The Bahamas are sometimes called a tourist paradise in the Atlantic Ocean. Guests are attracted here by the exotic luxury of landscapes, crystal clear ocean water and beaches covered with white sand. The Bahamas have all the possibilities for a comfortable holiday, while the beauty of the islands has remained in its original form.
The archipelago is loved by divers, yachtsmen and fishermen. Many dive into the ocean waters with the idea of finding treasures that rest on the bottom, but do not get upset if they fail. A trip through the underwater world of the Bahamas reveals other riches to travelers: the beauty of coral gardens, the sheer wall of the “Tongue of the Ocean”, caves and sunken artifacts.
The main thing about the country
One day of vacation in the Bahamas costs a traveler 200 USD*. These expenses include food – 45 USD, transportation – 31 USD and accommodation. The cost of renting a hotel room for a couple is on average 197 USD per day.
The time difference between the islands and Moscow is minus 8 hours. The clocks are switched to winter and summer time in March and November.
The full name of the state is the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The archipelago includes about 700 islands located north of Cuba, but only thirty of them are inhabited. The capital of the Bahamas is the city of Nassau.
The official language of the country is English. Most of the population knows the correct speech, but communicates with each other in their own dialect with a mixture of island speech and African words.
The Bahamas is a Christian country, 92% of the population consider themselves believers. About a third of them are Baptists, the Roman and Anglican churches have less influence.
The Bahamas are formed by limestone rocks lying at a depth of 1.5 km under water. The surface is flat and covered with sparse vegetation. The coastal areas are occupied by sandy beaches. The highest point of the archipelago is considered to be Avernia Hill on Cat Island. Its height reaches 63 m.
The climate in the country is tropical, trade wind. The rainy season begins in May and ends in October. The average annual temperature is +26 °C, although in July there can be heat up to +30 °C. Due to tropical cyclones, the country often experiences hurricanes.
The indigenous population is famous for its friendly and warm attitude towards tourists.
* all prices are valid for January 2022
Visa and entry
A trip to the Bahamas does not require a visa. You can stay in the country for up to 90 days. Before passing through border control, you must fill out an immigration card. A biometric passport is required for entry, including for children. Customs officers also request a hotel reservation, a certificate from your place of work indicating your income, a return ticket, and a document confirming your creditworthiness. Upon departure, you will need to pay an airport tax of 67.5 USD and a duty of 15 USD.
When to go
The high season in the Bahamas starts in December and ends in April. The country is warm all year round, but in the summer the sun is too strong, and the heat combined with high humidity makes the holiday uncomfortable. In addition, in the summer months the archipelago is more prone to hurricanes.Day and night temperatures+23 +20 Jan+24 +21 Feb+24 +21 Mar+25 +22 Apr+27 +24 Maybe+29 +26 June+30 +27 July+30 +27 Aug+30 +27 You+28 +25 Oct+25 +23 Nov+24 +22 Dec
Currency
The official currency of the country is the Bahamian dollar. However, in the Bahamas you can freely pay with US dollars. The exchange rate is the same for both currencies. Credit cards are accepted everywhere.
Prices
Lunch in an inexpensive cafe costs an average of 18-20 USD*, for dinner in a restaurant you will have to pay 78 USD for two, excluding alcoholic drinks. The price of tickets for sightseeing of local attractions reaches 42 USD. A bottle of water costs 1.60 USD, a ticket for travel on public transport – 6.00 USD. The cost of products in local supermarkets is approximately 2.5 times more than in Russia.
* all prices are valid for January 2022
How to get there
There are no direct flights between Russia and the Bahamas. The easiest way is to fly to London or Miami and then get there on American Airlines or BahamasAir.
Hotels
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Beaches
The Bahamas are full of comfortable beaches, where all the conditions for a pleasant holiday are provided. The most famous is Cable Beach, which is located several kilometers from the center of Nassau. This is a whole complex with sports facilities, fashionable restaurants, hotels and casinos. The sand here is snow-white and seems soft to the touch, and the water looks turquoise-transparent. The territory is carefully cleaned several times a day, and lifeguards are constantly on duty at the station.
Resorts
The Bahamas are one big resort. The island of New Providence, where the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau, is located, offers tourists a whole complex of entertainment. Lovers of fashionable hotels, expensive shopping, restaurants and casinos prefer to come here. Andros Island is chosen by couples who want to spend their honeymoon, and on the island of Edultera you can take an excursion to the village of Dunmore, built two centuries ago.
Attractions
The Escuma chain of islands is a favorite among divers. The underwater visibility is very good here, and the local underwater caves amaze with the richness of the flora and fauna. Two films about the adventures of super agent James Bond were filmed in this area. On land, there is the Escuma National Park, a reserve partially located underwater. Here you can admire rare species of waterfowl and sea turtles.
New Providence Island is sometimes called a pirate haven. A large interactive museum, located in the center of Nassau, is dedicated to the life and customs of corsairs. The main attractions are concentrated in the old part of the capital. The Museum of the History of the Bahamas, which contains monuments from the time of Christopher Columbus, deserves attention. You can admire the panorama of the city from the Water Tower, which reaches a height of 38 meters.
Andros is the largest cluster of islands west of New Providence. This part of the Bahamas attracts divers with a barrier reef 165 km long. After the shallows, the bottom goes deep for 1.8 km, which allows divers to observe bizarre deep-sea animals. In addition, there are many so-called “blue gaps” – water-filled depressions and caves in thickets of coral. Fishermen come to these places for the opportunity to fight giant tuna, barracuda and tarpon.
Grand Bahama is rightfully considered a paradise for tourists. The island is separated from Florida by only 90 km of water. Freeport is located here, conceived as the capital of pleasure. Its center is Dixie Plaza, and most of the hotels are located in close proximity to the coast. There is also a tropical garden where you can try exotic fruits, and local musicians often perform at Count Basie Square.
Entertainment
The Bahamas regularly hosts dozens of festivals to entertain tourists, such as regattas on the Exuma and Abaco islands. The local Las Vegas is Paradise Islands. The complex contains the most expensive hotels in the world. Guests have at their disposal rooms with waterfalls, green gardens and swimming pools. A separate entertainment is a visit to a church stylized as a Mayan temple. The cost of renting a room can reach 25,000 USD per day.
Kitchen
Seafood reigns in Bahamian cuisine. Local chefs know how to cook them in a thousand different ways. Here you can try several dozen types of mussel dishes: deep-fried, baked in a crispy crust, in the form of various salads. Lobsters and shrimp are usually grilled and served with various spices. Special varieties of lemons and various types of incredibly hot peppers, including “Goat’s Horn” and “Bird’s Eye”, are often used in the kitchens.
Souvenirs
It’s hard to leave the Bahamas without shopping. Popular souvenirs include:
- straw products;
- shells and shell jewelry;
- coffee;
- rum;
- cigars;
- spices;
- national clothes.
Transportation
There is a well-developed bus service on the islands. Ferries ply the water. Taxis are expensive, even a short trip can cost 15 USD.
Safety
Security in the Bahamas is at the European level. You should not leave things unattended or show large sums of money. The crime situation is generally calm.
Medicine
Visiting the Bahamas does not require special vaccinations. Recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, diphtheria and tetanus. Health care on the islands is at a good level. Difficulties may arise only in complex cases when the patient needs to be transported to a medical facility from remote islands. It is necessary to take into account the activity of the sun and use creams with a high SPF.
Traditions
A cheerful and easy-going attitude to life is a characteristic tradition of the Bahamian people. The capital hosts the spectacular Junkanoo festival at the end of December. The celebration begins with a carnival and turns into folk festivities. Music and dancing are essential attributes of any holiday. Marriages are concluded on the beaches by the sea. After exchanging rings, guests are given wreaths of flowers and the fun begins.
Internet
Local SIM cards can be purchased from local telecom operators, such as Tez Telecom.
Interesting Facts
- voltage – 110 V, adapter required;
- It is customary to give a tip of 10-15% of the bill, to a taxi driver or porter – 1-2 dollars. Restaurants often include the tip amount in the bill;
- In the Bahamas, traffic drives on the left side of the road, which is something to keep in mind when renting a car after arriving;
- A rental car is considered the best way to travel for a tourist, public transportation in Nassau is very poor;
- It is not necessary to obtain an international driving permit.