Bahamas

Quick Facts

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Capital

Nassau

Population

298,000

Government

Constitutional Parliamentary Democracy

Religions

Christianity (Protestant, Catholic)

Languages

English, Creole

Calling Code

+1242

Nationality

Bahamian

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Introduction

A yellow hibiscus in the Bahamas

© All Rights Reserved stevedana

With their pristine waters, picture-perfect beaches and classy resorts, the Bahama Islands remind you of a finely sculpted replica of paradise. Their waters are ideal for fishing, swimming with dolphins and scuba diving; their beaches are gorgeous and draw thousands of visitors to relax under the warm Caribbean sun; and the stylish capital, Nassau, is dotted with five star resorts. For visitors seeking a more private escape, one of the Bahamas' many uninhabited or sparsely populated islands offer a unique adventure. Indeed, it is no surprise that the Bahamas are widely considered one of the world's finest holiday destinations.

Brief History

Geography

The Bahamas is an archipelago in the Caribbean consisting of 2000 cays and 700 islands.

Regions

The Bahamas is divided into 31 districts. In the interest of brevity, only the most prominent islands and island groups are listed below.

• New Providence and Paradise Islands
• Grand Bahama
• Bimini
• The Berry Islands
• Andros
• The Abacos
• Eleuthera
• The Exuma Islands
• The Southern Bahamas

Cities

• Nassau - The Capital
• Freeport
• Coopers Town
• Marsh Harbour
• Clarence Town
• Rock Sound
• Freetown

Sights and Activities

Inagua National Park

The Inagua National Park is a national park of about 750 square kilometers big. It is known as the world's largest breeding colony of West Indian (roseate) flamingos. Lake Rosa dominates the beautiful park and the sight of reflecting roseate spoonbills, reddish-pink egrets and beautifuly coloured Louisian hersons is just fantastic. To add, there are about 50,000 pink flamingos. You are not allowed to visit independently and visitors must take a tour led by a guide. Before that, you have to get in contact with the Bahamas National Trust office in Nassau to arrange and pay for your visit prior to leaving for Inagua. Visit the Bahamas National Trust Office webiste for more information.

Lucayan National Park

Lucayan National Park is a small park at just 16 hectares and is located at the island of Grand Bahama. In the northern parts of the park there are trails to a limestone plateau where you'll find caves that open to the longest underwater cave system in the world. There are options to walk along the boardwalks in a mangrove swamp. From here, you can reach Gold Rock Beach, a nice beache fringed by dunes.

Andros Island

Andros is the biggest island of the Bahamas but it is also one of the least discovered. The island has a rather wild landscape with small palmtrees, swamps and several other species of trees. The forests are very impressive and the locals believe mytical creatures, called 'chickcharneys' live in the woods. Andros is not really dedicated to mass tourism at all, but there are many people visiting the islands, especially those keen on diving, birdwatching and those wanting to enjoy some secluded beaches.

Crooked Island

Crooked Island is believed by experts to be the second New World landfall of Christopher Columbus. Nowadays, it still is a quiet and beautiful place. The island shoreline has deep inlets and pretty beaches.
Birdwatching is particularly rewarding here and species include herons, ospreys, egrets, mockingbirds, finches, wild canaries, hummingbirds and flamingos. To add, there are at least 28 endemic subspecies of butterflies. Other features include the Bird Rock Lighthouse, bat caves, the Great Hope House (which is abandoned) and the shallow waters of Bathing Beach. This latter one is referred to as the 'world's largest swimming pool'. Crooked Island also has history regarding its pirate and plantation past.

Other sights and activities

• Bimini Road - Archaeological site
• Bimini Island - particularly good for deepseafishing
• New Providence – Bacardi Distillery
• Paradise Island – Atlantis, unfortunately only accessible for guests of some posh resort
• Long Island - relatively quiet and great white sandy beaches and turquoise waters

Events and Festivals

Weather

The Bahamas have a pleasantly warm but humid climate. Compared to Caribbean islands more to the south, there are some differences regarding temperatures, mainly because it is somewhat colder during the wintermonths of November to April. Generally though, temperatures are high, with summer maximum temperatures averaging around 30 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures around 24 degrees. During the wintermonths temperatures are about 5 degrees Celsius lower. The rainy season lasts from May to October, with September and October being the wettest months. This is also the time (especially from August to October) when hurricanes are a possibility.

Getting There

By Plane

Bahamasair is the national airline of the Bahamas and is based at Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) near the capital Nassau. It doesn't have that many international services, but at least Havana, Florida and the Dominican Republic are served. Several airlines offer flights mainly to the United States and Canada as well as several islands in the Caribbean. British Airways has flights to and from London, as well as the Cayman Islands
Other airlines serving the Bahamas are Air Canada (Toronto and Montreal), Air Jamaica (Montego Bay) and Cubana (Havana).

By Boat

Discovery Cruise Line operates a daily ferry between Fort Lauderdale in Florida and Freeport on Grand Bahama. It leaves at 8am from Fort Lauderdale and returns from Freeport and 10pm.

Getting Around

By Plane

Bahamasair has about a dozen domestic destinations, like Rock Sound and Crooked Island. If you want to do a lot of island hopping, you have to go back to Nassau every time. Otherwise, chartered airplanes fly directly between the islands, but at a cost of course.

By Car

Getting around by car is a good way to cover a lot of most islands, including the smaller ones. Many international car rental companies offer rental cars at airports, and in Freeport and Nassau. You have to be at least 25 years of age and national driver's licences are valid for three months. Driving is on the left side of the road and most roads are in relatively good shape.
Scooters, bicycles and motorcycles are for rent as well in most places.

By Bus

Jitneys (minibuses) provide inexpensive connections in and around Freeport and Nassau. On Paradise Island there is a bus service that stops at most hotels. But on other islands, there is no public transport, other than taxis. On New Providence taxis are metered.

By Boat

Bahamas Ferries .Bahamas Ferries has car and passenger services from the capital Nassau to destinations in Eleuthera, Exuma, Andros and Abaco. Fast daily ferry services travel between Nassau and North Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Governers Harbour. Other services include Cat Island - Nassau, Driggs Hill - Nassau,
Fresh Creek - Morgans Bluff, Fresh Creek - Nassau, George Town - Nassau, Sandy Point - Nassau and Spanish Wells - Nassau. It leaves Nassau at 8 am and arrives in Spanish Wells around 10am.
There are watertaxis between Nassau and Paradise Island regularly making the crossings.
Also, there are about 20 mailboats serving many islands. Although less comfortable, they are a great but slow alternative to the normal ferries and watertaxis.

MS Oasis of the Seas
Currently under construction, SM Oasis of the Seas is called to be the largest passenger cruise ship in the world. She will have 16 passenger decks, with 2,700 rooms and 28 state-of-the-art loft suits, which will host around 5,400 passengers. She also introduces the neighbourhood concept, similar to a theme park planning with seven districts to entertain different audiences: the Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Central Park, Vitality, Pool and Sports Zone, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The main attractions featured are the amphitheatre, a carrousel and a zip-lining. Oasis of the Seas will be operating in the Caribbean, has been registered in Port Canaveral in Florida, and belongs to Royal Caribbean International.

MS Monarch of the Seas
Built in 1,991, SM Monarch of the Seas carries up to 2,800 passengers and at some point was considered the biggest in the world. She features two outdoor swimming pools and a basketball court, twin cinemas, a rock climbing wall and a spectacular sea atrium with glass elevators. The Monarch sails half-week Bahamas cruises from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and is one of the three Royal Caribbean International's Sovereign class cruise ships.

MS Liberty of the Seas
The Liberty, a 4,370 passenger ship, currently sails the Caribbean from Miami, Florida. Finished in 2,007, she is one of the Freedom class and belongs to Royal Caribbean International. Amongst her main attractions, the full-size boxing ring, a surf park, volleyball/basketball court, an ice skating ring and an interactive water park. All rooms on board have been provided with flat panel TVs and the entire ship offers Wi-Fi access.

MS Freedom of the Seas
For several years, the MS Freedom of the Seas was the biggest cruise ship ever built, with 18 total decks. She could host 4,300 passengers plus 1,400 crew members and normally covers the Caribbean sailing from Miami Dade port. She features the first ever built Surf Park at sea, a massive rock-climbing wall, the H2O ZoneSM water park with ground geysers and cascading waterfalls. Freedom of the Seas is operated by Royal Caribbean International and belongs to the Freedom class.

Red Tape

Money

Work

Study

Language

The official language of the Bahamas is English. Bahamas Creole is also widely spoken.

Eat

When eating out, the standard tip is 10%.

Sleep

Drink

Health

Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

The country calling code to The Bahamas is: 1-242
To make an international call from The Bahamas, the code is: 011

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