Bahamas

Foreign nationals of the following countries/territories do not require a visa to visit the Bahamas: American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chile, China (People's Republic), Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Fr…

The local currency is the Bahamian dollar (B$, BSD), but it is tied to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio and US dollars are accepted everywhere at par. There is thus no need for Americans to change money, and many tourist-oriented businesses will even give change back in US$. Keep an eye out for the famous (but now rare) three-dollar note and 15-cent coin, both made to ease the 1966 transition from British pounds to dollars, $3 being roughly equivalent to £1 and $0.15 approximating a shilling at the time.

By bus

Nassau/New Providence have a system of buses called jitneys, discussed in the Nassau article. Bus travel on the other islands (with the exception of Grand Bahama) is very limited.

By boat and yacht

The best way to see the Bahamas is by private yacht or sailboat. If you don't have that option, there are some limited public transit options:

English is the main and official language of the Bahamas. Tourist resorts may have staff who can speak other languages, including Spanish, French, German, and, less frequently, others.

Crime

Violent crime is a problem in cities, especially Nassau, including sexual assaults on tourists. However, gated tourist areas like Paradise Island have tight security.

Swimming hazards

It's natural to want to spend much of your time in the Bahamas swimming in the ocean, but it's necessary to take some basic precautions. Currents can be very strong, especially when swimming off a boat at anchor. Sharks are also worth being aware of - the entire Bahamas is a designated national sanctuary for sharks, meaning that it's illegal to kill them, and so they're present in relatively lar…

The adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has reached 3.0% or 1 in 33 adults. Tap water is generally potable, but bottled water is recommended for visitors.

Bahamians are good-natured but do not suffer fools gladly.

The biggest event in the Bahamian calendar is Junkanoo, a street carnival held on the early mornings of both Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1). Junkanoo groups "rush" through the streets of towns, especially Nassau, wearing spectacular yet disposable costumes of crepe paper and playing distinctive Junkanoo music, which combines African rhythms with loud brass and cowbells. The costumes, which are made from scratch every year, are disposed of on the streets as the party ends…