Island Tips
Helpful information before you arrive
Make your trip a smooth one. Check out our tips below, which provide answers to the most frequently asked questions—from clothing to drinking water, WiFi, duty free, and more.
Climate and weather
Pack light! The Bahamas enjoy a warm, semi-tropical climate thanks to the Gulf Stream and Trade Winds. You may want to bring a light jacket or sweater if you are visiting during the winter (December – February) for the morning and evening breeze, but you won’t keep it on long as the average winter low is a pleasant 70°F (21°C). The water temperature is warm year-round, so you can always enjoy a swim.
Clothing
Make sure to bring clothing for all occasions. This includes bathing suits for the beach and pool areas, casual spring and summer clothing for when you are active, and semi-formal clothing if you plan to visit upscale restaurants, casinos, and nightclubs.
Currency and banking
The legal tender is the Bahamian dollar, which carries a one-to-one conversion rate to the US dollar. You can exchange for local currency throughout Nassau, and ATMs are readily available, with some dispensing US currency. The US currency is widely accepted, as are most major credit cards and traveler’s checks. Banking hours are Monday – Thursday, 9:30am – 3:00pm, and Friday from 9:30am – 4:30pm.
Customs
To make travel easier, keep your receipts and pack everything you will declare separately. Please note the duty-free allowances for your country of origin. For instance, U.S. citizens out of the country for 48 hours are allowed up to $800 worth of duty-free merchandise. Limitations include no more than two liters of alcohol. Find more information about exemption limits on the USCBP website.
Drinking Water
Tap water in Nassau & Paradise Island is safe to drink. Bottled water is also readily available.
Electricity
Keep your adapters at home if you are an American or Canadian visitor, as Nassau & Paradise Island use the standard North American electrical current. For travellers from other regions, we recommend you bring any adapters needed, particularly if you are going to the Family Islands.
Medical facilities
Doctors are available at hotels and throughout Nassau & Paradise Island. This includes Princess Margaret Hospital and Doctors Hospital, which is located near downtown and in Western New Providence, and has just recently opened facilities on Paradise Island.
Telecommunications
Nassau & Paradise Island have two main cellular carriers—BTC and Aliv—which have roaming agreements with major carriers around the world. Prepaid SIM cards are also widely available for purchase. In addition, most hotels offer satellite television, direct-dial telephone service, and high-speed internet. Need quick access to WiFi on the go? Many businesses and services around Nassau offer WiFi for guests and customers.
Time zone
Make sure to set your phone and watch to Eastern Standard time, which is used on all the islands in The Bahamas, and note that we follow Daylight Savings Time.
Tipping
Note that a 15% tip is automatically added to all food and beverage bills at restaurants and hotels; please feel free to tip beyond 15% if you want to leave something extra for exceptional service. Porters usually receive $3-5 per bag, and taxi drivers should be tipped about 15-20% of the fare.
Travelling with children
Looking for children’s entertainment? Check with your hotel, as many have scheduled activities and some even offer babysitting services. Most hotels also include free stay for children under 12 who are in their parents’ room.