Bahamas: Facts & Figures

As of June 2009, U.S. citizens will need to have passport, passport card or WHTI-compliant document in order to enter the Bahamas by air, land or sea. U.S. residents (non-citizens) will need a valid passport and also need to bring their alien registration card (green card), and if they wish to stay for more than 30 days will need to obtain a visa. Canadian citizens need either a passport or a birth certificate or a naturalization/citizenship certificate as well as a return or onward journey ticket for visits up to 21 days. Canadian residents (non-citizens) need a passport and Canadian permanent resident card to stay for up to 30 days--for longer stays they need a visa as well. Citizens of other countries need a passport and some need a visa.

The Bahamas archipelago begins about 50 miles from the coast of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. There are 700 official islands and thousands of coves, rocks, cays and islets. The landscape of the Bahamas is tropical with vast sandy beaches, clear waters, palm trees and tropical vegetation. The Bahamas have a warm and humid climate that varies little throughout the year. From September to May, the average temperatures are 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and from June to August they average 80 to 90 degrees. The rainy season is from May to October and hurricane season is generally June to November, although this does not mean hurricanes are guaranteed or even likely. The islands in the north like Bimini and Grand Bahama tend to receive significantly more rain than the southern islands like Inagua and Mayaguana.

The history of the Bahamas features many stories of piracy and rum-running, a legacy continued today through stories and rumors of hidden treasure and pirate-themed souvenirs for the tourist market. The Bahamas became officially independent from Britain in 1973, but the colonial history is evident throughout the islands in the architecture and culture. For example, the Queen is still the official head of state of the Bahamas, cars drive on the left and English is the official language.

The large number of islands in the Bahamas means that there are many choices when it comes to the type of vacation you are looking for. If you want ample shops, restaurants, nightlife and excursions, consider one of the more popular islands. The capital city, Nassau, is located on New Providence Island and is connected to Paradise Island by a bridge. The international airport in Nassau and the famous Atlantis resort on Paradise Island make these locations some of the busiest in the Bahamas, with lots of provisions to meet the needs of tourists. Grand Bahama is another of the more populous islands.

If you want to get well away from the tourist hustle and bustle, find secluded beaches and generally enjoy some peace and quiet, consider one of the less-visited islands of the Bahamas known as "The Out Islands." The Berry Islands are perfect for water sports and exploration by boat or kayak, as they have only about 12 square miles of land mass between them and are virtually uninhabited. Cat Island features the remains of slave huts from the 1700s and also the highest mountain in the Bahamas, while on San Salvador you can stand at the spot where Christopher Columbus first landed on his voyage to the New World.

The Bahamas is known for its world class diving, snorkeling and fishing. Divers and snorkelers can explore coral reefs, caves and shipwrecks in remarkably clear waters and may see sharks, barracuda, dolphins and masses of tropical fish. There are plenty of professional companies offering diving and snorkeling excursions as well as whale and dolphin watching trips for those who prefer to remain above water. Sport fishing is another major attraction of the Bahamas with the opportunity to catch such big game as blue marlin and bonefish.

The Bahamas are a great place for golfers to visit with several championship courses to choose from. If you want a strenuous hike or gentle walk, there are botanical gardens, parks and nature conservancies to explore on foot. You will see tropical plants and maybe parrots and iguanas, and also some of the most spectacular views in The Bahamas. You may prefer to take an organized tour to benefit from local expertise on history, bird-watching, or to explore hidden caves and coves, but self-guided tours along established trails are also an option.