Travel Tips for the Bahamas

U.S. citizens may enter the Bahamas without a national passport but do need some form of government-issued photo identification like a driver's license. Canadian citizens need to have a passport or official birth certificate. Legal permanent residents of the U.S. and Canada will need a national passport and Alien Registration Card/Permanent Resident Card. Visitors from other nations will need to have a passport, and citizens of some countries need a visa. You can check the Bahamas entry requirements at mfabahamas.org. All visitors might be asked to show a return or onward ticket. If you want to rent a car, you will need a driver's license and usually a major credit card.

Both Bahamian and U.S. dollars are accepted and used interchangeably throughout the Bahamas. All major credit and debit cards are accepted, and ATMs and bank branches can be found on most of the major islands. Some visitors will be asked to demonstrate proof of their ability to fund their visit upon arrival. Tipping customs are the same as in the U.S.

The temperature in the Bahamas ranges from a high of around 90 to a low of about 70, cooled a little by trade winds. This means you need light summer clothing, beachwear, sandals, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen. Rain and storms are possible all year, although the southern islands experience considerably lower levels than the northern islands.

The hurricane season is from June through November. If you are traveling to the Bahamas during the season, it's a good idea to purchase travel insurance that covers cancellation due to hurricanes so that you can get your money back if necessary. Check with your hotel to see what their policy is on issuing refunds in the event of a hurricane.

With more than 700 islands in the Bahamas archipelago, you have a lot of choice when it comes to which islands to visit. Several important factors to consider: Are you looking for seclusion or hustle and bustle? What activities and excursions are you interested in? What level of luxury and amenities do you want? The more populous and developed islands are Grand Bahama, New Providence and Paradise Island. Andros is one of the least developed islands despite being the largest and is a great choice for nature lovers. Acklins Island is tiny but has some of the world's best snorkeling and fishing, while the Abacos are known as "The Sailing Capital Of The World." Some islands are uninhabited but can be explored by kayak or boat; others offer the finest luxury resorts. Whatever type of vacation you want, a little research will help you decide which island is for you. You don't want to set off on a golf vacation and discover there's no course on the island you're staying on.