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Bahamas FAQs Click here to return to the main Bahamas page Dining and Drinking In comparison to other Spring Break destinations, the food prices in the Bahamas tend to be a bit expensive. We strongly recommend the purchase of the optional meal plan. The local food specialty is seafood, but you can find American franchises such as Domino’s pizza and Hooters. The legal drinking age in the Bahamas is 18 years. The local beer brewed in Nassau, Kalik, has won several international prizes, and the local rum is the infamous Bacardi. Tap water can taste salty, we recommend drinking bottled water. .Dress Code The dress code in the Bahamas is fairly casual but you should feel free to dress up when you’d like to.Electrical System No worries, your blow dryers and clothes irons will work without adapters. The same outlets as in the U.S.A. and Canada: 110 volts, 60 cycles, A.C.Government The Bahamas became independent, within the Commonwealth, in July 1973. The new Constitution provided for a Governor General to represent the British monarch who is head of state, a nominated 16-member Senate and an elected 49-member, now 40-member House of Assembly, with a parliamentary life of a maximum of five years. The Free National Movement (FNM) holds 35 seats while the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) holds four. A new party, the Coalition for Democratic Reform, has one seat, held by a former PLP member who resigned from the party in 1999. Sir Orville Turnquest, former Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs, was appointed Governor General at the end of 1994.Language English is the official language.Money The official currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar, which is equivalent in value to the US dollar. US currency, including traveler’s checks, is also accepted throughout the islands. Most shops and restaurants accept all major credit cards. You may want to notify your credit card company in advance to be sure you are set up to access your card outside of the country. ATM machines can be found in the casinos and at major banks in Nassau. Most bankcards with Cirrus or Visa/MasterCard status can be used; check with your bank before you leave to be sure. Banks are open Monday through Thursday 9:30am to 3pm, and Friday from 9:30am to 5pm.Phone Calls Collect phone calls to home are very expensive. The best way to call home is purchase a Blackstone International Phone Card after you arrive in the Bahamas or dial the 800# provided to you on your party wristband. If you are going to place a collect call from your hotel, it is wise to check with the hotel operator before you call to verify what the charges will be. Calls made from the hotel can cost around $40 US for just a few minutes, so it is best to call people in the states from a pay phone and give them your number in the Bahamas. It is less expensive to call the Bahamas from the US. It's also best to have the hotel turn off your long distance privileges so that you know that your hotel phone bill will not incur an unexpected charge at the end of the week. The cheapest and easiest way to contact home is by email. Ask your hotel clerk for the closest CyberCafe or Internet service provider. .Prescription Drugs Keep all medication with you at all times. Do not put it in with your checked luggage and keep them in their prescription bottle.Time Zone The Islands of the Bahamas are on Eastern Standard Time and do observe Daylight Savings Time.Tipping Many resorts and hotels automatically add a service charge to cover gratuities of 15%; check your receipt. Every dollar counts when you are a college student, but please don't forget to tip the people who are good to you; bartenders, waitresses, maids and bellboys. The general custom is to tip 15% on restaurants and bar bills, $2 (US) per person for bellboys and $2 (US) per room/per night for maids.Transportation Most taxis are large vans that can accommodate up to 12 people. The drivers typically do not use the meters so it is a good idea to negotiate the price of the trip before getting in. A full taxi costs an average of $2 to$4 per person, one-way. When returning to Paradise Island from Nassau, there is a $2 bridge toll which passengers are responsible for paying. During the day, it is the cheapest and easiest way to get around the island is by the local bus that operates from 7am to 7pm and cost about 75 cents one-way.Vendors/Locals Bay Street is the place to be for shopping! Imported perfumes, china, jewelry and crystal are all tax-free and can be purchased for as much as 40% below U.S. prices. Most stores are open from 9am to 5pm daily. The famous Straw Market is also located on Bay Street. This is the perfect place to pick up authentic souvenirs such as baskets, handbags, hats, mats, dolls and woodcarvings.Weather The Bahamas have year-round good weather, rarely experiencing extreme high or low temperatures. Summer lasts from May through September. From February through April, the daytime temperatures range between 70 and 80 degrees. The evening weather is a bit cool; a light jacket or sweater may be needed. Rain is rare during the spring break season! |
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