The Lucayan people first settled in the Bahamas before Christopher Columbus arrived on San Salvador island in 1492. After centuries of disease and unrest, the first permanent settlement in the Bahamas was founded in 1647 by religious refugees. In 1717 the Bahamas became a British Colony and subsequently became a hide and hangout for famous pirates such as Blackbeard.
The Bahamas became an independent country on July 10, 1973. Since independence, the Bahamas has developed into a major center for financial services and a prime tourist spot.
Climate
In most of The Bahamas, temperatures linger between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, thanks to the constant gentle trade winds. This means The Bahamas does not have an off-season. However, hurricane season in the fall can be disruptive.
Money
The Bahamas use the Bahamian Dollar. However, most places will also accept U.S. Dollars.
Credit/Debit Cards
Credit cards are generally accepted throughout the Bahamas. You can use a credit card at most resorts and nice restaurants, but some local vendors may ask that you pay with cash.
ATM’s
ATMs are widely available, except on the most remote islands, but often the currency dispensed is Bahamian. If you have any left at the end of your stay, you can exchange them at the airport.
Culture
The Bahamas has a distinct culture that has evolved over generations, from a mixture of mostly African, combined with some British and American influences, which developed into a unique, colorful, and friendly Bahamian culture style.
Helpful Information
Language
Bahamian Creole (known as Bahamian dialect or Bahamianese) is an English-based creole language spoken mainly in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Electricity
Electrical outlets in The Bahamas are 60 cycles/120 volts compatible with all American devices.
Technology & Communication
The primary wireless providers are BTC and Aliv. You can purchase a Bahamas SIM card online before your trip or when you get there. Larger resorts and hotels may provide free wifi. In general, wifi may be hard to come by in some of the islands’ more rural parts.
In Case of Emergency
The emergency number in the Bahamas is 919.
Tourism Authority
THE BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND AVIATION
P.O. Box N-3701
Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: 1 (242) 302-2000
Foods to try
Family Activities
- See the flamingos at Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation.
- Spend a day at the Atlantis water park
- Swim with the pigs in the Exumas
- Snorkel through the barrier reef
- Spend a fun-filled day on the beach
Bucket List Experiences
- Plunge into Dean’s Blue Hole
- See the swimming pigs in the Exumas
- Walk the Pink Sands Beach on Harbor Island
- Explore Lucayan National Park
- Eat the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay
Drinks to try
- Yellow Bird
- Dark and Stormy
- Mojito
- Local Rum
- Kalik
Foods to try
- Rum Cake
- Conch
- Guava
- Johnny Cake
- Spiny Lobster
Photography Hotspots
- Pink Sands Beach, Harbor Island
- Pig Beach, Exumas
- Dean’s Blue Hole
- Graycliff Hotel
- Clifton Heritage National Park
