Bahamas- synonymous with luxury beach holidays: wide white sandy beaches, clear waters Atlantic Ocean and excellent coral reefs, as well as profitable duty-free shopping and hundreds of casinos. All about the Bahamas from the subtleties of tourism: prices, tours, photos and hotels.
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Great Abaco is the second largest island of the Bahamas, well known to all yachtsmen in the world. The sailing season here lasts from spring to autumn. The vast coastal shallows are teeming with fish. Here you can practice any of the existing water sports, fishing, or visit the duty-free shops of the city itself. large city Islands - Marsh Harbor.
Long Island is hardly visited by tourists. But in vain - this is the most picturesque island of the Bahamas, with beautiful nature and many places completely untouched by civilization. At the northern tip of the island, Cape Santa Maria is a long snow-white sand beach, one of the most beautiful in the Western Hemisphere. Main city Stella Maris Islands - small but quite modern locality, starting point for diving and fishing expeditions.
The Exuma island chain includes over 360 small islands, and in its southern part there are two quite big islands- Great and Little Exuma, where all local civilization is concentrated. This archipelago is real paradise for yachtsmen, because these places are considered one of the most beautiful in the world: constant ebbs and flows, changing the depth of the coastal shallows, make the sea unusually beautiful. Diving enthusiasts will also have great fun here. All the details about the cities and resorts of the Bahamas are on the page “Subtleties of Tourism”
Paradise holiday in the Bahamas
Customs
There are no exchange controls or restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency. To export local currency in excess of 70 BSD per person, permission must be obtained from the Central Bank of the Bahamas.
Duty-free import of 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 450 g of tobacco is allowed; up to 0.94 liters of strong alcoholic beverages and up to 0.94 liters of wine, as well as any other goods and products with a total value of up to 100 USD.
The transit of narcotic and explosive substances, items of historical and cultural value and weapons is prohibited - without the appropriate permits. The export of agricultural products, plants of all types and wood carvings requires permission from the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Bahamas phone numbers
The nearest Russian Embassy is in Cuba.
Rescue service: 911
Ambulance: 322-21-21 (New Providence), 352-26-89 (Freeport)
Air Ambulance Service at Sea (BASRA): 322-38-77
Cities do not have their own telephone codes. Payphones that can be used to make international calls are located everywhere and operate on telephone cards, which are sold in post offices, telephone company offices, hotels and supermarkets. You can also make a call from a payphone through an operator. As a rule, the cost of a call from a hotel is 10-15% more expensive than from a pay phone. You can also call another country from a post office.
Long Island is hardly visited by tourists. But in vain - this is the most picturesque island of the Bahamas, with beautiful nature and many places completely untouched by civilization.
Tourist safety
All popular tourist areas are quite safe, but petty crimes are common: theft in hotel rooms and pickpocketing. With the onset of darkness, tourists, and especially women, should avoid walking alone.
Spearfishing using underwater guns and other devices is prohibited on the islands. Sport fishing is permitted, but a fee of 20 USD must be paid for one trip to the sea, provided that no more than six reels of fishing line are installed on the vessel. Independent archaeological work on sunken ships is also prohibited. Violation of these rules can result in a substantial fine and deportation from the country.
Don't forget to tell tourists that local laws regarding drug trafficking are very strict: selling or even simply using drugs can easily result in a long prison sentence.
Climate of the Bahamas
The climate is tropical trade wind in the north and subtropical in the south. average temperature in summer +26...+32 °C. On southern islands(Great and Little Inagua, Mayaguana) in summer is much warmer than in the central part of the archipelago. In winter, the average temperature is +18...+22 °C, the coolest on the northwestern islands. The average water temperature is usually +27 °C in summer and around +23 °C in winter. The best time The cool season for visiting the country is from September to May.
Bahamas Hotels
Hotels in the Bahamas are very diverse: there are large high-rise complexes and small cozy establishments. The local all-inclusive system is recognized as the best in the Caribbean.
Mains voltage: 120 V, 60 Hz. American standard plugs with two flat pins are used.
Money
The country's currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD), divided into 1 dollar. Current rate: 1 BSD = 63.98 RUB (1 USD = 1 BSD, 1 EUR = 1.11 BSD).
Currency can be exchanged at bank offices, hotels and large stores. The Bahamian dollar is firmly pegged to the US dollar, but exchange rates can vary widely between institutions. The most stable rate is in the offices of international banks in Nassau and Freeport, the most unfavorable is in tourist areas.
All types of credit cards are accepted for payment. Travel checks can be cashed in the same place where you can change currency - at bank offices, hotels and large stores. Some hotels, restaurants and exchange offices charge large fees for check cashing, so it's always best to check the terms and conditions in advance.
Tips are usually 15% in most places, including taxis. Some hotels and restaurants include them in the bill. Bellhops, guides, porters and porters usually expect about 1 USD per piece of luggage or excursion, and maids, depending on the hotel, 1-2 USD per day. Many hotels add a government tax of 10% (Nassau and Grand Bahama) to 8% (Family Islands).
Banks are usually open from 9:00-9:30 to 15:00 from Monday to Thursday, on Fridays from 9:30 to 17:00. However, opening hours may vary on different islands. Some banks in the periphery are often open only one or two days a week.
US dollars circulate freely in the country.
Holidays in the Bahamas
It is in the Bahamas that you can rent an entire beach and throw a fabulous party. The newlyweds do not crawl out of the warm nests of their hotels, gorging themselves on the famous local aphrodisiac - the conch shellfish, which is mixed here in almost every dish. Families with children fill Instagram feeds with selfies against the backdrop of pink and white sand. Beautiful ladies enjoy amazing spa treatments while their boyfriends storm the “Caribbean Vegas”, sitting at a gambling table not in a smoky room, but on a wooden terrace overlooking the sea. Will it not be enough? Then get ecotourism in nature reserves, diving at sunken ships, snorkeling with dolphins, fishing for giant sea reptiles, learning about the heritage of pirates, as well as the hospitality and cordiality of always smiling people local residents.
Cuisine and restaurants
Local delicacies: seafood salads, spiny lobsters and shrimps, charcoal-grilled crabs, red snapper fillets, shells of all kinds, etc.
The most popular non-alcoholic drinks are tea (English style) and coffee (mostly very strong Colombian or Brazilian). The islands produce classic rum, the best variety of which is Nassau Royal, and you can also buy imported alcohol everywhere. Local beer “Kalik” tastes good and is sold everywhere on the islands.
Entertainment and attractions of the Bahamas
There are about 25 protected areas on the islands. Great Inagua Island is an excellent place for bird watching; also famous for their rich wildlife national park"Abaco", Man o War Reef (Abaco Cay), a protected area around Love Hill on the northeast coast of North Andros and Ambrister Creek north of New Harbor on Cat Island.
Every Bahamian resort has an abundance of nightlife restaurants, bars, cabarets and casinos. In addition, the islands have everything for active rest and activities aquatic species sports The largest number of sports centers are on the island of New Providence, as well as on the islands of Grand Bahama and Harbor Island.
Andros, Berry, Bimini islands - fishing. Abacos and Eleuthera Islands - diving in coral reefs. Exuma Islands and Long Island - yacht trips. Inagua Island - pink flamingos, exotic iguanas, swimming with dolphins and even the opportunity to feed sharks. Grand Bahama Island is for those who are interested in scuba diving and fishing.
Prices on the page are as of November 2019.
700 islands washed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream can provide the perfect holiday for even the most experienced traveler.
An impeccable climate, golden sand, tropical greenery and blue waves will make a trip to the Bahamas unforgettable.
But what to prefer - a package tour or independent travel- it's up to you to decide.
Prices and features of tours to the Bahamas
Several dozen tour operators offer trips to the Bahamas, with quoted prices ranging between $2,000 and $4,000. This wouldn't be so bad if the price included everything you need. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to the Bahamas (even charters), so all travel agents leave the route up to the traveler himself. A flight from Moscow to the Bahamas with a transfer will also cost at least $2,000.
As a result, the cost of the trip only includes hotel accommodation, transfer from the airport to the hotel and back, as well as medical insurance. For everything else you will have to pay yourself.
Independent trip: prices, documents, season
Concerning independent trip- and it can hardly be called cheap, but still you won’t have to overpay for services. Ticket prices await you the same from 50,000 to 70,000 rubles in both directions, but you can save on the hotel. Of course, 5-star options start from 10,000 rubles per day for a double room, but decent 3-star options can be found for 3,000 - 4,000 per day.
Food will also become one of the budget items, because if breakfast is included in the price of stay in almost all hotels, then lunch and dinner will have to be at your own expense. You can order a full lunch with wine and seafood for $40 - $50, although there are also luxury establishments where dinner will cost you at least $200.
Russian citizens do not need a visa if they travel to the Bahamas for a period not exceeding 90 days. As for money, both Bahamian and American dollars are in circulation on the islands. Almost all establishments and organizations accept all types of credit cards, but exchanging travel checks will not be so easy.
Well, travelers are not limited in terms of travel time. Thanks to warm current, washing the islands, here all year round The weather is great. Peak popularity in Bahamian holiday during the period from September to May, when the air and water temperatures are almost equal and reach +26...+28 °C. IN summer time The islands are also warm, but showers and hurricanes are possible. However, if you like to relax without crowds of tourists and are willing to take risks, then summer will be the most suitable moment.
As you can see, a tour is not the most profitable way to visit the Bahamas. If you are planning to go to this paradise on earth, then it is better to book your tickets and hotel yourself, and then enjoy excursions and attractions of your choice. This way you can not only see what usually goes unnoticed by most tourists, but also save a lot.
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Probably the Bahamas is one of the most mysterious islands, firmly ingrained in our heads since childhood, as something distant, chic and unattainable... And indeed, it turned out that getting to the Bahamas is not so easy.
The first thing I did was, of course, try in our search engine... but that was not the case - the search engine gives literally two or three hotels, and even then only accommodation and most often without flights! It became clear:
- Russian tour operators practically do not travel to the Bahamas
- You can book a hotel either through a tour operator or directly through a hotel metasearch
- You will also have to do the search and purchase of air tickets yourself.
What about accommodation?
In ours, I managed to find the cheapest accommodation option (with flight) for 7 nights in hotel The Orange Hill Inn 2*, Nassau for 195,000 rubles (without meals), Sandals Royal Bahamian 5* hotel, Nassau will cost from 208,216 rubles for only 5 nights, but already with AI meals (All inclusive) - the search is relevant at the beginning of March 2018... but what about the metasearch?
Our hotel metasearch returned the following results:
- from 47,800 for 7 nights (with breakfast)
- from 35,900 for 7 nights (without meals)
It is important to note that when purchasing a ready-made tour through a tour operator, the price includes not only accommodation, but also transfer to the hotel and back, medical insurance, guide services and sometimes travel insurance, while when booking a hotel through metasearch - only accommodation and sometimes breakfast.
What about air tickets?
Finding air tickets to the Bahamas was not easy - despite the availability of (at least three) major airports in the Bahamas, there are no direct flights from Russia, either on regular flights or charters. What are the options?
There aren't many options. With one transfer, you can fly to the Bahamas via London or via the USA, but in the latter case you will need to obtain a US transit visa. There are also options with two... and even three connections, but I will focus on the option with one transfer. So:
- - a ticket for one person costs from 43,000 rubles. (travel time from 15 hours including transfers to infinity... but on average about 23-24 hours). There are also flight options with a transfer to Miami (MIA), but the flight is significantly more expensive - from 69,000 rubles.
- To the Bahamas via the UK, London (LHR) - a ticket for one person costs from 77,000 rubles. (travel time from 16 hours including connections to...)
Thus, it is cheaper through the USA, but you will have to spend money and who knows how much time to obtain an American transit visa.
What about transfer and insurance?
I managed to find a shuttle for about 19 euros one way per person... if you wish, you can also order a limousine for 166 euros one way (travel time about 30 minutes).
It will cost only about 1,500 rubles for two.
By the way, if you are already vacationing in Miami or planning a vacation there, you will be interested in the fact that from Fort Lauderdale (half an hour's drive from Miami) to the Bahamas there is a daily ferry - the Bahamas Express, which arrives at the island of Grand Bahamas. One way ticket price is 75 US dollars. Travel time from 2.5 to 3 hours:
- Departure from Fort Lauderdale 8:00 - p arrival about. Grand Bahama - 11:00.
- Departure from the island. Grand Bahama 19:00- p.m. Arrival Fort Lauderdale - 22:00.
What about the visa?
Russians do not need a visa to the Bahamas, provided that you plan to vacation in the Bahamas for no more than 3 months. However, it is worth remembering that if you decide to fly through the USA, you will definitely need to apply for a US transit visa.
How to eat?
The food industry in the Bahamas is represented quite widely - from local cafes and global fast food chains, to medium and expensive restaurants. A set lunch, for example, at McDonald's will cost you about 6.5 Bahamian dollars, the average bill in an inexpensive cafe is 10-15 Bahamian dollars per person, and lunch or dinner in a mid-level restaurant will cost about 60-70 Bahamian dollars. By the way, the Bahamian dollar exchange rate is rigidly tied to the American dollar in a 1:1 ratio.
- Accommodation for two from 47,800 rub.
- Flight through London for two round-trip from RUB 152,000.
- Round-trip shuttle transfer costs about 5,000 rubles.
- Traveler's insurance for two from 1,500 rubles.
- Food according to your requests))
In total it turns out that minimum budget for a trip to the Bahamas excluding purchases, excursions and meals, about 200,000 rubles with independent planning. The price of purchasing a ready-made tour is comparable in price, but in this case all worries fall on the travel agency.
I hope I didn’t scare anyone))) After all, all the difficulties in planning a trip to the Bahamas are more than compensated for by the stunning beauty of the Bahamas and the unique atmosphere.
Look how beautiful it is:
Several times a year, fortunately it doesn’t take too much time to travel, and the quality of the tourist infrastructure allows you to enjoy the ideal seascapes conveniently and comfortably. Russian tourist on a distant archipelago it is not seen so often: a long flight and the opportunity to enjoy local pleasures cost a pretty penny. And yet, search queries for “when is the best time to vacation in the Bahamas” are found on the Internet, which means that the Caribbean is of interest to potential tourists, despite the thousands of nautical miles separating the continents.
Let's take a look at the map
The Bahamas archipelago is made up of coral islands, islets and reefs of all sizes and shapes. The largest inhabited islands, where they are located best resorts countries are New Providence with its capital Nassau, Andros and Grand Bahama with the second largest city Freeport.
Weather and climatic features The islands allow tourists to relax here almost all year round, but the Bahamian calendar also includes the most suitable periods for beach relaxation and the “low” season:
- The islands lie in a tropical climate zone, the formation of which is especially influenced by the warm ocean current and constant trade winds blowing from the southeast.
- The highest probability of rain in the archipelago occurs in May-June and the first half of autumn. July and August, although they belong to the rainy season, can boast of relative calm and not too high rainfall.
- Between May and October in the Bahamas, air humidity increases significantly - up to 90%. At this time, the intense heat is very difficult to bear, and in the summer it is better not to rest in the Bahamas for those who have problems with the lungs or blood vessels.
- The average air temperature at resorts in January is about 21°C, in July – from +30°C and above.
With the arrival of summer, hurricane season begins in the archipelago, as well as throughout the Caribbean region. Officially it continues until last days November, but the highest probability of heavy winds and severe storms occurs in August and September. Hurricanes are a fairly common occurrence in the Bahamas, but most often they do not cause serious damage to either the tourist infrastructure or the vacationers themselves. And yet, if you want to relax calmly, sunbathe and swim comfortably and safely, choose the time to fly to the Bahamas especially carefully.
Features of a beach holiday
The beaches of the Bahamas archipelago await guests throughout the year. Even in January, the thermometer rarely drops below +25°C during the day, and the water warms up to +23°C even during the Christmas holidays. The warmest weather is on the southern islands - Little and Great Inagua and Mayaguana, a little cooler in the northwest, on Grand Bahama and New Providence.
Beach holidays will seem most comfortable to you from September to May. During this time, the likelihood of rain drops to almost zero, although heavy and powerful tropical downpours can occur at night and in winter. They usually last only a few minutes and freshen the air, making the morning and the first half of the following day more comfortable for a beach holiday.
Do not forget about the special activity of the sun in tropical latitudes. Even in cloudy weather in the Bahamas, you should not neglect protective equipment so as not to get sunburn. Take sunglasses and hats with you to the Bahamian beaches and limit your exposure to the open sun, especially in the first days of your vacation.
Variegated calendar
Traveling to the Bahamas on beach holiday, the most inquisitive tourists do not forget to look at the schedule of local holidays in order to diversify their vacation by participating in interesting events and colorful events.
The most famous holiday in the Bahamas is the Jonkonu festival, celebrated widely and on a grand scale on the first day of the new year and again immediately after Christmas. Carnival processions fill the streets and squares of Bahamian cities these days, and their main participants are cows with bells around their necks. Nail entertainment program– dance shows that are in no way inferior to Brazilian ones. In the evening of each day, the winners are awarded prizes, and the sky is colored with dozens of fireworks.
On other days of the year, the Bahamas also does not let its many guests get bored:
- In January, you can take part in golf competitions or at least become a spectator and make sure that there are rules to this game, and that it itself may seem boring only at first glance.
- Tourists are offered to get acquainted with the customs of local aborigines in July. At this time, a festival takes place, the purpose of which is to preserve national culture, folklore and customs. If the Bahamas has captivated you and you are staying until the end of the summer, take part in a fishing tournament in August.
- The end of summer smoothly flows into the Bahamian Food and Wine Festival in September. Taste local drinks and dishes national cuisine You can do it both in hotels and from street vendors.
Music fans will be pleased to find themselves on vacation in the Bahamas at the end of May. The Caribbean music festival lasts for a whole week and includes not only concerts, but also lively dance lessons. Everyone will definitely be taught how to dance bachata, lambada and reggae.
Four times a year, a magnificent musical ceremony is held at Rawson Square in the center of the capital, organized by the Nassau Police Department. The Orchestra of Law Enforcement Officers is one of the favorite musical groups of local residents and guests of the islands.
Useful observations
If you love to go sailing or just enjoy watching yachts, book your tickets to the Bahamas from April to November.
- The sailing season on Great Abaco Island lasts all summer and autumn, and several local regattas are quite capable of quenching the thirst of a person who misses the flapping of canvas in the wind.
If you are not too fond of noise and crowds on the beaches, do not choose the end of March and the first half of April for a holiday in the Bahamas. At this time, many Americans come to the islands with children who are beginning to develop spring break.
- You are unlikely to be able to sunbathe calmly even on Christmas, but the end of November may turn out to be completely deserted. On the fourth Thursday of the month, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the States, where the whole family traditionally gathers. During this period, almost all American tourists remain at home.
The "low" season in the Bahamas does not become an obstacle to travel for tourists who decide to save a little money. During the rainy season, prices for hotels and flights can be significantly reduced, and therefore the vacation will be cheaper. During rainy times in the Bahamas, you can inexpensively undergo a range of spa treatments for face and body care. In the summer, salon owners offer huge discounts to visitors who are not afraid to fly to the islands during hurricane season.
- And yet, when deciding to fly to the Bahamas during the rainy season, carefully study the offers of hoteliers. Many hotels are completely closed from May to September.
Diving in the Bahamas is another popular activity for Americans who come here on vacation. There are schools for studying the art of immersion at almost every resort and at many hotels. When choosing the best time to vacation in the Bahamas, if you are a diver or just want to learn the art of diving, book tickets for the dry season. At this time, the water is most transparent and the sea is calm. You will be able to watch underwater inhabitants completely free.
- The water temperature in January can drop to +23°C, and if such values do not seem too comfortable to you, try to fly to the Bahamian resorts in November-December or April-May, before the next tropical rain season begins.
When choosing the Bahamas as your destination for a long-awaited vacation, book your flights and hotel rooms as far in advance as possible. The Caribbean is very popular among residents of the Western Hemisphere, who tend to plan trips in advance, and therefore tickets and hotels for the dates you need may not be on sale at all several days or even weeks before the trip.
