Bahamas where. Bahamas

Bahamas synonymous with luxury beach holiday: wide white sandy beaches, clear waters Atlantic Ocean and excellent coral reefs, as well as advantageous duty-free shopping and hundreds of casinos. Everything about the Bahamas from the Subtleties of tourism: prices, tours, photos and hotels.

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Great Abaco is the second largest island in the Bahamas, well known to all yachtsmen in the world. The sailing season here lasts from spring to autumn. Vast coastal shallow waters are teeming with fish. Here you can do any of the existing water sports, fishing, or visit the duty-free shops of the big city Islands - Marsh Harbor.

Long Island is almost never visited by tourists. And in vain - this is the most picturesque island Bahamas, with beautiful nature and many places completely untouched by civilization. At the northern tip of the island, Cape Santa Maria is a long white sandy 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 ridge includes over 360 small islands, and in its southern part there are two rather large islands - Greater and Lesser Exuma, where all the local civilization is concentrated. This archipelago is a real paradise for yachtsmen, because the local places are considered one of the most beautiful in the world: constant tides, changing the depth of coastal shallows, make the sea extraordinarily beautiful. Diving enthusiasts will also have great fun here. All the details about the cities and resorts of the Bahamas - on the page "Subtleties of tourism"

Paradise holidays in the Bahamas

Customs

There are no foreign exchange controls and restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency. The export of local currency over 70 BSD per person must be authorized by 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, objects of historical and cultural value and weapons is prohibited - without appropriate permits. The export of agricultural products, plants of all kinds and wood carvings requires permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of the country.

Bahamas phone numbers

The nearest Embassy of Russia is located 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 work with phone cards that are sold at post offices, offices telephone companies, 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 to another country from the post office.

Long Island is almost never 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 not uncommon: theft in hotel rooms and pickpocketing. With the onset of darkness, tourists, and especially women, are better off walking alone.

Spearfishing with the use of spearguns and other devices is prohibited on the islands. Sport fishing is allowed, 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 hefty fine and deportation from the country.

Do not forget to tell tourists that local laws regarding drug trafficking are very strict: for the sale and even just the use of drugs, it is quite possible to get a long prison term.

The climate of the Bahamas

The climate is tropical trade winds in the north and subtropical in the south. The average summer temperature is +26...+32 °C. On southern islands(Big and Small 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 is in the northwestern islands. The average water temperature is usually +27 °C in summer and around +23 °C in winter. The best time to visit the country is the cool season 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 monetary unit is the Bahamian dollar (BSD), in 1 dollar. Current exchange rate: 1 BSD = 62.27 RUB (1 USD = 1 BSD, 1 EUR = 1.1 BSD).

Currency can be exchanged at bank offices, hotels and large stores. The Bahamian dollar is firmly pegged to the US dollar, but the exchange rate can vary widely between institutions. The most stable exchange rate is in the offices of international banks in Nassau and Freeport, the most disadvantageous is in tourist areas.

All types of credit cards are accepted for payment. Traveler's checks can be cashed in the same place where you can change currency - at bank offices, hotels and large stores. Some hotels, restaurants, and money changers charge high commissions for cashing checks, so it's always best to find out the terms and conditions in advance.

Tipping is usually 15% in most places, including taxis. Some hotels and restaurants include them on the bill. Messengers, guides, porters and porters usually expect around USD 1 per piece of luggage or excursion, and maids, depending on the hotel, USD 1-2 per day. A government tax is added to the bills of many hotels, from 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 different islands may vary. Some banks in the periphery are often only open one or two days a week.

US dollars are freely circulating in the country.

Holidays in the Bahamas

It is in the Bahamas that you can rent an entire beach and throw an awesome party. The newlyweds do not crawl out of the warm nests of their hotels, having eaten the famous local aphrodisiac - the conch mollusk, which is mixed here with almost every dish. Families with children bombard the Instagram feed with their selfies against the backdrop of white and pink 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 be too little? Then get more ecotourism in reserves, diving at sunken ships, snorkeling with dolphins, fishing for giant marine reptiles, acquaintance with the heritage of pirates, as well as the hospitality and cordiality of always smiling locals.

Cuisine and restaurants

Local delicacies: seafood salads, spiny lobsters and shrimp, charcoal grilled crabs, red snapper (reef perch) fillets, shells of all kinds, etc.

The most popular soft drinks are tea (English style) and coffee (mostly very strong Colombian or Brazilian coffee). The islands produce classic rum, the best variety of which is Nassau Royal, and you can also buy imported alcohol everywhere. The 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 birdwatching destination; the Abaco National Park, the Man-o-Var Reef (Abaco Cay), a protected area around Love Hill on northeast coast North Andros and Embryster 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 water sports sports. Most sports centers on the island of New Providence, as well as on the islands of Grand Bahama and Harbor Island.

Islands Andros, Berry, Bimini - fishing. Abacos and Eleuthera islands - diving in coral reefs. Exuma and Long Island - yacht trips. Inagua Island - pink flamingos, exotic iguanas, swimming with dolphins and even the opportunity to feed the sharks. Grand Bahama Island - for those who are fond of scuba diving, fishing.

Prices on the page are for November 2019.

Bahamas – fabulous corner of our planet, which every tourist probably dreams of visiting. The Bahamas are an archipelago in the middle of the blue expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, which is the center of world tourism. The Bahamas is washed by the warm current of the Gulf Stream, thanks to which, here all year round mild climate prevails. The composition of this state includes two and a half thousand reefs and seven hundred islands, although only thirty of them are inhabited. The Bahama coast delights sophisticated tourists with hundreds of kilometers of white sandy beaches, beautiful coral reefs, crystal clear coastal waters and picturesque Caribbean nature. About the amazing vacation in the Bahamas, we will tell in our article.

Price for tours and flights to the Bahamas. Holidays in the Bahamas belong to the elite, therefore, you need to be prepared that vouchers will be expensive. When choosing tours on the Internet, please note that many travel agencies offer tours to the resorts of the Bahamas, without the cost of air travel. Approximately, a week-long tour to the Bahamas for two adults will cost from eight hundred euros. The price includes accommodation in a three-star hotel, with breakfast, and transfer from the airport to the hotel and back. So beloved by Russians, all-inclusive food in the Bahamas is a rarity. It is very convenient that a visa to the Bahamas for our compatriots planning to rest there for less than ninety days is not needed. It is quite possible to buy relatively cheap tickets to the Bahamas, you just need to know that ticket prices vary from time of year, city of departure, availability of promotions and discounts from this airline at that moment. It is most profitable to purchase a ticket to the Bahamas from Moscow or St. Petersburg, then an economy class one-way ticket will cost you about fifty thousand rubles. But you can find even more profitable options, for example, with the Delta airline, a one-way flight will start from twenty-three thousand rubles, and with the Transaero airline, departing from Vnukovo, you can go to paradise islands for twenty-eight thousand rubles. But there are practically no direct flights to Freeport Airport, you still have to make one or two transfers. Most transplants take place in or in the USA.

When and where is the best time to visit the Bahamas? For the Bahamas, there are two main seasons: summer, when the air temperature warms up to thirty-three degrees, and the water to twenty-eight, and winter, when the temperature outside is twenty-five degrees, and the water is twenty-three degrees. Prices for tours to the Bahamas are always higher in winter, especially since they rise in holidays, but also during summer holidays, the cost of the tour will also grow. Although, it is at this time that you can find a lot of last-minute trips to the Bahamas with significant discounts. When choosing a vacation spot, you should know that the northwestern islands of the archipelago are cooler. The hottest islands of the Bahamas are southern: Big and Small Inagua, Mayaguana. IN winter time it rains here, but very rarely, and winds, high waves, hurricanes on these islands are also very rare. That is why, it is winter that is more preferable for holidays in the Bahamas. But in the period from May to October, the season of rains, typhoons and storms begins here. In all hotels, at the reception desk, warnings are posted about all weather disasters predicted for the day. Resting in the Bahamas in the summer is quite romantic, because it is during this period that bright tropical flowers begin to bloom on the islands and shrubs bloom, everything is green around, exotic birds and insects flutter.

Resorts of the Bahamas. It is clear that all the islands of this archipelago are divided into resort areas, and each of them is attractive in its own way, here everywhere tourists are offered a lot interesting excursions and a variety of entertainment. Each resort has several restaurants, bars, cabarets, casinos, shops.

Resorts and beaches of New Providence Island- This is the most densely populated Bahama Island, where the capital is located - the beautiful city of Nassau, which combines all the best that the local nature has given. Calm - during the day, and capable at night, to turn anyone, even the most passive tourist, into an unleashed reveler. In the city, one can trace a vivid mixture of styles of architecture: colonial, modern - and this can be explained by the fact that this sea harbor has always been an area of ​​​​someone's interests and each people who took possession of it contributed to the urban architectural component.

Connoisseurs of snow-white beaches and a clear ocean prefer to relax in Nassau, who are not ready to leave civilization and be alone with nature. It is worth noting that along the entire coast of the Nassau resort there are hotel complexes, shopping centers and parks that make the rest of tourists more intense and interesting. And yet, Nassau is a real paradise for connoisseurs of excellent shopping. Here are the most luxurious boutiques, numerous duty free shops. The city of Nassau is one of the world's largest offshore centers, where four hundred banks and trust funds are located, it is not for nothing that it is called the "Zurich of the Tropics". The islets located near New Providence are the location of luxury hotels designed for elite vacation in the Bahamas, there are a lot of upscale restaurants and the Crystal Palace casino. The most popular beaches on New Providence Island are: Cable Beach - Cable Beach is the most best beach Caribbean islands, as well as opposite resort islands, with Long Cay Beach and North Cay Beach.

Resorts and beaches of Grand Bahama Island- the largest island international airport accepting flights from America and Europe. Connoisseurs of noise and fun come to relax on this Bahama Island, because the music does not stop here, there are a lot of entertainment centers, discos, nightclubs, and every shopping center has a duty-free point. The island has a superbly developed infrastructure. The main natural advantages of this island are long white sandy beaches, huge pine forests. The most popular resort of Grand Bahama - Freeport or Lucaya - modern city, with free morals. And the best beach is Gold Rock, with romantic palm trees leaning towards the water, vine bushes around and beautiful lush orchids. For those who like to tickle their nerves, we advise you to get to Tiger Beach - the habitat of tiger sharks, and then you will have enough impressions for a lifetime. Very popular place vacation in the Grand Bahamas - a chic beach " paradise bay”, which is photographed on many booklets advertising exclusive holidays in the Bahamas.

Resorts and beaches of Andros island- this is the most uninhabited Bahama island, with centuries-old pine groves, fragrant pine needles, beautiful mangroves and palm trees, located along the white sandy beaches, smoothly leaving in the turquoise sea surface. Supporters of a laid-back beach holiday in the lap of nature come here to relax, walking along the turquoise ocean with pleasure, to the melodic accompaniment of bird chirping: ibises, flamingos, spoonbills, hummingbirds, Bahamian parrots. Weddings are often held here Honeymoon. But this island is no less popular among eco-tourists, amateur kayakers, ornithologists, snorkelers, divers, just lovers of fishing. The three main resorts of Andros Island: Nicholls Town, Andros Town, Congo Town. But due to the small population of the island, there is almost no developed infrastructure and public transport, and traveling by taxi will cost you a pretty penny. The most popular beach in Andros is Somerset Beach. By the way, many local hotels, knowing that the newlyweds are trying to come to rest on this particular Bahama island, offer a “wedding package”.

Resorts and beaches of Eleuthera Island- This is the fourth largest island in the Bahamas, and a place of elite recreation, with the most expensive and luxurious hotels and restaurants. It is only two kilometers wide, but stretches for one hundred and eighty kilometers in length. locals, live thanks to the generous seafood and rich plantations of pineapples, and, of course, tourism.

Eleuthera Island is a quiet, but well-developed resort, with picturesque nature: high cliffs, leaving in the bright blue sea surface, numerous mysterious caves and grottoes, beautiful coral reefs, wide beaches with pink sand. The water here is very clean and transparent, and the entrance is gentle. Main beaches: French Leave Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Surfers Beach, Winding bay beach” - are very popular among tourists on this Bahama island. Divers love to relax on the island of Eleuthera, who have long appreciated its beautiful underwater world.

Resorts and beaches of Great Abaco Island is the second largest island in the Bahamas, and favorite place recreation for people obsessed with sailing. Yachtsmen from all over the world meet here, in the "sailing season", which begins with the arrival of spring and lasts almost until the end of autumn. Travelers vacationing here will surely be delighted with the local coast with cozy bays and beautiful reefs, clear turquoise sea water, by the way, the local waters are calm and rather shallow, with a gentle entrance. The most popular sandy beaches: Ocean Beach, Tahiti Beach, Guana Cay Beach, Abaco Beach Resort"Sandy Point Beach". On Abaco, you can do excellent fishing, because the local coastal waters are simply teeming with fish. For lovers of eco-tours, we recommend visiting the picturesque national park Abaco.

Resorts and beaches of Long Island- the most picturesque Bahama Island, where there are very few tourists, but many natural places completely untouched by civilization. The island stretches in a long, narrow strip along the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is divided in two by the ridge of an ancient reef, so Long Island has completely different coasts, on the one hand, high cliffs and deep caves, washed by raging ocean waves, prevail, and on the other hand, these are ideal white-sand beaches with a gentle entrance to calm and quiet waters . It is this contrast that makes the rest of the Bahamas more interesting and exciting. The main resort town here is Stella Maris, all boat trips and other tours around the island start from here. At the northern tip of the island, there is the most beautiful Cape Santa Maria in the western hemisphere.

Resorts and beaches of Exuma island- this is an archipelago of three hundred and sixty-five coral reefs and small islands, the largest of them are Great Exuma and Little Exuma, they are washed by the sapphire waters of the Atlantic Ocean. On the island of Great Exuma, tourists are waiting for a lot of opportunities for interesting holiday, as there are excellent resorts here, with hotels offering high-class service, but you can also rent a modest fishing lodge, thus saving on accommodation. Local cozy bays, quiet bays and harbors attract numerous yachtsmen and sports fishing fans. Here, since 1957, the world's most famous marine park, Exuma Case Land and Sea Park, has been created. The most popular beaches among tourists on Exuma Island are Tropic of Cancer Beach, Three Sisters Beach, Jolly Hall Beach, Coco Plum Beach, Hamburger Beach. Not less than beautiful beaches are "Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park", "Staniel Cay", "Saddle Cay", "Stocking Island" - they are all sandy with a gentle entrance to clear sea water.

Resorts and beaches of Bimini island- a picturesque archipelago of several islands, the largest of which are North Bimini and South Bimini. This picturesque archipelago is located on the edge of a powerful sheer underwater cliff, immersed in the sea abyss for thousands of meters. Bimini Islands - very attractive place for people who are interested in the unusual and unknown, because it is here that there are several unique places planets and monuments of nature, the properties of which have not yet been unraveled and explained by scientists. The most controversial place is the “Bimini Road” - “Bimini Road”, about which, back in the forties of the twentieth century, the famous predictor Edgar Cayce spoke, saying that in 1968, the ruins of one of the lost cities of the drowned Atlantis would be found here. And so it happened: in September 1968, near the shores of Paradise Point, on North Bimini, they found neatly laid out huge limestone blocks seven hundred meters long, which they called "Bimini Road". Long-term underwater archaeological expeditions and studies began, after which it was concluded that these megaliths were indeed laid down by people - representatives of a highly developed civilization that had long disappeared, but there were other opponents who claimed that these were just marine sediments - coastal rock.

Another very controversial place in Bimini is the "Fountain of Youth" - a rejuvenating source that Juan Ponce de Leon was looking for, who heard a story about him from representatives of the Arawak people - akin to the Taino Indians. Many indigenous people of the island say that their distant ancestors passed from mouth to mouth, the legend that this miraculous fountain is located in the shallow backwaters of South Bimini. The next mysterious place of the island is the “Healing Grotto”, located in the backwaters. mangrove forest covering North Bimini, this place is the end of the mysterious labyrinth underground tunnels, through which, at low tides, cool water penetrates into this backwater fresh water, rich in mineral salts - lithium and sulfur, which is why it has a powerful healing effect. After bathing here, people experience physical rejuvenation and phenomenal mental clarity.

The main resort of the Bimini Islands is Alice Town, with the best restaurants, shops, hotels. Fishing enthusiasts often come here, as well as fans of eco-tourism, who are happy to get acquainted with natural beauties islands, observe the numerous representatives of the marine and air fauna that live here. Flocks of dolphins and giant turtles swim right up to the shores of the island. The most popular beaches of Bimini, with clear sea water, a white-sand coast and a gentle entrance: Radio Beach, Blister Beach, Spook Hill Beach, Tiki Hut Beach.

Resorts and beaches of Greater Inagua- the southernmost island of the Bahamas, the third largest, with several lakes and a large ornithological reserve, home to eighty thousand species of birds. The main resort of the island is the city of Matthew Town, and the most popular Inagua beach is Iron Badge Beach. Fans of eco-tours, divers, as well as just supporters of a quiet contemplative vacation will really like to relax on the island. Here you can watch the life of pink flamingos in their natural environment, swim with dolphins.

Resorts and beaches of Harbor Island – small island, five kilometers long and a kilometer wide, with the only resort town - Dunmore Town. Here is famous beach with pink sand - "Pink Sands Beach", which, thanks to coastal reefs, protects vacationers from huge waves. Harbor Island - considered the best Caribbean island and the most elite holiday destination in the Bahamas, for the richest people peace. Rest here is calm, since there are no noisy entertainment centers on the Harbor, lovers of silence and solitude in the bosom will like it picturesque nature. Here are the most luxurious villas and luxury holiday homes in the Bahamas.

Resorts and beaches of the Berry Islands- here you will find the most economical vacation in the Bahamas. This cluster of thirty small reef islands is located southeast of Bimini. They are completely covered with greenery, there are many beautiful sandy, snow-white, like flour, beaches. With a gentle slope, these beaches are ideal for families visiting the Bahamas with children. So, seven miles of the best sandy beaches await you: Dannenberg Beach, Queen's Beach, Sand Dollar Hill, Shark Creek, Shelling Beach, Sugar Beach, The Ship Yard Beach There are also completely uninhabited islands, with virgin nature and beautiful sea ​​depths which have long been chosen by divers and snorkelers. Berry hosts sport fishing championships.

Paradise island resort- is located northeast of New Providence, and is connected to this island by a bridge. On Paradise is huge complex hotels "Atlantis", with amazing beaches, with white sand and palm trees on the shore, excellent golf courses, a huge park water activities, casino, and numerous shops. Here you will find spiritual relaxation and entertainment for every taste.

The Bahamas are, in fact, one big resort and a place of elite beach recreation. Most resort areas have a well-developed infrastructure and a lot of entertainment for vacationers, here you can go diving, fishing, snorkeling, yachting, and get acquainted with interesting sights.

Capital: Nassau.

The Bahamas has long been considered a symbol of luxury and relaxation and is one of the largest resort areas in the Western Hemisphere.

Customs and traditions: The traditional culture of the Bahamas is far removed from the heavily American-influenced urban centers of Nassau and Freeport. Folk island creativity is reflected in in large numbers fairy tales, natural medicine, music and religious rites brought here by slaves from Africa. Despite the fact that the Bahamas does not yet give birth to writers who are gaining world fame, and the visual arts are also slowly developing, the islands have formed a distinctive musical culture. Several traditional forms of music were born in this country, including gumbay, a synthesis of calypso, juice and English folk songs, as well as a working-class scratch-and-scrape style, with a distinctive guitar sound, accordion and rattles made from poinciana tree pods.

Bahamian children enjoy playing basketball with great pleasure. They literally live on the basketball field, and most towns have their own small basketball court with makeshift baskets. The Bahamas follow the American basketball (and baseball) teams with great zeal.

Holidays and non-working days: New Year(January 1), Good Friday (various times), Second Day after Easter (various times), Spirits Day (seven weeks after Easter), Labor Day (first Friday in June), Independence Day (July 10), Liberation Day ( first Monday in August), American Discovery Day (October 12), Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26).

One of the most colorful celebrations coinciding with the celebration of Christmas and New Year is the Junkanoo festival. This is a carnival, a theatrical procession, and a folk festival at the same time. Participants demonstrate fantastic costumes that delight the public. Big attractions are the regatta, held annually in April at Elizabeth Harbor on Family Island, and The Goombay Summer Festival, held for tourists in June.

Geography: In the western part of the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Florida peninsula, is the vast Bahamas archipelago. It has more than 700 islands, of which only 30 are inhabited. Most of the islands are small and are coral reefs. These are the most northern islands Caribbean. The total area of ​​the islands is 13.9 thousand square meters. km. The largest islands are Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera, New Providence, Big Inagua.

Climate: Beautiful beaches, luscious vegetation, colorful coral reefs make the Bahamas one of the most popular winter resorts in the Western Hemisphere. The Bahamas has a tropical and subtropical climate. The western coast of the islands is washed by the warm Gulf Stream, and a mild equatorial wind constantly blows from the southeast. Therefore, in winter the temperature rarely drops below +15C, and in summer it does not rise above +32C. The temperature is crystal clean sea in winter it is usually around +23C, and in summer around +27C. Rainfall is most likely from May to October, although there is no distinct rainy season.

Population: The population of the island is about 280 thousand people, most of them are the descendants of black slaves and mulattoes (85%), the white minority is from England, Canada, and the USA. Residents of the islands under the age of 15 make up 15% of the population, over 60 - 5%. The population density per square mile is about 50 people.

Language: The official language is English. The Bahamians speak with a local accent and use a number of words from the Arawak Indians as well as African languages.

Religion: Freedom of religion, the majority of the population belongs to the Christian church.

Currency: The national currency is the Bahamian dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar. Both currencies are in circulation on the islands. In circulation are coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 dollars; banknotes in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars.

Currency exchange: It is better to change money in banks. Opening hours: from Monday to Thursday - from 9.30 to 15.00, on Friday - from 9.30 to 17.00. Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, etc.) are accepted in many places. Traveler's checks are also widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange transactions, take checks in US dollars.

Customs regulations: In addition to personal items, you can bring 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, or 1 pound (~0.450 kg.) of tobacco, as well as 1 liter of alcoholic beverages. Only persons departing on flights to the United States (US Customs) go through customs at the exit. When departing from the Bahamas, an airport tax of $15 will be charged.

Transport: The easiest way to get to the Bahamas is from the USA. The flight from Miami to Nassau will take about 35 minutes, from New York to Nassau - 2.5 hours, from Philadelphia - 2 hours 45 minutes, from Toronto (Canada) - 3 hours. If the cost of air tickets seems too high for you, you can buy tickets for charter flights or use the services of rebators, which provide discounts of up to 30% of the cost of tickets and hotel rooms. Air tickets for charter flights are available from Nassau/Paradise Island Express and Carnival Airlines. Discounted tickets and rooms - at Travel Avenue, Smart Treveller, Travel Management International.

Car rent: Movement is left-handed. Dudget Rent-a-Car rental rates range from $42 to $54 per day, depending on the car class and transmission type. All car rental rates include:
- unlimited mileage;
- third party liability insurance;
- a document on the waiver of obligations to pay compensation in the event of a collision;
- insurance in case of an accident;
- insurance in case of theft;
- airport surcharges and all local taxes.
Required requirements:
- the age of the driver is at least 21 years old;
- the presence of an international driver's license;
- Driving experience of at least one year.

Electricity: The voltage and frequency of the current in the electrical network in the Bahamas correspond to the US standard and are 120 volts and 60 hertz. The sockets and plugs are also American, so tourists from Europe need a special converter and adapter to use European-made electrical appliances.

Connection: International code Bahamas - 809. If you are calling from Russia, you should dial 8, then 10, after which 1809, the area code and local number. You can also order a conversation through the operator, tel. in Moscow - 8-194, 8-196. Telephone calls to travel agencies, cruise lines, and airlines that serve travelers to the Bahamas are free of charge within the United States. The phone number for AT&T in the US is 800/874-4000.

Accommodation: Hotels in the Bahamas at the cost of a two-room suite in the winter season can be divided into expensive (from $190 to $300), medium (from $95 to $190) and cheap (from $65 to $95). All hotels and guesthouses under $55 are categorized as "budget".

Prices: Bahamas - a test of the strength of your wallet. Moderate expenses will cost you about $100 per night (inexpensive hotel room - $30-75, dinner at an inexpensive restaurant - $25). In winter, hotel accommodation costs 30% more.

Tips: The country adopted a system of "tipping" for the services provided. The receptionist expects to receive $ 1 for each suitcase delivered to the room, you can pay $ 2 per day to the maid for additional services, for example, for a washed and ironed shirt or blouse. In most cases, "tips" to taxi drivers, waiters, servants make up 15% of the cost of services (in the most luxurious restaurants - 20%).

Emergency Phones: If you are in danger, call the police or fire brigade on 919. The Bahamas has a well-established system for protecting the health of Bahamians and visitors. The islands have hospitals and clinics equipped with modern medical equipment. Ambulance call:
New Providence, tel: 322-2121;
Freeport, tel: 352-2689.

The Bahamas are famous for their excellent beaches, beautiful underwater world and original culture. The archipelago includes about 700 islands, of which only 40 are inhabited. Local resorts are perfect both for a leisurely vacation in complete unity with nature, and for extreme diving, as there are many underwater tunnels and blue holes.

Information about the Bahamas

The Bahamas have official name- Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The state is located in the Atlantic Ocean on an archipelago stretching for 1500 km, and is separated from Cuba by the Old Bahama Strait, and from the United States by the Gulf of Florida. The total area of ​​the islands is about 14 thousand square meters. km. The largest of them are Andros, Great Abaco, Grand Bahama, Great Inagua, New Providence, Great Exuma, Eleuthera and several others.

Capital: Nassau.

Population: 377,374 (2013 data)

State structure: A constitutional monarchy headed by the Queen of Great Britain, represented in the Bahamas by a Governor General.

Language: English, Patois (Creole) is common among immigrants from Haiti.

Religion: Most of the population are Christians, mostly Baptists (35%). Folk beliefs also have a distribution ("obea").

Time: 8 hours behind Moscow in summer and 9 hours in winter. On the last Sunday in March, time is set forward one hour (valid until the first Sunday in November).

Climate

The climate in the Bahamas can be described as subtropical (in the south) and trade winds (in the north). In summer, the air temperature here reaches +32 °С, in winter - +22 °С. In the central part of the archipelago it is always cooler than in the southern islands. The water temperature in the resorts of the Bahamas is about +27 ° C in summer and +23 ° C in winter.

Most of the precipitation on the islands falls from May to October, during the same months severe storms and hurricanes. Based on this, best time for holidays in the Bahamas, the period from late October to early May is considered.

Average daily temperature in the resorts of the Bahamas, °C

Bahamas map

Nature

The Bahamas are limestone plateaus protruding above the ocean. Its underwater part has deep cracks and ferruginous layers, thanks to which the underwater world of the Bahamas looks very picturesque. Numerous coral reefs, blue holes and long tunnels connecting deep underwater caves add beauty to it. All this makes the islands of the archipelago very attractive for divers.

Previously, the entire territory of the Bahamas was covered rainforests, but today they are preserved only on the islands of Grand Bahama, Abaco and Andros. On their territory you can see valuable species of wood - red iron and logwood, Caribbean pines, as well as various types of exotic flowers - orchids, jasmine, bougainvillea, etc. Often on the islands you can find artificial plantations with coniferous trees, casuarina and mahogany.

The fauna in the Bahamas is not very diverse. The most common are bats, frogs, snakes, lizards, as well as birds - red flamingos, pelicans, herons, etc. Numerous species of fish are found near the coasts - mackerel, barracuda, Atlantic sailboat, etc. Thanks to this, fishing in the Bahamas is very exciting class.

Another feature of the nature of the Bahamas is the beautiful sandy beaches with fine sand, which attracts many travelers who want to soak up the sun and swim in the purest coastal waters.

The main feature of the Bahamians is slowness; it is not customary to rush anywhere on the islands. Local residents are generally calm and friendly, but sometimes they can express their emotions quite violently.

The dress code on the islands is unofficial. In most cases, a shirt and long trousers will suffice for men. IN resort areas shorts are also quite suitable; frankly beachwear should be avoided in cities. In the evening and on holidays for women good tone a long dress with ethnic patterns is considered, for men - a light suit.

As for culinary traditions, in the Bahamas they are closely connected with seafood. Barbecued shells, crabs, shrimp, fish cakes, seafood salads, various variations of dishes with conch snails, reef perch in tomato or anchovy sauce, soup with lime juice, celery, meat and onions - these delicacies can be found in the menu of almost all restaurants in the archipelago. Big influence British colonizers had a hand in the cuisine of the Bahamas, so traditional English dishes prepared with local characteristics are also common here. Desserts include Caribbean coconut pies, rice puddings and fruit salads. In the bar menu you will definitely see Nassau Royal rum, the famous Bahamian beer Kalik, as well as various imported drinks.

The culture of the Bahamas was influenced by Africans, residents of neighboring Caribbean islands and colonists. An important part of the national folklore is obea rituals, which are reminiscent of Santeria rites in Brazil and Cuba, as well as voodoo from Haiti. The practice involves turning to white and black magicians, communication with departed ancestors and spirits. afterlife etc. Followers of the oba believe that evil spirits live in silk cotton, and with special skill their power can be controlled. Voodoo rituals are also common in the Bahamas, especially among immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

Another bright side of the culture of the Bahamas is music, which combines the traditions of the colonizers and African slaves. Especially popular are down-home styles (music is performed on accordions, guitars and maracas) and gumbay, which combines English folk songs with calypso melodies.

Dance art in the Bahamas is also common. In special halls or on the street, you can see real dance performances, which combine ritual African dances, classical ballet and modern choreography in a bizarre way.

There are also architectural sights in the Bahamas. Most of them belong to the period of colonization and are located in the capital of the state - the city of Nassau.

Main currency

The main currency on the islands is the Bahamian dollar, equal to 100 cents. Both coins and banknotes of various denominations are in circulation. US dollars are freely circulating. Credit cards of international systems are accepted almost everywhere.

You can exchange currency in the Bahamas at shopping malls, hotels and banks, which usually work on weekdays until 15:00. The most favorable exchange rate is in international banks located in Freeport and Nassau. There are a lot of ATMs in popular tourist areas, which cannot be said about the peripheral islands, where it is quite problematic to withdraw money. For cashing traveler's checks hotels, restaurants and exchange offices can charge a fairly large commission, so before using their services, find out about all the conditions. It is best to use traveler's checks in US dollars.

Fly from Russia to Bahamas with direct flight it is forbidden. Most the best option- British Airways flight with a change in London (operated five times a week), taking about 13 hours. You can also fly to the United States, and from there, with the help of American airlines, to the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau. The disadvantage of this option is that you need an American transit visa for such a trip. From the US to the Bahamas can also be reached by ferry (the trip takes about 5 hours).

Mains voltage - 110V, 60 Hz. American type outlets.

To rent a car in the Bahamas, you need an international driver's license, passport and credit card. The driver must be at least 21-23 years old (depending on the rental company). Car rental offices are located at airports, large hotels and in central urban areas.

The tourist areas of the Bahamas are quite safe, but you should follow the usual precautions: do not walk around the outskirts at night, keep an eye on your wallet, and leave valuables in a safe.

You do not need to do any vaccinations to enter the country - they will only be needed if you arrive in the Bahamas from a focus of infectious diseases. It is advisable to get immunized against tuberculosis, diphtheria and hepatitis B. You should also avoid swimming in local fresh water.

Tap water in the main cities is safe, although it tastes salty, so bottled water is recommended. Water outside the popular tourist areas can be polluted and should not be drunk. Dairy products, meat, poultry, vegetables and fruits can be eaten safely - their safety is controlled.

To protect from the sun, you should use special creams, because the level of insolation in the Bahamas is very high. It is advisable to wear light clothing that covers the shoulders on the tour.

The Bahamas are located in the west of the Atlantic Ocean, at the latitude of the Northern Tropic, near the American continent (100 km from the Florida peninsula).

These are about 700 islands, with a total area of ​​13.9 thousand square kilometers, and only 30 of them are inhabited. Most of the islands are coral reefs. From the east, the Bahamas are washed by the warm current of the Gulf Stream. The islands are raised relative to the ocean level from a few meters to about 60 meters. highest point - 63 m, located on Cat Island. The relief of the islands is flat. On the shores facing the ocean, a series of marine terraces can be traced. On west coast there are many salty lagoons, as well as karst lakes and swamps. In places, a strip of sandy beaches stretches along the coast. There are no rivers in the archipelago.

CLIMATE

The climate here is subtropical, very mild. The influence of the warm current of the Gulf Stream, as well as the constantly blowing southeast wind from the equator (trade wind) affects. Throughout the year, the average monthly temperatures do not fall below +20 degrees. The coolest thing is in January, when at night the temperature drops to +17 degrees, in the daytime it reaches +25 degrees. The hottest time of the year is July, August. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +24 degrees, the maximum reaches +32 degrees. The driest months are February and March, with a monthly rainfall of about 40 mm. The rainiest time of the year is the period from May to October, in which the monthly amount of precipitation ranges from 150 to 220 mm. At this time, tropical hurricanes are possible, characteristic of the entire Caribbean region. Water temperature in coastal areas from August to October it warms up to +30 degrees, in the rest of the months it stays at +25 ... +27 degrees.

Best time to visit:
The most favorable time to visit the Bahamas is from November to May. At this time, the least amount of precipitation falls and it is not so hot.

TYPES OF TOURISM

Beach vacation.

Most tourists go to the Bahamas just to lie on sandy beaches that stretch for hundreds of kilometers and are protected from cold winds by coral reefs, swim in the clear waters of the ocean, and enjoy the greenery of coconut palms. Most popular resorts located on the islands of New Providence, Paradise and Grand Bahama.

Diving.

Diving is suitable for divers of all skill levels. Visibility - 18-37 m. Most of the islands offer divers shallow reefs from 3 m to 15 m, as well as reefs at great depths from 30 m. In the ocean depths south of the Bahamas, the Gulf Stream originates, which rushes north, carrying with it sea life from the Caribbean to the Atlantic. The Gulf Stream is a barrier that protects the Bahamas from river sediment and Florida runoff. Thanks to him and the ocean trenches, in the depths of which sediments are deposited, and excellent visibility is provided. You can get acquainted with various types of underwater inhabitants on the Bahama Bank, which rises from the depths of the ocean in some places up to 6 m from the surface. These are sharks, dolphins, rays, reef fish, angelfish, moray eels.

Scuba divers are also attracted here by the so-called "blue holes". These places get their name from the fact that they appear dark blue when viewed from above. The mass of underwater tunnels, passages and coral reefs, as well as sunken since civil war lobster- and octopus-inhabited ships make it possible to combine reef diving with cave diving, and are of interest to underwater photographers. On the islands located further south, due to higher temperatures, night diving is common, you can admire the sleeping sharks.

The best season for diving on the islands is November - May.

Popular places for outdoor activities are: the islands of Andros, Berry, Bimini - fishing, described by E. Hemingway ("Islands in the Ocean"); islands of Abakos, Elluthera - diving in coral reefs; Exuma Islands, Long Island - yacht trips; Inagua island - swimming with dolphins and watching exotic iguanas and pink flamingos.

Fishing - thanks to the Gulf Stream, the catches here are record-breaking.

The excursion program is not of great interest. The main attractions of the Bahamas are sandy beaches, tropical vegetation and a rich underwater world. Among the sights of the country's capital, one can single out the parliament building and the court building, Government House (built in 1801) - the official residence of the Governor General. Tourists are also attracted sea ​​gardens", Fort Charlotte (1789), Fort Fincastle (1793), the botanical garden "Adastra Gardens", where many tropical and subtropical plants are presented, Jambi Village - a reconstruction of the British settlement of the 18th century.

Bahamas - major center gambling business. All casinos are open 24 hours a day. Here is the largest casino in the Caribbean.

VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Russian citizens need a visa to visit the Bahamas.

Tourists in transit can stay in the Bahamas without a visa for 3 days, if they have a ticket to the country of destination.

The visa is issued at the British Consulate General. There is a fee of around £70 for this.

To obtain a visa, you must provide:

-filled and signed application forms;

- a valid passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months after the visa is issued;

-2 photos 3x4;

- booking confirmation or an invitation.

- documents confirming the availability of funds.

From Russian tourists a written customs declaration is not required. Customs duty is not subject to: personal items 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, or 1 pound (~ 0.450 kg) of tobacco, 1 liter of alcoholic beverages.

The import of Bahamian dollars is prohibited, the export should not exceed 70 dollars.

WHAT TO SEE

organized for tourists are mainly associated with acquaintance with the islands of the archipelago, with their pristine nature, animals and flora, as well as with the rich underwater world of the Atlantic Ocean.

In addition, you can get to know the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau, on the overview around town. This is the historical part of the city, where Fort Charlotte and Parliament Square are located, ancient buildings and buildings recent years, V includes a walk through the straw market. You can visit the Atlantis complex - one of the largest open-air aquariums.

Of great interest are excursions to the Adastra Gardens botanical garden, the Garden of the Grows, the Rand Memorial Park, the Preacher's Cave and an excursion to the international bazaar in Freeport.

Ride on artificial coral island will leave a lot of impressions, because this is a real marine reserve.

Good for relaxing along the coastal waters and lagoons of New Providence. There are trips to nearby uninhabited islands where you can swim, sunbathe, snorkel, etc.

STORY

Back in 1492. great navigator Christopher Columbus discovered the Bahamas. At that time they were inhabited by the Arawak Indians. However, the Spaniards took them out and used them as labor. Until the 17th century, the islands were deserted, only pirates found this place an excellent hiding place. In 1787 The Bahamas became a British colony. Black slaves were brought here. For three centuries, the territory was wholly owned by the British Empire. In 1964, the Bahamas received internal self-government. On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas was proclaimed as part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. The Bahamas is a member of a number of international organizations: UN, Organization of American States, Caribbean Community.

EMBASSY

Bahamas, embassy in Moscow
Smolenskaya emb. 10

Tel.: (+7 095) 956-7200

Fax: (+7 095) 956-7420

Bahamas, Embassy website: http://www.britemb.msk.ru/

Bahamas, Russian Embassy in :
Immigration Department: P.O. Box N-831, Nassau, The Bahamas.

RELIGION

Protestants predominate among believers, including Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, approx. 19% - Roman Catholics, part of the population adheres to African cults.

TRANSPORT

In the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau - a shuttle bus runs . , motorcycle, scooter and even a bicycle can be rented. For rent vehicle(except bicycles) you must have a driver's license with you. Driving experience must be at least one year, and the age of the driver must be at least 21 years. Driving on the islands is on the left. Ferries and boats run between the islands.

FLORA AND FAUNA

The islands are dominated by tropical vegetation. There are red and iron trees, colorful orchids and jasmine.

The Bahamas are famous for their beautiful flamingo birds. Many reptiles live here. Coastal waters are full of various species of fish. Turtles lay their eggs here.

MINERALS

The Bahamas has the world's largest deposit of aragonite.

BANKS

Banks are open throughout the working week: from Monday to Thursday until 15:00, on Friday until 17:00.

MONEY

The official currency is the Bahamian dollar. It is equal in value to the US dollar.

1 Bahamian dollar = 100 cents. Banknotes in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollars and coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 dollars are in circulation.

It is better to change currency in banks. It is advisable to take American dollars with you on your trip, they have free circulation here.

POLITICAL STATE

On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas was proclaimed as part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. Under the 1973 constitution, the head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, who is represented by the Governor General. Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral parliament, consisting of the Senate and the House of Assembly. The head of government is the prime minister, usually the leader of the party with the majority in parliament.

POPULATION

In 2003, 297.48 thousand people lived in the Bahamas, more than half of them in New Providence. The main part of the Bahamian nation is blacks and mulattos, which make up more than 3/4 of the total population. There are diasporas of immigrants from Haiti, Jamaica and from the Turks and Caicos Islands. The proportion of Europeans and North Americans is small. This is mainly a contingent of elderly wealthy citizens from the USA, Canada, Great Britain who settled in the Bahamas after retirement.

Language:
Official language Bahamas - English. It is spoken by almost the entire population of the country.

KITCHEN

Most of the menu of Bahamian cuisine is occupied by dishes from all kinds of seafood. Of the first courses, sea bass stew, gourmet turtle soup, conch clam stew are in demand. In general, both first courses and salads, pates, appetizers and main courses are prepared from the conch mollusk. There are even conkburgers. Another inhabitant of the sea, whose meat is widely used in Bahamian cuisine, is the spiny lobster. Dishes from it are not cheap.

But the local menu is famous not only for sea delicacies. They love a dish of peas and rice with spicy sauce here. From the cuisines of other countries, chefs borrowed dishes from various types of meat.

A local delicacy is guava pudding. This is a favorite dessert. There is also a wide selection of fruits.

Of the drinks, rum is the most popular. All kinds of cocktails are made from it.

CONNECTION

Telephone, facsimile, telegraph and telex communication is possible with the whole world.

International telephone code Bahamas -1242.

EMERGENCY PHONES

The general telephone number for the police and fire brigade is 919.

Ambulance in Nassau - 322-21-21.

USEFUL THINGS
To use electrical appliances brought with you from Europe, as well as to recharge cameras, you need an adapter, which is almost impossible to buy in the Bahamas. Therefore, it is better to take care of this in advance.

Spearfishing is prohibited in the Bahamas, but sport fishing is allowed, for which you have to pay.

THE SHOPS
The Trade Center is the world-famous Bay Street. Here you can buy favorable price famous brand watches, jewelry, porcelain, crystal, leather bags, perfumes. All these goods are exempt from taxes (duty free).

TIPS
service personnel in It is customary to tip around 1-2 Bahamian dollars a day. In restaurants, their size ranges from 15 to 20% of the amount indicated on the bill.

NATIONAL FEATURES
The traditional culture of the Bahamas is far removed from the heavily American-influenced urban centers of Nassau and Freeport. Folk island creativity is reflected in a large number of fairy tales, natural medicine, music and religious rites brought here by slaves from Africa. Despite the fact that the Bahamas does not yet give birth to writers who are gaining world fame, and the visual arts are also slowly developing, the islands have formed a distinctive musical culture. In this Several traditional forms of music developed, with a distinctive guitar sound, accordion, and rattles made from the pods of the poinciana tree.

Bahamian children enjoy playing basketball with great pleasure. They literally live on the basketball field, and most towns have their own small basketball court with makeshift baskets. The Bahamas follow the American basketball (and baseball) teams with great zeal.

ELECTRICITY
127V, 50Hz;

HEALTH CARE
No vaccinations are required to enter the Bahamas, but a medical certificate is required. . Providing medical assistance in emergency cases is free. Doctors are highly qualified. Hospitals are located in Nassau, Freeport and Out Island.