Bahamas Holidays

Location
Although politically ‘in’ the Caribbean, the Bahamas are not, as many people assume, actually part of the Caribbean. Surrounded to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and to the west by the Gulf Stream, and lying southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba. The Bahamas consist of over 700 islands and over 2500 islets and bays.

Shopping
The Bahamas is one of the few places left where you can purchase traditional, hand-made or picked, unique souvenir items. Local handicrafts range from well-made jewellery, items made from shark’s teeth, coconut, conch and whelk shells, hand-waxed Androsia batiks and all manner of woven straw goods to distinctive woodwork and carvings.

Rum is widely available in many flavours although pineapple and coconut are specialities.

Some of the islands offer duty free prices on items such as china, linens, ceramics, crystal, jewellery, watches, telescopes, binoculars, photographic equipment, spirits and perfumes.

Geography
The Bahamian islands begin 50 odd miles southeast of Florida and continue, in a hook shape, towards the north coast of Hispaniola Island ( Dominican Republic and Haiti). Of the 700 islands and 2500 cays and islets, only 30 or so are inhabited, and almost all are bordered by coral reefs and have typically flat, dry landscapes with no streams or rivers. Some islands have giant sinkholes, filled with water and sub-aquatic cave systems.

History
Arawak Indians are known to have inhabited the Bahamian Islands long before Christopher Columbus discovered their shores in 1492. After naming San Salvador, Columbus could find nothing that merited his stay (no gold, no riches) so continued on towards Cuba. Throughout the beginning of the 16 th century, the Conquistadors transferred the native Arawak Indians from Grand Bahama to work as slaves in Spain, Haiti and Cuba.

By 1647, the British had begun settling on the islands and established the first European settlement on Eleuthera in 1648. A second followed on New Providence Island in 1666, and the entire group of islands finally became a British colony in 1783. For the following two centuries, the islands failed to produce introduced crops, firstly cotton, which depleted the soil and failed, then later, a sponge industry, which was destroyed by fungus. During the prohibition years in the US, the islands became a major source for bootlegging. The first casino on the islands opened in 1920, soon followed by an air link to Miami. During WW2, the US established forces on the islands and following the end of the war, tourism began to boom on the islands. Finally, the islands gained independence from Britain in 1973 and although money has been ploughed into the agricultural and fishing industries, the islands have relied almost solely on tourism as their major source of revenue and income since becoming an independent nation.


Basic Information

Language
English

Currency
The Bahamian Dollar (B$) is divided into 100 cents. Coins have values of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 dollars. Notes have values of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars. The Bahamian dollar is equal to the US dollar and both currencies are accepted throughout the islands.

Electricity
120 volts AC 60 Hz. Plugs have either two or three flat pins.

Banks
In Nassau on New Providence Island and Freeport on Grand Bahama, banks open Monday to Thursday 09.30 a.m. – 15.00 p.m. and Fridays 09.30 a.m. – 17.00 p. m. On the Out Islands, times vary.

Driving
Traffic drives on the left. Drivers must be over 21 and hold a full driving licence.

Time Difference
GMT–5 all year round.

Tipping
Unless already included on the bill, hotels and restaurants usually expect a 10% to 15% tip.
Water
Bottled mineral water is recommended.

Visas
British passport holders do not require a visa.

Tourist Info
www.bahamas.com
www.thebahamasguide.com

What makes it so special?
The miles of stunning beaches and numerous watersports on offer, including snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing. The fantastic paradise atmosphere accompanied by calypso music and flavoured rum. A vibrant nightlife with a choice of clubs, bars, casinos and discos. Duty free shopping opportunities.

Where to Visit
New Providence Island: the sophisticated capital, Nassau, is the biggest city of all the islands and offers a perfect resort for sun seekers looking for great nightlife, plenty of watersports and fantastic beaches. Colonial architecture and bustling markets are rife in the city centre while the shores are white sand beaches lined with a casino and high standard, top-class hotels and facilities. Head to Bay Street’s commercial centre and visit the straw market at Market Plaza. Walk up the Queen’s Staircase at Elizabeth Avenue to see the watchtower at the top and admire fantastic panoramic views of the island. The Nassau Botanical Gardens house many tropical plants and flowers while Ardastra Gardens is home to a mini-zoo. The Coral World Marine Observatory is also a must see and shows you the incredible underwater scenery of the local area.

Paradise Island: Linked to New Providence by a bridge, either walk across or take a ferry to this pleasure island for the many casinos, cabarets and golf and sports facilities. Lined with casuarinas and palm trees, there’s Hurricane Hole, a marina where you can swim with dolphins, and Atlantis Waterpark, a lagoon filled with sharks, stingrays and barracudas. The stunning Paradise Beach is a must for topping up the tan, or relax on a glass-bottom boat cruise to view the wrecks, reefs and tropical fish in the shallow waters surrounding Athol Island.

Grand Bahama: the capital, Freeport, is the Bahamas second largest port but activities on offer vary from soaking up the sun on the fabulous beaches and swimming with dolphins to duty free shopping in the large malls. Take an island tour aboard a red London double-decker bus or relax at the nearby marina or golf course. Take a chance in the casino or if you want to make sure you definitely get something for your money, head to the International Bazaar. Close to Freeport is the sprawling resort of Lucaya famed for its beautiful beaches, the marina and golf course. Head to the large shopping complex at Port Lucaya for bargain duty-free buys. Other sites of interest around the island include the Garden of Groves botanical garden, the Grand Bahama Museum, the Museum of Underwater Exploration and the mangrove swamps of Lucaya National Park. Head to the west coast of the island for deep-sea fishing and scuba-diving expeditions.

Out Islands: also called the ‘Family Islands’, they consist of fine white-sand deserted beaches, secluded coves, bays, islets and a much slower pace which welcomes those who are looking for something more remote and quiet. Many of the islands are uninhabited and the most popular beaches to seek out are Playa Sirena, Playa Blanca, Playa Los Cocos and Playa Tortuga – where turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand.

Most Popular Tours
Island/city tours
Glass-bottomed boat trips
Trip to the Out Islands
Deep-sea fishing
Island hopping Travel Guide to Bahamas

Destinations in Bahamas: Select Nassau Outer Islands

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