The islands of The Bahamas have a warm, agreeable climate which
varies little year-round. This is due to the trade winds, which
continually blow. The coolest time to take vacations to one of the
Bahamas islands or Freeport is from September through May when the
temperature averages
70-75 degrees.
The rest of the year is little warmer with temperatures between 80-85
degrees. From November through April each year rainfall is scarce
however, showers can occur during the months of May through October.
Always remember, there's really never a "bad time" for a Grand Bahamas
vacation, or for visiting Freeport.
What To Wear
While you're on your Bahamas vacation, casual
summer clothing is appropriate during the day any time of the year, but
for the cooler evenings from December to February be sure to bring a
jacket or sweater . Most of the better restaurants, hotels and casinos
require jackets for men in the evening. Although you may feel like wearing
your swimming suit, beach clothing is inappropriate on the streets
downtown, in churches, restaurants and casinos.
Electricity
Electricity is normally 120 volts AC. American appliances are fully
compatible.
Driving
British rules apply, so please drive on the left
and watch those roundabouts! Persons entering a roundabout (traffic
circle) must give way to traffic coming from the right already on the
roundabout. Visitors may use their home license for up to three months and
may also apply for an international driver's license. Pedestrians should
remember to look right before crossing streets.
What is the legal
drinking age in The Bahamas?
Is there a legal gambling age?
Eighteen is the legal age in The Bahamas for
drinking, gambling (non-residents only allowed to gamble in The Bahamas),
and voting. This makes the Bahamas an ideal spot for the spring breakers
from the states. Many college students are under 21, or have friends that
are not of legal age. They can come to the islands and enjoy all the
excitement and fun that places like Las Vegas offer.
Parents should be aware of this when sending
their college age kids here for a vacation. If you don't approve of these
activities perhaps you should consider a chaperone.
Can I use my ATM
Card on my Bahamas Vacation?
Most of the larger islands have ATMs
located in airport terminals, branch banks, most casinos, the larger
hotels and other convenient locations. Most machines dispense local
currency and U.S, dollars.
The legal tender is the Bahamian
dollar (B$1), which is equivalent in value to the U.S. dollar. Both U.S.
and Bahamian dollars are accepted interchangeably throughout the islands.
Can I call home using my cell
phone
from the Bahamas ?
The Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation (BaTelCo) has automatic roaming
agreements with cellular carriers in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
BaTelCo's roaming partners include Aliant Cellular, Ameritech Cellular,
BCTEL Mobility, Bell Mobility, Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile, BellSouth
Mobility, Blue Ridge Cellular, Cantel, Cellular Holding,
Cellular One Bay Area Cellular,
Cellular One of Illinois, Cellular One of Southwest Florida, Comcast
Cellular, Crowley Cellular, Dansbury Cellular, Pioneer/Enid Cellular, MT&T
Mobile, NBTel Mobility, Radiofone, 360° Communications, Telcel, TELUS
Mobility U.S. Cellular and Western Wireless.
If your home carrier has a roaming
agreement with BaTelCo and your cellular number is active in The Islands
Of The Bahamas, you can enjoy cellular service. Simply ensure that your
phone is switched to system B and dial away!
- To place a call, dial 7 digits for local calls
and 10 digits for calls to the United States
and Canada.
- To receive a call, the caller must dial
BaTelCo's access code (242-359-7626), wait for the second dial tone and
dial the roamer's cellular number including the area code.
- Billing is a breeze ... There are
no activation fees for Roaming in The Bahamas and you will be billed via
your home carrier at a rate of $3.00 per day and $0.99 per minute (plus
toll charges for long distance.