[null, {"document_url": "https://traveltips.usatoday.com/bahamas-travel-advice-16154.html", "unformatted_src": "//img-aws.ehowcdn.com/560x560p/photos.demandstudios.com/26/222/fotolia_313550_XS.jpg", "src": "http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/560x560p/photos.demandstudios.com/26/222/fotolia_313550_XS.jpg", "formatted_filename": "fotolia XS", "alt_text": "Enjoy a worry-free vacation by following Bahamas travel advice."}, null, {"document_url": "https://traveltips.usatoday.com/bahamas-travel-advice-16154.html", "unformatted_src": "images/left_arrow.png", "src": "https://traveltips.usatoday.com/images/left_arrow.png", "formatted_filename": "left arrow"}, null, {"document_url": "https://traveltips.usatoday.com/bahamas-travel-advice-16154.html", "unformatted_src": "//img-aws.ehowcdn.com/150x100/photos.demandstudios.com/227/124/fotolia_2832965_XS.jpg", "src": "http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/150x100/photos.demandstudios.com/227/124/fotolia_2832965_XS.jpg", "formatted_filename": "fotolia XS"}, {"document_url": "https://traveltips.usatoday.com/bahamas-travel-advice-16154.html", "unformatted_src": "images/right_arrow.png", "src": "https://traveltips.usatoday.com/images/right_arrow.png", "formatted_filename": "right arrow"}, null, {"document_url": "https://traveltips.usatoday.com/bahamas-travel-advice-16154.html", "unformatted_src": "//img-aws.ehowcdn.com/150x100/photos.demandstudios.com/27/40/fotolia_860097_XS.jpg", "src": "http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/150x100/photos.demandstudios.com/27/40/fotolia_860097_XS.jpg", "formatted_filename": "fotolia XS"}]
Skip to main content.

Bahamas Travel Advice

Travel Tips

Jennn Fusion, Leaf Group Enjoy a worry-free vacation by following Bahamas travel advice. (Photo: sunbathing image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com )


The Bahamas consist of more than 700 islands stretching from 75 miles east of Palm Beach, Florida, to 60 miles northeast of Cuba. Its close proximity to the United States, combined with duty-free shopping, glorious beaches, Vegas-style casinos and underwater cave diving opportunities make the Bahamas a tempting vacation. When preparing to travel to the Bahamas, consider the weather conditions, passport requirements and safety advisories before heading to this tropical escape.

When To Go

For warm weather, travel from mid-December to mid-April when temperatures range between 70 and 80, with cool tradewinds keeping the air comfortable. Avoid travel from late May to late November if you've got your heart set on balmy beaches and basking in one of the 320 days of sun, since rain and humidity hits the islands during these months. June through November is particularly troublesome, since hurricane season is in full swing.

Entry Requirements

Americans do not need a visa to travel to the Bahamas on a stay of eight months or less. You need only proof of identity such as a driver's license or birth certificate to fly or cruise into the Bahamas, but you need a valid US passport to get back home. Most airlines will not let you leave the country if there is a risk you might be stranded.

How To Get Around

Cruise ships heading to the Bahamas typically depart from Florida ports. Discovery Cruise Line runs a daily ferry between Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Freeport, Grand Bahama, leaving at 8 a.m. and returning at 10 p.m. Air travelers generally fly into Nassau International Airport or Grand Bahama International Airport, where they may stay or connect to smaller flights to Abacos, Andros, Eleuthera, Exumas and New Providence. Passengers also travel between islands by water taxi or ferry and around the islands by car, golf cart or bicycle rental, according to Lonely Planet.


The Bahamian dollar is one-to-one with the US dollar, so US currency is accepted everywhere. The main islands of Nassau and Grand Bahama offer many commercial banks, ATMs and credit card machines. However, you may have a hard time accessing your funds or paying by credit in the outlying islands. Therefore, Lonely Planet recommends that you bring extra cash for small meals, tips and purchases for the smaller islands and water taxis.

Health &amp; Safety

The Bahamas has a high crime rate, warns the U.S. Department of State. The Bahamas has the highest incidence of rape in the Caribbean, and the U.S. Embassy has received reports of travelers drugged and intoxicated when the crimes were committed. Several groups of Nassau tourists were robbed at gunpoint in 2009 while on a cruise ship shore excursion. Be wary of watersport and scooter rentals in the Bahamas, which are not carefully regulated for safety.





Slider Credits



Fusion, Jennn. "Bahamas Travel Advice." Travel Tips - USA Today, https://traveltips.usatoday.com/bahamas-travel-advice-16154.html. Accessed 18 December 2018.
Fusion, Jennn. (n.d.). Bahamas Travel Advice. Travel Tips - USA Today. Retrieved from https://traveltips.usatoday.com/bahamas-travel-advice-16154.html
Fusion, Jennn. "Bahamas Travel Advice" accessed December 18, 2018. https://traveltips.usatoday.com/bahamas-travel-advice-16154.html


Travel Tips Articles

Images related to The Bahamas




This story is part of Travel Tips Bahamas Travel Information Bahamas Vacation Tips