Destination
Bahamas
North America · Nassau
Safety advisory
Exercise normal safety precautions
Traveller safety tips
Crime Violent crime is a problem in cities, especially Nassau, including sexual assaults on tourists. However, gated tourist areas like Paradise Island have tight security. Swimming hazards It's natural to want to spend much of your time in the Bahamas swimming in the ocean, but it's necessary to take some basic precautions. Currents can be very strong, especially when swimming off a boat at anchor. Sharks are also worth being aware of - the entire Bahamas is a designated national sanctuary for sharks, meaning that it's illegal to kill them, and so they're present in relatively large numbers. Most sharks are unlikely to hurt you, but avoid swimming in marinas, where bull sharks often hang out to score fish scraps, unless you have local advice that the specific marina is safe to swim at. Penalties
…When to go
Seasonal calendar — from climate data and curated definitions.
Public holidays
National holidays — closures and days off.
Christmas Day
December 25, 2026
Fri · in 72d
St. Stephen's Day
Boxing Day
December 26, 2026
Sat · in 73d
New Year's Day
January 1, 2027
Fri · in 79d
Majority Rule Day
January 11, 2027
Mon · in 89d
Good Friday
March 26, 2027
Fri · in 163d
Easter Monday
March 29, 2027
Mon · in 166d
Perry Christie Day
April 2, 2027
Fri · in 170d
Whit Monday
May 17, 2027
Mon · in 215d
Car rental & driving
Whether your licence is recognized, and which side traffic drives on — per the UN road-traffic conventions.
Set your passport to see whether your licence is accepted.
Local norms
Culture & etiquette
Bahamians are good-natured but do not suffer fools gladly.
…Health
Internet
Connectivity on the road: coverage, data price, access.
Prices
Entry & borders
Entry requirements Foreign nationals of the following countries/territories do not require a visa to visit the Bahamas: American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chile, China (People's Republic), Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gambia, Galapagos Islands, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR passport or CI), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea
…About the country
- Capital
- Nassau
- Continent
- North America
- Population
- 385,640
- Area
- 13,940 km²
- Currency
- Dollar · BSD
- Time zone
- 05:11UTC−4
- Sockets
- AB
- Emergency
- 911all services
- Calling code
- ++1-242
- Languages
- English
120 V · 60 Hz