Money and payments
Tipping
A 15% service charge is added to the bill at most establishments; additional tips are optional.
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Americas · CaribbeanOutline guideCountry of islands in the Caribbean
Photo: Dolphins, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Bahamas is an archipelago nation in the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of Florida. The country is made up of about 3,000 islands and cays, of which approximately 30 are populated. The capital city of Nassau, is on the island of New Providence and is home to about half of the country's population. The Bahamas is renowned for its natural beauty and unique culture, and is a popular tropical vacation destination.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Bahamas.
Tipping
A 15% service charge is added to the bill at most establishments; additional tips are optional.
English
English is the main and official language of the Bahamas. Tourist resorts may have staff who can speak other languages, including Spanish, French, German, and, less frequently, others.
Mobile networks
Tap water is generally potable, but bottled water is recommended for visitors.
The adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has reached 3.0% or 1 in 33 adults.
Bahamians are good-natured but do not suffer fools gladly.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Public transport and paid services in Bahamas.
By bus
Nassau/New Providence have a system of buses called jitneys, discussed in the Nassau article. Bus travel on the other islands (with the exception of Grand Bahama) is very limited.
By boat and yacht
The best way to see the Bahamas is by private yacht or sailboat. If you don't have that option, there are some limited public transit options:
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Bahamas.
Finding apps for Bahamas…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Nassau · International · NAS
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Nassau
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 24° | 24° | 24° | 25° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 29° | 28° | 26° | 25° |
| Avg. low | 22° | 22° | 23° | 24° | 25° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 28° | 27° | 25° | 24° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 38 | 33 | 40 | 61 | 127 | 162 | 130 | 154 | 164 | 119 | 68 | 40 |
| Humidity | 76% | 76% | 75% | 75% | 77% | 79% | 77% | 77% | 77% | 77% | 75% | 77% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$105
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$270
Per person, per day
Luxury
$710
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $50 | $150 | $405 |
| Food and drink | $25 | $65 | $155 |
| Local transport | $15 | $25 | $65 |
| Activities | $15 | $30 | $85 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin The Bahamas due to crime. Crime Violent crime, including armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults, can occur anywhere in The Bahamas. Most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. Stay alert in the “Over the Hill” area in Nassau, south of Shirley Street, where gangs have killed residents. Stay alert in vacation rental properties, especially where private security is not present. Jet skis, boating, and licenses Boating is not well regulated. Injuries and deaths have occurred. There have been reports of sexual assaults by jet ski operators. Due to safety risks, U.S. government employees are not allowed to use or rent jet skis and personal watercraft from independent operators on New Providence and Paradise Islands. Watercraft may not be safe, and some operators are not licensed or insured. Watercraft operators sometimes ignore weather forecasts. Always follow local weather and marine alerts. Do not operate a fishing boat or other charter in Bahamian waters without a license from The Bahamas Port Department. Police have detained American boaters and seized their vessels. Penalties include a fine of up to $100,000 and 3 years in prison. Beach safety Never swim alone and beware of jet skis or other watercraft operating close to shore. Sexual assaults have occurred on and near downtown Nassau beaches. Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert in public restrooms. Be aware of your own fitness and swimming capabilities. If you are new to snorkeling, understand the risks. Swimmers and snorkelers have…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Bahamas.
Travel tipsBringing Disney-style entertainment and theatrics to the high seas, Disney Cruise Line (DCL) is an American cruise line owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsChristopher Columbus (Italian: Cristoforo Colombo; Spanish: Cristóbal Colón) made four voyages from Spain to the Caribbean from 1492 to 1503.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureScuba diving is an activity in which you swim underwater for extended periods using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, hence the acronym scuba.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyBasketball is one of the most popular team sports in North America, both as a spectator sport and as an activity, and the second most popular sport in the world, only after soccer.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureMarine life comes in a vast array of different forms, from the more or less familiar to the otherworldly and fascinating.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyA few destinations are free of cars and most means of private motorised transport. Most car-free destinations tend to be islands, but cities (and often ski resorts) can be car-free too.
Wikivoyage
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