Caribbean · UN member
Bahamas: Travel Guide & Requirements
Commonwealth of the Bahamas
The Bahamas is a country in Caribbean with its capital in Nassau. It has a population of 403,033 (#175 in the world) and covers 13,880 km². The official language is English. The currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD, $).
Where is the Bahamas? Map of the Bahamas
chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba; note - although The Bahamas does not border the Caribbean Sea, geopolitically it is often designated as a Caribbean nation.
- Region
- Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 24.25° N, 76° W
- Neighbours
- none (no land borders)
- Coastline
- 3,542 km
- Bahamas
- Capital
- Largest cities
Map of the Bahamas showing Nassau (capital) and the largest cities: Lucaya.
Travel requirements
What you need to travel to the Bahamas
- Passport
At the interview at the border you must present a passport that is valid for at least six months.
- Visa or eTA
Depends on your passport: of 198 passports, 124 need no visa, 1 needs an eVisa, 73 need a visa from an embassy. Check yours or see The Bahamas entry requirements for every passport.
- Return or onward ticket
The Department of Immigration says that during the interview at the border the prospective visitor must possess a valid return ticket or means of departing The Bahamas, and present a completed Bahamas Immigration Disemb…
- Proof of funds
The Department of Immigration says that, under the Immigration Act, Chapter 191, Section 22, travellers who are not citizens or legal residents must meet prescribed criteria at the border, including having financial mea…
- Travel insurance
No official requirement. The UK government says medical treatment is of a good standard but can be expensive, that serious cases are transferred to Nassau or Freeport, or Miami, by air ambulance, and to check before you travel that you have app…
- Vaccinations
A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving directly from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, and from travellers who have transited more than 12 ho…
- Arrival card
During the interview at the border, the prospective visitor must present a completed Bahamas Immigration Disembarkation/Embarkation Card, a passport that is valid for at least six months, and a valid return ticket or me…
- Customs allowance
Bahamas Customs says each person or responsible family member travelling is required to declare if they are travelling with cash or negotiable instruments, or precious metals or precious stones, of a value equivalent to…
- Travel advice
Some caution needed — US and UK advice.
Entry rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset (CC BY 4.0), each rule cited to an official government source. Always confirm with the airline and the official source before you travel.
Before you go
10 things to know before you travel to the Bahamas
- Safety: the Bahamas is generally safe for travellers, but some caution is needed: the US State Department rates the Bahamas Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
- Best time to go: November to April — when daytime highs in Nassau are around 24–26°C.
- Money: the Bahamian dollar (BSD) — 1 US dollar is about 1.0000 BSD.
- Plugs: type A and B, 120 V, 60 Hz — low-voltage country: devices made only for 220–240 V need a voltage converter. Phone and laptop chargers (100–240 V) only need a plug adapter.
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 / 919, Ambulance 911 / 919, Fire 911 / 919.
- Language: English is official.
- Driving: on the left — speed limits are 25 mph in built-up areas and 45 mph outside built-up areas.
- Time zone: UTC-5 in Nassau.
- Capital: Nassau. About 403,033 people live in the Bahamas.
- Outdoors: 12 national parks.
Key facts
Bahamas at a glance
Languages spoken: English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Geography & history
About the Bahamas
Lucayan Indians inhabited the Bahama islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Piracy thrived in the 17th and 18th centuries because of The Bahamas' close proximity to shipping lanes. Since gaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas has prospered through tourism, international banking, and investment management, which comprise up to 85% of GDP. Because of its proximity to the US -- the nearest Bahamian landmass is only 80 km (50 mi) from Florida -- the country is a major transshipment point for illicit trafficking to the US mainland, as well as to Europe. US law …
Read the full history
Lucayan Indians inhabited the Bahama islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Piracy thrived in the 17th and 18th centuries because of The Bahamas' close proximity to shipping lanes. Since gaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas has prospered through tourism, international banking, and investment management, which comprise up to 85% of GDP. Because of its proximity to the US -- the nearest Bahamian landmass is only 80 km (50 mi) from Florida -- the country is a major transshipment point for illicit trafficking to the US mainland, as well as to Europe. US law enforcement agencies cooperate closely with The Bahamas; the Drug Enforcement Administration, US Coast Guard, and US Customs and Border Protection assist Bahamian authorities with maritime security and law enforcement through Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, or OPBAT.
Location
chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba; note - although The Bahamas does not border the Caribbean Sea, geopolitically it is often designated as a Caribbean nation
Climate
tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Terrain
long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Highest point
1.3 km NE of Old Bight on Cat Island 64 m
Natural resources
salt, aragonite, timber, arable land
Natural hazards
hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage
National symbols
blue marlin, flamingo, yellow elderflower
Driving
Speed limits & road rules in the Bahamas
The default speed limits in the Bahamas are 25 mph in built-up areas and 45 mph outside built-up areas. Posted signs always take priority over these defaults.
- SPEED
LIMIT2525 mphBuilt-up areasTowns and cities - SPEED
LIMIT4545 mphOutside built-up areasCountry roads
- International Driving PermitRecognised: 1968 ViennaCarry the IDP together with your national licence
- Driving sideDrive on the leftOvertake on the right
- Road deaths (2021)16.2 per 100,000 peopleHigher than most countries (median 12.4)
Speed limits: OpenStreetMap wiki — Default speed limits (CC BY-SA 2.0). Road-safety laws: WHO Global Health Observatory. Compare speed limits and alcohol limits by country. Defaults for cars; local signs, weather and vehicle type can lower them.
Safety
Is the Bahamas safe to visit?
the Bahamas is generally safe for travellers, but some caution is needed: the US State Department rates the Bahamas Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
US State Department
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Latest update: New information about Ebola screening when arriving in country ('Entry requirements' page).
Updated 28 May 2026 · Full travel advice
Sources: US Department of State travel advisories (public domain) and UK FCDO foreign travel advice (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Checked daily. Advice can change quickly — always read the official page before you travel.
Weather
Best time to visit the Bahamas
The best time to visit the Bahamas is November to April, when daytime highs in Nassau are around 24–26°C. May is also a good time to go. August is the warmest month (30°C by day), January the coldest (22°C at night), and September the wettest with about 164 mm of rain.
- Jan24°C22°C
- Feb24°C22°C
- Mar24°C23°C
- Apr25°C24°C
- May27°C25°C
- Jun28°C27°C
- Jul29°C28°C
- Aug30°C29°C
- Sep29°C28°C
- Oct28°C27°C
- Nov26°C25°C
- Dec25°C24°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in the Bahamas
Plugs & sockets
120 V, 60 Hz · Low-voltage country: devices made only for 220–240 V need a voltage converter. Phone and laptop chargers (100–240 V) only need a plug adapter.
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
National parks
12 national parks in the Bahamas
- 2,055 km² protected
Largest: Inagua National Park · Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park · Little Inagua National Park
Currency · 26 October 2026
Bahamian dollar exchange rates today
The Bahamas uses the Bahamian dollar (BSD, $). One US dollar buys 1.0000 BSD; over the last 30 days the BSD has gained 0.0% against the dollar.
What other currencies cost in BSD
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where the Bahamas ranks
How the Bahamas compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in the Bahamas
66 airports and airfields — 3 large, 25 medium and 26 small, plus 9 heliports. 23 have scheduled passenger flights.
Borders
No land borders
The Bahamas has no land borders with other countries. Coastline: 3,542 km.
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: Nassau (280,000)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
tourism, banking, oil bunkering, maritime industries, transshipment and logistics, salt, aragonite, pharmaceuticals
Export partners
USA 36%, Zimbabwe 16%, Cote d'Ivoire 14%, Germany 8%, Guyana 8% (2023)
Top exports
refined petroleum, ships, aluminum, shellfish, plastics (2023)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to the Bahamas
Next public holiday
Christmas Day — Friday, 25 December 2026. Then St. Stephen's Day (26 Dec).
Bahamian passport
Ranked #53: 101 countries visa-free, 32 with visa on arrival, 7 with an eTA and 28 with an eVisa.
Bahamian passport photo
Exact size, head position and background for the Bahamas's passport and visa photos — make one free with AI checks.
Calling the Bahamas
Dial +1-242 before the local number. Internet domain .bs.
Climate footprint
3.1 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024 — 7.65 t per person.
Entry requirements
Visa rules for every passport visiting the Bahamas: visa-free stays, eVisas, visas on arrival and documents to bring.
News
Latest travel news about the Bahamas
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Frequently asked questions about the Bahamas
What do I need to travel to the Bahamas?
How long must my passport be valid for the Bahamas?
Where is the Bahamas?
What is the Bahamas known for?
What is the capital of the Bahamas?
What language is spoken in the Bahamas?
What currency does the Bahamas use?
What is the calling code of the Bahamas?
Does the Bahamas have land borders?
How strong is the Bahamian passport?
What is the speed limit in the Bahamas?
Is the Bahamas safe to visit?
When is the best time to visit the Bahamas?
What plug type does the Bahamas use?
How many airports does the Bahamas have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.