Travel Essentials

Bahamas: What To Know Before You Go

Q: What is the emergency number in Bahamas?

One number for everything: 911 or 919

Plugs: Types A and B; 120 V, 60 Hz. Emergency: One number for everything 911 or 919. Tipping: 15% is standard in restaurants and is often added automatically; tip taxi drivers and porters too. Tap water: Generally safe to drink in Nassau and main resort areas; bottled water advised elsewhere.

Open The Bahamas Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types A and B; 120 V, 60 Hz

Emergency Numbers

One number for everything

911 or 919

Tipping

15% is standard in restaurants and is often added automatically; tip taxi drivers and porters too.

Water And Health

Tap water: Generally safe to drink in Nassau and main resort areas; bottled water advised elsewhere
Vaccines: Routine vaccines, hepatitis A; hepatitis B for some travelers
Malaria: None

Apps To Download Before You Go

Bahamas Taxi Cab Union / local taxi apps: Ride-hailing apps are not licensed here, so licensed taxis booked by phone or via local taxi apps are the norm in Nassau.
WhatsApp: Standard way to reach taxi drivers, boat captains and hosts.
SunCash: Local digital wallet used for payments and transfers, including at some vendors.
Kanoo: Bahamian mobile wallet accepted by many businesses and for bill payments.
Bahamas Ferries: Schedules and tickets for ferries between the main islands.
Windy: Boaters and island-hoppers rely on it for wind and hurricane-season forecasts.
MyBTC / Aliv: Apps of the two mobile operators for prepaid SIM top-ups and data.

Customs And Etiquette

Pace and greetings. Life moves at 'island time'; start with a friendly greeting and a firm handshake with eye contact. Friends often hug, and a greeting before getting to business is expected and appreciated.

Dress. Casual resort wear is fine, but swimwear should stay at the beach or pool, not in town restaurants or shops.

Tipping. 15% is standard at restaurants and often already added as a service charge; tip porters and boat crews too.

Safety And Scams

Tourist areas of Nassau (Cable Beach, Paradise Island, cruise port) and the Family Islands are generally safe, but Nassau has areas with higher robbery and gun crime that visitors should avoid, especially after dark.

Unlicensed taxis and excursion touts. Use licensed taxis (marked plates) or hotel-arranged tours; agree on fares/prices upfront.

Jet-ski and water-sport overcharging. Confirm total price, insurance, and damage terms in writing before renting.

Women travelers. Generally safe in tourist zones; use hotel or licensed transport at night rather than walking.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Legal · Use Caution

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1991, but there is no marriage equality or broad anti-discrimination law, and the culture remains socially conservative, particularly outside Nassau's tourist areas; discretion is advisable.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café)	B$5	$5
Local bus or metro ride	B$1.50 (jitney)	$1.50
Mid-range restaurant meal	B$35	$35
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	B$40	$40
Mid-range hotel (night)	B$200	$200
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	B$180	$180

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

December to April is the dry, cooler, low-humidity season and the safest window regarding hurricanes.

Phrases

Basic English phrases