Passport/Visa Requirements: All U.S. citizens must have a passport when traveling by air to or from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America and Mexico. Citizens of Canada, Mexico and the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda also must have a passport or other designated secure document to enter the U.S.
Beginning 1 June 2009, passports are required for land crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders with the U.S. and for cruise passengers returning to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada or Bermuda. Reconfirm travel-document requirements with your carrier prior to departure.
Population: 303,770.
Languages: English, some Creole..
Predominant Religions: Christian (Protestant, Roman Catholic)..
Time Zone: 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-5 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed early April-late October.
Voltage Requirements: 120 volts.
Telephone Codes: 242, country code;
For More Information
Tourist OfficesNassau: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, P.O. Box N-3701, Nassau, Bahamas. Phone 242-302-2000 or toll-free 800-224-2627. Fax 242-302-2098. http://www.bahamas.com.
Grand Bahama: Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, P.O. Box F-40251, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. Phone 242-352-8356. Fax 242-352-2714.
Canada: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, 6725 Airport Road, Suite 202, Mississauga, ON L4V 1V2. Phone 905-672-9017 or toll-free 800-677-3777. Fax 416-968-6711.
U.S.: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, 60 E. 42nd St., Suite 1850, New York, NY 10165. Phone 212-758-2777 or toll-free 800-422-4262. Fax 212-753-6531.
Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, 210 N. University Drive, Suite 300, Coral Springs, FL 33071. Phone 954-796-3555 or toll-free 800-422-7466. Fax 954-796-3250.
Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board, 1200 S. Pine Island Road, Suite 700, Plantation, FL 33324. Phone 954-888-5907. Fax 954-236-0733.
Out Islands Promotion Board, 1200 S. Pine Island Road, Suite 750, Plantation, FL 33324. Phone 954-475-8315. Fax 954-475-8354.
Bahamian Embassies
Canada: High Commission for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, 50 O'Connor St., Suite 1313, Ottawa, ON K1P 6L2. Phone 613-232-1724. Fax 613-232-0097.
U.S.: Embassy of the Commonwealth of Bahamas, 2220 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20008. Phone 202-319-2667. Fax 202-319-2668.
Foreign Embassies serving the Bahamas
Canada: Canadian Consulate, Shirley Street Shopping Plaza, P.O. Box SS-6371, Nassau, Bahamas. Phone 242-393-2123. Fax 242-393-1305.
U.S.: U.S. Embassy, Mosmar Building, Queen Street, P.O. Box N-8197, Nassau, Bahamas. Phone 242-322-1181. Fax 242-328-7838. http://nassau.usembassy.gov.
Additional Reading
2007 Yachtsman's Guide to the Bahamas by Thomas Daly (Tropical Island Publishers). An indispensable reference book for sailors.
Bahamas Handbook (Etienne Dupuch Jr. Publications). This reference book, revised and published annually, contains articles about the country's history, business, investing, real estate, politics and personalities.
Bahama Saga: The Epic Story of the Bahama Islands by Peter Barrett (1st Books Library). An epic history book regaling the full sensuous sweep of the Bahamian past.
The Bahamas: Portrait of an Archipelago by Larry Smith and Michael A. Toogood (MacMillan). A collection of photographs.
Complete Guide to Diving and Snorkeling the Bahamas by Lawson Wood (New Holland Publishers). This guide covers all the major dive sites.
The Story of the Bahamas by Paul Albury (MacMillan Education). An in-depth look at the country's history.
The Land of the Pink Pearl by L.D. Powell (Media Publishing). Fascinating history of Bahamian life in the 1800s.
Historic Nassau by Gail Saunders and Donald Cartwright (Macmillan Education). A stimulating illustrated description of Nassau's architecture and history.
Reminiscing: Memories of Old Nassau by Valeria Moseley Moss (R.G. Lightbourn). Author's observations of life in Nassau in the first half of the 20th century.
Out-Island Odyssey by Nan Jeffery (Avalon House Publishing). Inspiring and amusing autobiographical vignettes by a family who traveled through the Family Islands.
