Freeport Vacation Guide

ATMs are located in shopping centers and casinos. Banks are open Monday-Thursday 9:30 am-3 pm, Friday until 4 pm.

The Bahamian dollar is on a par with the U.S. dollar. When using ATMs, check to see which currency the machines dispense: You could end up with more Bahamian dollars than you need.

There is no sales tax in Freeport/Lucaya. However, visitors should be aware that there is a 15% government tax added to the hotel room rate. Additional resort taxes may apply depending on location.

Most restaurants automatically add a 15%-18% gratuity to the bill. If it is not included, tip an equivalent amount.

Because of the Gulf Stream, winters in the Bahamas are fairly mild, about 10 degrees F/5 C warmer than in nearby Florida. The summers can be humid, rainy and warm (day temperatures reaching into the low 90s F/33 C), but are moderated by trade winds. High season is from November to mid-April, when the weather is generally good. Hurricane season is June-November, and most rain falls at that time. There really is no bad time to go, but take along at least a sweater during the winter. Average day temperatures in fall and spring are in the 70s-80s F/23-32 C, with nights in the 60s F/15-22 C. Winter temperatures can be about 10 degrees F/5 C cooler.

Although many locations are generally informal, you should still look presentable when wandering around the resorts. Unless you're at the beach or the pool, walking around in a swimsuit isn't appropriate. Casual, summer-weight clothing should be worn. Make sure you take comfortable footwear for walking—the sidewalks get hot enough to make you uncomfortable in thin-soled shoes. Jackets and ties for men and dresses or nice slacks for women are typical attire in the casino and some better restaurants. When you make dinner reservations, ask about the dress code.

Most hotels offer Internet access, often through a phone connection. The Port Lucaya Marketplace has Internet cafes.

CyberCafe

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Offers Internet access. Open daily 9 am-8 pm. Port Lucaya Marketplace (near the fountain), Freeport.

The main post office is on Explorer's Way in Freeport. Phone 242-352-9371. Federal Express is located in the Seventeen Shop Mall, just opposite the Post Office. Phone 242-352-2402. For DHL service, phone 242-352-6415.

The local Newspaper is the Freeport News, but the Tribune and Nassau Guardian are sold daily.

The biannual What-to-do Guide, which is available for free in hotels and many shops and restaurants, lists upcoming activities.

International phone calls can be made easily from almost anywhere on the island, including hotels. If you plan to make a number of calls, use U.S. coins for local calls, or consider buying a Bahamas phone card for long-distance calls.

The attractions are pretty far apart on Grand Bahama Island, so you'll need to arrange for transportation. If the prices don't scare you off, rent a car for some or all of your time there. Otherwise, most tourists take cabs or jitneys everywhere.

Freeport's Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO) is about 5 mi/8 km north of Freeport. The domestic terminal is located just opposite the airport at the airport roundabout. Phone 242-352-6020.

The easiest way to get from the airport to town is by taking a taxi. Most hotels do not offer shuttle service. It is a short ride of 10 minutes to Freeport or 15 minutes to Lucaya.

Rental cars are readily available but costly: Expect to pay about US$80 a day for a subcompact. Most major agencies are represented at the airport. The roads are good (except for the trek to the West End) and well marked. Driving is on the left.

A daily ferry service featuring most of the usual traditional cruise amenities is offered by Discovery Cruise Line between Florida's Fort Lauderdale and Port Everglades and Grand Bahama Island, starting at US$124.98. A one-day cruise with a stopover in Freeport is US$144.98. A stay-over cruise starts at US$154.98 on weekdays (US$174.98 Saturday and Sunday). http://www.discoverycruise.com.

During daylight hours, public buses, called jitneys, run regularly throughout the tourist areas and downtown to Lucaya.

Ships dock at Lucayan Harbour, west of Freeport.

Taxis are plentiful and commonly used by visitors. Fares are set by the government. The taxis have meters, but they sometimes aren't turned on unless requested, so check before you climb in. Taxis at the cruise port will rarely go anywhere unless they're full—be prepared either to wait or to pay extra if you are in a hurry. You can arrange for an island tour by taxi, which will cost US$60-$100.

Mopeds, motorbikes and bicycles can be rented at major hotels, the Port Lucaya Marketplace and the harbor, but driving conditions can be dangerous. Wear your helmet and be careful. Accidents involving tourists driving on the "wrong" side of the road happen frequently.

Ministry of Tourism, The Mall Drive, P.O. Box F-4-0251. Phone 242-352-8044. Fax 242-352-2714. http://www.bahamas.com.