Overview
The quiet, sheltered bays and uncrowded beaches of the Bahamas offer visitors the intimacy of a quiet retreat in the midst of a surprisingly large archipelago. Twice the size of Spain, the Bahamas is made up of over 700 palm islands. The name Bahamas comes from the Spanish baja mar – flat sea. The Bahamas is blessed with clear, turquoise waters dotted with ancient shipwrecks and an array of colorful coral reefs teeming with fish. Pastel sea shells and clapboard houses of every color are surrounded by a tropical landscape and brightly colored flowers. On many coasts of the Bahamas, lonely beaches offer absolute tranquility, which is only interrupted by the call of exotic birds or the gentle pounding of the waves. Those looking for something a little more active can head to the bustling markets of the Bahamas to haggle for spices, pottery, handicrafts and native artifacts. Diving, snorkeling, surfing, parasailing or playing golf – of course with a view of the sea – never gets boring. Countless bars and clubs pulsate with island rhythms like Goombay, Calypso or Junkanoo. African slave trade rituals with Bahamian tempo and American hip-hop influences can be seen at exuberant dance festivals. Local traditions can also be experienced at cultural festivals, where costumes, food and song take center stage. See other countries in North America on thereligionfaqs.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
You can get to the Bahamas from Germany, Austria and Switzerland with the airlines British Airways (BA) via London, Delta Airlines (DL) via Atlanta, Lufthansa (LH)/United Airlines (UA) via Houston, Swiss International (LX)/ United Airlines (UA) via Newark. The national airline Bahamasair (UP) and United Airlines (UA) operate from Miami to Nassau and other destinations in the Bahamas. Envoy Air flies seaplanes to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Nassau: 12 hrs 55 mins; Zurich – Nassau: 13 hours; Vienna – Nassau: 13 hours 25 minutes (in each case pure flight times, without intermediate stops).
Arrival by car
Tolls: There are no toll roads in the Bahamas. Documents: A national driver’s license is sufficient for stays of up to three months.
Arrival by ship
The main ports of the Bahamas are Nassau and Freeport, with direct connections to the USA, the West Indies, South America and Europe.
Cruise ships
Cruises from Germany (Hamburg, Kiel) with a stay in the Bahamas are operated by AIDA and Phoenix, among others. From the USA, the ports of Freeport and/or Nassau are served by cruise lines from the following shipping lines, among others: MSC, Oceania Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
Ferry provider
Balearia Caribbean offers passenger cruises from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport, Grand Bahama (journey time: 3 hrs 30 mins). FRS Caribbean ferries connect Bimini with Miami several times a week (journey time: from 2 hours).
Transportation
Traveling by plane
Almost every tourist island has at least one airport. Island hopping by plane is therefore a good idea. Bahamasair (UP) connects Nassau and Freeport to the Out Islands. Charter flights can also be booked with Abaco Air, Air Charter Bahamas, Cherokee Air and Southern Air Charter, among others.
Traveling by car/bus
The entire road network covers around 2,700 km.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Left
Condition of the roads
The main traffic routes are mostly in good condition.
Car rental
Rental cars are available in Nassau, at airports, and at major hotels. Minimum age: 25 years.
Taxi
Taxis are metered on New Providence. For more than two people and extra luggage, however, a surcharge is often required. Boat taxis connect Prince George in Nassau to Paradise Island every 20 minutes.
Bicycle
Mopeds and bicycles can be rented on the islands on a daily or weekly basis.
Coach
By Jitney (bus) you can take tours on the big islands like Nassau and Grand Bahama. Buses run between 7am and 7pm and stop at all hotels on Nassau/Paradise Island. There is no public transport on the smaller islands.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Left-hand traffic. – Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists. Speed limits: – in built-up areas: 40 km/h; – extra-urban: 70 km/h.
Documentation
For a maximum stay of three months, the national driving license is sufficient.
Traveling in the city
In Nassau there are horse-drawn carriages that go on city tours with up to three passengers.
Locally on the way by train
There is no rail transport on the islands.
Traveling by ship
Regular Mailboat service to the major islands departs from Potter’s Cay in Nassau. The small, inhabited islands are served by privately operated ferries. Bahamas Ferries operate between Nassau and Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama and Long Island. Albury’s Ferry Service operates daily ferries between Marsh Harbor on the island of Abaco and Hope Town, Guana/Cay, White Sound, Scotland Cay and Man o War.
