There are fixed rates for destinations like cruise terminals and the airport and they might charge you for luggage. The Bahamas government offers up free care for its residents, but not for visitors, meaning that you will need health insurance. Related: Where can Americans travel … Made up of many beautiful islands, the Bahamas stretch west, from just 120 kilometres off the coast of Florida to the south, where it’s a mere 97km from Cuba. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is dependent on tourism (it’s about 40 percent of the country’s GDP). In truth, unless you really want to, there’s not much to driving in the Bahamas. In 2018, there were 43 crimes involving tourists in the Bahamas, too – 30 of which were US nationals. Bahamian isles attract a lot of tourists. Still, if you head out from the resort be aware of your surroundings and keep our tips in mind to stay safe. Travel Authorization To Visit Bahamas All travelers must fill out a Travel Health Visa before traveling to the Bahamas. Together, you can snorkel, go horse-riding, make sandcastles all day long and splash around in the pool. These are quite frequent (around every half an hour). Nice weather too: George Washington said they were “the isles of perpetual June”. The buses in the Bahamas are pretty safe in general, but you should keep an eye on who’s around you (and on your belongings, too). © 2021, The Broke Backpacker. If you need urgent care and you’re on one of these islands, you’ll be taken to Princess Margaret Hospital where most emergency surgeries on the islands are performed. The U.S. and Canadian governments announced three travel warnings for the Bahamas over the last year, TravelPulse reports.Royal Caribbean also issued a warning last year around the increase of crime in … not making yourself a target by being in the wrong place at the wrong time). If you don’t feel up to exploring, stick to your resort – at least you have the luxury of doing so. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you do choose to drive, you should have experience of driving in a foreign country, know how to drive defensively, and be a confident driver. It’s all about helping out our tribe of awesome backpacker readers [that’s you!]. It looks like a normal belt but there’s a secret zipper pocket where you can stash your cash. They also note police patrols in tourist areas. Travel. A recent “crimewave” in the Bahamas has led the United States to issue a travel advisory from the 25th February 2019. Protecting yourself against mosquitoes is more than just a suggestion in the Bahamas: here they transmit Chikungunya virus. “Find out how YOU can support the site. Whether you need to purify the water from a hostel sink in Kathmandu or a stream trickle in the Andes, the Geopress has got you covered. The murder rate has been on the rise, for example, and is believed to be related to drug gangs as well as domestic violence. Check out our in-depth AR Security Belt product review for more details on the specs and usability. You can also hail taxis on the street, mainly only in Nassau and Freepoint; this is also the sort of place where the taxis hail you if they think you need a lift. Writer and Editor, Ana Pereira is a California native, inspired by Earth exploration and introspection. The latest information can be found here. The healthcare situation in the Bahamas is not too bad – depending on where you are. There is no Uber in the Bahamas and there’s no Lyft either. This can be avoided by a few simple things: locking car doors, staying in your safe neighbourhood, and basically following our advice that we’ve already talked about (i.e. Knowing what to expect is one of the best ways to stay safe travelling anywhere in the world, and that goes for the Bahamas too. This cluster of Caribbean beauty spots is world-famous: say “Bahamas” and everyone knows the vibe. Right now, the Bahamas is preparing for inter-island travel and is looking at a July 1 target date for tourism to resume. Sleep safe! So let’s take a look at what’s going on with these islands…. It’s going to be challenging, but that’s the best bit: you get to grow as a person whilst seeing awesome stuff! If you thought you had to travel halfway across the world to reach paradise, think again. The Ministry of Health has developed protocols to allow individuals presently in The Bahamas but not on one of the above listed Family Islands, to travel to those specific islands. However, the Bahamas remains in a state of emergency and is under heavy lockdown. All rights reserved. The British High Commission reports that there has been an increase in reports of break-ins and robberies across New Providence, Grand Bahama and Freeport. © 2021 Caribbean Journal - All rights reserved. Thinking about going to the Bahamas? If you’re fans of simplicity then you’re going to like this option. Just make sure you pack the beach essentials, particularly sunscreen. Alternatively, you could get driven around to historical landmarks. Where Can Americans Travel Right Now? The Bahamas has entered a new phase of its tourism reopening — and the country’s mandatory vacation-in-place requirement has been waived. So much so that you won’t even have to leave the walls of the resort. Find out what you need prior to travel and what you can expect once you're here. When moving from place to place, you shouldn’t store travel documents in a bag, even if it’s under your seat or overhead. Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page page before you plan any international travel.. This isn’t backpacking in Europe. 9 Countries You Can Travel To Right Now. Is the Bahamas safe for solo female travellers? Is the Bahamas safe to travel for families? There are 4 levels of travel advisories issued by the US to its citizens (4 being the worst) and the Bahamas got stuck with level 2: “exercise increased caution”. How to Visit the US Virgin Islands Right Now: Bahamas’ Atlantis Resort Launches Free Testing Program: Frontier Is Adding New Nonstop Flights to Punta Cana: In St Barth, a Classic Caribbean Beach Villa: This British Virgin Islands Resort Is Making a Comeback: Caribbean Photo of the Week: Pos Chiquito, Aruba: Melia Launches Free Testing, Insurance in Punta Cana and Mexico: Dominican Republic’s Casa de Campo Adds On-Site Testing: Jamaica Expanding Testing Capacity for Travelers: Divi Adds On-Site Testing for Aruba Resorts: Turks and Caicos’ Ocean Club Launches On-Site Testing: Cozumel Hotels Launch Testing Options for Travelers: Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.Click your way to the Caribbean. So make sure you’re well prepared before you go. The PCR testing requirement does not include children age 10 and under or pilots and crew of commercial airlines who remain overnight in The Bahamas. If you take a tour of any kind, make sure the company is reputable, well-reviewed, highly recommended by other families, and check that whatever activity you’re going to do is safe to do with the ages of children you have with you. She spends most of her "down-time" out in the wilderness, climbing, hiking, and beyond, and is feverishly passionate about travel and health. Why not get a quote from them yourself? The hotel is running a sale on its two-bedroom villas right now in the USVI. avoiding trouble as a solo female traveller. Surprisingly, there is a lot of different stuff to try out scattered across the islands. Choose your hotel, hostel or Airbnb ahead of time so you’re not last-minute booking a less-secure place. The romance of the Bahamas may be one thing, but the reality of stepping outside the resort areas is another. There are good dishes, good puddings and some good liquors and rums to wash it down with; cocktails like the Yellowbird work very nicely! Beginning Nov. 14, all visitors to The Bahamas will have to opt-in to mandatory COVID-19 health insurance when applying for their Travel Health Visa. We’re not going to lie, it’s not looking good, but we’ve got a few tips to help you stay safe if you still want to travel to the Bahamas as a solo female traveller. The water in the Bahamas is said to be fine to drink, but it’s not that nice. You can help rebuild the Bahamas. Please visit the link to find out how you can help keep the site going . There are options to go to walk-in clinics if your hotel doesn’t have that facility. Interesting side note, Bahamians themselves often rely on herbal remedies. Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. More than 50 countries currently allow U.S. citizens to visit, but some restrictions apply. Though the outer islands are quiet and relatively free of crime, the downside is that they have less in terms of medical facilities. However, this advisory doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be going anywhere; the Bahamas responded to America’s update by saying that it shares this “level 2” advisory with France, the UK and Spain (the latter being one of the safest countries in Europe). Though it’s all good if you’re sticking within the bounds of an all-inclusive resort – of which there are many – if you’re trying to stick to a budget and do things more independently, you’ll be more likely to encounter a sketchy situation. Now that’s what we call a good redemption. The outer islands don’t have any public transport, but you can get to them by using ferries operated by a company called Bahamas Ferries. When it comes to eating out children will usually be welcomed into a restaurant as Bahamians are family-oriented and love children. A full-sized money belt that stays tucked under your clothes keeps your documents and cash organized during your travels and assures nothing critical gets left behind or stolen. You’ll want to have your windows up and your doors locked at all times. These boats tick between islands and are pretty slow. Most of the time you’ll probably just want to spend your time hanging out at the beach – we totally get that. From December 28, Wales will go in to a lockdown, meaning people should only leave their area for essential reasons. There is public transport in the Bahamas, but not on all islands and certainly not that structured; it runs on Bahamas time. There’s quite a bit that makes us think that maybe the Bahamas isn’t as safe as you think it is, but let’s look at that in more detail…. More information. As long as you know how to stay safe travelling, you’ll be fine. If in doubt, go all-inclusive, get on a tour, and ready yourself to lounge on the beach with pretty much no worries. The result will let you know if you need a visa or not. Reconsider travel to The Bahamas due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions.Exercise caution in some areas of The Bahamas due to crime.Read the entire Travel Advisory. Whilst COVD 19 has not gone away, the world is opening up again to travellers. Traffic rules aren’t always adhered to by the locals – and traffic police don’t enforce those rules, either. Driving in The Bahamas is much like driving in the UK – it follows the UK’s driving laws, such as driving on the left-hand side of the road; that doesn’t mean, however, it’s as safe as driving in the UK. Luckily for you, we’ve got an awesome recommendation: the Active Roots Security Belt. Cozumel Hotels Launch Testing Options for Travelers, This British Virgin Islands Resort Is Making a Comeback, Foxwoods to Open Its First Caribbean Resort Casino, Jamaica Expanding Testing Capacity for Travelers, The past year has changed a lot about the travel industry. The cost of a Bahamas Travel Health Visa is free for children 10 and under, and starts at $40, rising to $60 for trips longer than four nights, according tourism officials. Politicians in the country, like the attorney general, are trying to advocate for the extension of emergency orders to quell an increase in coronavirus cases. The Bahamas may be paradise, for some people at least, but the beaches and warm weather of this archipelago are balanced out by a fair bit of crime. If you’re paranoid then maybe you might want to stick to hotel food or only go to international restaurants – this is fine, it’s your trip after all. With petty crime a possibility, especially in tourist areas (places you’ll be heading at least once, we imagine), it’s important to know what to look out for and what you can do to stay safe in the Bahamas, so we’ve made a list of some of our best tips for travelling smart in this tropical paradise…. This means that if you book your accommodation, buy a book or sort your insurance, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you decide to do so, make sure you arm yourself with good car rental insurance coverage. New Providence has the most overall. The Bahamas, like any other country, is facing a dilemma of balancing public health and its own economy. Basically, the healthcare is decent in the Bahamas, it can just be a little lacking if your trip is to the outlying islands and if you seek professional advice. Having a money belt is a surefire way to basically never have your money stolen from you, but we’d say it depends on the money belt. There’s a lot to take into account, what with the violent crime levels on the rise, petty theft, sexual assaults, drug trafficking gangs, as well as other hassles. Don’t expect to find facilities like high chairs and baby-changing rooms. The Bahamas also requires proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR Swab Test that is no more than 5 days old upon arrival for anyone age 10 and older. In total, there are around 50 health facilities spread across the outlying islands. However, there are some concerns about living somewhere that’s got such a high crime rate, which is why the Bahamas’ sizeable expat community live in gated communities. The Bahamas is huge—some 700 islands distributed over 100,000 square miles of western Atlantic Ocean. Save the planet from more plastic! Travelling smart also takes into consideration stuff like staying in secure and safe accommodation in the first place, and making sure that you don’t use tour companies, watersports rentals and excursion outfits that aren’t reputable. There are medical facilities available mainly in Nassau, Grand Bahama and Paradise Island. CJI Conversation: What’s Next for Tourism Investment in Trinidad, The 21 Best Caribbean Islands to Visit in 2021, How to Visit the US Virgin Islands Right Now, Bahamas’ Atlantis Resort Launches Free Testing Program, Frontier Is Adding New Nonstop Flights to Punta Cana, In St Barth, a Classic Caribbean Beach Villa, Caribbean Photo of the Week: Pos Chiquito, Aruba, Melia Launches Free Testing, Insurance in Punta Cana and Mexico, Dominican Republic’s Casa de Campo Adds On-Site Testing, Divi Adds On-Site Testing for Aruba Resorts, Turks and Caicos’ Ocean Club Launches On-Site Testing. This story is part of Caribbean Journal Invest, the authority on Caribbean hotel, real estate and tourism business news. In Nassau you will see many, many jeetneys; these little private mini-buses run during daylight hours mainly but they don’t have much in the way of a timetable. We even have compared the best travel water bottles on the market to help you decide which one is the best for you. In 2018 the Bahamas welcomed 6.6 million visitors and is set for a record-breaking 2019, apparently. We are adhering to recommendations and guidance from The Bahamas Ministry of Health as well as guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Thanks for your support. All travelers have to wear masks and always social distance in public spaces during their stay. There are obviously parts of life in the Bahamas that are not safe in some areas: crime, poverty, corruption. There are 19 mail boats in all and you will be able to spot them leaving Potters Cay (in Nassau). Think about it: sparkling seas, hardly any tourists, not having to worry about where the next meal is coming from, cocktails on the beach… Doesn’t sound bad, does it? Famous for its crystal coastline, having a zillion (well, 2,000) islands, beaches – including Pig Beach – as well as coral reefs, this paradise archipelago is a popular destination. The Bahamas comes packed with a lot of social issues, namely gaps between rich and poor, plus being a bit of a conduit for the drugs trade to North America and Europe. After you receive your test results you must visit this link prior to your arrival date to complete the Bahamas travel card … The insurance will cover travelers for the duration of their stay in The Bahamas. If neither of those options appeals to your refined fashion sense, don’t compromise! Weather in the form of hurricanes and storms can pose threats to the islands, too. 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