Capital: Nassau.
The Bahamas has long been considered a symbol of luxury and relaxation and is one of the largest resort areas western hemisphere.
Customs and traditions: The traditional culture of the Bahamas is far removed from the heavily American-influenced urban centers of Nassau and Freeport. Island folk art is reflected in a large number of fairy tales, natural medicine, music and religious rites brought here by slaves from Africa. Despite the fact that the Bahamas does not yet give birth to writers gaining worldwide fame, and visual art is also developing slowly, the islands have formed a distinctive musical culture. Several traditional forms of music were born in this country, including gumbey, a synthesis of calypso, sap and English folk songs, as well as a scratching-scraping working class style, with a characteristic guitar sound, accordion, and rattles made from the pods of the Poinsiana tree.
Bahamian children enjoy playing basketball. They literally live on a basketball court, and most townships have their own small basketball court with makeshift baskets. The Bahamas are following the American basketball (and baseball) teams with great zeal.
Holidays and non-working days: New Year(January 1), Good Friday (in different time), Second day after Easter (at various times), Spirits Day (seven weeks after Easter), Labor Day (first Friday in June), Independence Day (July 10), Liberation Day (first Monday in August), America's Discovery Day (October 12) ), Christmas (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26).
One of the most colorful celebrations to coincide with the celebrations of Christmas and New Year is the Junkanoo festival. This is a carnival, and a theatrical procession, and a folk festival at the same time. Participants show off fantastic costumes that delight the audience. Big things to do are the regatta held annually in April at Elizabeth Harbor on Family Island and The Goombay Summer Festival, which is held for tourists in June.
Geography: In the western part of the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Florida Peninsula, lies the vast Bahamas archipelago. It has more than 700 islands, of which only 30 are inhabited. Most of the islands are small and are coral reefs. These are the most northern islands The Caribbean. total area islands - 13.9 thousand sq. km. The largest islands are Big Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera, New Providence, Big Inagua.
Climate: Beautiful beaches, lush vegetation, colorful coral reefs make the Bahamas one of the most popular winter resorts in the Western Hemisphere. The Bahamas has a tropical and subtropical climate. West Coast The islands are washed by the warm Gulf Stream, and a mild equatorial wind blows constantly from the southeast. Therefore, in winter, the temperature rarely drops below + 15C, and in summer it does not exceed + 32C. Temperature is crystal clean sea v winter time usually about + 23C, and in the summer about + 27C. The greatest chance of precipitation is from May to October, although there is no pronounced rainy season.
Population: The population of the island is about 280 thousand people, most of them are descendants of black slaves and mulattos (85%), the white minority is from England, Canada, and the United States. Inhabitants of the islands under 15 years old make up 15% of the population, over 60 - 5%. The population density per square mile is about 50 people.
Language: The state language is English. The Bahamians speak with a local accent and use a number of words derived from the Arawak Indian as well as African languages.
Religion: Freedom of religion, the majority of the population belongs to the Christian church.
Currency: The national currency is the Bahamian dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar. Both currencies are in circulation on the islands. There are coins in circulation in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 dollars; banknotes in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars.
Currency exchange: It is better to change money in banks. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday - from 9.30 to 15.00, on Friday - from 9.30 to 17.00. Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, etc.) are accepted in many places. Traveler's checks are also widespread. To avoid additional exchange transactions, take checks in US dollars.
Customs regulations: In addition to personal belongings, you can bring with you 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, or 1 pound (~ 0.450 kg.) Of tobacco, as well as 1 liter of alcoholic beverages. Only persons departing on flights to the United States (US Customs) pass through customs. An airport tax of $ 15 applies to departing from the Bahamas.
Transport: The easiest way to get to the Bahamas is from the USA. The flight from Miami to Nassau will take about 35 minutes, from New York to Nassau - 2.5 hours, from Philadelphia - 2 hours 45 minutes, from Toronto (Canada) - 3 hours. If the cost of air tickets seems too high for you, you can purchase tickets for charter flights or use the services of rebators, which provide discounts of up to 30% on the cost of tickets and hotel rooms. Flights for charter flights can be booked with Nassau / Paradise Island Express and Carnival Airlines. Discount tickets and rooms - at Travel Avenue, Smart Treveller, Travel Management International.
Car rent: The movement is left-sided. The cost of rental at Dudget Rent-a-Car ranges from 42 to 54 dollars per day, depending on the class of the car and the type of transmission. All car rental rates include:
- unlimited mileage;
- third party liability insurance;
- document on waiver of obligations to pay compensation in the event of a collision;
- accident insurance;
- insurance against theft;
- Additional airport taxes and all local taxes.
Necessary requirements:
- the driver's age is at least 21 years;
- availability of an international driver's license;
- driving experience of at least a year.
Electricity: Voltage and frequency of current in electrical network in the Bahamas meet the US standard and are 120 volts and 60 hertz. The sockets and plugs are also of American design, so tourists from Europe need a special converter and adapter to use electrical appliances made in Europe.
Connection: International code Bahamas - 809. If you are calling from Russia, dial 8, then 10, followed by 1809, area code and local number... You can also order a conversation through the operator, tel. in Moscow - 8-194, 8-196. AT&T provides free telephone calls to travel agents, cruise lines, and airlines serving tourists traveling to the Bahamas within the United States. The AT&T US phone number is 800 / 874-4000.
Accommodation: Hotels in the Bahamas for the cost of a two-room suite in the winter season can be roughly divided into expensive (from $ 190 to $ 300), medium (from $ 95 to $ 190) and cheap (from $ 65 to $ 95). All hotels and guesthouses below $ 55 are budget categories.
Prices: The Bahamas is a test of the strength of your wallet. Moderate expenses will cost you about $ 100 per night (an inexpensive hotel room - $ 30-75, dinner in an inexpensive restaurant - $ 25). In winter, hotel accommodation costs 30% more.
Tips: The country has adopted a "tip" system for the services provided. The receptionist expects to receive $ 1 for each suitcase delivered to the room, $ 2 per day you can pay the maid for additional service, for example, for a washed and ironed shirt or blouse. In most cases, "tips" to taxi drivers, waiters, and servants are 15% of the cost of services (in the most luxurious restaurants - 20%).
Emergency phones: If you are in danger, call the police or the fire brigade on 919. The Bahamas has a well-functioning health care system for Bahamians and visitors. The islands have hospitals and clinics equipped with modern medical equipment. Ambulance call:
New Providence, Tel: 322-2121;
Freeport, Tel: 352-2689.
Bahamas- a fabulous corner of our planet, which, probably, every tourist dreams of visiting. The Bahamas are an archipelago in the middle of the blue surface of the Atlantic Ocean, which is the center of world tourism. The Bahamas is washed by the warm Gulf Stream, thanks to which, here all year round the climate is mild. The structure of this state includes two and a half thousand reefs and seven hundred islands, although only thirty of them are inhabited. The Bahamas coast pleases sophisticated tourists with hundreds of kilometers of white beaches, beautiful coral reefs, crystal clear coastal waters and picturesque Caribbean nature. We will tell you about an amazing vacation in the Bahamas in our article.
Prices for tours and flights to the Bahamas... Holidays in the Bahamas are elite, therefore, you need to be prepared that the tours will be expensive. When choosing travel packages on the Internet, please note that many travel agencies offer tours to the resorts of the Bahamas, without the cost of air travel. Approximately, a week-long tour to the Bahamas for two adults will cost from eight hundred euros. The price will include accommodation in a three-star hotel, breakfast included, and transfer from the airport to the hotel and back. All-inclusive food, so beloved by Russians, is a rarity in the Bahamas. It is very convenient that a visa to the Bahamas is not needed for our compatriots planning to rest there for less than ninety days. It is quite possible to buy relatively cheap air tickets to the Bahamas, just be aware that ticket prices vary from the time of year, the city of departure, the availability of promotions and discounts from this airline at that time. It is most profitable to purchase an air ticket to the Bahamas from Moscow or St. Petersburg, then an economy class one-way ticket will cost you about fifty thousand rubles. But you can find even more profitable options, for example, with Delta airline a one-way flight will start at twenty-three thousand rubles, and with Transaero airline, with a flight from Vnukovo, you can go to the paradise islands in twenty-eight thousand rubles. But there are practically no direct flights to Freeport Airport, you still have to make one or two transfers. Most of the transplants take place in or in the United States.
When and where is it better to relax in the Bahamas? For the Bahamas, there are two main seasons: summer, when the air temperature warms up to thirty-three degrees, and the water temperature to twenty-eight, and winter, when the temperature outside is twenty-five degrees, and the water temperature is twenty-three degrees. Prices for tours to the Bahamas are always higher in winter, the more they increase on holidays, but also during summer holidays, the cost of the tour will also rise. Although, at this particular time, you can find a lot of last minute deals to the Bahamas with significant discounts. When choosing a vacation spot, it is worth knowing that the northwestern islands of the archipelago are cooler. The hottest islands in the Bahamas are the southern ones: Big and Small Inagua, Mayaguana. In winter, it rains here, but very rarely, and winds too, high waves, hurricanes on these islands are also very rare. That is why, it is winter that is more preferable for a holiday in the Bahamas. But in the period from May to October, the season of rains, typhoons and storms begins here. In all hotels, at the reception desk, they post warnings about all weather disasters predicted for the day. It is quite romantic to have a rest in the Bahamas in summer, because it is during this period that bright tropical flowers begin to bloom on the islands and shrubs bloom, everything is green, exotic birds and insects flutter.
Resorts of the Bahamas. It is clear that all the islands of this archipelago are divided into resort areas, and each of them is attractive in its own way, here everywhere tourists are offered a lot interesting excursions and a variety of entertainment. Each resort has several restaurants, bars, cabarets, casinos, shops.
New Providence Island resorts and beaches- this is the most populous Bahamas, where the capital is located - a beautiful city Nassau, which combines all the best that it gave local nature... Calm - during the day, and capable at night, turn anyone, even the most passive tourist, into an untethered reveler. In the city, you can trace a vivid mixture of style trends of architecture: colonial, modern - and this can be explained by the fact that this sea harbor has always been an area of someone's interests and each people who took possession of it contributed to the urban architectural component.
Connoisseurs of white beaches and a clean ocean, who are not ready to leave civilization and find themselves alone with nature, prefer to rest in Nassau. It is worth noting that along the entire coast of the resort of Nassau there are hotel complexes, shopping centers and parks that make tourists' rest more eventful and interesting. And also, Nassau - real paradise for connoisseurs of excellent shopping. Here are the most luxurious boutiques, numerous shops " duty free". The city of Nassau is one of the world's largest offshore centers, where four hundred banks and trust funds are located, it is not for nothing that it is called the "Zurich of the Tropics". The islets located near New Providence are the location of fashionable hotels intended for elite vacation in the Bahamas, there are a lot of upscale restaurants and the "Crystal Palace" casino. The most popular beaches of New Providence Island are: Cable Beach - “Cable Beach” - this is the best beach in the Caribbean Islands, as well as opposite resort islands, with Long Cay Beach and North Cay Beach.
Resorts and beaches of Grand Bahama Island –largest island with international airport, accepting flights from America and Europe. Connoisseurs of noise and fun come to rest on this Bahamas, because music does not stop here, there is a lot entertainment centers, discos, nightclubs, and in each mall there is a duty-free point. The island has excellent infrastructure. The main natural advantages of this island are long white beaches huge pine forests... Most popular resort Grand Bahamas - Freeport or Lucaya - modern city, with free morals. And the best beach is Gold Rock, with romantic palm trees leaning towards the water, grape bushes around and beautiful lush orchids. For those who love to tickle their nerves, we advise you to get to Tiger Beach - the habitat of tiger sharks, and then, you will have enough impressions for a lifetime. A very popular holiday destination in the Grand Bahamas - gorgeous beach"Paradise Bay", which is featured on many brochures advertising exclusive holidays in the Bahamas.
Resorts and beaches of Andros island Is the most uninhabited Bahamas, with centuries-old pine groves fragrant needles, beautiful mangroves and palms located along the snow-white sandy beaches smoothly disappearing into the turquoise sea surface. Supporters of a laid-back beach holiday in the bosom of nature come here to relax, strolling along the turquoise ocean with pleasure, to the melodic accompaniment of bird chirping: ibises, flamingos, spoonbills, hummingbirds, Bahamian parrots. Weddings are often held here or Honeymoon... But this island is no less popular among eco-tourists, amateur kayakers, bird watchers, snorkelers, divers, and just fishing enthusiasts. The three main resorts of Andros Island: Nicholls Town, Andros Town, Congo Town. But due to the small population of the island, there is almost no developed infrastructure and public transport, and traveling by taxi will cost you a pretty penny. The most popular beach in Andros is Somerset Beach. By the way, many local hotels, knowing that newlyweds are trying to come to this particular Bahamas for their holidays, offer a “wedding package”.
Resorts and beaches of Eleuthera island- This is the fourth largest island in the Bahamas, and a place of elite vacation, with the most expensive and luxurious hotels and restaurants. It is only two kilometers wide, but it stretches for one hundred and eighty kilometers in length. The locals live on generous seafood and rich pineapple plantations, and, of course, tourism.
Eleuthera Island is a quiet but well-developed resort with picturesque nature: high cliffs extending into the bright blue sea surface, numerous mysterious caves and grottoes, beautiful coral reefs, wide beaches with pink sand. The water here is very clean and clear, and the entrance is shallow. Main beaches: French Leave Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Surfers Beach, Winding Bay beach"- very popular among tourists on this Bahamas. Divers who have long appreciated its wonderful underwater world love to rest on the Eleuthera Island.
Resorts and beaches of the island of Great Abaco Is the second largest island in the Bahamas and a favorite destination for sailing fans. Yachtsmen from all over the world meet here, in the “sailing season”, which begins with the arrival of spring and lasts almost until the end of autumn. Travelers vacationing here will surely delight local coast with cozy bays and beautiful reefs, clear turquoise sea water, by the way, local waters are calm and rather shallow, with a gentle entrance. Most popular sandy beaches: Ocean Beach, Tahiti Beach, Guana Cay Beach, Abaco Beach Resort"," Sandy Point Beach ". Abaco offers excellent fishing, as the local coastal waters are teeming with fish. For lovers of eco-tours, we recommend visiting the picturesque Abaco National Park.
Long Island resorts and beaches- the most picturesque Bahamas, where there are very few tourists, but many natural places completely untouched by civilization. The island stretches in a long, narrow strip along the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is divided in two by the ridge of an ancient reef, therefore on Long Island there are completely different shores, on the one hand, high cliffs prevail and deep caves, washed by raging ocean waves, and on the other hand, these are ideal white and sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to calm and calm waters. It is this contrast that makes the vacation on this Bahamas more interesting and exciting. The main resort town here is Stella Maris, from here all boat trips and other tours around the island begin. At the northern tip of the island is the most beautiful Cape Santa Maria in the western hemisphere.
Exuma Island resorts and beaches- is an archipelago of three hundred and sixty-five coral reefs and small islets, the largest of which are Big Exuma and Small Exuma, they are washed by the sapphire waters of the Atlantic Ocean. On the island of Big Exuma, tourists will find a lot of opportunities for interesting rest, as there are excellent resorts here, with hotels offering high-quality service, but you can also rent a modest fishing lodge, thus saving on accommodation. Local cozy bays, quiet bays and harbors attract numerous yachtsmen and sports fishing fans. Here since 1957, the most famous in the world was created marine park- "Exuma Case Land and Sea Park". The most popular beaches among tourists on Exuma Island are Tropic of Cancer Beach, Three Sisters Beach, Jolly Hall Beach, Coco Plum Beach, Hamburger Beach. Exuma Cays Land and Sea park"," Staniel Cay "," Saddle Cay "," Stocking Island "- all of them are sandy with a gentle entrance to the clear sea water.
Bimini island resorts and beaches- a picturesque archipelago of several islands, the largest of which are North Bimini and South Bimini. This picturesque archipelago is located on the edge of a powerful sheer underwater cliff, immersed in the sea abyss for thousands of meters. Bimini Islands - very attractive place for people interested in the unusual and unknown, because it is here that there are several unique places planets and natural monuments, the properties of which have not yet been solved and explained by scientists. The most controversial place is the "Bimini Road" - "Bimini Road", about which, back in the forties of the twentieth century, spoke the famous predictor Edgar Cayce, who said that in 1968, here they will find the ruins of one of the lost cities of the sunken Atlantis. And so it happened: in September 1968, near the shores of Paradise Point, in North Bimini, they found neatly laid out huge limestone blocks, seven hundred meters long, which were named "Bimini Road". Long-term underwater archaeological expeditions and research began, after which it was concluded that these megaliths were really laid by people - representatives of a long-extinct highly developed civilization, but there were other opponents who argued that it was just marine sediments - coastal rock.
Another very controversial place in Bimini is the "Fountain of Youth" - a rejuvenating source that Juan Ponce de Leon was looking for, who heard a story about him from representatives of the Arawak people, akin to the Taino Indians. Many indigenous inhabitants of the island say that their distant ancestors passed on from mouth to mouth the legend that this miraculous fountain is located in the shallow backwaters of South Bimini. The next mysterious place on the island is the "Healing Grotto", located in the backwaters of the mangrove forest that covers North Bimini, this place is the end of the mysterious labyrinth underground tunnels through which, at low tide, cool fresh water, rich in mineral salts - lithium and sulfur, penetrates into this backwater, which is why it has a powerful healing effect. After bathing here, people experience physical rejuvenation and phenomenal mental clarity.
The main resort of the Bimini Islands is Alice Town, with the best restaurants, shops, hotels. Fans of fishing, as well as fans of eco-tourism often come here, who are happy to get acquainted with the natural beauty of the islands, observe the numerous representatives of the sea and air fauna that live here. Flocks of dolphins and giant turtles swim right to the shores of the island. The most popular beaches of Bimini, with clear sea water, white-sandy shore and a gentle entrance: Radio Beach, Blister Beach, Spook Hill Beach, Tiki Hut Beach.
Greater Inagua resorts and beaches- the southernmost island of the Bahamas, the third largest, with several lakes and a large bird sanctuary, home to eighty thousand species of birds. The main resort of the island is Matthew Town, and the most popular beach in Inagua is Iron Badge Beach. Fans of eco-tours, divers, as well as just supporters of a calm contemplative vacation will really like to rest on the island. Here you can observe life in the natural environment of pink flamingos, swim with dolphins.
Harbor Island resorts and beaches- a small island, five kilometers long and a kilometer wide, with the only resort town - Dunmore Town. Here is famous beach with pink sand - "Pink Sands Beach", which, thanks to coastal reefs, protects vacationers from huge waves. Harbor Island is considered the best Caribbean island and the most elite vacation spot in the Bahamas for the richest people in the world. Rest here is calm, since there are no noisy entertainment centers on the Harbor; lovers of silence and solitude in the bosom of picturesque nature will like it. It is home to some of the finest villas and luxury holiday homes in the Bahamas.
Berry Islands Resorts & Beaches- here you will find the most economical vacation in the Bahamas. This cluster of thirty small reef islands is located southeast of Bimini. They are completely covered with greenery, there are many beautiful sandy, snow-white, like flour, beaches. Due to their gently sloping entrance, these beaches are ideal for families traveling to the Bahamas with children. So, seven miles of the finest sandy beaches await you: Dannenberg Beach, Queen's Beach, Sand Dollar Hil, Shark Creek, Shelling Beach, Sugar Beach, The Ship Yard Beach There are also completely uninhabited islets with virgin nature and beautiful sea depths, which have long been chosen by divers and snorkelers.
Paradise Island Resort- is located northeast of New Providence, and is connected to this island by a bridge. Paradise is huge complex hotels "Atlantis", with amazing beaches, with white sand and palm trees on the coast, excellent golf courses, a huge park water entertainment, casinos, and numerous shops. Mental rest and entertainment for every taste awaits you here.
The Bahamas are essentially one great resort and a place for an elite beach holiday. Most resort places have a well-developed infrastructure and a lot of entertainment for vacationers, here you can go diving, fishing, snorkeling, yachting, and get acquainted with interesting sights.
The Bahamas can donate unforgettable vacation every tourist. The climate is mild throughout the year, but this paradise has its own season.
Vacation in the Bahamas is like a paradise, a fairy tale or a dream, these islands cannot be compared with any other place on Earth.
Going to a travel agency, it is worth remembering that such a tour is an expensive pleasure, and prices may vary depending on the season.
The place of departure is also important, for example, prices for tours to the Bahamas in travel agencies in Moscow and Yekaterinburg differ.
Seasons
The Bahamas is one of the sunniest places in the world, with 320 clear days a year.
Summer temperatures range from 26 to 32 degrees, and by winter it drops to 21.
Oddly enough, the islands are popular from November to April.
This season is called high, prices for tours and hotels are the highest compared to other months.
May to November in the Bahamas is rainy season, humidity is high, and hurricanes are possible from June to November.
But even during this period, tourists come, as travel companies offer low prices, which can still be reduced with discounts up to 60%!
In winter, you will have to pay almost 1.5-2 times more, but you will have to book a tour several weeks in advance, since the demand is too high.
Going to the islands at this time, most likely, you will have to wait in line to rent a car.
Spring
Spring is a season, at the beginning of which prices are quite high, but by May they fall by almost 1.5 times.
This is due to the onset of the rainy and hurricane season. In March, the temperature reaches 24 degrees, and in the following months begins to gradually increase.
It is interesting that in the fall they begin to offer tours to the Bahamas. However, those who decided to enjoy their vacation from March to May need not worry: at this time, demand drops significantly.
The level of the hotel is also important: for high class you will have to pay about $ 200 a day, one day in a mid-range hotel will cost from $ 75 to $ 150, it depends on the chosen island. Even the most cheap ticket in spring time it will cost about $ 70 per day.
Summer
Oddly enough, but summer in the Bahamas is considered a low season.
There are much fewer tourists at this time than in winter, prices have been reduced by more than 30-40% for almost all services. In travel companies, this period is called a lazy beach vacation.
The average temperature is 28 degrees, the sea is warm and welcoming. However, vacation can be overshadowed by the rainy season or hurricane, but if you take the risk, you can find a great deal in a travel company and save a lot.
During this period, as in any other, prices depend on the comfort of the hotel. For example, renting a room in a quiet mid-range hotel will cost about $ 60-70 per night, and the premium will cost no less than $ 400.
Autumn
In the fall, prices start to rise gradually. Compared to summer, in November they increase by 30-40%.
This is due to the beginning of the high season and the approaching New Year, which many will want to meet in warm countries... At the end of autumn, it will no longer be possible to find cheap tours with discounts.
The average price for a tour for two adults in the fall to the island of Eleuthera is approximately 120 thousand rubles.
The rest is 10 days and 9 nights. Departure is from Moscow, meals are not included.
The price includes flight and accommodation in a large room, consisting of a living area, bedroom, bathroom. You need to be prepared that you will have to pay an additional fuel surcharge.
Towards the end of autumn - the beginning of winter, the ticket price rises to 140-150 thousand rubles for two adults.
Winter
Winter is the high season in the Bahamas. Prices during this period reach a peak, and it becomes quite difficult to buy a tour to the Bahamas.
To relax in winter and enjoy the sun, you need to contact a travel company and book a trip at least three months in advance.
On the island you can celebrate the New Year, Christmas, take part in local carnivals and enjoy the spectacular view of the Winter Festival.
To travel at the end of December to the island of Nassau in three star hotel, you will have to pay about 250 thousand rubles for two adults.
Departure is from Moscow. For a five-star apartment on the same island, you will have to pay about 450 thousand rubles. Prices depend not only on the hotel, but also on air travel and food systems.
Departure cities
The price of the whole tour also depends on the city from which the tourist departs.
Most often this is due to the remoteness of the city. For example, a flight from Moscow will be cheaper than from Novosibirsk or Yekaterinburg.
Now some companies are offering discounts, which make it possible to save a significant amount on the flight.
However, in this case, you will have to look for a travel company that will provide a tour without a flight.
Going on vacation to the Bahamas, many do not spare money and completely trust travel companies. But you can get into a fairy tale in a more economical way.
For example, you should not apply for a passport or visa through a travel agency, you can do it yourself.
A significant amount will not be spent if you choose and buy tickets yourself. Many airlines offer discounts and cheap options that travel agencies do not consider.
And another way to save money while traveling is to rent a car and not use by public transport which is very expensive in the Bahamas.
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Several times a year, since the travel time does not take too much, and the quality of the tourist infrastructure allows you to enjoy the ideal seascapes conveniently and comfortably. Russian tourist on a distant archipelago it is not seen so often: a long flight and the opportunity to enjoy the local pleasures are expensive. And yet, search queries "when is the best time to relax in the Bahamas" are found on the Internet, which means that the Caribbean is of interest to a potential tourist, despite the thousands of nautical miles separating the continents.
Let's take a look at the map
The Bahamas archipelago is formed coral islands, islets and reefs of all sizes and shapes. The largest inhabited islands, where the best resorts in the country are located - this is New Providence with the capital of Nassau, Andros and Grand Bahama with the second largest city of Freeport.
The weather and climatic features of the islands allow tourists to relax here almost all year round, but the Bahamian calendar also contains periods that are most suitable for beach relaxation and a "low" season:
- The islands lie in a tropical climate zone, the formation of which is especially influenced by the warm ocean current and the constant trade winds blowing from the southeast.
- The highest probability of rain in the archipelago occurs in May-June and the first half of autumn. July and August, although they belong to the rainy season, boast a relative calm and not too high rainfall.
- In the period from May to October in the Bahamas, air humidity increases significantly - up to 90%. At this time, extreme heat is very difficult to endure, and in the summer in the Bahamas it is better not to rest for those who have problems with the lungs or blood vessels.
- The average air temperature in the resorts in January is about 21 ° С, in July - from + 30 ° С and above.
With the arrival of summer, hurricane season begins in the archipelago, as in the entire Caribbean region. Officially, it continues until last days November, but the greatest likelihood of a gusty wind and a strong storm falls in August and September. Hurricanes are common in the Bahamas, but most often they do not cause serious damage tourist infrastructure, nor by the vacationers themselves. And yet, if you want to relax in peace, sunbathe and swim - comfortably and safely, choose the time when to fly to the Bahamas, especially carefully.
Features of a beach holiday
The beaches of the Bahamas archipelago await guests throughout the year. Even in January, thermometers rarely drop below + 25 ° C during the day, and the water warms up to + 23 ° C during the Christmas holidays. The warmest weather on southern islands- Small and Large Inagua and Mayaguana, slightly cooler in the northwest, in the Grand Bahama and New Providence.
You will find your beach holiday most comfortable during the period from September to May. At this time, the probability of rain is reduced to almost zero, although at night strong and powerful tropical rainfall can fall in winter. They usually last only a few minutes and freshen the air, making the morning and the first half of the next day more comfortable for a beach holiday.
Do not forget about the special activity of the sun in tropical latitudes. Even in cloudy weather in the Bahamas, protective equipment should not be neglected to avoid sunburn. Bring sunglasses and hats to Bahamian beaches and limit exposure to the sun, especially in the early days of your vacation.
Colorful calendar
Going to the Bahamas for beach vacation, the most curious tourists do not forget to look into the schedule of local holidays in order to diversify their vacation by participating in interesting events and colorful events.
The most famous holiday in the Bahamas is the Jonconu Festival, celebrated widely and on a grand scale on the first day of the new year and again - immediately after Christmas. Carnival processions fill the streets and squares of Bahamian cities these days, and cows with bells around their necks become their main participants. Nail entertainment program- dance shows that are in no way inferior to the Brazilian ones. In the evening of each day, the winners are awarded prizes, and the sky is colored with dozens of fireworks.
On the rest of the year, the Bahamas also do not let its many guests get bored:
- In January, you can take part in golf competitions, or at least become a spectator and make sure that there are rules in this game, and that it itself may seem boring only at first glance.
- Tourists are offered to get acquainted with the customs of local aborigines in July. At this time, a festival takes place, the meaning of which is the preservation of national culture, folklore and customs. If the Bahamas have conquered you and you stayed until the end of summer, take part in the fishing tournament in August.
- The end of summer flows smoothly into the September Bahamian Food and Wine Festival. Taste local drinks and dishes national cuisine you can both in hotels and street vendors.
Music fans will be delighted to be on vacation in the Bahamas at the end of May. The Caribbean Music Festival runs for a whole week, and within its framework not only concerts are held, but also incendiary dance lessons are given. Everyone will be sure to learn how to dance bachata, lambada and reggae.
Four times a year, a magnificent musical ceremony is held at Rawson Square in the center of the capital, hosted by the Nasau Police Department. The orchestra of law enforcement officers is one of the favorite musical groups local residents and guests of the islands.
Useful observations
If you love sailing or just enjoy watching yachts, book your tickets to the Bahamas from April to November.
- The sailing season on the island of Big Abaco lasts all summer and autumn, and several regattas local significance quite capable of quenching the thirst of a person who missed the flapping of canvas in the wind.
If you are not too fond of the noise and bustle of the beaches, do not choose the end of March and the first half of April for a vacation in the Bahamas. At this time, many Americans come to the islands with children who begin spring holidays.
- You will hardly be able to sunbathe calmly even at Christmas, but the end of November can be quite deserted. On the fourth Thursday of the month, the United States celebrates Thanksgiving, which is traditionally the gathering of the whole family. During this period, almost all American tourists stay at home.
The "low" season in the Bahamas does not become an obstacle to travel for tourists who have decided to save a little. During the rainy season, prices for hotels and flights can be significantly reduced, and therefore the vacation will cost less. In the rainy season in the Bahamas, you can get an inexpensive complex of spa treatments for face and body care. In the summer, the owners of the salons make huge discounts for visitors who are not afraid to fly to the islands during hurricanes.
- And yet, when deciding to fly to the Bahamas during the rainy season, carefully study the offers of hoteliers. Many hotels are completely closed from May to September.
Diving in the Bahamas is another popular pastime for Americans who come here on vacation. There are schools for the study of the art of diving in almost every resort and in many hotels. When choosing when is the best time to relax in the Bahamas, if you are a diver or just want to learn the art of diving, book tickets for the dry season. At this time, the water is the most transparent, and the sea is calm. You will be able to observe the underwater inhabitants completely freely.
- The water temperature in January can drop to + 23 ° C, and if such values seem to you not too comfortable, try to fly to the Bahamian resorts in November-December or April-May, until the next season of tropical showers begins.
When choosing the Bahamas as your destination for your long-awaited vacation, book your flights and hotel rooms as early as possible. The Caribbean is very popular with residents of the Western Hemisphere, who tend to plan their trips in advance, and therefore tickets and hotels for the dates you need a few days or even weeks before the trip may not be available at all.
Donald, WW5DD will operate periodically from the Bahamas as C6ADD.
He will operate on HF Bands.
Recent DX Spots C6ADD
QSL via home callsign.
Address for QSL direct:
DONALD L DISON, 111 South Beach St., Burnet, TX, 78611, USA.
Bahamas: features, attractions and when is the best time to go to rest
The Bahamas archipelago, otherwise the Bahamas, the Bahamas or the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a state in the Atlantic Ocean, which includes more than seven hundred islands.
Place on the world map
The Bahamas archipelago stretches in a southeast direction from the southern tip of the United States, Florida, up to island nation Haiti. Not all of the islands that make up the Bahamas are part of this state. The Turks and Caicos Islands in the political arena of the world are the colonies of Great Britain. In the neighborhood in the southwest direction there is also the Island of Freedom - Cuba. If you look to the northeast, then the waters of the Atlantic Ocean extend in that direction.
sights
Holidays in the Bahamas have become a sign of wealth, splendor and good fortune. This business paradise provides many banks, centers of business and office life. For those wishing to relax, the priority is the pristine flora and fauna of the islands, the abundance of historical sites and leisure centers.
For lovers of unity with nature, several islands are recommended, for example, Grand Bahama, Exumas, Andros, Berri, Bemini. These are places of pilgrimage for divers and underwater fishermen. Many are equipped with entertainment facilities - water parks, swimming pools. For animal lovers, there are dolphin rides, and for the thrill, you can feed the sharks. Yachts for sea voyages are also provided.
The capital of the Bahamas is Nassau, here you can choose any type of entertaining walks. The fortress built in the 18th century occupies a special place. Despite the time, this building has remained in its splendor, transporting visitors to a time of sophistication and stiffness. Must-see places include the Royal Staircase. It has 66 steps, climbing up which a magnificent view opens up in front of guests.
Central place Nassau occupies Parliament Square with a beautiful marble statue of Queen Victoria. Administrative buildings built 200 years ago are located along the perimeter of the square. These are the Supreme Court, Parliament, Colonial Administration. The guides will tell you a lot amazing stories associated with the military construction by Fort Charlotte. It was founded in 1788.
The Atlantis water park is worth mentioning as a modern leisure place. Here you will find excellent equipment for every taste. In fourteen mini-parks there are slides and pools, tunnels and underwater labyrinths.
For lovers of nightlife, Paradise Island has casinos, bars and discos. The island of Grand Bahama is intended primarily for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. Here you will find a variety of equipped spaces. Freeport is famous for its tennis, football, basketball and golf courses. Here, shoppers will enjoy the markets and shops.
Atlantis Hotel, Paradise Island, Bahamas. Photo by christikren.
When is the best time to go to the Bahamas
If visiting the Bahamas is in the first place in your immediate plans, this article will be very useful. After all, she will help you decide when is the best time to hit the road in truly amazing and mysterious places.
The Bahamas is white sand and azure water. And this paradise on Earth is open to the public all year round. The annual Caribbean hurricanes, which often rage in the tropics, bypass the archipelago. From November to May, the so-called “high” season reigns on the continent. This is the most comfortable season for tourists to visit the paradise.
Summer in the Bahamas is the "low" season. This is the time of tropical heat and high humidity of the already hot air. During this period of the year, the temperature sometimes reaches + 33 ° C.
You can fly to the islands of the archipelago at any time of the year. Due to the tropical climate with trade winds, the temperature rarely drops below + 17 ° C.
Winter in the Bahamas: holiday features
A comfortable time for a vacation in the Bahamas is winter. Just at this moment, the air masses in the tropics change their usual direction, but this does not interfere with making the rest pleasant and comfortable for the tourist.
For a foreign visitor, windy weather will seem unusual and uncomfortable. This is due to the fact that the surface is located low above sea level.
The residents and regulars of the Bahamas have long been accustomed to the windy climate. From December to February, rains and thunderstorms rarely rage here, so the humidity is at a fairly low level.
Freeport, Bahamas. Photo by Benoît.
Spring in the Bahamas: holiday features
A holiday in a paradise in the spring will provide seclusion to lovers of paradise tranquility, but at the same time, it will become a place of adventure for lovers of treasure hunt. The new day compares favorably with the previous one. You will lose track of time, because the day flies by in strolls through the breathtaking countryside, and the night makes you succumb to unrestrained dances in local clubs.
If you haven't made your choice of the season for a weekend in the Bahamas yet, feel free to choose the spring months. You will definitely be charged with positive emotions and get vivid impressions from the trip. It is in the spring that several national holidays in the archipelago fall. Having visited one of them during your stay here, you will surely remember this journey for a lifetime.
The weather regime in the spring months changes significantly - the air temperature reaches + 27 ° C, and the degree of humidity increases markedly.
Summer in the Bahamas: holiday features
Holidays in exotic locations in the summer months unprepared tourist may bring mild discomfort. Calendar summer means coming wet season... At this time, the southeastern trade winds dominate here, occasionally bringing strong hurricanes to the continent.
If you are a fan of the hot sun, summer in the Bahamas is just for you. Do you want to experience all the delights of the tropics with a temperature of + 33 ° C and an air humidity of 100%? Welcome to the Bahamas in summer. But be sure to bring protective equipment for untreated skin.
Autumn in the Bahamas: holiday features
Autumn is a time of peace and quiet, sunny weather in the archipelago. It is in the fall that married couples with children often go to the Bahamas, and newlyweds in love spend their honeymoon on the ocean shore.
In the autumn months, comfortable mild weather reigns here, which is created by the "Gulf Stream". Its warm waters gently wash the western side of the archipelago. Simultaneously, a light equatorial wind blows from the southeast. From September to November, the average temperature is + 29 ° C during the day and + 23 ° C at night.
Official language
State language in the Bahamas it is considered English... For immigrants from Haiti, Creole dialect is allowed, which refers to French.
Customs regulations
Adult citizens have the right to import 450 grams of tobacco or no more than 200 cigarettes, or no more than 50 cigars, which are not subject to duty. And also duty-free you can import up to 0.94 liters of wine and spirits, and goods, the cost of which does not exceed hundreds of dollars.
It is possible to import and export foreign currency freely, and when exporting 70 Bahamian dollars or more, you will have to obtain permission from the Central Bank.
