The Bahamas have long been associated with luxury vacation. This is one of the richest countries in the Caribbean, the main income of which is tourism. The state includes more than 2,500 reefs and 700 islands, of which only 30 are inhabited. Hundreds of kilometers of snow-white sandy beaches, coral reefs and amazingly clear coastal waters, real Caribbean nature - all this attracts thousands of tourists all year round.

Resorts

Bahamas, like many others, have long been divided into resort areas. Each resort is good in its own way, it can offer a lot of entertainment and excursions. Each resort has an abundance of restaurants with local delicacies, bars, cabarets and casinos. The main resorts of the Bahamas are New Providence, Grand Bahama, Anros Island, Eleuthera, Big Abaco, Long Island, Exuma, Bimini, Big Inagua, Harbor Island.

New Providence Island is the most densely populated island in the Bahamas, where most of the population of this country lives. Due to which the entire coast of this resort is simply built up with a variety of hotel complexes, shopping centers and parks. The capital of this island, Nassau, is a paradise for shoppers. Nearby islands are built up with the most luxurious hotels, restaurants and casinos. Of course, the main attraction of the Bahamas is the sea and sand. The popular beaches of New Providence are Cable Beach, and the opposite islands with their beaches Long Cay and North Cay.

Grand Bahama is the largest island of this state, has its own international Airport, which receives flights from America and some from Europe. This resort is ideal for those who are looking for a fun and noisy holiday, there are a wide variety of parties until the morning, shopping centers with a nice duty-free addition. The island has a well-developed road infrastructure, here you can rent a scooter and get to know the surroundings. The best beach is Gold Rock, with thickets of palms, grapes and orchids. If you are in search of adventure, then you have a direct road to Tiger Beach, where tiger sharks live, impressions will last a lifetime. Paradise Bay Beach is also popular, as if copied from tourist booklets.

Andros can be safely called the most "wild" islands of the Bahamas. Here are centuries-old pine groves with the delectable smell of pine needles, steamed under the scorching sun, mangroves. And of course palm trees White sand and the expanse of the sea. The three main cities where tourists stay are Nicholls Town, Andros Town and Congo Town. Moving around the island is a whole problem, the only means of transportation is a taxi, which is very expensive here. A popular beach is Somerset Beach. Young couples often come to Andros for weddings, so many hotels offer the so-called "wedding package".

Eleuthera Island is small in size, but the most expensive hotels and restaurants are concentrated here, therefore it is considered an elite vacation spot. It is only 2 kilometers wide, but over 180 kilometers long. There is only one road that stretches along the entire length of the island. On the island, they offer to make a fascinating excursion to the village of Dunmore, where traces of two hundred years ago have been preserved. Diving enthusiasts also come to Eleuthera.

Abaco is an archipelago whose largest islands are Greater Abaco and Lesser Abaco. Greater Abaco is the second largest island in the Bahamas. Sailing enthusiasts come here. For yachtsmen from all over the world, this is one of the most popular meeting places. The sailing season starts in spring and lasts until autumn. It is also allowed to fish on Abaco, the local coastal shallow waters are simply teeming with fish. On the island is located national park Abaco.

Long Island is one of the most picturesque places Bahamas. Due to the fact that very little is visited by tourists, places untouched by civilization have been preserved here. The main city on this island is Stella Maris, from where you can make expeditions by water or around the island. In the northern part of the island is Cape Santa Maria, one of the most beautiful in the Western Hemisphere.

Exuma is an archipelago that includes more than 360 small islands, the largest of which are Great Exuma and Little Exuma. It is on these two islands that almost the entire civilization of this archipelago is concentrated. Exuma is considered a paradise for divers and yachtsmen, and the local places are among the most beautiful in the world. Constant tides that change the depth of the coastal zone make the sea unforgettably beautiful.

Bimini is an archipelago consisting of several islands, the largest being North Bimini and South Bimini. These islands attract lovers of the most unusual, there are several natural monuments with inexplicable properties, scientists still put forward only hypotheses. Main city Islands is Alice Town, where the main restaurants, shops and hotels are concentrated. The islands also attract fishing enthusiasts.

Inagua is the southernmost region of the island, the largest of which are Great Inagua and Little Inagua. Big Inagua is the third largest island of the Bahamas, there are several lakes, the most big lake Windsor. Main locality city ​​of Matthew Town. This island attracts bird lovers, in the very center there is a large ornithological reserve, where more than 80 thousand species of birds live. A variety of entertainment awaits you on the island, you can watch pink flamingos, swim with dolphins or even feed the sharks.

Harbor Island is one of the most unique places The Bahamas and attracts thousands of tourists with its pink sand beach is Pink Sands Beach. The island itself is small, two kilometers wide and about 5 kilometers long. There are villas and holiday homes. As well as souvenir varnishes and shops, where prices are much lower than in general in the Bahamas. Walks on pink sand, water entertainment, as well as a lot of celebrities and rich people make you think that you are in the most fashionable resort in the Bahamas.

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If you love nature in all its manifestations, then you will definitely find where to go in the Bahamas. The local resort islands will amaze the imagination of even seasoned tourists. Without knowing anything about a vacation in the Bahamas, you can find out where to go thanks to. With the help of this resource, you will learn that panoramic views of the Bahamas are not spoiled by urban smog and dust. No matter which island you land on, you won't find any negative signs of civilization.

Beach holidays in the Bahamas

Before you go to the island archipelago, you need to decide on the purpose of the visit. Tourists are mainly attracted beach resorts Bahamas, where you can forget about all the pressing problems. The most popular resorts are:

• Grand Bahama
• Big Abaco
• harbor
• Eleuthera
• Andros

Read all the details about a beach holiday in the Bahamas.

Excursion cities in the Bahamas

To diversify your beach holiday in the country, you can find out historical facts the emergence of an island state, enjoy the beauty of natural attractions and entertainment facilities. To do this, you need to go on a tour of excursion cities Bahamas. Unfortunately, there are not as many of them as you would like, but quite exciting excursions can also be found if you visit:

• freeport

For more comprehensive information about excursions in the Bahamas, read on

Bahamas is a word that causes only pleasant sensations in every person. What could be better rest on the islands, where it is always warm, and the gentle sea invites you to frolic and forget about all your sorrows? Meanwhile, the Bahamas is a whole archipelago, which includes about seven hundred islands and thousands of reefs. Some of them are inhabited, others are unsuitable for life. The most popular among tourists are the islands of New Providence, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Andros, Long Island and Eleuthera.

The archipelago is located in Atlantic Ocean at east coast North America. Florida is located 90 km away, and Cuba is located in the southwest. The archipelago itself covers an area of ​​​​about 250 thousand kilometers, and its length is almost a thousand kilometers. The capital of the Bahamas is the city of Nassau, which is located on the island of New Providence.

The weather in the Bahamas varies depending on their location. In the north, it is due to the tropical trade wind climate. In summer, the air atmosphere is kept within + 26- + 32 ° С. In winter - in the region of + 18- + 22 ° С, even at the most northern islands(Small Abako) it does not fall below +15°С. The southern part of the archipelago is slightly warmer. In summer, the air warms up to + 40 ° C, however, thanks to the trade winds blowing from the sea, the climate here is quite mild, the heat is not felt so strongly. The hottest months here are June, July and August. The water temperature in summer is about +27°С, in winter - +22°С. Humidity on the islands varies with the season. From May to October, the rainy season lasts here, but it is not pronounced, so it does not annoy vacationers. But hurricane winds and storms during this period are a serious obstacle to recreation. In winter, powerful tropical downpours occur from time to time, however, they do not last long.

Tourism in the Bahamas

Many people associate the Bahamas, first of all, with relaxing on golden beaches. Meanwhile, it also has its attractions. Despite the fact that the main income of the islands comes from tourism, not all places here have been explored and are open to the public. In the Bahamas, large cities with a frantic pace of life and developed infrastructure are interspersed with corners of the wild. All this creates an indescribable atmosphere.

The most popular city among tourists is the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau.. This is a big bustling city, there is always something to see here. Sightseeing should start from the northern part, historical center cities. Here, on Rawson Square, there are buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Then the Bahamas were still a colony of Britain, so lovers of English architecture, seasoned with South American flavor, should definitely take a look at it. It is never quiet here, artists, bankers, sailors, hawkers and tourists filled this small square a hundred years ago. The famous Jonkonu festival is also held here. In order to look at the colonial medieval architecture, it is worth heading to Parliament Square Square. Here are the buildings of the Colonial Administration, Parliament, the Supreme Court and the House of Assembly, the construction of which dates back to the years of the 13th-18th centuries. History buffs will love the Pompeii Museum, located in the auction house. There are many exhibits here that tell about the history of slavery on the islands. Nearby is the colorful Straw Market, Woody's Rogers Wolf Boardwalk and the Harebrader Center.

In the southern part of the city, in the Hillside area, is the Public Library and the City Museum. The museum building itself is of interest, as it has the shape of an octagon at the base. Previously, there was a city prison. Nearby are the Royal Victoria Gardens. This place is definitely worth a visit. More than 300 species of tropical plants are collected in one place, and the very atmosphere in the gardens gives a feeling of calm and tranquility.

Also of interest are Fort Fincastle and the 85-meter Water Tower. From here open great views to the harbor. And to the east of the tower is the Royal Staircase, which the slaves carved directly into the limestone rock. The construction of this impressive structure took 16 years, and about 500 people worked on it.

Other islands are not so visited by tourists. But if vacationers want something unusual, then you should look for the exotic outside of New Providence. Lovers of communication with wildlife Worth a visit is Grand Bahama. The Rand Memorial Nature Center is located here. It includes parks with more than 5 thousand species of exotic plants, as well as the Grand Bahama Museum. In the western part of the island is the colorful village of Jack-Ter. Pirates and underground workers lived here at one time.

But lovers of literature should visit the tiny islands of Bimini. Here, in the city of Ellis Town, the famous writer Ernest Hemingway lived and worked. It was here that the novel To Have or Not to Have was written. Also on the islands, it is worth taking a look at the Bimini Wall and the Bimini Road. Locals claim that these sights are parts of the legendary Atlantis, which sank many thousands of years ago.

Holidays in the Bahamas

There is everything for a vacation in the Bahamas - great hotels for every taste, clear sea, golden beaches, conditions for active rest. On the island of New Providence, Cable Beach is a very popular place, which is located next to Nassau. This is a huge beach, where many hotels, restaurants, casinos and sports complexes. The elite Delapore Point Beach with luxurious Venetian-style villas is also located there. In the vicinity of the island there are excellent conditions for fishing and water sports. Divers love it southern part islands with a quaint coastline and beautiful Coral Bay. On the west coast usually rest lovers of fishing and snorkeling. Here, in shallow water, there is a very rich underwater world, the water is literally teeming with various marine inhabitants. There are several yacht clubs in the vicinity of Nassau.

Fans of noisy city life with a lot of entertainment should go to Grand Bahama Island, to the city of Freeport. This is a paradise for lovers of outdoor activities. There is tennis courts, golf courses, fishing and dive centers. The city itself is a fashionable resort founded only half a century ago. Fans of shopping and nightlife will love the Mull area, where many shops, restaurants, casinos and nightclubs are concentrated. And, of course, you need to know the places where you can eat deliciously. In Freeport, this is Le Chicken Snack, where barbecue chicken is prepared in such a way that even gourmets admit that this is the best chicken in the world.

There is a place in the Bahamas that is not very popular among tourists, but is beloved by extreme divers. This is the most big Island The Bahamas archipelago - Andros. Nature here is almost not spoiled by civilization. Divers love the island for its huge barrier reef, which stretches along one of the coasts. But lovers of eco-tourism will also like it here. Dense mangroves and pine forests so dense that locals still talk about chikcharniz, small red-eyed elves that live in these forests and have not the best feelings for people.

Basic moments

The long archipelago covers an area of ​​250,000 km² and consists of 2,700 islands and coral reefs, occupying only 13,878 km². Humans inhabit thirty of them. The island territory is united into a state - the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, in which 391,232 people live (2016). The most populated island is New Providence, where the capital of the country is located - the city, and the island of Grand Bahama. The population of 3/4 consists of African Americans and mulattos. A small proportion of the Bahamians are elderly wealthy North Americans and Europeans who settled on the islands after retirement.

Among believers in the Bahamas, most of all are Christians - Protestants, Methodists, Baptists and Roman Catholics. Some locals, and especially the descendants of African American slaves, adhere to African cults.

The Bahamas are popular with travelers from all over the world, and the economy of the islands is heavily dependent on tourism. They come here for beach holiday. In addition, the Bahamas attract diving, surfing and yachtsmen.

AT last years medical tourism is actively developing in the Bahamas. The level of medical care here is based on the standards adopted in the United States, and is highly valued. More than twenty modern medical institutions have been opened on the islands, whose specialists work in all types of healthcare. The most popular areas are joint surgery, heart surgery and plastic surgery.

History of the development of the Bahamas

The first to settle on the tropical islands were the Native Americans, the Lucayans (Arawaks), who sailed here in the 5th century from the Antilles, Cuba and Hispaniola (now the territory of the Republic of Haiti). In 1492, the expedition of Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas. Three years later, Spanish colonists settled on the archipelago. For 30 years, the locals have practically died out. The reasons for this were diseases and slavery brought by Europeans. A large number of the colonists took the Lucayans to Hispaniola for pearling and work in the mines.

Soon the Spaniards also left the Bahamas, and for about 130 years this region remained unclaimed. Then British settlers from Bermuda came to Harbor Island. In addition to them, pirate bases arose on several islands, where sea corsairs rested and repaired their ships. Only in 1718, thanks to the British army, the pirates were driven out of the Bahamas. Since then, the islands have been assigned the status of a British colony.

The local population began to grow rapidly from the end of the XVIII century. The reason for this was the eviction of eight thousand loyalists from the United States to the Bahamas, with whom their slaves arrived. The new settlers tried to establish cotton plantations on the islands in the manner of those they were forced to leave behind in America. However, due to infertile soil, this venture failed. In 1807, the slave trade was banned in Great Britain, and the Royal Navy freed the slaves in the Bahamas.

A major influx of money into the islands occurred in 1920. At this time, Prohibition was passed in the United States. Smuggling began to grow in the Bahamas, and the city was turned into a warehouse of rum. During the Second World War, the American military spent vacations in the Bahamas, and in the post-war period, the tourism industry began to develop on the islands.

Since 1973 in island nation there is a democratic political regime, the Constitution is in force. According to the form of government of the Bahamas, it is a parliamentary monarchy, when the British Queen is considered the head of state, and her interests on the islands are represented by the Governor General. Legislative functions are performed by a bicameral parliament, and the executive power is exercised by the government. Administratively, the Bahamas are divided into 31 districts.

Attractions of the Bahamas

All attractions Bahamas

Climate features

It is no coincidence that the Bahamas are called a paradise. Them Northern part lies in the zone of tropical trade wind climate, and the southern one - in the zone of subtropical climate. The average temperature in the summer months is from +26°С to +32°С, and in winter - from +18°С to +22°С. Summer in the south is warmer than in the central part of the archipelago, and in winter it is cooler in the northwestern part of the Bahamas.

Sea water is suitable for swimming all year round. Its temperature, depending on the season, ranges from +23°С to +27°С.

It is believed that it is best to come to the Bahamas from September to May, when it is cooler here. At this time of the year, there is almost no rain, and if precipitation does occur, it falls in the form of strong, short showers, after which the sun immediately comes out. From May to mid-November, the tropical storm and hurricane season begins in the Bahamas. It rains heavily on the islands, and large waves rise in the coastal zone.

The nature of the islands

The land area in the Bahamas covers an area of ​​10,070 km². All islands are composed of coral limestones. The surface is mostly flat, but there are also karst landforms. The highest part is on Cat Island. This is Alvernia Hill, which rises 63 meters above sea level.

Frequent hurricanes and soils poor in mineral salts have caused the Bahamas to lack lush vegetation. Here you can find thickets of evergreen thorny shrubs and savannas. Coconut palms grow in abundance on the coast, and pine forests further from the sea.

The Bahamas are home to many birds, iguanas, bats and agoutis. In the Great Inagua Island National Park, there is the largest flamingo colony on the planet, in which over 50,000 birds have found shelter. The coastal waters surrounding the islands are inhabited by various fish, crustaceans and mollusks.

Today, more than 25 protected areas have been created in the Bahamas with rich flora and fauna. In local national parks x you can see rare birds and animals. Among nature lovers, the most popular island is Big Inagua, the northeastern part of North Andros, as well as Embrister Creek on Cat Island.

Beaches

Almost every island in the archipelago has excellent beaches. Clean white sand, convenient entry into the water and warm water attract millions of travelers to the Bahamas.

The most luxurious are the beach areas of New Providence, especially Cable Beach. Here you can sunbathe and swim. If you wish, you can look into the local casino or cross the original bridge to Paradise Island.

Grand Bahama offers vacationers surrounded by coconut palms Gold Rock Beach, Paradise Bay and Tiger Beach. On the outlying islands, many beaches are adjacent to fishing villages. They attract lovers of a more secluded holiday, as well as fans of diving and sea fishing. The beaches of Andros Island are often used for wedding ceremonies. Marriages in the national style are popular here, and hotels on the island offer special "wedding packages".

Bahamas for outdoor activities

Not only fans of a measured beach holiday come to the Bahamas. Most sports centers and places to do water sports Sports, located on New Providence, Harbor Island and Grand Bahama. There are places for golf and tennis, as well as for motorcycle trips. Of the sea activities, windsurfing, surfing, kiting, water skiing and scooters are popular.

Sea fishing lovers go to the islands of Bimini, Berry and Andros, and those who want to feel the power sea ​​waves and explore the coast from the board of the yacht, to the islands of Long Island and Exuma. These places are considered a real paradise for yachtsmen, and the sailing season here lasts most of the year.

The clear waters of the Atlantic and the rich underwater world attract diving enthusiasts to the Bahamas. On most islands there are dive centers that organize training for beginners and underwater expeditions for experienced divers. Diving on coral reefs is practiced on the islands of Eleuthera and Abaco. In many places travelers can swim with dolphins and even participate in shark feeding.

Cities and resorts of the Bahamas

Most of the inhabitants of the Bahamas inhabit the capital of the archipelago - the city - 274,400 people (2016), which is built on the island of New Providence. This city has a large seaport. Many come for the lively nightlife, shopping and picturesque examples of colonial architecture. Tourists like to visit the “straw market” of the city, where they sell interesting handicrafts made from straw. Not far from the center there is a unique corner of tropical nature - the luxurious gardens of Adastra and the zoo.

Grand Bahama is often referred to as a tropical paradise. The island is covered with lush thickets of Cuban pine, and it houses three national parks at once. Travelers come here to see beautiful large caves with stalagmites and rare tropical flowers.

Long Island got its name from its elongated shape. It stretches for almost a hundred kilometers with a width of up to 5 km. Long Island is covered with low hills. It has beautiful beaches and steep capes that break right into the sea.

Eleuthera is known as a place elite vacation. The most luxurious hotels, beaches and clubs in the Bahamas are concentrated in the resorts of this island.

Island restaurants and local cuisine

There are many excellent restaurants and bars in the Bahamas. Most places offer tourists British, North American or Caribbean cuisine. Lunch in a budget cafe costs $12-15, and in a reputable restaurant - $30-35. Fast food establishments are represented by world famous brands - McDonalds and KFC.

Animal husbandry is poorly developed on the archipelago, so the daily menu of local residents is dominated by rice, shrimp, fish with cereal porridge, potatoes and macaroni and cheese. Fishing for the islanders is the main craft, and Bahamian cuisine is rich in seafood. Previously, turtle soup was considered a specialty on the islands. But time passed, the number of turtles decreased, environmentalists sounded the alarm, and this soup is no longer cooked here.

Bahamian delicacies include seafood salads, grilled shells, crab and shrimp, and red grouper patties. Be sure to taste boiled lobsters and reef perch fillets, which are fried or baked in tomato sauce by chefs.

Restaurant menus also include meat dishes, which are served with rice or peas as a side dish. Everywhere they serve bacon with scrambled eggs, steaks, schnitzel with onions, fried chicken and French fries. A mixture of rice and peas forms the basis of most local soups. A separate place in the island menu is occupied by soup, which is made from meat, water acidified with lime juice, onions, peppers and celery. This popular soup is cooked very quickly and tastes good.

For dessert in the Bahamas, it is customary to eat tropical fruits or pudding made from guava. Coconut crumble cakes, Caribbean johnny cakes and gingerbread are also popular among locals and tourists.

From soft drinks on the islands they drink English-style tea, as well as strongly brewed Brazilian or Colombian coffee. In addition, many fruit juices and various types of sparkling water are consumed here.

In the Bahamas, you can try the local Nassau Royal rum. It tastes good and is inexpensive. A large amount of rum is produced at the Bacardi plant, which is located south of the capital of the Bahamas. The local beer "Kalik" is also popular. It is produced in three types. Light beer "Kalik Light" contains a small amount of alcohol. "Kalik regular" is valued for its refreshing mild taste. And Kalik Gold is the strongest of all varieties, the amount of alcohol in it reaches 7%.

Transport

Between large islands The Bahamas are operated by Bahamasair. Flight prices are quite high, so it is often more profitable to hire a small aircraft privately.

New Providence has the longest and most extensive road network - 1000 km. There are 209 km of roads on Eleuthera and 156 km on Grand Bahama. In the cities of Freeport and passengers are brought up by private fixed-route taxis.

There is no public transport system, so travelers use taxi services or rent cars, motorcycles or bicycles. To move between the islands or along the coast, you can rent a boat or a boat.

In the Bahamas, left-hand traffic and heavy traffic. In densely populated areas, traffic jams occur every now and then. In addition, the road network is often flooded during floods. There are no sidewalks along some roads, people walk right on the side of the road, so those who rent cars or bikes should be extremely careful.

Security

The Bahamas are considered safe for travelers, and created there tourist centers enjoy a good reputation. However, there are cases of pickpocketing and theft from hotel rooms. All tourists, and especially women, are advised to refrain from walking alone in the suburbs of cities, and even more so at night.

If tourists go sport fishing, they must pay a fee of $20. At the same time, the boat should not have more than six spools of fishing line. In the Bahamas, it is not allowed to conduct spearfishing with any devices. Prohibitions also apply to the independent conduct of underwater archaeological research. Heavy fines are imposed for these violations, up to expulsion from the country.

Especially strictly in the Bahamas, the use and distribution of drugs is punished. Local laws in this area are even more severe than European or North American ones, so those who are convicted of drug crimes always receive long terms conclusions.

Special threats in the Bahamas may arise in connection with natural disasters. The Bahamas is part of the Caribbean region and is in the zone of passage of hurricanes and typhoons. Those travelers who are in the Bahamas from June to November are advised to follow the weather forecasts. Hurricanes are usually accompanied by floods. It should also be borne in mind that during strong typhoons in the Bahamas, airports are closed, and tourists are unable to leave the country.

Tiger shark

Although tap water in the Bahamas is considered safe for health, you should not drink from the tap. Every resort in the Bahamas sells bottled water. Due to the possibility of contracting infectious diseases on the islands, it is not recommended to swim in freshwater reservoirs. The exception is hotel pools, the water in which is regularly disinfected.

For travel in the Bahamas, it is worth taking out medical insurance that provides for payment for air evacuation. the most qualified medical care available in New Providence and Grand Bahama. There are few hospitals on small islands and they do not work every day. True, on most inhabited islands you can use the quick response services, which are supervised by volunteers. With the help of such services, the sick person is quickly transported to the nearest hospital.

Cancellations of currency and settlements

The Bahamian dollar (BSD) is the local currency in which all settlements on the islands take place. It is firmly pegged to the US dollar, however the exchange rate may vary depending on the hotel or bank. In addition, American dollars are accepted for payment anywhere in the Bahamas.

You can exchange currency in many places - in hotels, branches of banks and large shopping malls. Traveler's checks are also cashed here. As is usually the case, the most unfavorable rate is offered in areas where most foreign tourists stay. It is most convenient to change currency at bank branches in the capital of the country and the city of Freeport. From Monday to Thursday they start work at 9.00-9.30 and finish at 15.00. On Friday, bank branches are open until 17.00. It should also be taken into account that in remote places, banks may not serve customers every day.

Major hotels and shopping malls accept credit cards. In other places, cash payments are preferred.

Tipping is accepted in the Bahamas. As a rule, hotel doormen, guides and porters expect $1 from a grateful visitor, and room maids - $1-2. In most establishments, the tip is up to 15%, and they are immediately included in the bill. In addition, many hotels add an additional government tax of 8-10% to the bill.

Useful information for tourists

• To visit the Bahamas, Russian citizens do not need to apply for a visa. This rule applies if the trip is in the nature of a private visit and does not exceed 90 days.
• When passing through customs, there are no restrictions on the import and export of the currency of another country. It is allowed to import duty-free to the Bahamas 200 cigarettes or 0.45 kg of tobacco, as well as up to 0.94 liters of strong alcohol and the same amount of wine.
• In order to take agricultural products from the islands, any plants or wood carvings will require a special permit.
• Huge hotel centers and small cozy hotels operating on an all-inclusive basis have been built to accommodate tourists in the Bahamas. Some travelers prefer to rent rooms and rooms in guesthouses from the local population.
• The center of shopping is known outside the Bahamas Bay street. All goods sold there are exempt from taxes.

How to get there

There are no direct flights from Russia to the Bahamas. The best option is a flight with a transfer in London. Without taking into account the transplant itself, this will take about 13 hours. Another option is to fly across the US. In this case, you need to apply for a transit American visa.

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an island archipelago in which 30 of the 700 islands are inhabited. The Bahamas are located 90 km from Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. AT Caribbean these islands are in the very north. The islands of Abakos, Andros, Aklins, Exumas, Berry, Biminis and some others are considered the largest in the archipelago. The total area of ​​the state is approximately 14 thousand square meters. km. The capital is Nassau. This is The largest city country, which is both its cultural and commercial center.

Population of the Bahamas

The number of inhabitants of the Bahamas is approximately 366 thousand people. Blacks and mulattoes make up more than 80% of the population.

Nature in the Bahamas

Hundreds of kilometers of white sand beaches, 2,500 coral reefs, clear coastal waters heated by the Gulf Stream have long been associated with the concept of "luxury vacation" by most vacationers. Untouched nature most of the islands attract crowds of tourists. On the island of Inagua there are rare pink flamingos and iguanas.

Climatic conditions

The Bahamas has a humid subtropical climate. The rainy season starts in May and lasts until October. Due to the mild wind from the equator, the winter is very warm with a temperature of +15°C, and in summer, due to the trade winds, the temperature is not higher than +32°C. The warm Gulf Stream, washing the Bahamas from the west, contributes to the warming of sea water to about + 25 ° C throughout the year.

Language

In the Bahamas, the only official language is English. It is freely spoken by the entire population of the country.

Kitchen

The cuisine in the Bahamas is fruit and all kinds of fish, crab and seafood dishes. The main ingredient of most dishes is the sea shellfish "konk". This is a well-known aphrodisiac, widely used here. In the Bahamas, people like to cook very spicy dishes, combining them with lime juice. And coconuts are used even in ice cream.

Currency of the Bahamas

The national currency is the Bahamian dollar. In relation to the US dollar, it is equivalent, and therefore the American currency is also freely used in the Bahamas.

Religion

In the Bahamas, the island population is Christian, but belonging to other religious denominations is not condemned, thanks to the complete freedom of religion.

Holidays

December 26th is Boxing Day in the Bahamas. This very solemn and bright event is considered traditional for all former British colonies. The holiday is very colorful, in the form of a colorful carnival, which begins at midnight on Bay Street.

The main resorts of the Bahamas

The most visited resorts in the Bahamas are located on the Paradise Islands, Grand Bahama and New Providence. Grand Bahama Island has a golf course, tennis courts, spearfishing and diving. On Inagua Island, you can swim with dolphins.

Attractions

In the center of the capital of the Bahamas is the famous Parliament Square, where in the 19th century the buildings of the Parliament, the Supreme Court and the Colonial Administration were built around the statue of Queen Victoria.

The Nassau Underwater Aquarium, the Retreat Gardens, the beautiful beaches of Cable Beach are perfect for nature lovers. Not far from the center of the capital is Fort Charlotte, which was built back in 1788. Tourists will not be indifferent to the labyrinth, which resembles the ruined Atlantis. The unique tunnel passing under water and amazing with the beauty of the underwater world has no analogues in the world. " sea ​​gardens"is a place where you can get acquainted with the rich flora and fauna of the underwater world. Handmade souvenirs created by local craftsmen from clay, straw and shells are very popular all over the world.

But the main attraction of the islands is unique nature. Walks to the reefs, visits to the natural corners in which flamingos live, observation of underwater world The Atlantic will become an entertaining pastime for all tourists.