Will Be Behamas Okay to Visit Again
Our Caribbean travel safety good, Diedre McLeod, shares her tips on how you tin stay safe while traveling in The Bahama islands.
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The Bahamas is a picturesque archipelago of more than than 700 islands and cays in the Caribbean and is where I spent some of my babyhood, developing a quirky local emphasis that I couldn't milkshake. Information technology'due south also where I learned of the existence of pink sandy beaches, and that Bahamians have an unrivaled dearest for conch meat. The islands are world-renowned for their beaches, seafood, eco-friendliness and risk activities.
Hither are my top safe tips for travelers who are going to visit The Commonwealth of the bahamas.
- Safe places to become in The Bahamas
- The Bahamas: is it safety for families?
- Condom for LGBTQ+ travelers
- Safety for solo women
- Safe at nighttime
- Petty crime
- Trigger-happy crime
- Gun laws
- Drugs and alcohol laws
- High prices
- Traffic in The Bahamas
- Sun safety
Safe places to become in The Bahama islands
Your rubber needs volition vary across the islands and largely depends on where you lot visit.
Nassau – cultural and majuscule metropolis
Nassau is where 70% of locals live, and the best identify to learn the community and history of the country. While in downtown Nassau, you need to exist alert and on the picket for pickpockets and ATM scammers. All the same, across the bridge on Nassau Paradise Island, this resort-filled town is habitation to safe hotels, like the Atlantis hotel.
Be cautious when visiting the 'Over-the-Loma' community (south of Shirley Street) in Nassau. The community has cultural significance every bit the birthplace of the national festival of Junkanoo, but much of the trigger-happy crime in The Bahamas is full-bodied 'over the hill'. Avoid walking there at night, especially solitary, and visit in groups if you can.
Prophylactic on the other islands
The other islands (such as Abacos, Andros, Eleuthera, Exumas – locally called Family unit Islands or Out Islands) are mostly safer than Nassau or New Providence, with little violent criminal offense occurring. All the same, hither a few things to look out for:
- Brand certain to volume tours with reputable operators to avoid scams by fraudulent tour guides
- Many jet ski operators are unregulated. Rent from those recommended by the tourist function, confirm cost and allotted time before jetting off, and keep rail of your fourth dimension on the jet ski to avert being called back too early
- Double-check your snorkeling and diving gear to exist sure they function well.
Visit outside of the rainy season
Something to consider when traveling to The Bahamas is the hurricane flavour, which runs from June to November, when the islands tin can get hit by storms. The islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama were particularly desperately damaged by Hurricane Dorian in August 2019, which was the nearly intense tropical cyclone on tape to hitting The Bahamas.
Health concerns after a lot of wet conditions include Chikungunya virus and Dengue Fever, the two principal mosquito-borne illnesses. Pack insect repellant and apply at dawn and dusk liberally to avoid mosquitoes at their most active time.
The Bahama islands: is it safe for families?
You lot should prioritize booking organized tours that are run by reputable companies, which will help your family unit stay safety while exploring The Bahamas. Other safe tips include:
- Spotter the estrus. The Bahamas averages 83ºF (28ºC) daily. Protect your family from rut exhaustion by exploring early morning and late evening on hot days. Also, keep hydrated
- Kid-proof everything. Check the superlative of balconies and move annihilation that could fall or looks potentially dangerous. Keep windows and doors locked, in case your toddler wanders out of your accommodation
- Have a code word for family members to employ in loftier-stress situations or when they feel unsafe. For example, walking into a crowded marketplace or street where it'southward easy to become separated, saying the code give-and-take volition help children be alarm and stick close to older family members
- Keep abiding watch of your family members, especially children, at marine parks or the beach. Using arm floats on younger children, for example, does not guarantee that your child is fully protected from drowning
- Children are prone to accidents. Make sure you get travel insurance, in case of injury or blow during your activities on the islands.
Rubber for LGBTQ+ travelers in The Bahamas
The Bahamas is slowly becoming LGBTQ+-friendly. Limit public displays of amore, regardless of your sexual orientation. Yous'll find plenty of accommodation options that are generally known for their tolerance of LGBTQ+ couples.
Rubber for solo women visiting The Commonwealth of the bahamas
There are then many beaches to observe in The Bahamas, offering different activities on each island. If y'all're a adult female traveling alone, hither's what you lot need to know to stay safe.
- While the islands are considered condom for women travelers overall, consider dressing modestly for your trip
- Always take precautions while out at night to ensure your safety, such as taking a licensed taxi to a club or restaurant rather than walking, particularly in Nassau
- Avoid hitchhiking, walking in deserted or poorly lit areas, and walking alone at night
- Some Bahamian men tin exist more direct in their advances and you might find yourself navigating bad-mannered conversations with sexual innuendos. Suggesting a partner/husband is nearby tin can help to stop these discussions in their tracks.
Safety at night
It's piece of cake to go distracted wandering around a new place, soaking upwardly the sights and making sure you maximize the hours in a mean solar day. Travelers love going drinking and clubbing in The Bahama islands, and the addition of booze and lowered sensation can reduce your alacrity substantially. Especially at dark, be aware of your surroundings and your belongings.
Trivial offense in The Bahamas
Don't proceed your valuables all in ane place. Snatch-and-grab crimes involving travelers' numberless, jewelry, smartphones or cash are some of the most popular petty crimes that happen to visitors in The Bahamas. If anyone tries to rob you, hand over any it is they are request for. Information technology is not worth getting hurt.
Fierce crime in The Bahamas
About of the serious crimes committed in The Bahamas eye largely in Nassau (New Providence). Violent criminal offence, such as sexual assault, robberies and gang violence, tends to happen most in Nassau's "Over-the-Loma" neighborhoods and are mainly targeted to Bahamians. If, however, you find yourself the victim of a violent crime, report information technology to the nearest police station.
Gun laws
Unsurprisingly, it's illegal to bring a gun or ammunition into the country, or accept one in your possession without permission. Anyone coming by boat must leave firearms on their vessel when coming ashore and declare their firearms to Customs. Punishment for breaking these laws is strict.
Drugs and alcohol laws in The Bahamas
- Drug possession and drug use are illegal in The Commonwealth of the bahamas. The convicted tin sit in jail for a while and pay large fines. That said, it's still possible that you may be offered drugs outright when you're in The Bahamas, whether it'south out on the street or at the bar or lodge. As a result, police presence has increased in the traveler hubs for the safety of visitors
- Yes, marijuana is illegal – although information technology is unremarkably smoked by some Bahamians. Do not effort to leave the islands with marijuana, and reconsider ownership whatsoever from locals as information technology will be difficult to verify the quality
- Yous must be eighteen years or older to drink alcohol in The Bahamas, but laws are often not enforced. There has been, yet, more button to adjourn this so make certain to walk with your ID when going out for a potable
- Pay attention to your drink. Practise non leave your glass unattended and make sure yous watch closely when your drink is being opened or poured out for y'all. Spiking drinks with drugs is sometimes done to unsuspecting visitors.
High prices
- The Bahamian dollar closely matches the US dollar, which means you may not become as much "bang for your buck" as you lot expected. In traveler hubs, like on Paradise Island, you will definitely attract college costs for food at supermarkets or restaurants
- If you want to catch a cheaper meal, then swallow where locals eat. Try going to downtown areas for more affordable options
- And if you experience like flexing your negotiation skills, then just steps away from the cruise ports in Nassau is the celebrated Straw Market. With hundreds of vendors, and a range of cultural Bahamian crafts to choose from, go ready to deal for the best bargain. There might be, however, some pushy vendors trying to sell you souvenirs equally you walk through marketplace stalls. To avoid prolonged encounters, I suggest confidently responding "not interested" to their advances and continue it moving.
Traffic in The Commonwealth of the bahamas
- You're most likely to run into bad traffic in the capital city of Nassau, located on New Providence Island. Whether you lot are driving, taking taxis, or the local bus (affectionately called jitneys) you should plan ahead
- Jitneys are everywhere, but it'south a casual service with no real timetable, so you may find yourself waiting odd time-intervals for a passenger vehicle. Proceed an eye out for pickpockets on jitneys
- Never have unlicensed taxis and avoid taxis with broken meters. Regulated taxis carry a yellowish license plate marked with the letters "NP"
- The ferry service in The Bahama islands is safe to have. Information technology takes frequent trips betwixt Nassau and Eleuthera, Andros, Long Island, or Grand Exuma.
- In that location are also minor boat services, called mail boats, that canvas to the lesser inhabited islands. Mail service boats are slow and ship goods and products; nevertheless, you can pay to hitch a ride just you won't observe much comfort.
Lord's day safety
The Bahamas gets well-nigh 340 sunny days per yr and average temperatures of 83ºF (28ºC). You'll need to slap on plenty of sunscreen to avoid getting a sunburn. Ensure you utilise reef-safe sunscreen to protect the islands' natural coral reefs.
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Source: https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/caribbean/the-bahamas/crime-in-the-bahamas
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