Travel Safety in Bahamas
Overview
The security risks in the Bahamas vary according to the area of travel and the profile of the traveller.
The main concern is crime, with elevated rates of both petty and violent crime reported in the cities of Nassau (on New Providence Island) and Freeport (on Grand Bahama Island). Foreign nationals are most often the target of pickpocketing and other types of non-confrontational crime, but perpetrators are sometimes armed and this increases the risk of violence occurring. The overall crime risk in the Bahamas is more prevalent in lower-income areas of the abovementioned urban centres. Crime is slightly less of an issue in other parts of New Providence and Grand Bahama, and is not a major concern on the outlying islands (known as the Family Islands).
Aside from crime, there are few other concerns in the country. Demonstrations are not common and almost entirely limited to Nassau and Freeport. Kidnappings do not generally occur, there are no conflicts in the archipelago, and there is currently no discernible terrorist risk.
Medical facilities are adequate on New Providence and Grand Bahama, but limited on the outlying islands.
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Basic information
Medical:
911 or 919 (police, fire and ambulance).
Money:
The currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD).
ATMs that accept foreign bank cards can be found in most towns and cities.
Credit cards are commonly accepted.
Language:
The country’s main language is English.
Water:
It is generally safe to drink tap water in major urban centres, but tap water elsewhere may not be safe to consume.
Connectivity:
3G and 4G available.