Shopping
Overview
In Nassau, numerous gift shops and duty-free shopping beckon on Base Street. However, since the Bahamas has generally not levied import duties since 1992, this promotional notice applies to all transactions in the Bahamas. The Bahamian way of life can be clearly felt at the Straw Markets. Here you will find a varied range of goods, including typical dishes, spices, ceramics, handicrafts, art and music. In addition to all kinds of sisal and palm straw items, there are also other local handicrafts such as sea shell jewelry and wood carvings. Located on Bay Street in downtown Nassau, the largest and most well-known Straw Market is open daily from early morning until late at night. The International Bazaar in Freeport is a huge shopping precinct with numerous shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors, cafes, beauty salons and hair salons. The bazaar is divided into different areas, each of which represents a part of the world, such as Africa, India, South America or the Orient. Items on offer include cutlery, leather goods, fabrics, porcelain from China, British spirits, glasses and silverware from Scandinavia, Swiss watches, German and Japanese cameras and French perfumes. Of course, there’s also a Straw Market, which sells hand-made beach mats, straw hats and baskets typical of the Bahamas. The perfume factory Fragrance of The Bahamas Limited (Internet: www.perfumefactory.com) creates fragrances such as Sand Cologne, Island Promises, and Bahamas Millennium. Visitors can also create their own perfume here.
- Topmbadirectory: Offers information about politics, geography, and known people in Bahamas.
Opening hours
Shop opening times: I. General Mon-Sat 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Nightlife
Introduction
The warm Caribbean nights in the Bahamas are filled with dancing and live music. People like to celebrate by the light of the torches directly under the open sky with a view of the stars. Calypso, reggae and traditional goombay bands can be found at the numerous beach parties and discotheques. One often hears steel drum bands or the music style rake n’ scrape, which is typical for the Bahamas and cannot really be assigned to any other music style. In limbo, acrobatic dancers bend their bodies back from the knees down and move under a crossbar while dancing to the sounds of the Caribbean. On the two main islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama there are some discotheques, pubs and karaoke bars. Nassau has the liveliest nightlife. In addition to some larger clubs, there is also a cinema and two smaller theaters. There is also some nightly entertainment in Freeport and Lucaya. In the tourist centers, many hotels and club resorts have a bar, lounge or nightclub, often with live entertainment. Local festivals like the three-day All That Jazz Weekend held each spring in Governor’s Harbor on Eleuthera, or the Junkanoo Parades, where colorfully costumed dancers parade through Nassau during the Bahamian Carnival, take place year-round.
Culinary
Overview
The range of restaurants and bars is excellent, ranging from beachside cafes to elegant eateries. Seafood, fish and steaks are served with plantains, rice, french fries and potatoes. Another popular side dish is Johnny Cake (pan-fried bread with butter and milk). Cooked fish (e.g. vendace) is eaten for breakfast. Fresh fruits like pineapple, mango, breadfruit and papaya come from the high-yielding Out Islands.
Regional specialities
Particular specialties include conch (sea mussels), grouper (perch), grilled, boiled, braised, cooked crawfish (lobster) and fish fillets in anchovy sauce. Souse is a soup made with onions, water, lime juice, celery, peppers and meat. The guava duff (guava pudding) dessert, served with a rum sauce, is arguably the specialty.
Tip
15% service is appropriate for all services including taxi rides. In some hotels and restaurants, the service charge is already included in the bill. Porters are charged B$1.00 per bag.
Regional drinks
Rum is an important ingredient in many local beverages. Nassau Royal Rum is locally made and served either neat or with coffee. In the bars, service is provided at the counter and/or at the table. A refreshing alcoholic drink is made from coconut water, sweetened milk and gin. The beer of the Bahamas is called Kalik.
Minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages
In the Bahamas, you can drink alcohol from the age of 18.
Accommodation
Hotels
The hotels vary in size and range of services. Luxury hotels offer baggage, porterage and room service, sports and leisure programs, shops and swimming pools; some have private beaches and golf and tennis courses. The price for double and single rooms is often the same. At the smaller hotels, the atmosphere is more casual, with fewer leisure facilities, but mostly a dining room and bar. Newer hotels, such as the South Ocean Beach Resort on New Providence Island, offer sports facilities and rooms with the highest level of comfort. In the Crystal Palace on Cable Beach there is not even a casino, fitness center and gourmet restaurant missing. In some hotels the service is already included in the price.
Camping
Is not allowed.
Other accommodation options
Separate serviced bungalows, a clubhouse with bar and dining room are available in the Cottage Colonies. The houses do not have kitchens, but some are equipped for preparing hot drinks or small meals. Holiday villages combine the advantages of a hotel, such as B. Private beaches or swimming pool, with relative seclusion.
Culture
Religion
35.4% Baptists; 15.1% Anglican; 13.5% Roman Catholic Church. Religious minorities include Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Methodists, Presbyterians, Seventh-day Adventists, and Muslims.
Social Rules of Conduct
General: The Bahamians lead a rather quiet life and are known for their hospitality. African culture and music are omnipresent, the English colonial influence is just as unmistakable. Manners: The usual forms of politeness should be observed. They shake hands to greet each other. If you are invited to a private home, the host will be happy to receive a small gift. You should behave with respect, especially towards older people. Punctuality is valued. People should be asked before being photographed. Clothing: Smart casual clothing is usual. in the evening to dance in restaurants or in the casinos in Nassau or Freeport many visitors are more elegantly dressed. People also dress more elegantly in holiday resorts outside of the big cities. Gentlemen should wear a jacket in better hotels, restaurants or casinos. In remote areas, the dress code is a little looser. You should have a light jacket or a thin sweater with you, as air-conditioned rooms are usually quite cool. Swimwear belongs on the beach or by the pool and is rejected in the cities. Smoking: In principle, it can be used anywhere. However, non-smoking areas in hotels, restaurants or public facilities should be observed. People also dress more elegantly in holiday resorts outside of the big cities. Gentlemen should wear a jacket in better hotels, restaurants or casinos. In remote areas, the dress code is a little looser. You should have a light jacket or a thin sweater with you, as air-conditioned rooms are usually quite cool. Swimwear belongs on the beach or by the pool and is rejected in the cities. Smoking: In principle, it can be used anywhere. However, non-smoking areas in hotels, restaurants or public facilities should be observed. People also dress more elegantly in holiday resorts outside of the big cities. Gentlemen should wear a jacket in better hotels, restaurants or casinos. In remote areas, the dress code is a little looser. You should have a light jacket or a thin sweater with you, as air-conditioned rooms are usually quite cool. Swimwear belongs on the beach or by the pool and is rejected in the cities. Smoking: In principle, it can be used anywhere. However, non-smoking areas in hotels, restaurants or public facilities should be observed. In remote areas, the dress code is a little looser. You should have a light jacket or a thin sweater with you, as air-conditioned rooms are usually quite cool. Swimwear belongs on the beach or by the pool and is rejected in the cities. Smoking: In principle, it can be used anywhere. However, non-smoking areas in hotels, restaurants or public facilities should be observed. In remote areas, the dress code is a little looser. You should have a light jacket or a thin sweater with you, as air-conditioned rooms are usually quite cool. Swimwear belongs on the beach or by the pool and is rejected in the cities. Smoking: In principle, it can be used anywhere. However, non-smoking areas in hotels, restaurants or public facilities should be observed.
Climate
Best travel time
Subtropical climate. Temperatures are comfortable, almost constant throughout the year due to the colder air systems of the American continent. The cooler season lasts from September to May with temperatures of 21-24°C. At night the temperature drops by about 5°C. Average temperatures from June to August are 27-29°C. Hurricane season is June through November.
Country data
Phone prefix
+1
Area (sq km)
13939
Population
393,244 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
23
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
911
