BANKS
Banking hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There are Automatic Bank Machines in the main tourist areas. These machines are on the +PLUS and Cirrus systems.

CURRENCY
The legal tender is the Bahamian dollar (B$1), which is equivalent in value to the US dollar. Both U.S. and Bahamian dollars are accepted interchangeably throughout the islands.

CLIMATE
The trade winds that blow almost continually throughout the Islands of the Bahamas give the islands a warm, agreeable climate which varies little year round. The most refreshing time is September through May, when the temperature averages 70-75F degrees. The rest of the year is a bit warmer with temperatures between 80-85F degrees.

DEPARTURE TAX

The departure tax of $15 - $18 is normally included in the price of your ticket. Please check with your airline or ticketing agent for details. If it is not, you must pay it when you check in for your flight home. It is payable in Bahamian or U.S. Dollars only.

DRINKING WATER 
The water in the more developed islands such as New Providence and Grand Bahamas is distilled from seawater and is perfectly safe to drink, however they are only able to desalinize 95% of it, so it does have a strong taste. When on the outer islands, it is recommended you drink only bottled water.

DRIVING LICENSE 
British rules apply, so please drive on the left and be extra careful on roundabouts. Visitors may use their home licenses for up to three months or may apply for an international driver's license. Pedestrians should remember to look right before crossing streets.

ELECTRICITY
With standard North American 120-volt/60-cycle AC electrical current, you and your delegates will be able to operate American or Canadian appliances without adapters.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
U.S. and Canadian citizens must have a valid Passport and a return or ongoing ticket.

TOURISM SEASONS
The Islands of the Bahamas have a temperate climate ranging from 80-90F degrees with high humidity in the summer months to 70-80F degrees in the winter. Nighttime temperatures are generally cooler by 5-7 degrees. In the more northerly islands, winter temperatures are approximately 5 degrees lower than the southern islands. Sea surface temperatures vary between 74F degrees in February and 84F degrees in August.

The months of June to November constitute the hurricane season. The weather does influence travel decisions and, often, inaccurate reporting of information on hurricanes results in needless cancellations by U.S. travelers. Many Bahamas hoteliers have instituted a Hurricane Hotel Policy for vacationers which states that visitors who cancel a Bahamas vacation during a hurricane will receive an immediate refund with no penalties.
If caught on-island during a hurricane, hoteliers would extend the lowest possible rate and all possible courtesies.

VACCINATIONS
No vaccinations or preventative medications are required for travel to the Bahamas. However, we always suggest that you speak to your family physician for a personal recommendation.

WATER TEMPERATURES AND WETSUITS
Water temperatures generally range between 75 – 80°F
Most people find wearing a 1mm – 3mm wetsuit keeps them comfortable in the summer. Consider a 5mm in the winter.