Canadian Government's information for travelers to Bahamas
1. INTRODUCTION
This Travel Report replaces the previous one, dated October 1, 2004. Changes have been made in section 2 of the report.
2. ATTENTION
Because of Hurricane Frances and Jeanne, tourists travelling to the Bahamas should verify with their tour operator regarding conditions at specific resorts.
3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
Violent crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport, but tourists are normally not targeted. Petty crime is common. Do not carry large sums of cash or wear expensive jewellery. Ensure personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. Avoid deserted beaches and do not walk alone, particularly after dark. Criminal activity is minimal on the outlying islands.
Water sports equipment should be rented from reputable operators only. Inquire about insurance coverage and insist on proper training before using the equipment.
4. LOCAL TRAVEL
Traffic drives on the left. Drive defensively, as road conditions are different from those in Canada. Traffic accidents are a common cause of death and injury. Roads are generally adequate in Nassau and Freeport, but road travel is limited elsewhere. Road construction is not always well marked. Bicycles, mopeds, and pedestrians can be hazards, particularly on the busy streets of Nassau and Freeport.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. The IDP is an internationally recognized document that, when accompanied by a valid Canadian (i.e. provincial) driver's licence, allows you to drive in over 160 countries without a specific test. Its purpose is to overcome difficulties that you may have while travelling in other countries with widely varying licence requirements. It is printed in the five United Nations official languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese), plus German, Arabic, Italian, the Scandinavian languages, and Portuguese. The IDP can also be a useful form of picture identification in case of a lost or stolen passport. An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is the sole issuer of the IDP in Canada.
5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
The hurricane season in the Caribbean extends from June to November. Flooding may occur during this period with possible disruption to transportation and utility services. Canadians should monitor local weather reports, avoid disaster areas, and contact the Canadian High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica (see below) if they require assistance. Travellers should check with their travel agent or tour operator to confirm their travel plans prior to departure.
6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or a death sentence. The jail sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and the Bahamas are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons which enables a Canadian imprisoned in the Bahamas to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Bahamian authorities.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
Strict penalties are enforced by Bahamian customs authorities for the temporary import or export of firearms without permission. For further information on firearms in the Bahamas, contact the High Commission for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (see below).
Boaters should note that long-line fishing is illegal in Bahamian waters. All long-line fishing gear must be stowed below deck while transiting Bahamian waters. Stiff penalties are imposed for catching crawfish (lobster) or other marine life in protected areas or out of season.
Penalties for possession or trafficking of drugs are severe.
Canadians interested in purchasing property or making other investments should seek legal advice from appropriate professionals in Canada and in the Bahamas before making commitments. Disputes arising from such activities could be prolonged and costly to resolve.
7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
Canadians in the Bahamas can obtain consular assistance and further information from the Consulate of Canada in Nassau at the following address:
Shirley Street Plaza, Nassau, Bahamas (country code: 242/ tel.: 393-2123 or 393-2124/ fax: 393-1305/ postal address: P.O. Box SS-6371, Nassau, Bahamas/ e-mail: cdncon@bahamas.net.bs ).
The Canadian High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica, has consular responsibility for the Bahamas. The address is as follows:
3 West Kings House Road, Kingston 10, Jamaica (country code: 876/ tel.: 926-1500/ fax: 511-3493/ postal address: P.O. Box 1500, Kingston 10, Jamaica/ e-mail: kngtn@dfait-maeci.gc.ca / Web site: www.kingston.gc.ca ).
Canadians should register with the Canadian High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica, if they are going to be in the Bahamas for longer than three months. Registration can be done on-line. To register on-line, please proceed to www.voyage.gc.ca/main/sos/rocapage-en.asp and complete all the required fields.
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Consulate of Canada in Nassau or the Canadian High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica, and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 1 800 387-3124 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.
Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from the Bahamas is 1 800 463-0501, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site (www.infocanadadirect.com) .
8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
Permission to enter another country is the sole prerogative of that country. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. Contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited and obtain the specific requirements for entry. Conditions are subject to change.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
A valid Canadian passport should be carried for all visits outside Canada. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to Canada. However, Canadians are only required to be in possession of valid official photo identification (such as a driver's licence) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) for trips to the Bahamas of up to 21 days. An onward or return ticket and proof of sufficient funds is also required. A valid Canadian passport and a visa are required for Canadians intending to visit the Bahamas for stays over 21 days.
Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays up to 21 days)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays up to 21 days)
Student Visa: Not required (for stays up to 21 days)
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from infected areas.
For further information, contact the High Commission for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, 50 O'Connor Street, Suite 1313, Ottawa, ON, K1P 6L2 (tel.: 613-232-1724/ fax: 613-232-0097/ e-mail: ottawa-mission@bahighco.com).
9. MONEY
The currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD). U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Credit cards are accepted. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at banks. U.S. dollar traveller's cheques are recommended. ATMs are located on the larger islands, in airport terminals, banks, casinos and some hotels. You can also check VISA or Mastercard for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity, credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution. If you use an ATM, do so during business hours at a location inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
10. GENERAL INFORMATION
The Bahamas (capital: Nassau) is a chain of islands located in the north Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida. The official language is English. Tourist facilities are widely available.
Radio Canada International (RCI) broadcasts on shortwave to the Bahamas. For a schedule of times and frequency of broadcasts, check the RCI Web site (www.rcinet.ca). You may also e-mail RCI at info@rcinet.ca or call 514-597-7500.
11. HEALTH CANADA'S TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
Health Canada and the World Health Organization report that the following diseases - among others - can occur in the Bahamas: dengue fever and hepatitis A.
Canadians are advised to consult a physician or travel medicine specialist well in advance of travelling to determine health risks and necessary vaccinations. Important factors to be considered include the individual's state of health, current immunization status, and travel destination, as well as the local disease situation. Vaccinations and other special precautions may be required. For a list of travel medicine clinics, call Health Canada's Travel Medicine Program at 613-957-8739. Additional travel health information is available on Health Canada's Web site (www.TravelHealth.gc.ca).
Travellers should ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (eg. tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles) are up-to-date. Yellow fever vaccination may be required to enter some countries. Based on the risk of exposure, vaccines for hepatitis A, typhoid fever, or other diseases may also be recommended. Several diseases occur globally. Sexually transmitted diseases(STDs), including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B, occur throughout the world, and the traveller may be exposed to both viral and bacterial infection, particularly if engaging in unprotected sexual activity. Tuberculosis represents a significant risk at certain destinations. Influenza is also a concern, and immunization may be recommended depending on the destination and time of year. Rabies is found throughout the world and is uncontrolled in some areas; risk of exposure may be higher in remote areas. Traveller's diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites in contaminated food and water. Travellers are advised to ensure that food and drinking water are safe.
Infectious diseases not routinely seen in Canada occur and may even be widespread in other countries. Infections acquired abroad such as tuberculosis, diarrhea, STDs, among others, may be resistant to standard North American antibiotic regimens. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive and payment in advance required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance, including provision for emergency evacuation, prior to departure. Travellers should also carry their prescription medicine in the original container along with the prescription.
If you feel ill when you return to Canada, see a doctor as soon as possible. Inform the doctor - without being asked - where you have been. If you were ill while travelling, tell your doctor what your symptoms were and what treatment you received.
12. LOCAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Medical care is good in Nassau and Freeport, but limited elsewhere. Treatment can be expensive.
HIV is prevalent.
13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Declare everything acquired abroad, whether purchases for yourself or gifts, as well as goods bought at a Canadian or foreign duty-free store. Keep original receipts. Certain items are restricted from entering Canada. If you are considering importing meat or dairy products, plants, weapons, vehicles, exotic animals or products made from their skins or feathers, contact your local Customs Border Services Office of the Canada Border Services Agency (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca) or the Canada Firearms Centre (www.cfc.gc.ca) beforehand for guidance. The booklet I Declare (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4044/) describes what you can and cannot bring back to Canada if you have been away for less than a year.
14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site (www.cic.gc.ca), or contact your provincial or territorial government
15. TRAVEL TIPS
You should:
a) carry a Canadian passport for all visits outside Canada;
b) keep a photocopy of your passport's identification page with you;
c) carry passports, tickets, and money separately;
d) keep valuables and passports safe and carry only enough money for anticipated expenses;
e) leave a copy of your itinerary and proof of citizenship with family and/or friends;
f) carry legally certified documentation signed by both parents permitting a child under 18 to travel alone or with an adult (i.e. a relative or teacher), or carry legally certified documentation from the absent parent if only one parent escorts the child, in addition to a copy of any separation or divorce decree or death certificate; and
g) not visit unknown or isolated areas without first obtaining information or assistance.
16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative at home, and your travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you leave the country. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Consular Affairs Bureau of Foreign Affairs Canada provides: (a) Country Travel Reports (http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/reportpage-en.asp) detailing safety and security conditions, health advice, and entry requirements; (b) information on Current Issues (www.voyage.gc.ca/main/sos/ci/all-en.asp) highlighting current and ongoing situations around the world; (c) daily e-mail Travel Updates (www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/sub-en.asp) notifying you of changes to our Current Issues and Country Travel Reports; and (d) a series of free safe-travel publications (www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs_menu-en.asp) to help travellers prepare for a safe and problem-free journey.
For additional information, you may contact the Consular Affairs Bureau by telephone: 1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788; e-mail: voyage@dfait-maeci.gc.ca; Web site: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/reportpage-en.asp; and TTY: 613-944-1310 or 1 800 394-3472 (in Canada and the U.S.). Specific information may also be obtained from a consular representative by contacting Canadian government offices abroad (www.voyage.gc.ca/main/foreign/fordest/foreign_view_client-en.asp).