Bahamas

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas lies southeast of Florida and north of Cuba, with Nassau on New Providence Island serving as the capital. English is the official language, and the Bahamian dollar circulates at parity with the US dollar, which is also widely accepted. The country comprises 16 major islands and draws its cultural identity from African, British, and Caribbean influences woven through music, cuisine, and an Anglican-rooted civic tradition.

Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and most EU countries may enter the Bahamas without a visa for stays typically up to 90 days. A valid passport and proof of onward travel are generally required. Travellers whose nationalities fall outside visa-free arrangements should consult the Bahamas Department of Immigration for current entry requirements before travel.

Nassau's colonial core includes Parliament Square, a cluster of pink Georgian-era buildings from the early 19th century. Blue Holes National Park on Andros preserves the world's largest concentration of underwater caves, known as blue holes. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park was the first land-and-sea reserve in the Caribbean region. Harbour Island, off Eleuthera, is noted for its pink-sand beach, a colour produced by crushed coral and foraminifera shells. The Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama contains one of the longest charted underwater cave systems on Earth.

The Bahamas has a subtropical climate with two broad seasons. Summers run May through October with temperatures typically between 27°C and 32°C, accompanied by higher humidity and the Atlantic hurricane season. Winters are mild and drier, with temperatures ranging from around 18°C to 25°C — the period December through April is generally considered the most comfortable for travel. Light layers and a rain layer are advisable year-round.

• First landfall of Columbus in the Americas was here.
• The Bahamas has no rivers, only lakes and blue holes.
• Nassau hosted the first-ever Club Med in the Americas.
• Andros Island contains the third-largest barrier reef globally.
• The country gained independence from Britain in 1973.

• bahamas.com — official Bahamas Tourism portal
• immigration.gov.bs — Department of Immigration, visa and entry requirements
• bahamas.gov.bs — official government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas
• metservice.gov.bs — Bahamas Department of Meteorology, weather and forecasts