Graced with beautiful beaches of pink sand, evocative windswept panoramas and countless opportunities for diving, snorkelling and fishing, the islands of the Bahamas are well established as one of the world's top draws for both intrepid explorers and casual vacationers. An island chain beginning a mere 55 miles east of Miami, Florida, the Bahamas offer an array of tourist hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and even rustic lodges, making staying there a relatively simple endeavour.
In total, the Bahamas include around seven hundred islands, no more than thirty of which are inhabited, as well as smaller cays (pronounced "keys") and rocks - an impressive arc stretching from just beyond the Atlantic coast of Florida to the outlying waters of Cuba, where Great Inagua lies only sixty miles offshore. Although deeper oceanic troughs surround some of the islands, most are encircled by shallow, crystalline water that reflects a light turquoise hue during the day and glows with purple luminescence at night.
The islands' most popular destinations are New Providence - site of the capital, Nassau - nearby Paradise Island , and Grand Bahama and its vacation towns of Freeport and Lucaya. Both New Providence, with its Cable Beach and South Beach resort areas, and Grand Bahama offer glamorous accommodations, enticing nightlife, fine restaurants and shopping and, of course, great beaches. Some travellers, however, may prefer the quiet, remote charms of one of the so-called Out Islands such as Abaco, Andros, the Exumas or Cat Island, where the accommodations are more rustic and the beaches and reefs virtually deserted.
The southern Atlantic high-pressure system and constant trade winds make Bahamian weather consistent throughout the year, with temperatures averaging 75ºF (24ºC) during the dry winter season from December to May, and 5-8 degrees warmer in the summer rainy season. Just as a steady cooling breeze moderates the hottest hours of the day, nights in the Bahamas are temperate and, in the northern islands, even cool. Late summer and fall comprise hurricane season, delivering the occasional menacing tempest as well as less destructive tropical storms. Luckily, the Bahamas are rarely in the direct paths of hurricanes, which usually bypass the islands to the south before hitting mainland North America directly.
For information on getting there, click here.
For information on getting around The Bahamas, click here.
For information on crime and safety in The Bahamas, click here.
For information on the history of The Bahamas, click here.
For information on outdoor activities in The Bahamas, click here.
To book your flight to The Bahamas, click here.
To book a hotel in The Bahamas, click here.
Bon voyage!
Previous Destinations:
• Japan
• The Bahamas
• Zurich, Switzerland
• Fairbanks, Alaska
• San Diego, California
REMINDER: PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
Traveling abroad? It's important you know your passport, visa, and health requirements, which vary by destination. Make sure you get all the information you need well in advance of your trip.
As of January 1, 2008, passports will be required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from the United States via land as well as air or sea, regardless of destination. As of January 8, 2007, passports will be required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from the United States via air or sea, to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
For more information on travel requirements, contact the U.S. embassies of the countries you're visiting. A complete list of U.S. embassies worldwide can be found at the Department of State Web site.
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