Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in the US:
Ambassador: Cornelius A. Smith
Embassy: 2220 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC
20008
Telephone: 202-319-2660
Fax: 202-319-2668

Consulates general are in:

Miami
Ingraham Bldg., 25 S.E. 2nd Av.,
Miami, FL 33131.
(305) 373-6295 , FAX (395) 373-6312

New York
231 E. 46th St.,
New York, NY 10017.
(212) 421-6420 , FAX (212) 759-2135

US Diplomatic Representation:
Ambassador: Nicole A. Avant
Embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau
Mailing Address: P.O. Box N-8197, Nassau
Telephone: 242-322-1181
Telex: 20-138

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Bahamas

U.S. Embassy Web Site in the Bahamas


FOREIGN RELATIONS

The Bahamas has strong bilateral relationships with the United States and the United Kingdom, represented by an ambassador in Washington and High Commissioner in London. The Bahamas also associates closely with other nations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The Bahamas has an ambassador to Haiti and works closely with the United States and CARICOM on political and migration issues related to Haiti. The Bahamas has diplomatic relations with Cuba, including embassies in each other's capitals. A repatriation agreement was signed with Cuba in 1996, and there are commercial and cultural contacts between the two countries. The Bahamas also enjoys a strengthening relationship with China. The Commonwealth of The Bahamas became a member of the United Nations in 1973 and the Organization of American States in 1982.

The Bahamas holds membership in a number of international organizations: the UN and some specialized and related agencies, including Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Labor Organization (ILO); International Monetary Fund (IMF); International Telecommunication Union (ITU); World Bank; World Meteorological Organization (WMO); World Health Organization (WHO); OAS and related agencies, including Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO); the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), excluding its Common Market; the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL); Universal Postal Union (UPU); International Maritime Organization (IMO); World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); and obtained observer status in the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001.


U.S.-BAHAMIAN RELATIONS

The United States historically has had close economic and commercial relations with The Bahamas. The countries share ethnic and cultural ties, especially in education, and The Bahamas is home to approximately 30,000 American residents. In addition, there are about 110 U.S.-related businesses in The Bahamas and, in 2008, 85% of the 4.6 million tourists visiting the country were American.

As a neighbor, The Bahamas and its political stability are especially important to the United States. The U.S. and the Bahamian Government have worked together on reducing crime and addressing migration issues. With the closest island only 45 miles from the coast of Florida, The Bahamas often is used as a gateway for drugs and illegal aliens bound for the United States. The United States and The Bahamas cooperate closely to handle these threats. U.S. assistance and resources have been essential to Bahamian efforts to mitigate the persistent flow of illegal narcotics and migrants through the archipelago. The United States and The Bahamas also actively cooperate on law enforcement, civil aviation, marine research, meteorology, and agricultural issues. The U.S. Navy operates an underwater research facility on Andros Island.

The Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Customs and Border Protection maintains "preclearance" facilities at the airports in Nassau and Freeport. Travelers to the U.S. are interviewed and inspected before departure, allowing faster connection times in the U.S.


Principal U.S. Officials

Ambassador--Nicole A. Avant

Deputy Chief of Mission--Timothy Zuniga-Brown

Management Officer--Sarah Solberg

Consular Section Chief--Robin Haase

Political-Economic Section Chief--Jefferson Dubel

Public Affairs Officer--Jefferson Dubel

Regional Security Officer--Roy Stillman

The U.S. Embassy is located at 42 Queen Street, Nassau (tel. 242-322-1181; telex 20-138); the local postal address is P.O. Box N-8197, Nassau, The Bahamas.




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Bahamas check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit accepted
Currency (BSD) Bahamian Dollar
Electrical 120 Volts
Telephones Country Code 1 242

Time: GMT - 5.

Electricity: 120 volts AC, 60Hz.

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 1 242. New Providence and all islands have automatic telephone systems. The state telephone company, BaTelCo, offers both manual- and automatic-dial mobile radio telephones which allow callers to contact ships at sea. Phone cards can be purchased at discounted rates for international calls.

Climate: The Bahamas are slightly cooler than other Caribbean island groups owing to their proximity to the continental North American cold air systems.

Required clothing: Lightweight or tropical, cottons all year round. Light raincoats are useful during the wet season.

Food & Drink: There is a wide choice of restaurants and bars. Specialities include conch, grouper cutlets, baked crab and red snapper fillets in anchovy sauce. Fresh fruit is available from the Out Islands, including sweet pineapple, mango, breadfruit and papaya. Table service is usual in restaurants.
Local drinks are based on rum. The local liqueur is Nassau Royal, served alone or in coffee.

Shopping: Special purchases include china, cutlery, leather, fabrics, spirits from Britain, Scandinavian glass and silver, Swiss watches, German and Japanese cameras and French perfume. Local products include all types of straw artefacts, sea-shell jewellery and woodcarvings. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Tipping: Fifteen per cent is usual for most services including taxis. Some hotels and restaurants, however, include service charge on the bill.

Currency: Bahamian Dollar (B$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of B$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1, and 50 cents. Coins are in denominations of 25, 15, 10, 5 and 1 cents. The Bahamian Dollar has parity with the US Dollar and the latter is also accepted as legal tender.

Currency exchange: Available in banks and at exchange bureaux and hotels. ATMs are located on the larger islands in airport terminals, at banks and casinos and at other convenient locations.

Credit & debit cards: Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and American Express are accepted. Check with your credit, or debit, card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES


Tobacco....200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 454 grams of tobacco

Liquor.....1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of spirits if 1 litre is produced in and bought in caribbean state

Perfume....50 grams of perfume

Other goods.... Up to a value of £36

Cameras....No restrictions

Film.......No restrictions

Agricultural items/Currency/Gifts...Refer to consulate

Prohibited items: Weapons, firearms and drugs



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