Bahamas Country Report

Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, the Bahamas is made up of more than 700 islands. It is one of the wealthiest nations in the Caribbean and a very popular destination for international travelers. The country maintains a stable democratic environment in which civil unrest is rare.

The primary threat to travelers is from criminal activity, including pickpocketing or pilfering from hotel rooms. Scammers also frequently target tourists. Gang-perpetrated violence poses a higher risk in parts of the capital, Nassau, and Freeport; however, violence is more likely to affect locals in lower-income areas and non-tourist areas.

Infrastructure in the Bahamas is well developed by regional standards, and the government is engaged in a long-term program to improve roads and communication networks. However, inclement weather during hurricane season (June - November) can cause significant infrastructural damage in the country, and any travel should be carefully researched ahead of time, taking into consideration the impact on infrastructure and any ongoing recovery efforts. Although the risk from mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue is low in the Bahamas, there have been confirmed cases of the Zika virus, particularly in New Providence.

Crime rates in the Bahamas vary from island to island. Generally, crime is more prominent on the larger islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama and much less of a concern on the smaller cays. While gang-perpetrated violence is a serious issue on both islands, it takes place mostly in lower-income areas of Nassau and Freeport.

The most common types of crime affecting visitors include petty and opportunistic crime. Petty thieves and scammers frequently target foreign travelers around popular resorts nationwide. Sexual assault also poses a risk, especially for solo female travelers. Some visitors have reported sexual assault incidents when taking part in tourism activities involving recreational watercraft, especially jet skis.

Labor-related protests and strikes do occasionally occur, causing disruption to affected sectors, but are almost always peaceful.

There are no safety concerns over air travel.

Road conditions throughout Nassau and New Providence are generally good, although those on outlying islands are generally less well maintained. Some local road users may be aggressive and drive recklessly.

The ports are efficient, particularly Nassau Container Port (NCP).

Utilities are generally good in most areas.

Cyberattacks tend to be unsophisticated.

The Bahamas has a subtropical climate that is warm throughout most of the year. However, tropical storms and hurricanes are frequent between June and November and can cause extensive flooding and wind damage as well as severe travel disruption.

Travelers' diarrhea is the most common ailment among travelers to the Bahamas. Although mosquito-borne disease threats tend to be localized, there have been confirmed cases of the Zika virus in recent years, particularly in New Providence. Adequate medical services are available in Nassau. Pharmacies can be easily found in New Providence, but less so in the Out Islands.

The political situation is stable and there are currently no significant internal or external threats to the government. Corruption is a minor concern, but levels remain relatively low in comparison to other Caribbean countries. Police are well-trained and equipped to assist victims of crime.