Bahamas | Culture, Facts & Travel | – CountryReports

What makes Bahamas a unique country to travel to?

The upsurge in criminal activity has also led to incidents that, while not directed at tourists, could place innocent bystanders at risk.

Armed robbery remains a major criminal threat facing U.S. citizens in The Bahamas. The Royal Bahamas Police Force issued a message citing concerns about the increased number of armed robberies in Nassau. AU.S. citizen was fatally shot in Nassau in May 2013 during an armed robbery. Between January 1, 2013, and April 15, 2013, there were 328 armed robberies, 111 robberies, and 660 house break-ins, according to statistics available on the Royal Bahamas Police Force website.

Criminal activity in the outlying family islands does occur, but to a much lesser degree than on New Providence Island. The Embassy has received reports of burglaries and thefts, especially thefts of boats and/or outboard motors on Abaco and Bimini.

The Embassy has received no reports of harassment or hate crimes motivated by race, religion, or citizenship. Visitors have reported harassment of persons based on sexual orientation; some women have reported verbal harassment and unwanted attention. Some organized criminal activity is believed to occur in The Bahamas, primarily related to illegal importation and smuggling of illicit drugs or human trafficking. The Bahamas, due to its numerous uninhabited islands and cays, has historically been favored by smugglers and pirates. As a tourist, you would typically not have noticeable interaction with organized crime elements; however, those operating their own water or air vessels should be alert to the possibility of encountering similar crafts operated by smugglers engaged in illicit activities on the open seas or in air space near The Bahamas.

You are advised to report crime to the Royal Bahamian Police Force as quickly as possible. Early reports frequently improve the likelihood of identifying and apprehending suspected perpetrators. In general, the Royal Bahamian Police Force is responsive to reports of crime and takes the threat of crime against tourists very seriously. However, the police response is sometimes slowed by a lack of resources or by physical constraints imposed by geography and infrastructure.

There is nobody better at protecting you than yourself. Beware of your surroundings at all times. The U.S. Embassy reports that victims of crime are often those who have let their guard down to individuals who appeared overly friendly or became victims after criminals targeted them as easy prey due to the visitor appearing excessively drunk or unaware. Take some time before traveling to improve your personal securitythings are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States.

Mandatory Consular Notification Country: Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in The Bahamas, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

For additional information regarding arrests and the judicial process, please see the U.S. Embassys website on Arrests in The Bahamas. Travelers should also be aware that Bahamas laws do not include a right to a public defender in lower courts. Any legal representation is at the expense of the visitor.

Ambulance service is available on the major islands; however, U.S. citizens have reported major delays in service, both in the length of time to arrive and once at the Emergency room. Ambulance service is even more limited in more remote locations. The endemic traffic congestion on New Providence Island may also impede a quick response. Service is likely to be extremely slow in the event of a major emergency or disaster.

Good information on vaccinations and other health precautions can be found via the CDC website or The Bahamas Ministry of Health page. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information. The Bahamas had an outbreak of dengue fever in 2011 with 10 reported deaths and 1,000 reported cases of individuals with dengue fever symptoms. For additional information regarding Dengue fever in the Bahamas, please visit The Bahamas Ministry of Health website.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except on U.S. federal holidays).

The water sports and scooter rental industries in The Bahamas are not carefully regulated. Every year people die or suffer injuries due to improper, careless, or reckless operation of scooters, jet-skis, and personal watercraft or scuba/snorkeling equipment. You should rent equipment only from reputable operators, and insist on sufficient training before using the equipment. Travelers have reported that some operators do not actually provide insurance coverage even when the renter opted (and paid) for insurance coverage. You should insist on seeing proof that operators have sufficient medical and liability insurance and are properly licensed to operate in The Bahamas before renting any motorized or other vehicles.

As visitors, you should exercise caution and good judgment at all times. Do not engage in high-risk behavior such as excessive alcohol consumption, as it greatly increases your vulnerability to accidents or opportunistic crime. Do not accept rides from strangers or from unlicensed taxi drivers.

It is the law that all drivers and their passengers wear seat belts while riding in a vehicle in The Bahamas. Wearing helmets while riding on a scooter or motorbike is also compulsory.

Driving in The Bahamas is on the left side of the road (i.e. opposite the United States). Traffic congestion in Nassau is severe, and drivers occasionally display aggressive or careless tendencies. You should always drive defensively and be alert to cars pulling out in front of you from side streets. Local practice is to allow this on an individual basis. Roundabouts are common; unless otherwise designated, you should give way to traffic coming from the right when joining a roundabout. Remember that the slow lane is the far left, not the far right one. Some major streets do not have adequate shoulders or passable sidewalks, compelling pedestrians to walk in the right-of-way. Motorcyclists tend to weave through slow traffic and between lanes of moving vehicles. It is not uncommon to see poorly maintained or excessively loaded vehicles on roadways. Rural roads can be narrow, winding, and in poor condition.

Road flooding occurs frequently in many areas, including Nassau and Freeport, during and after rainstorms. Drivers should be alert for unmarked or poorly marked construction zones. Travel by moped or bicycle can be hazardous, especially in the heavy traffic prevalent in Nassau. You should exercise appropriate caution when renting vehicles in The Bahamas. If you ride a moped or bicycle follow Bahamian helmet law, and drive defensively. Accidents involving U.S. tourists on motorbikes have resulted in severe injuries and fatalities.

Look right then left when crossing the road! Pedestrians should try to remember that vehicular traffic comes from the opposite direction to what they are used to. Many tourists have been struck by cars after failing to check properly for oncoming traffic.

Emergency ambulance service is generally available and can be reached by dialing 911 or 919. Roadside assistance is also widely available through private towing services. Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of The Bahamas national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

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Bahamas | Culture, Facts & Travel | - CountryReports