Fast Facts

American Express -- Representing American Express in The Bahamas is Destinatinos, 303 Shirley St. (between Charlotte and Parliament sts.), Nassau (tel. 242/322-2931). Hours are 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. The travel department is also open Saturday 9am to 1pm. If you present a personal check and an Amex card, you can buy traveler's checks here.

Area Code -- The area code for The Bahamas is 242.

Business Hours -- In Nassau, Cable Beach, and Freeport/Lucaya, commercial banking hours are 9:30am to 3pm Monday through Thursday, 9:30am to 5pm on Friday. Hours are likely to vary widely in the Out Islands. Ask at your hotel. Most government offices are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, and most shops are open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

Camera & Film -- Purchasing film in Nassau/Paradise Island or Freeport/Lucaya is relatively easy, if a little expensive. But stock up if you're going to the Out Islands and need a special kind.

Drug Laws -- Importing, possessing, or dealing unlawful drugs, including marijuana, is a serious offense in The Bahamas, with heavy penalties. Customs officers may at their discretion conduct body searches for drugs or other contraband goods.

Drugstores -- Nassau and Freeport are amply supplied with pharmacies. However, if you're traveling in the Out Islands, it is best to carry your prescribed medication with you, since pharmacies are harder to find.

Electricity -- Electricity is normally 120 volts, 60 cycles, AC. American appliances are fully compatible; British or European appliances will need both converters and adapters.

Embassies & Consulates -- The U.S. Embassy is on 42 Queen St., P.O. Box N-8197, Nassau (tel. 242/322-1181), and the Canadian consulate is on Shirley Street Shopping Plaza, Nassau (tel. 242/393-2123). The British High Commission is located in Kingston, Jamaica, at 28 Trafalgar Rd. (tel. 876/510-0700).

Emergencies -- Throughout most of The Bahamas, the number to call for a medical, dental, or hospital emergency is tel. 911. In the Out Islands, the number is tel. 919. To report a fire, however, call tel. 411.

Holidays -- Public holidays observed in The Bahamas are New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Whitmonday (7 weeks after Easter), Labour Day (the first Fri in June), Independence Day (July 10), Emancipation Day (the first Mon in Aug), Discovery Day (Oct 12), Christmas, and Boxing Day (the day after Christmas). When a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, stores and offices are usually closed on the following Monday.

Hospitals -- In Nassau, Princess Margaret Hospital (tel. 242/322-2861), and in Freeport, Rand Memorial (tel. 242/352-6735).

Internet Access -- Access is limited on the islands, but it can be obtained at Cybercafe, in the Mall at Marathon in Nassau (tel. 242/394-6254), or in Freeport at CyberClub at Seventeen Center (tel. 242/351-4560). Web access is increasingly common at hotels in The Bahamas -- even in the Out Islands, you can usually access the Web. But if this issue is especially important to you, check with specific accommodations before booking. Also see "Online Traveler's Toolbox" and "Staying Connected," earlier.

Language -- In The Bahamas, locals speak English, but sometimes with a marked accent that provides the clue to their ancestry -- African, Irish, or Scottish, for example.

Liquor Laws -- Liquor is sold in liquor stores and various convenience stores; it's readily available at all hours, though not sold on Sundays. The legal drinking age is 18.

Lost & Found -- Be sure to tell all of your credit card companies the minute you discover your wallet has been lost or stolen and file a report at the nearest police precinct. Your credit card company or insurer may require a police report number or record of the loss. Most credit card companies have an emergency toll-free number to call if your card is lost or stolen; they may be able to wire you a cash advance immediately or deliver an emergency credit card in a day or two. Visa's U.S. emergency number is tel. 800/847-2911. American Express cardholders and traveler's check holders should call tel. 800/221-7282. MasterCard holders should call tel. 800/307-7309. For other credit cards, call the toll-free number directory at tel. 800/555-1212.

If you need emergency cash over the weekend when all banks and American Express offices are closed, you can have money wired to you via Western Union (tel. 800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com).

Mail -- You'll need Bahamian (not U.S.) postage stamps to send postcards and letters. Most of the kiosks selling postcards also sell the stamps you'll need to mail them, so you probably won't need to visit the post office. Sending a postcard or an airmail letter (up to 1/2 oz. in weight) from The Bahamas to anywhere outside its borders (including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.) costs 65¢ (34p), with another charge for each additional half-ounce of weight.

Mail to and from the Out Islands is sometimes slow. Airmail may go by air to Nassau and by boat to its final destination. If a resort has a U.S. or Nassau address, it is preferable to use it.

Newspapers & Magazines -- Three newspapers are circulated in Nassau and Freeport: the Nassau Guardian -- (www.thenassauguardian.com), the Tribune, -- and the Freeport News. -- Circulation in the Out Islands is limited and likely to be slow. You can find such papers as the New York Times, -- the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, -- the Miami Herald, Times of London, -- and Daily Telegraph -- at newsstands in your hotel and elsewhere in Nassau.

Passports -- Allow plenty of time before your trip to apply for a passport; processing normally takes 3 weeks but can take longer during busy periods (especially spring). And keep in mind that if you need a passport in a hurry, you'll pay a higher processing fee.

For Residents of Australia: You can pick up an application from your local post office or any branch of Passports Australia, but you must schedule an interview at the passport office to present your application materials. Call the Australian Passport Information Service at tel. 131-232, or visit the government website at www.smartraveller.gov.au.

For Residents of Canada: Passport applications are available at travel agencies throughout Canada or from the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca).

For Residents of Ireland: You can apply for a 10-year passport at the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh). Those under age 18 and over 65 must apply for a €12 3-year passport. You can also apply at 1A South Mall, Cork (tel. 021/494-4700), or at most main post offices.

For Residents of New Zealand: You can pick up a passport application at any New Zealand Passports Office or download it from their website. Contact the Passports Office at tel. 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100, or log on to www.passports.govt.nz.

For Residents of the United Kingdom: To pick up an application for a standard 10-year passport (5-year passport for children under 16), visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency, or contact the United Kingdom Passport Service at tel. 0870/521-0410 or search its website at www.ukpa.gov.uk.

For Residents of the United States: Whether you're applying in person or by mail, you can download passport applications from the U.S. State Department website at http://travel.state.gov. To find your regional passport office, either check the U.S. State Department website or call the National Passport Information Center toll-free number (tel. 877/487-2778) for automated information.

Pets -- You'll have to get a valid import permit to bring any animal into The Bahamas. Application for such a permit must be made in writing, accompanied by a $10 (£5.30) processing fee and a $5 (£2.65) fax fee, to the Director of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box N-3028, Nassau, The Bahamas (tel. 242/325-7502), at least 4 weeks in advance.

Police -- Dial tel. 911. In the Out Islands, the number is tel. 919.

Taxes -- Departure tax is $15 ($18 from Grand Bahama Island) for visitors ages 7 and up. An 8% tax is imposed on hotel bills; otherwise, there is no sales tax in The Bahamas.

Telephones -- Although some of the Out Islands are still difficult to reach by phone, direct long-distance dialing is available between North America and Nassau, Grand Bahama, the Abacos, Andros, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, the Exumas, and Stella Maris on Long Island.

To call The Bahamas:

1. Dial the international access code: 011 from the U.S.; 00 from the U.K., Ireland, or New Zealand; or 0011 from Australia.

2. Dial the country code 242.

3. Dial the seven-digit local number.

To make international calls: To make international calls from The Bahamas, first dial 00 and then the country code (U.S. or Canada 1, U.K. 44, Ireland 353, Australia 61, New Zealand 64). Next you dial the area code and number. For example, if you wanted to call the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., you would dial 00-1-202-588-7800.

For local calls within The Bahamas: Simply dial the seven-digit number. To call from one island to another within The Bahamas, dial 1-242 and then the seven-digit local number.

For directory assistance: Dial tel. 916 if you're looking for a number inside The Bahamas, and dial 0 for numbers to all other countries.

For operator assistance: To reach an international or domestic operator within The Bahamas, dial 0. There is no distinction made in The Bahamas between the two types of operators.

Toll-free numbers: Numbers beginning with 881 within The Bahamas are toll-free. However, calling a normally toll-free number within the United States (that is, one beginning with 800, 887, or 888) usually involves a charge within The Bahamas. In fact, it usually costs the same as an overseas call unless the merchant has made arrangements with the local telephone authorities. Note: -- Major airlines generally maintain toll-free 800, 887, or 888 provisions for calls made to them within The Bahamas. If you dial what you think is a toll-free phone number and it ends up costing the long-distance rate, an automated recording will inform you of this fact. In some cases, the recording will suggest a local toll-free alternative -- usually one beginning with 881.

To reach the major international services of AT&T, dial tel. 800/CALL-ATT, or head for any phone with AT&T or USA Direct marked on the side of the booth. Picking up the handset will connect you with an AT&T operator. These phones are often positioned beside cruise-ship docks to help passengers disembarking on shore leave for the day. MCI can be reached at tel. 800/888-8000.

Note that the old coin-operated phones are still prevalent in The Bahamas and still swallow coins. Each local call costs 25¢ (15p); you can use either Bahamian or U.S. quarters. Those old phones, however, are gradually being replaced by phones that use calling cards (debit cards), similar in appearance to a credit card, that come in denominations of $5, $10, $20, and $50. They can be bought from any office of BATELCO (Bahamas Telephone Co.). BATELCO's main branch is on Kennedy Drive, Nassau (tel. 242/302-7008), although a popular local branch lies in the heart of Nassau, on East Street off Bay Street.

Time Zone -- Eastern Standard Time is used throughout The Bahamas, and daylight saving time is observed in the summer.

Tipping -- Many establishments add a service charge, but it's customary to leave something extra if service has been especially fine. If you're not sure whether service has been included in your bill, don't be shy -- ask.

Bellboys and porters, at least in the expensive hotels, expect a tip of $1 (55p) per bag. It's also customary to tip your maid at least $2 (£1.05) per day -- more if she or he has performed special services such as getting a shirt or blouse laundered. Most service personnel, including taxi drivers, waiters, and the like, expect 15% (20% in deluxe restaurants).

Useful Phone Numbers -- Sources of information include:

U.S. Dept. of State Travel Advisory: tel. 202/647-5225 (manned 24 hr.)

U.S. Passport Agency: tel. 202/647-0518

U.S. Centers for Disease Control International Traveler's Hotline: tel. 404/332-4559

Water -- Technically, tap water is drinkable throughout The Bahamas. But we almost always opt for bottled. Resorts tend to filter and chlorinate tap water more aggressively than other establishments; elsewhere, bottled water is available at stores and supermarkets, and tastes better than that from a tap. On many of the Out Islands, rainfall is the main source of water -- drink bottled water there.

Weddings -- The bride and groom must both be in The Bahamas at the moment they apply for the $100 (£53) wedding license here. If both are single and U.S. citizens, a declaration certifying this fact must be sworn before a consul at the American Embassy in Nassau. The fee is $55 (£29) per person; you'll need to appear in person with ID such as a passport (and, if applicable, proof of divorce). If all of these requirements are met, you can then get married after staying for 24 hours in The Bahamas. No blood test is necessary. Contact the Registrar General at P.O. Box N-532, Nassau, The Bahamas (tel. 242/322-3316), for more details.