Fast Facts

Banks -- In Freeport/Lucaya, banks are open from 9:30am to 3pm Monday to Thursday, and 9:30am to 4:30pm on Friday. Most banks here have ATMs that accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and any other bank or credit card on the Cirrus, Honor, Novus, and PLUS networks.

Currency Exchange -- Americans need not bother to exchange their dollars into Bahamian dollars because the currencies are on par. However, Canadians and Brits will need to convert their money, which can be done at local banks or sometimes at a hotel, though hotels tend to offer less favorable rates.

Doctors -- For the fastest and best service, head to Rand Memorial Hospital.

Drugstores -- For prescriptions and other pharmaceutical needs, go to Mini Mall, 1 West Mall, Explorer's Way, where you'll find L.M.R. Drugs (tel. 242/352-7327), next door to Burger King. Hours are Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 8am to 3pm.

Emergencies -- For all emergencies, call tel. 911, or dial 0 for the operator.

Eyeglass Repair -- The biggest specialist in eyeglasses and contact lenses is the Optique Shoppe, 7 Regent Centre, downtown Freeport (tel. 242/352-9073).

Hospitals -- If you have a medical emergency, contact the government-operated, 90-bed Rand Memorial Hospital, East Atlantic Drive (tel. 242/352-6735 or 242/352-2689 for ambulance emergency).

Internet Access -- Visit the Cybercafe at the Port Lucaya Marketplace (tel. 242/559-0111), open Monday to Saturday 9am to 8pm.

Laundry & Dry Cleaning -- Try Jiffy Cleaners Number 3, West Mall at Pioneer's Way (tel. 242/352-7079), open Monday 8am to 1pm, Tuesday to Saturday 8am to 6pm.

Newspapers & Magazines -- The Freeport News is a morning newspaper published Monday through Saturday except holidays. The two dailies published in Nassau, the Tribune and the Nassau Guardian, are also available here, as are some New York and Miami papers, especially the Miami Herald, usually on the date of publication. American news magazines, such as Time and Newsweek, are flown in on the day of publication.

Police -- In an emergency, dial tel. 911.

Post Office -- The main post office is on Explorer's Way in Freeport (tel. 242/352-9371).

Safety -- Avoid walking or jogging along lonely roads. There are no particular danger zones, but stay alert: Grand Bahama is no stranger to drugs and crime.

Taxes -- All visitors leaving The Bahamas from Freeport must pay a departure tax, but because it's factored into the cost of your airline or cruise ship ticket, very few visitors even realize that it's even being charged. Hotel bills are saddled with a 12% tax regardless of the category of room you occupy. But other than that, as an encouragement to shoppers, no other sales taxes are charged.

Weather -- Grand Bahama, in the north of The Bahamas, has temperatures in winter that vary from about 60°F to 75°F (16°C-24°C) daily. Summer variations range from 78°F to the high 80s (26°C to the low 30s Celsius). In Freeport/Lucaya, phone tel. 915 for weather information.