Fast Facts

ATMs -- 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. Americans need not bother exchanging their money into Bahamian dollars because the currencies are on par, and U.S. dollars are readily accepted everywhere.

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

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 need medical care, go to the government-operated, 90-bed Rand Memorial Hospital, East Atlantic Drive (tel. 242/352-6735, or 242/352-2689 for ambulance; www.phabahamas.org).

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

Newspapers & Magazines -- The Freeport News is a morning paper published Monday through Saturday, except holidays. Nassau's two dailies, 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 newsmagazines, such as Time and Newsweek, are flown in on the day of publication.

Pharmacies -- 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 through Saturday from 8am to 8pm and Sunday from 8am to 3pm.

Police -- Dial tel. 911.

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

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 -- There is no sales tax on any purchase made within The Bahamas, though there is a 12% hotel tax. Visitors leaving The Bahamas pay a US$20 departure tax, a tariff that's automatically included in the price of any airline or cruise-ship ticket.

Weather -- Grand Bahama Island, in the north of The Bahamas, has winter temperatures varying from around 60° to 75°F (16°-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.