BAHAMAS

The Bahamas (officially named The Commonwealth of The Bahamas) or The Bahamas Islands is an archipelago consisting of many islands. There are about 2,000 islands if you include the cays, which are small islands that are formed on coral reefs. The word Bahamas is of Spanish descent and means ‘Shallow Water’. They are located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea. T o those who can’t resist the charm of blue waters and long sandy palm fringed shorelines, the Bahamas read as paradise. From lazing about on the beach to dancing the night away, the Bahamas offer this and more. The islands are dotted with spectacular bays and coves where frothy waves wash over white soft sparkling sand. The azure waters are amongst the clearest in the world and the marine life absolutely spectacular! Capital: Nassau Best time to Visit: 1.Tempered by the trade winds, there is little variation in the climate through the year. 2.The temperature tends to get hot and humid during the summer. 3.June to November is labeled as the official hurricane months. 4.December to May is the tourist season, during which prices rise noticeably. This is probably the best time to visit here. Minimum Days required: 3 days Places of Interest: 1.Atlantis Paradise Islands 2.Castaway Cay 3.Dean’s Blue hole 4.Blue Lagoon 5.Junkanoo 6.Fort Fincastle Climate: 1.There’s barely any change in the weather through the year, though winter (December to April) is the preferred tourist season. 2.Summers experience high humidity that may linger into adjoining months. 3.The rainy season (May to October) is characterized by short but heavy showers. 4.The hurricane season (June to November) should be avoided as strong wind systems often sweep over the islands. Currency: Bahamian Dollar Things to carry: 1.Casuals, unless you plan to visit any of the sophisticated restaurants that require formal wear. If you’re going for the casinos, you needn’t worry with formal wear, as there is no dress code. 2.To be on the safer side, pack in a light sweater if you plan to go during the winter season. 3.Swimwear would naturally top your baggage list; it’s not advisable to wear those skimpy bikinis on the public beaches. 4.Carry T- shirts and shorts or light dresses for the days you don’t want to hit the beach. 5.A necessity is sunscreen lotion; make sure you carry enough to last you for the entire holidays. 6.To be on the safer side, carry a large hat or an umbrella. 7.Pack light so that you meet the baggage restrictions. How to get there: Air: 1.There are a number of flights from Miami, Ft Lauderdale and Orlando as well as from New York and Boston to Nassau. 2.From Nassau there are various connecting flights to the surrounding Islands. 3.There are also direct flights from Paris, Germany and London as well as from Canada. 4.The two largest airports are at Nassau, on New Providence and at Freeport, on Grand Bahamas. 5.The Lynden Pindling International Airport, 16 km west of Nassau, is the largest in the country. 6.There are three terminal concourses; domestic and charter flights, flights to USA and non-US international flights.