Bahamas
Last update 09 August 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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The Republic of Bulgaria does not have an embassy in the Bahamas. The country is serviced by the Embassy in Havana, Cuba.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Cuba
5ta Ave. No 6407, esquina a 66, Miramar, Playa, Ciudad de La Habana
Telephone: +53 7204 67 68 and +53 7204 67 59
Mobile telephone: +535 286 24 49
Working hours: Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 17:00
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 12:30
E-mail: [email protected]
Embassy of the Bahamas in Brussels, Belgium
Address: 76/78 Quai aux Briques Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 2 512 9348
Fax: +32 2 512 9292
Embassy of the Bahamas in the United Kingdom
The Bahamas High Commission, Bahamas House
Address: 10, Chesterfield Street, Mayfield, London W1J 5JL
Telephone: +44 207 408 4488
Fax: +44 207 499 9937
General information
(1.) Security level:
The country has a high crime rate. Incidents of violence, including robberies, often armed, are on the rise in both residential and tourist areas in New Providence, Grand Bahamas, and Freeport. There are police patrols in the main tourist areas.
Vigilance should be exercised at all times and independent walking away from the main hotels, tourist areas, beaches and commercial areas of Nassau should be avoided, especially during the dark hours of the day.
Do not carry large amounts of cash. Valuables to be left in a safe.
Carry photocopies of your documents and keep the originals in a safe or other safe place.
(2.) Healthcare:
Vaccines against malaria, tuberculosis and hepatitis A and B are recommended.
On the Bahamas the percentage of people infected with the HIV virus is quite high.
Emergency phone: 911.
Medical care is good but can be expensive. Serious cases are transported to Nassau, Freeport or Miami by air ambulance. You should have adequate medical insurance and available financial resources.
Dengue fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur during the year. There have been confirmed cases of Chikungunya virus infection in the Bahamas. Steps should be taken to avoid areas with mosquitoes and to use repellents.
Under the 2005 International Health Regulations, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers over the age of 1 year arriving from countries at risk of the spread of the disease.
List of countries at risk of yellow fever and countries requiring vaccination: http://www.who.int/ith/2016-ith-annex1.pdf?ua=1
A yellow fever vaccine is not required for cruise ship passengers, except when they have a planned hotel stay in the Bahamas.
(3.) Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
See item (2)
(4.) Customs requirements:
Each adult visitor is allowed to bring 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 1 liter of alcohol and personal items.
(5.) Road traffic:
The traffic is in the left side of the roadway in the Bahamas. Observe traffic rules and speed limits.
(6.) Practical advice:
There are harsh penalties for drug possession and distribution. Tourists may be offered drugs in pubs and bars. Police authorities are particularly vigilant and you can be fined heavily and deported or arrested if you are in possession of drugs.
Pack your own luggage and don't accept to carry someone else's.
The electricity is 120 V and is identical to the American standard.
The emergency telephone number is 911 or 919.
(7.) Local currency:
Bahamian dollar (BSD)
BSD 1 = USD 1
(8.) Climatic characteristics:
Hurricane season is from June to November. It is advisable to monitor the information on http://severe.worldweather.org/; http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tropical-cyclones.
(9.) Others:
Travel papers and visas
Bulgarian citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in the Bahamas, but must have a return or onward ticket and a reservation for accommodation for the duration of the stay.
A passport valid for six months is required upon entry into the country. It is advisable to have at least two blank pages in the passport for stamping.
On arrival in the Bahamas, each passenger must complete and sign an immigration form, part of which is kept until departure. Verbal declaration of baggage is required.
All visitors, with the exception of children under 6 years of age, must pay an exit fee of USD 15, which may be included in the price of the airfare.
It is advisable to check through the travel agency/airline company used or the nearest Antigua & Barbuda Embassy.
Ships
Those arriving in the Bahamas by ship should check passenger fees at: http://www.bahamas.com/entry-requirements
It should be borne in mind that it is possible that the country authorities may make changes to the conditions set out in these recommendations. For information on the Bahamas not included in these recommendations and to check for any changes, contact can be made with the Bahamas diplomatic missions listed above or the nearest missions to the country of residence.
Inquiries about changes to the conditions can also be made at: http://www.bahamas.com/entry-requirements, http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/ or through diplomatic/consular missions in the Bahamas.
Competitive service
Certifications and legalizations
Bulgaria and the Bahamas are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. Therefore, the documents/deeds drawn up in each of the two countries should bear an Apostille by the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as translated and duly authenticated in order to serve before the authorities of the other country.
European Emergency Travel Document
In case of emergency (lost passport), Bulgarian citizens can seek on-the-spot assistance from a diplomatic mission of an EU Member State to obtain an Emergency Travel Document.