The Country

Newcomers to The Islands of The Bahamas quickly realize that they have stumbled upon not one, but many destinations. Between the "poles" of Grand Bahama and Great Inagua are 23 inhabited islands and thousands of unpopulated islets and cays (pronounced "keys"). Cosmopolitan Nassau seems a world away from the desert-like wildlife sanctuary of Inagua

On many of the islands, tiny villages seem lifted from the Massachusetts coast and set down amongst palms and pines and iridescent sands. These beautiful islands lie only 50 miles off the Florida coast

Getting There

The Nassau International Airport is easily reached by direct non-stop flights from Miami, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale. Flight time from Miami to Nassau is about one hour, a bit more from Orlando or Fort Lauderdale. here direct flights from several European cities

Buying in the Bahamas

Real Estate costs vary across its many islands here is a flavour of what you can expect:

Nassau/Paradise Island

Economically the most important island of The Bahamas, home to its capital, Nassau, the seat of government. Nassau is a sophisticated, charming old town built on a sun-splashed hillside overlooking the sea. Nassau/Paradise Island also includes the resort areas of Cable Beach and Paradise Island. New Providence and Paradise Island offer perhaps the widest choice of residential property in the Bahamas. Much of it is very up-scale, with homes in the millions of dollars being rather common. Homes in exclusive Lyford Cay, which lies at the far west end of the island, start around half a million dollars.

Exhuma

With direct air links to the island and great real estate prices Exhuma is worth a closer look. Compared to other islands in The Bahamas prices are here are in expensive. The main settlement is George Town on Elizabeth Harbour, with its pleasant pastel homes. There are communities being built right now.

Eleuthera

Easily reached, with direct flights from the U.S. to all three airports, Eleuthera is just over a mile wide and 110 miles long Here, the roots of modern Bahamian history were planted by the "Eleutheran Adventurers," who established what was probably the first true democracy in the western world more than 300 years ago. Much of the early colonial atmosphere is preserved in the tiny fishing villages and sprawling farming areas. The island is 110 miles long and only two miles wide along most of its length. Just offshore is Harbour Island (renowned for its pink-sand beaches)

Bahamas Quick Facts:

Capital: Nassau

Population: 300,0000

Entry requirements: please refer to the official Bahamas tourism site – click on the link above

Area: 700 islands of 5,380 square miles (13,900 sq km)

Currency: Bahamian $; US$1=Ba$1

Language: English but major European languages spoken at tourist centres

Political status: independent nation; member of the Commonwealth

Religion: Traditional Christian denomination churches with Anglican and Roman Catholic the largest

Business: In Nassau, Paradise Island and Freeport/Lucaya, banks are open 9.30am-3pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9.30am-5pm on Friday. Hours vary in the other islands. The main banks are Central Bank of The Bahamas, Bank of Nova Scotia, Barclays Bank International, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Chase Manhattan Bank, Citibank, and Royal Bank of Canada. Shops open 9am-5pm or later with early closing on one weekday afternoon. Major payment cards accepted.

Electricity: 120 volts AC, 60 cycles.

Telecommunications: the international dialling code for The Bahamas is +1 242 followed by seven digits. On the island, use the seven digits alone.

Time: GMT-5

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