Millions of travelers from around the globe flock to the Bahamas every year, and with good reason. The islands of the Bahamas feature crystal-clear turquoise water, the third-largest barrier reef on the planet, and one of the world’s largest wine cellars. Located just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, the islands of the Bahamas are a cruise or flight away.
Visitors to this island nation enjoy spectacular views, fast-paced watersports, and a vibrant nightlife. But travel delays, natural disasters, and healthcare emergencies can derail any trip, so it’s smart to learn about safety and travel insurance for the Bahamas.
Find the Best International Travel Insurance
- Compare top-rated travel insurance providers
- Get quotes for Travel Medical, Trip Cancellation, and more
- Choose the best plan for your trip and budget
Do I Need Travel Insurance for the Bahamas?
There’s no legal requirement for visitors to the Bahamas to have travel insurance. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have the peace of mind of having travel insurance to cover your stay in the Bahamas, though. Unexpected situations can happen at any time.
Visitors to the stunning beaches in the Bahamas may need medical treatment for sunburns or heatstroke, and injuries from accidents or sports could require a visit to a hospital emergency room.
Travel medical insurance for international travelers protects visitors from unexpected costs that can follow illnesses or injuries.
Storms, delayed flights, canceled cruises, and even lost luggage can be covered by trip cancellation insurance, protecting visitors from the costs of replacing belongings and losing money on vacations that are unavoidably canceled.
The healthcare system of the Bahamas ranks 135th of 195 countries in the Global Health Security Index. Travelers with more serious conditions may want care back in their home country. Some travel health insurance plans can help pay for those travel expenses.
What Types of Travel Insurance Are Available?
Each traveler has unique concerns when traveling. The different types of travel insurance available can be used alone or in combination to reduce risk and provide peace of mind. These include:
Travel Medical Insurance: While most travelers have health insurance that covers domestic travel, it may not be accepted abroad. These policies provide coverage overseas. Travel health insurance, what most people just call “travel insurance”, covers the costs of emergency medical care in another country. Depending on how comprehensive a plan you get, medical care at hospitals and clinics, prescriptions, and medical transport may also be covered.
Trip Cancellation Insurance: Savvy travelers also consider trip cancellation insurance, which covers the costs if you or a member of your traveling party cannot go on a trip to the Bahamas that’s already been paid for. An accident, illness, or even a lost passport could keep someone from boarding a flight or cruise ship. Be sure to check your policy carefully, though, as there is generally a limited list of covered reasons, and a time limit for canceling.
Cancel for Any Reason Insurance: Also known as CFAR, Cancellation for any reason insurance usually has a higher premium but covers trip cancellations for almost any reason. These also include the medical coverage in Travel Insurance – making it a premier choice to protect your trip.
Adventure Sports Insurance: Travel insurance for the Bahamas can cover care for sickness and injury, but accidents during some activities may not be included in standard policies. Adventure sports insurance covers travelers who are participating in activities such as surfing, ziplining, jet skiing, and scuba diving, which are all popular in the Bahamas.
Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance
- Maximum limits up to $8,000,000
- IMG pays 100% of medical expenses in-network
- Evacuation due to Natural Disasters & Political Unrest
The Best Travel Insurance for Visitors to the Bahamas
Each traveler is unique, so the insurance recommendations for one person may not be suitable for all. However, travel medical insurance is something every traveler should consider.
Those who plan to spend their time lounging on the beach can forego adventure sports insurance. Choosing to add cancellation insurance depends on the amount of risk travelers are comfortable with and the variability of their calendars.
Medical Preparation for Travel to the Bahamas
Going to the Bahamas involves more than just packing a bag and booking a flight. Before you talk to a travel agent, see your doctor to get ready for your trip to the Bahamas.
What Vaccinations Do I Need for Travel to the Bahamas?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that travelers going to the Bahamas review their vaccine records and consult a doctor about a month before departure.
Included in recommended vaccinations are routine immunizations for diseases such as influenza, chickenpox, shingles, measles, mumps, rubella, and polio, as well as COVID-19 and hepatitis A and B.
Rabies is not prevalent among pets in the Bahamas, but it could be present in wildlife, such as bats and feral dogs, in the islands’ rural areas. The CDC recommends rabies vaccination for those who may be working with wildlife, such as veterinarians and field biologists.
Physicians recommend typhoid vaccination for travelers visiting rural areas and yellow fever immunization for those traveling to areas with outbreaks of the disease.
Visitors from Argentina, Panama, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, and French Guiana must present proof of a yellow fever vaccination to enter the country.
How to Bring Medications to the Bahamas
Prescription and over-the-counter medications are necessities for some travelers. When entering the Bahamas with medications, carry prescriptions in the original doctor-prescribed pharmacy bottle and other medications in their packaging.
Cannabis had been illegal in the Bahamas, but legislation was introduced in 2023 to legalize marijuana.
Decriminalization of cannabis for medical and therapeutic uses is under consideration, but traveling with marijuana can result in legal problems. Leave any prescribed medical marijuana products at home and abide by local laws.
How Visitors to the Bahamas Can Access Medical Care
When the unexpected happens, visitors to the Bahamas can access medical care at clinics and hospitals, which are more readily available in cities than in rural areas. Most domestic health insurance plans do not cover care in the Bahamas.
Three government hospitals – the Princess Margaret Hospital, Grand Bahama Health Service, and the Sandilands Rehabilitation Center – are operated by the Public Hospitals Authority.
The island nation also has two private hospitals, Doctors’ Hospital and Lyford Cay Hospital. There are also numerous health centers and satellite clinics, all of which are open to citizens as well as visitors.
Medical care in the Bahamas costs about 30% to 40% less than in the U.S., and doctors and nurses there have excellent training and speak English.
Though the Bahamas implemented a national health insurance program, NHI Bahamas, in 2016, you may need a higher level of emergency care than what’s available. This can mean medical transport to Miami via air ambulance.
Travel health insurance protects visitors from the expense of transportation to care, which can cost as much as $50,000 or more.
Travel Warnings and Alerts for the Bahamas
The Bahamas’ beauty draws tourists, but there can be trouble in paradise. The U.S. Department of State issued a call for increased caution due to crime in the Bahamas, as has the British government.
Diseases can also be a concern. Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease found in the Bahamas, can cause high fever and headaches. Though most recover, complications can arise.
Another virus spread by mosquitoes, Zika, can cause birth defects, so pregnant women or those hoping to become pregnant should consult their doctors before traveling to the Bahamas.
Fatal shark attacks can happen without warning in the waters off the islands of the Bahamas. Night swimming can put visitors to the Bahamas at risk, the British government website cautions.
In the Bahamas, remember to call 919 or 911, which are both nationally recognized emergency numbers for law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services.
Embassy and Government Office Phone Numbers in the Bahamas
Visitors to the Bahamas may want to know how to contact their embassy, consulate, or other office in the event of a lost or stolen passport.
Embassies in the Bahamas include:
- The US Embassy: 242-322-1181
- Embassy of Cuba: 242-356-3473
- Embassy of the People’s Republic of China: 242-393-1415
- British High Commission: 242-225-6033, then select option 2 for British nationals
- New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 242-356-5956
- Honorary Consul of Canada: 242-393-2123
- The Australian Honorary High Commission in Trinidad & Tobago, which serves the Bahamas: +1-868- 235-7950
7 Safety Tips for the Bahamas
1. Stay in Tourist Areas
Visitors to the Bahamas are usually safest when staying in areas frequented by tourists, such as hotels and resorts. The British government advises visitors to stay in these places rather than traveling to rural areas.
2. Avoid Traveling Alone
It’s also advisable to travel in groups when visiting the Bahamas, according to the British and Canadian governments, as this significantly reduces the risk of robbery or assault. Avoid deserted beaches as well.
3. Keep an Eye on Belongings
Keeping an eye on personal belongings or storing them under lock and key reduces the risk of petty theft. Carry bags and wallets with you instead of leaving them on a table or bar when going out for dinner or drinks.
4. Watch Your Beverages
Women are advised to watch their beverages for tampering when visiting bars and nightclubs in the Bahamas. This decreases the risk of assault.
5. Lock Up Valuables or Leave Them at Home
Theft of valuables is a risk in the Bahamas. One way to remove the risk is to travel light, carrying only what’s necessary and keeping the rest in a locked hotel room or rental. Wear costume duplicates of expensive jewelry, or leave jewelry and other valuables at home.
6. See Your Doctor Before Visiting the Bahamas
Discuss your trip with your physician at least a month before departure to determine if any vaccinations are necessary, and plan to use sunscreen and insect repellent to minimize the risks of sunburn and mosquito-borne diseases.
7. Get Travel Insurance for the Bahamas
What if an accident or illness happens once you’re in Nassau? Plans that cover the Bahamas can help with medical care for injuries or sickness, as well as transportation to a higher level of care if needed. If you plan to stay in the Bahamas for more than 90 days, consider obtaining health insurance.
Travel Insurance for US Citizens
Single Trip Platinum Travel Insurance
- For U.S. citizens and residents up to age 95
- Includes pregnancy coverage, baggage loss, trip interruption & more
- 24/7/365 service and assistance
Travel Insurance for US and Non-US Citizens
Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance
- Maximum limits up to $8,000,000
- IMG pays 100% of medical expenses in-network
- Evacuation due to Natural Disasters & Political Unrest
Be Safe in the Bahamas
The islands of the Bahamas are among the most beautiful in the world. For those who love scuba diving, adventure, or just relaxing beside the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, traveling to the Bahamas is a must.
Taking a few health and safety precautions before leaving home will make your trip to the Bahamas more relaxing.
Find the Best International Travel Insurance
- Compare top-rated travel insurance providers
- Get quotes for Travel Medical, Trip Cancellation, and more
- Choose the best plan for your trip and budget
Annie Oeth is an experienced media and communications professional with a BA in journalism and an MS in Management. She holds life and health licensing, specializes in healthcare communications and public relations, and is pursuing APR accreditation.
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