10 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Bahamas in 2022

Bahamas

By CoolestCarib.com.

A dock in Nassau, the Bahamas.

Although 2022 has just started, many people are already planning their holidays and upcoming trips for the year. And there are so many choices out there, so many potential travel destinations! However, some of them are only good at a certain time of the year. The Bahamas, on the other hand, are a great travel destination all year round. If you’re not convinced yet, we compiled a list of 10 reasons why you should visit the Bahamas in 2022. So, without further ado, let’s get into them!

1. It’s Close & Convenient

If you’re from the US, you’d be surprised how close the Bahamas actually are! Nassau Paradise Island of the Bahamas is located just 180 miles from south Florida. That means you’re only a short plane ride away from paradise. And the tickets are usually available from almost any bigger airport in the country. Moreover, once you get to the Bahamas, you’ll have no trouble exchanging money for the local currency because they accept the US dollar everywhere. However, the only thing you’ll have to read more about is if you plan to import your own vehicle onto the islands.

2. It’s Family Friendly

The Bahamas is a wonderful spot for families to visit and vacation. It is a safe and pleasant environment for families, with many attractions to see and so much to do. If you’re planning to travel with kids, you won’t have to worry about thinking of activities to entertain them – there will be plenty of that around!

3. It’s A Great Spot For Rest & Relaxation

Whether you’re traveling alone or with your family, one thing is sure: the Bahamas are an ideal destination if you want to relax and unwind. You can spend your days sunbathing or enjoying the beach and the sounds of waves with a good book and a cocktail in hand. On the other hand, you can also book a massage appointment in one of many world-class spas in the Bahamas.

A man swimming in beautiful blue water.
The Bahamas are a great vacation destination, no matter if you’re looking for rest and relaxation or adventure

On the other hand, if you’re looking for fun and excitement, the Bahamas can offer that too! If you’re not the type of person to spend their holidays laying around, there’s so much you can do if you visit the Bahamas in 2022. You can scuba dive, participate in popular water sports, or even national sports like cricket. Moreover, you can also play some basketball, softball, baseball, and American football with the locals since they’re also popular sports in the area.

4. Chance For Adventure

On the other hand, if you’re looking for fun and excitement, the Bahamas can offer that too! If you’re not the type of person to spend their holidays laying around, there’s so much you can do if you visit the Bahamas in 2022. You can scuba dive, participate in popular water sports, or even national sports like cricket. Moreover, you can also play some basketball, softball, baseball, and American football with the locals since they’re also popular sports in the area.

5. Amazing Nightlife

Some parties in the Bahamas go on from sunset to sunrise. And there are so many options to choose from when it comes to the nightlife there! You can spend one night in an elegant cocktail place and then dance until your feet hurt at a popular nightclub just down the road. Alternatively, you can grab a pint with your friends at a local craft brewery. Whatever your style and wherever you go, you’re guaranteed to have the fun of your life and meet some interesting people.

6. There’s So Much To See And Explore

Another reason why you should visit the Bahamas in 2022 is to explore the islands. There are more than 2000 beaches in the Bahamas and 700 islands waiting for you to explore them by boat. One of the most exciting and interesting destinations in the Bahamas is Pig Beach. This is no joke. There’s seriously a beach in the Bahamas where you can swim with the pigs – how fun! That will make for some exciting memories and pictures to show back home.

Food plate with seafood and cucumber.
Bahamian cuisine is a mix of South American and Caribbean cuisine, and you should definitely try it!

7. The Bahamian Cuisine

If you’re a foodie, it’s understandable if you want to visit the Bahamas just to try their local cuisine. It’s a rich blend of South American and Caribbean influences. That means you get a lot of rice and cornbread mixed in with beautifully prepared seafood. Moreover, in all of the Bahamas’ inhabited islands, there is an excellent selection of luxury restaurants, diners, and cafes.

8. Luxury Hotels

If you want to enjoy some luxury, the Bahamas are the destination for you! There are numerous luxurious hotels to choose from. Staying here can truly feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Some of the most prominent hotels here are The Beach at Atlantis Paradise Island, Breezes Resort, and Grand Hyatt. The Bahamas’ hotel personnel are kind and generous, and they’ll take care of your every need. Moreover, the hotels are so safe you’ll never have to worry about your belongings while you’re out of your room. On the other hand, before you leave, you should ensure the safety of valuables you leave behind by placing them in a storage unit while you’re on vacation. It’s one of the best options out there when it comes to keeping your valuables and other belongings safe while you’re out of town.

Aerial shot of the Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas.
The Bahamas are home to numerous luxury hotels.

9. The People

When it comes to many popular travel destinations, locals can sometimes be quite rude to tourists. This isn’t the case for the Bahamas. At every turn, there’s a kind member of staff who wants to know how you’re doing and if you’re having any problems. Each of your demands is fulfilled with zeal and consideration. The Bahamians are friendly and kind people, and getting to know them will make your trip even more unique and unforgettable.

10. It’s The Bahamas

Have you seen the pictures?! What more reasons do you need? It’s the Bahamas! You’ve read the previous nine reasons, and if that’s not enough to convince you, nothing else will.

But, in all seriousness, our tenth reason why you should visit the Bahamas in 2022 is to experience it all: the beauty, the culture, the climate. If you do decide to go on vacation to the Bahamas, you will feel like your whole life has changed in a matter of days. There are no other words to explain it – you’ve just to experience it for yourself. So happy packing and bon voyage!

For more Caribbean info and visa requirements go to CoolestCarib.com

Photos credit:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/dock-with-cottages-877962/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/sea-water-ocean-summer-9708480/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/food-plate-dinner-lunch-4015334/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-shot-of-the-baha-mar-resort-in-bahamas-9400978/

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Importing Your Household Belongings and Vehicle Into the Bahamas

Importing Your Household Belongings and Vehicle Into the Bahamas

Importing Your Household Belongings and Vehicle Into the BahamasA Pristine Beach in the Bahamas.

Are you ready to make your move, to any of the over 700 islands, islets or cays in the Bahamas? If so, you’re no doubt excited about your upcoming change of scenery. You’ll enjoy picturesque beaches, amazing snorkeling in the clear waters and sunny skies. The speed of life is also much slower and you’ll be able to savor the fresh seafood that’s prominently featured in Bahamian cuisine (1).

However, before you can relax, unwind and take in all of the sights and sounds the Bahamas has to offer – you must do the unpleasant chore of planning and executing your move. International relocation can be a difficult task, and it’s easy to find yourself in over your head. This is why working with an international moving company that has a proven track record is so important.

Yet, even with their professional guidance, you’ll still be responsible for collecting all of the necessary paperwork and paying all of the fees. For this reason, you’ll need to be informed beforehand, about everything that the process entails.

What Duties Will You Pay?

Importing Your Household Belongings and Vehicle Into the Bahamas
Staniel Cay, The Bahamas

Import duties to bring your shipment of household belongings into any foreign country, can range from free of charge to extremely burdensome. Unfortunately, this point isn’t clear, when it comes to your personal belongings and Bahamian customs.

Sources Disagree
One highly respected source claims that your used personal goods can be imported fully exempt from any duties. This is, provided that you only have reasonable amounts of each item in your shipment, and they are for your own personal use (not for commercial enterprise or to resell) (2).

However, a different source states just the opposite – asserting that you’ll be hit with an import duty of 35% of the CIF value. This is higher than just the value of your belongings, as it includes the cost of freight (or shipping) and insurance into the mix. A separate 7% stamp tax will be added to this as well, at least according to this particular source (3).

What Bahamian Customs Says
When sources disagree in this manner, it’s best to consult the customs website directly. Currently, the Bahamian customs website does have this 35% import duty listed. In addition, according to their site, your shipment will be charged value-added tax (VAT) of 7.5% – though whether this is assessed on all items isn’t clear (but it is likely). You’ll also be charged a separate environmental levy fee, however this is quite small. For example, on a $400 television this fee would be just $5. For a $10,000 vehicle, the environmental levy fee would still be a reasonable $200 (4).

Fee Calculation Examples
Where the process of calculating your charges gets more murky, is the status under which they are imported. For the examples given on the Bahamian customs pages, under both accompanied and unaccompanied baggage declaration forms (C17 or C18), you may be entitled to exempt $300 of a $400 television’s value for fee calculation. That means rather than paying the 35% import duty and 7.5% VAT on the full $400 value – you’d only be paying these charges on a value of $100 instead.

In contrast, examples on their website for courier/parcel list baggage declaration filing (C18A), do not show any such exemption. Therefore, duty and VAT are calculated using the full $400 value of the television.

Why Filing Status Matters
What’s the upshot of these different figures? When able to exempt most of the TV’s value under C17 or C18 filing – you’ll pay just $50.50 USD for duty, the environmental levy and VAT combined. When not able to exempt any of the TV’s value under C18A filing – you’ll pay the much higher $194.13 USD for all of these charges combined (5).

As you can see, filing status makes a profound difference on the total amount that you’ll pay. While a television was used in their examples, the differences in fee rates for different filing statuses, apply to many different items in your shipment.

Different Duty Rates For Specific Items
In addition to the varying total cost (dependent upon how you file and whether you can exempt most of the value of an item) – some specific items have different duty rates assigned to them. These changes were made after the recent implementation of VAT, and they can make the process of determining your import fees extremely complicated indeed.

For example, batteries are charged different rates, depending upon the exact type. Deep cycle batteries carry a 35% duty rate, whereas lead acid or automotive batteries are charged a 65% duty. The full list of items is extremely detailed, with barbeque sauce being charged just 5% duty but aluminum foil incurring a 30% duty. See here for a complete list of items, along with the rate they are charged.

Some Items Are Duty-Free
While duty exemption for your entire shipment isn’t offered, certain items are duty-free. The list is diverse, with items as different as computer printers and condensed milk both being exempt from import duty. See here for the full list of items.

Speak With Customs
With all of these intricacies in the duty and VAT calculation process, it’s vital that you learn beforehand the best filing choice for your shipment – and on what value these charges will be assessed. With such widely different final costs being possible, the best route is to speak to Bahamian customs for yourself. This will allow you to clear up any confusion, and determine how import duty, the environmental levy fee and VAT will be calculated on your shipment.

You will also need to work closely with a professional international moving company, who should help guide you through the process without any errors or missteps.

What Documents Will You Need?

Importing Your Household Belongings and Vehicle Into the BahamasExuma, The Bahamas

While our discussion of fee calculation was quite involved, fortunately documentation requirements to import your shipment are refreshingly simple. When bringing in your personal goods, you’ll need to provide customs with your passport and entry visa. A packing list and a separate inventory list are also required. Also needed is a letter giving your shipping company or other third-party agent, permission to work with customs to clear your shipment (called a Letter of Authorization) (6).

You may also need receipts, your Original Bill of Landing or Air Waybill and possibly your driver’s license. A Home Consumption Entry Form (C13 Form) and a Declaration of Value (C43 Form) may also be required (7). Contact customs to determine the exact paperwork you’ll need to bring your items into the country.

Duties On Your Vehicle

Importing Your Household Belongings and Vehicle Into the Bahamas One of the Famous Swimming Pigs in Staniel Cay, The Bahamas

In most countries around the world, your vehicle will be handled differently when attempting to clear customs. The Bahamas is no exception, and the import duty rate is based on the vehicle’s value. For a vehicle worth $10,000 USD or under, you’ll pay a 45% import duty. For a vehicle between $10,000 and $20,000 USD – this rate goes up to 50%. Finally, if your vehicle is worth greater than $20,000 USD, then a 65% import duty will be assessed (8).

Bear in mind, that an additional 7% stamp tax on your vehicle is reported by reputable sources (9). However, with the implementation of VAT in the Bahamas, stamp tax may have been rescinded or reduced. Again, you’ll fare far better if you speak with both Bahamian customs and your shipping company – to learn the exact fees that will apply to your specific situation.

Documents For Your Vehicle

Importing Your Household Belongings and Vehicle Into the BahamasNassau, The Bahamas

The paperwork required to import your vehicle into the Bahamas, includes a Certificate of Title and Registration from your country of origin (copies are acceptable). You’ll also need the purchase receipt or invoice, if you bought the vehicle not long ago (10).

According to experienced international vehicle shipping company A1 Auto Transport, Inc – you’ll also need your passport, customs declaration form, Original Bill of Lading and proof of valid insurance. Once your vehicle is cleared for entry by customs, you’re also required to get it inspected, registered and licensed by the Bahamian Road Traffic Department (11). Registration charges are based upon the vehicle’s weight, and you’ll pay anywhere from $160 to $760 USD (which is virtually the same in Bahamian dollars at the current exchange rate) (12).

In order to process your vehicle, the Bahamian Road Traffic Department will need to see your Road Traffic Vehicle Information form – along with your driver’s license from your origin country. Be aware that while your current license will authorize you to drive in the Bahamas for the first three months after moving, you’ll then need to obtain a Bahamian driver’s license to legally operate your motor vehicle (13).

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Emergency aid pours into the Bahamas following Dorian’s destruction

Cruise ships, charities and international relief organizations are rushing to deliver aid to the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian battered the Caribbean country, leaving at least 76,000 people in need of urgent support, according to the United Nations.

The state of play: Dorian has destroyed at least 13,000 homes and led to extensive flooding in the Abaco Islands, believed to have contaminated wells with saltwater, and resulted in “an urgent need for clean water,” per the International Red Cross. The rush to provide aid to the country has begun with numerous organizations and individuals offering to donate goods and resources.

The cost of the damages: Preliminary estimates value damages in the billions of dollars for the Bahamas.

Who has helped:

  • The UN arranged for 8 tons of food to be sent to the Bahamas Sept. 5 as part of a $5.4 million overall funding package. A UN hub in Panama is also preparing an airlift to drop off storage units, generators and and more.
  • USAID is on the ground in the Bahamas after the Trump administration requested “airlift and logistics support” from the Defense Department, reports the Miami Herald. The agency has delivered food and water.

Read full article here.

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A Revolution to Save the Caribbean’s Coral Reefs

A Revolution to Save the Caribbean's Coral Reefs

The Nature Conservancy is launching a revolution to save our coral reefs throughout the Caribbean and beyond. Joining forces with the world’s best scientists, we are developing and deploying groundbreaking techniques to grow new corals and bring dying reefs back to life.

Learn more about how we’re fighting to save these unique and essential ecosystems before our oceans are irreversibly damaged. The Year of the Reef! Keep up with The Nature Conservancy’s latest efforts to protect nature and preserve life on Twitter (twitter) and Facebook (facebook) Text NATURE to 97779 to join The Nature Conservancy on text.

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Discover Pig Beach, BAHAMAS – Where Pigs Rule (and Swim)

You’re stuck in your office, surfing the web for just about any getaway to sunny shores and you come across this story about pigs living it up on their own island in the Bahamas. WTF!? – as in Modern Family’s Phil’s acronym – Why The Face? Well, stop making a face and start reading this. For if pigs can swim in the Bahamas, so can you!

Picture from Instagram.com/theswimmingpigs

You can even visit and swim with them, these porkers. There are about 20 pigs and piglets on Pig Island, also known as Major Cay, Big Major Cay or just Pig Beach. The island is uninhabited and located in an area that comprises more than 300 islands in the Bahamas, called Exuma. They are not the only animals there, there are some goats and stray cats to be seen too.

How did they get there and how do they survive, you ask? For one thing, in order for any living being to survive, they need water. Lucky for these porkies, there are three fresh water springs on the island. What about food then? Currently they are fed by locals and tourists – a big attraction in the Bahamas.

But how these hogs got to the island is somewhat of an urban legend. There are various theories and speculations, one being that the boars were brought to the island as part of a business venture to create a tourist attraction. Another, and the most “famous” one, is that sailors brought some sows to the island with the intention to eat them at a later stage. But they never returned. Then there is the story that the swine survived a shipwreck and swam to the island to save themselves and survived on food dumped from passing ships. A last theory is that the pigs escaped from a nearby islet – and decided to rule their own island, named after themselves.

If you want to stay near Big Major Cay where the hogs are cohabitants, according to Angie Away, “your best option is itty-bitty Staniel Cay, which offers a sizable marina, several small hotels (EMBRACE Resort is my favorite) and an airstrip. From there, you can rent a small boat or hire a local guide to whisk you over to Pig Beach. From Staniel Cay Yacht Club, it’s only about 10 minutes to the pigs.”

If you do decide to visit Pig Beach, be respectful, remember these are wild-ish animals you’ll encounter and that its their island, for goodness sake! Reminds me of Animal Farm – “where all animals are equal, some are just more equal than others…”

Pigs are very clever and cute but their bite can be very serious – when you try to take selfies they might think your camera is food, or even your face! (to quote an observation by Angie Away).

So, take care and be safe on Pig Beach – it will certainly be a very different getaway story to tell when you get back home.

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