Many changes have occurred in the past year; more travel restrictions, new advisories, unexpected costs, and doctor visits have been added to your itineraries as you plan on traveling to different places around the world. The good news is, The Bahamas is open, like open, open, and it’s the perfect place for you to plan your next vacation!
To eliminate the headache of searching through multiple sites and blogs, I have curated a one-stop-shop for you to find everything you’d need to know before, during, and after your trip to The Bahamas!
Visiting The Bahamas: Bahamas Travel Requirements & Bahamas Travel Visa, Etc.
The first thing you should know is that it is required that you have a vaccination card showing full proof of both vaccinations or a Negative PCR Covid test (a Rapid Antigen Test WILL NOT be accepted) taken 5 days before arrival. Meaning that if your flight is set to arrive in The Bahamas on a Saturday, you would need to get tested on the prior Tuesday, and I highly suggest going to a 24-hour result lab, as you also have to apply for a Bahamas Travel Visa as well once you receive your results.
Upon receiving your negative PCR test, you’ll go to travel.gov.bs and upload all necessary documents, including your negative PCR test or vaccination card. You will need to get approval for the health visa which usually takes a few minutes but sometimes takes 24 hours, so plan accordingly, as you will need the approved Bahamas Travel Visa before getting on your flight.
Once approved, you will be prompted to pay $40 for your health visa, which will also cover your Rapid Antigen test (if your trip is longer than 5 days, but more on that later). Upon paying the $40, you will have your approved health visa, which you should screenshot and keep handy.
Once you arrive at your airport for departure to the Bahamas, you will be required to show both your approved health visa along with your negative PCR test or vaccination card, so have those handy with you at all times.
When you land in The Bahamas, you will again show your Bahamas Travel Visa & your negative PCR test or vaccination card where you will then be admitted into the country. But you’re not in the clear yet! You will receive a daily survey (for up to 14 days) asking you 6 questions, it will come to your email, and it takes 2 seconds to fill out. I highly recommend you pay attention to this and make sure you do it, as it could result in a fine if you don’t 🙂 Additionally, if you plan on staying in the Bahamas for more than 5 days, it is required that you get a Rapid Antigen test on the 5th day after arrival, unless you are vaccinated. It’s a very quick drive-through test, you will get an email letting you know it’s time for you to test, and the email will provide you with a list of places. You will once again need your health visa for this test, so don’t delete it! This test is free, as your $40 you paid for your Bahamas Travel Visa initially will cover the cost.
Once you have completed your 5-day rapid antigen test and continue to take your survey, you are in the clear! Until, of course, you have to return to the states. You will be required to take another test admitting you back into the U.S or wherever you’re headed regardless of being vaccinated or not. Please look up the country of your entries travel site for all those details.
This sounds like a headache, I know, and additional costs for sure; however, I highly recommend going through the process and staying for at least 10 days to make your travels worth it!
Arriving in the Bahamas, Travel Restrictions, Mask Rules & More
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It’s required to wear a mask when walking into public areas.
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You are not required to wear a mask on the beach.
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You are not required to wear a mask in the restaurants but must wear one walking in.
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You are required to wear a mask on any public transportation
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If you would like to dine at a hotel or stay at a hotel, they require a rapid antigen test to enter. If you are staying on property, they provide it for you. If you are visiting, you will need to provide your own.
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Indoor dining is available in the hotels only and at some restaurants (vaccination required to dine inside)
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The hotels are open and fully operational
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Boat tours & excursions are fully operational
I’ve included lots of great Bahamas travel tips and activities to do to keep yourself safely distanced and away from crowds as much as possible in a previous blog post; you can find it here.
And as always, we are your one-stop-shop for booking excursions and itinerary planning. If you’d like to start booking your vacation, reach out to Float Your Boat Bahamas for some planning tips and excursion bookings!
See you soon!
