living/working in the Bahamas
Jun 24th, 2024, 11:25 AM
#1
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living/working in the Bahamas
I am going to be traveling to the Bahamas for work from the United States. We will be there on short term work permits staying for 28 days. My employer is providing transportation to the Bahamas and is providing us with a place to stay. I am looking for advice, suggestions, ideas of cost, etc. for what to bring as far as personal care items, where and what there is to eat? I believe we will have access to a kitchen they said so that we can prepare our own meals so I am curious as to the prices and available food, are there grocery stores? Microwaves? Is the water safe to drink?
Will I need international calling plan on my cell phone to talk to family in the states?
Simple entertainment like television?
Any information would be helpful. I have been asking questions of my employer but they either don't know the answers themselves or are very vague on the answers.
Or if someone could just point me in the direction of a good travel guide website or book that I can find this information that would also be great.
Will I need international calling plan on my cell phone to talk to family in the states?
Simple entertainment like television?
Any information would be helpful. I have been asking questions of my employer but they either don't know the answers themselves or are very vague on the answers.
Or if someone could just point me in the direction of a good travel guide website or book that I can find this information that would also be great.
Jun 24th, 2024, 12:54 PM
#2
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It’s difficult to give you specific answers to your question without knowing where in the Bahamas you’ll be living. The Bahamas are made up of 700 islands and cays of which 30 are actual population centers. Many of the smaller islands are private resorts, privately owned by individuals, very sparsely populated or uninhabited.
Assuming you will be staying in one of the more populated islands (and not one of the more remote isolated cays) you’ll find typical restaurants -everything from upscale dining to fast food- beach bars, grocery stores, appliance stores, sundry stores and, of course, there will be television for you entertainment. The major islands in the chain are tourist meccas that offer pretty much all the modern conveniences you have back in the US.
You’ll find product selection in the stores may not be as extensive as back in the US but you should be able to find just about everything you’ll need (meats, produce, cereals, coffee, tea, eggs, dairy, snacks, etc.) during your stay. Microwave ovens are generally available throughout the Islands but whether or not the accommodations provided by your employer has one is something they’ll have to tell you. You could probably purchase one if it’s not provided for you.
Prices on food items, clothing, and other incidentals will be somewhat higher than you find “back home” (wherever that actually is). For planning purposes, depending on the island you are on and what you are buying you can expect prices to be anywhere from 15% to 40% higher than back in the US.
If you plan on using your US based cell phone service in the Roaming mode to call back to the US you should definitely sign up for their international calling plan. If you’ll be making a lot of local calls consider purchasing a SIM card for the local Bahamian telephone company.
Since you are only going to be there for 28 days you should bring an adequate supply of any prescription drugs with you. You’ll be able to purchase normal personal hygiene needs, OTC drugs and most other personal items while you are there.
Lastly, can’t really comment on the quality of the water without knowing where in the Bahamas you’ll be staying.
Assuming you will be staying in one of the more populated islands (and not one of the more remote isolated cays) you’ll find typical restaurants -everything from upscale dining to fast food- beach bars, grocery stores, appliance stores, sundry stores and, of course, there will be television for you entertainment. The major islands in the chain are tourist meccas that offer pretty much all the modern conveniences you have back in the US.
You’ll find product selection in the stores may not be as extensive as back in the US but you should be able to find just about everything you’ll need (meats, produce, cereals, coffee, tea, eggs, dairy, snacks, etc.) during your stay. Microwave ovens are generally available throughout the Islands but whether or not the accommodations provided by your employer has one is something they’ll have to tell you. You could probably purchase one if it’s not provided for you.
Prices on food items, clothing, and other incidentals will be somewhat higher than you find “back home” (wherever that actually is). For planning purposes, depending on the island you are on and what you are buying you can expect prices to be anywhere from 15% to 40% higher than back in the US.
If you plan on using your US based cell phone service in the Roaming mode to call back to the US you should definitely sign up for their international calling plan. If you’ll be making a lot of local calls consider purchasing a SIM card for the local Bahamian telephone company.
Since you are only going to be there for 28 days you should bring an adequate supply of any prescription drugs with you. You’ll be able to purchase normal personal hygiene needs, OTC drugs and most other personal items while you are there.
Lastly, can’t really comment on the quality of the water without knowing where in the Bahamas you’ll be staying.
Jun 25th, 2024, 03:35 AM
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No worries, New Providence is the most densely populated island in the Bahamas and home to the nation’s capital, Nassau. Staying there will be just like going to a major coastal resort area in the US like the towns and small cities of Florida. You’ll find supermarkets, smaller grocery stores, all types of restaurants, and shops. Water will be fine to drink.
