The Commonwealth of the Bahamas

The Bahamas is a 100,000 square mile archipelago that extends over 500 miles of the clearest water in the world. Our 700 islands, which include uninhabited cays and large rocks. Upwards of 300,000 people live on the islands. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an English speaking nation

The Islands of the Bahamas give the islands a warm, agreeable climate which hardly varies all year round. The most refreshing time is between September and May. Casual summer wear can be worn during the day at any time of the year, but be sure to bring a jacket or sweater for the cooler evenings between December and February.

A few people, especially in the southern and eastern islands, practice Obeah, a spiritistic religion similar to Voodoo. Voodoo is also practiced by the large number of immigrants from Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, and Dominican Republic. While well known throughout the Bahamas, Obeah and Voodoo are shunned by many Bahamians

Cape Santa Maria is a unquestionably one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with pure-white, powdery sand, stretching about three miles. It is at the island's northern tip, about 15 minutes from Stella Maris, and was named by Christopher Columbus for one of his ships. The beach is in a protected bay that faces northwest. It is mostly calm and, even with strong inland winds, it is still swim able and enjoyable.

Bahamas shopping markets do include both high end labels and homemade goods at the local Bahamas straw markets. Port Lucaya Market place is the happening place to be on Grand Bahama Island and it is on the must visit list of most visitors to the island. This 12 acre picturesque waterfront complex, established in 1988, comprises gaily coloured, island style clapboard structures and paved brick path ways. It is home to 66 retail shops and 13 restaurants, 94 straw vendors, 15 hair braiders and 23 artisans, plus a number of water sports companies, where you can charter a fishing or dive boat and arrange for a reef tour.

Gambling is legal in the Bahamas, that is gambling is legal for everybody, but Bahamians. Bahamians caught gambling are subject to fines of up to $500.

In the tourist towns such as Nassau and Freeport, nightlife in the Bahamas is a vibrant and lively scene. Night life in the Bahamas on the Out Islands is either quiet or some times barely visible, although there are some great pubs and activities just about every where.