The Bahamas has seen a rise in crime lately, though authorities emphasize that this primarily impacts the area people.
The US Division of State’s journey advisory stays at Degree 2 (Train Heightened Warning), however an replace underlined the significance of additional vigilance, particularly when visiting The islands of New Windfall and Grand Bahama.
LATEST NEWS from BAHAMAS:
October 31 – The Bahamas declare “Everything clear” After Hurricane Melissa, vacationer actions resume
The Bahamas Ministry of Meteorology has canceled all hurricane warnings after Hurricane Melissa and declared an “All Clear” for all islands. Most airports reopened on Thursday after security inspections, with solely minor harm reported.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism I. Chester Cooper praised the nation’s resilience and fast restoration, noting that each residents and guests have been in a position to return safely. Home and worldwide flights resumed Nassau, Vrijpoortand the Household islandsand the Ministry of Tourism confirmed that resorts and marinas skilled minimal impression.
Officers prolonged assist to close by Caribbean nations hit more durable by the storm, whereas the Bahamas as soon as once more welcomed the return of clear skies – and vacationers.
February 22 – The US journey advisory for the Bahamas doesn’t seem to fret native journey brokers
At Worcester’s Caribbean Journey Tour, Zuly Echandia doesn’t think The State Division’s warning to be extra cautious due to crime is kind of in keeping with what she has heard.
She claims her purchasers inform her they get pleasure from visiting the Bahamas and really feel it’s a secure vacation spot.
She continues, mentioning that the journey advisory is especially about gang-on-gang violence within the Nassau area.
The Bahamas is at Degree 2, inserting it alongside nations comparable to Brazil, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Official journey recommendation
US journey advisory for the Bahamas
The US Division of State has a “Be extra carefulwarning for the Bahamas, citing quite a few violent crimes comparable to armed robberies, assaults and shark assaults.
Given the average crime price, vacationers are urged to make use of further warning when visiting Grand Bahama (Freeport) and Nassau’s Over the Hill neighborhood.
Journey recommendation for Canada
The Canadian authorities warns its residents about this exercises a great deal of caution whereas touring within the Bahamas as a result of excessive crime charges, particularly in Freeport and Nassau.
Authorities additionally say the most typical crimes in opposition to guests in Freeport and Nassau embrace armed theft, housebreaking, purse snatching, theft, fraud and sexual assault. Robberies can happen in cruise ports and in and round well-known vacation resorts.
Areas to keep away from within the Bahamas
Most crimes happen on the islands Grand Bahama (Freeport) and New Windfall (Nassau). Particular vigilance is required in Nassau “Over the Hill” neighborhood (south of Shirley Road) as a consequence of incidents of gang-related violence, which primarily have an effect on native residents.
Vacationers are suggested to go to areas comparable to Bain and Grants City, Centerville and Englerston in New Windfall, as they’re identified for his or her larger crime charges.
Widespread scams within the Bahamas
In comparison with different Caribbean nations, the Bahamas experiences comparatively fewer scams. However, you will need to stay vigilant in opposition to the next fraudulent actions:
Taxi overload: Some taxi drivers could take longer routes or cost larger charges than obligatory. To keep away from this, think about reserving taxis upfront or utilizing ride-sharing providers like Uber.
Drink costs: Sure institutions could cost further for drinks. All the time test the worth lists or inquire about costs earlier than inserting your order.
Hair braiding scams: Guests might be tricked into paying exorbitant costs for hair braiding providers. Regardless of having agreed on a worth upfront, guests could encounter surprising price will increase, for instance as a result of time they want or hair size. To keep away from this, be sure to set the worth earlier than beginning the service.
Fraudulent excursions and faux guides: Watch out for fraudulent tour provides the place locals promise distinctive excursions however find yourself charging excessive information charges. All the time test the credibility of tour operators and guides earlier than reserving.
Security Suggestions for the Bahamas
Security requirements within the Bahamas will not be too excessive at evening. Regardless of the commonly pleasant and hospitable nature of the native inhabitants, issues of safety can come up, particularly in distant or city areas. To make sure your security, please adhere to the next pointers:
- Keep alert to your environment, even in usually secure areas.
- Watch out when approached by unknown individuals.
- Keep away from visiting abandoned seashores or strolling alone, particularly after dusk.
- Chorus from utilizing medicine and consuming extreme quantities of alcohol.
- Keep away from strolling exterior the principle vacationer areas and seashores, particularly if you’re alone.
- Select to remain in downtown Nassau, the place police patrols are carried out commonly.
- Keep away from unlit areas and think about touring in teams after sundown.
- Watch out when utilizing native bus providers at evening, particularly exterior the principle vacationer areas.
- Within the occasion of an assault, you need to not resist and adjust to any calls for, as attackers could also be armed.