TRAVELING INFORMATION ENTRY REQUIREMENTS WHAT TO BRING NECESSARY DOC'S DEPARTURE REQ. HOLIDAYS F.A.Q. DISTANCE  TABLE    -      PRICING FROM NASSAU    -    PRICING FROM S. FLA Planning a trip to a foreign country requires significant preparation. Our aim is to make your travel experience as enjoyable as possible. The key to a "good time" is to start your vacation on the right foot. Air Charter Bahamas has flown to virtually all of the islands in the Caribbean. Our understanding of the islands and associated travel requirements proves invaluable when you give us the opportunity to provide your private air charter service. We enjoy providing first class air charter service to the Bahamas on each and every flight. Give us a call @ (toll free) 1.866.FLY.ISLANDS (359.4752) to request a private air charter quote. ALL chartered flights are based on booking the entire aircraft.

 

PRICING SCHEDULE FROM NASSAU INTL.	PRICING SCHEDULE FROM SOUTH FLORIDA
PIPER AZTEC - UPTO 5 PASSENGERS

 

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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Depending your citizenship, the entry requirements vary depending upon origin of birth, duration of stay and

what you are bringing into the country.

If you are a citizen of the U.S. or Canadian, the requirements are; 1) show proof of citizenship with either a

passport (current or expired within five years) or two forms of identification, one of which has to have a photo.

For example, you may bring your birth certificate and a driver¹s licence. To find out if you need a visa or a

passport to travel to The Islands Of The Bahamas, call us at 800-330-8272.

Upon entry to the Bahamas, you will be asked to fill out an ImmigrationArrival/Departure Card, the card is will be

returned upon your departure from the Bahamas.

All visitors are required to be in possession of a return ticket.

Naturalized citizens require naturalization papers (photo identification is not required).

Alien residents in possession of a U.S. Alien Registration Card may enter the Bahamas without a visa for visits

not exceeding thirty days.

Presentation of a current national passport, or one that has been expired for five years or less, facilitates

processing.

Permanent residents (green card holders) require their green card and a valid passport from their place of birth.

Canadian visitors staying less than three weeks need the same identification as those from the U.S. and do not

require a visa.

British subjects from the United Kingdom and colonies may enter the Bahamas as visitors without passports or

visas for periods not exceeding three weeks. For longer stays they must present a passport.

When you enter the Bahamas, you will be asked for a verbal baggage declaration. However, your luggage is also

subject to customs inspections. If you are carrying dutiable items, you will need to fill out a Baggage

Declaration Form. Custom Duty: Baggage declaration by temporary visitors is oral, but baggage is subject to

Customs inspection.

If you have "duty" items, you'll be required to complete a Baggage Declaration Form. Each adult is allowed 50

cigars or cigarettes or one pound of tobacco and one quart of spirits free of Customs Duty, in addition to

personal effects.

In addition, purchases up to a value of one hundred dollars ($100.00) are permitted by all arriving passengers.

Household effects, such as small appliances (such as blender etc.) are dutiable at 45% of the cost. Linen and

china are duty free for each arriving visit. Computers such as laptops are considered a part of your personal

effects and therefore are duty-free.

Here's another excellent source for flying to the Bahamas

http://www.floridapilot.com/bahamas_intro.htm

WHAT TO BRING

PACK LIGHT... We'll appreciate it as you board your private chartered flight. The aircraft ALL have weight

limitations. If you arrive at the Tarmac and the luggage/belongings weigh more than what the aircraft can

carry, you'll be asked to leave them behind.

Some of the items that are a MUST: Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, camera, film, sunglasses and a hat.

Your private scuba/snorkeling equipment can also fit on the aircraft. We do not suggest you bring your tanks.

They will need to be emptied of compressed air before loading.

Make sure you have enough room in your suitcase to bring back special souvenirs. You'll be responsible for

departure taxes. You can expect to pay $15.00. Although, if you decide to leave early am, late pm, or during

the weekend, you'll be hit with significan "overtime fees". Basically, plan your trip from 9-5, M-F.

U.S. currency is always honored. The exchange is 1 to 1.

The Bahamas are a tropical paradise, in more ways than one. The Summer months are VERY HOT. Fortunately

the tradewinds keep temperature hospitable. During the Winter months (December - February) make sure to

pack a jacket. Cold Fronts DO make it down to the Bahamas. The evening temperatures can dip into the

low 50's.

Most hotels, restaurants and casinos have a dress code. Jackets are required for men. Also, strangely enough,

beach attire is not permitted while walking the streets of downtown Nassau, or the other major cities of the

Bahamas. If you have a chance to visit the Out Islands, the codes are not as restricting.

DOCS

There are certain forms that MUST be filled out when traveling to the Bahamas.

Basically, if you are a U.S. citizen, you MUST provide either a passport or Official Birth Certificate (or a notarized

authentication) and a Government issued photo I.D.. If you are a foreigner, a passport / VISA and photo I.D. is

required BEFORE BOARDING THE AIRCRAFT ON YOUR DEPARTURE TO THE U.S.. There are SUBSTANTIAL

fines levied to us (the charter company) and you, the passenger for not following the prescribed rules.           

DEPARTURE

Departing from the Bahamas and Caribbean Islands is usually a non-event. Rember the card you received upon

entering? This card must now be completed and forwarded to the customs official handling the outbound

passengers.

U.S. citizens usually are diverted to the pre-clearance area. Be prepared to pay the $15.00 departure tax. We

recommend you check your wallet for any remaining Bahamian Currency to be used for the tax. Be expected to

pay $18.00 when you depart Freeport and Grand Bahama. If you have children traveling with you, those below

the age of six are exempt.

The U.S. allows a duty-free dollar amount of $600.00 from the Bahamas. In detail, travelers can bring in

recently purchased goods valued up to $600 (if they have been out of the United States for more than

48 hours and have not taken the exemption in 30 days). Included in the exemption is one U.S. quart

(32 U.S. oz.) of liquor per person over 21. Families are permitted to pool their exemptions.

To facilitate your transfer from the Bahamas to the U.S., carry a list of items acquired and all the

associated receipts. This will facilitate the paper work (Declaration form)

HOLIDAYS

The Islands Of The Bahamas have 10 national holidays. These are the dates for 2001:

New Year's Day (January 1)

Good Friday (Friday before Easter)

Easter Monday (March/April)

Labor Day (1st Friday in June)

Whit Monday (7th Monday after Easter)

Independence Day (July 10)

Emancipation Day (1st Monday in August)

Discovery Day (October 12)

Christmas Day (December 25)

Boxing Day (December 26)

FAQ

ATM Machines

Most of the larger islands have ATMs located in airport terminals, branch banks, most casinos and other

convenient locations. Most machines dispense local currency.

Banking Hours Banking hours are 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on

Fridays. Most automatic teller machines (ATMs) are open 24 hours.

Queries relating to banking regulations may be addressed to the Bank Supervision Department, Central Bank

of The Bahamas, P.O. Box N-4868, Nassau, Bahamas, or call 242-322-2193.



Cellular Services

The Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation (BaTelCo) has automatic roaming agreements with cellular

carriers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. BaTelCo's roaming partners include Aliant Cellular,

Ameritech Cellular, BCTEL Mobility, Bell Mobility, Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile, BellSouth Mobility,

Blue Ridge Cellular, Cantel, Cellular Holding, Cellular One Bay Area Cellular, Cellular One of Illinois,

Cellular One of Southwest Florida, Comcast Cellular, Crowley Cellular, Dansbury Cellular, Pioneer/Enid Cellular,

MT&T Mobile, NBTel Mobility, Radiofone, 360° Communications, Telcel, TELUS Mobility U.S. Cellular

and Western Wireless. If your home carrier has a roaming agreement with BaTelCo and your cellular

number will be active. Simply ensure that your phone is switched to system B and dial away!

To place a call, dial 7 digits for local calls and 10 digits for calls to the United States and Canada.

To receive a call, the caller must dial BaTelCo's access code (242-359- 7626), wait for the second

dial tone and dial the roamer's cellular number including the area code. There are no activation fees

for Roaming in The Bahamas and you will be billed via your home carrier at a rate of $3.00 per day

and $0.99 per minute (plus toll charges for long distance calls). Note: Roaming agreements are

subject to change without notice. Additionally, a carrier may have a Roaming agreement with BaTelCo

but opt to disallow Roaming in The Bahamas for some of their markets.


Climate

The trade winds that blow almost continually throughout the Bahamas, providing a tropical atmosphere year

round. The tropical temperatures do not vary much. The months of December - February may have

temperatures reaching in the 50's.

Rainfall is scarce during the winter months. Although, thunder showers can pop up at ANY time.

Clothing

Casual summer wear can be worn during the day any time of the year, but be sure to bring a jacket or

sweater for cooler evenings from December to February.

Most hotels, restaurants and casinos require jackets for men in the evening, especially in cosmopolitan Nassau

and Grand Bahama Island. Though walking the streets in swim trunks in mid-January might sound irresistible,

beach clothing is inappropriate on the streets of downtown Nassau, in churches, restaurants and casinos.

On the more laid-back Out Islands, dress codes are more flexible.


Economy and Finance:

The cost of living in the Bahamas is similar to other tourist destinations throughout the Western Hemisphere.

The cost of merchandise is based on several factors. Some tems, for example, liquor, perfume, watches and

photography equipment can be more reasonably priced than in the Unites States due to the lack of federal

"tariffs" found on the U.S. products. Produce and food items are significantly more expensive, as the lack of

supply increases the price.

The U.S. dollar is ALWAYS WELCOMED in the Bahamas. When departing, make sure to make your final purchases

with your Bahamian Currency.

Driving

British rules apply, so please drive on the left and watch those roundabouts! Persons entering a roundabout

(traffic circle) must give way to traffic coming from the right already on the roundabout. Visitors may use

their home license for up to three months and may also apply for an international driver's license.

Pedestrians should remember to look right before crossing streets.


Electricity

Electricity is normally 120 volts AC. American appliances are fully compatible.


Emergency Numbers

The visitor emergency number for travellers in distress is 242-326-HELP.


Language

The official language of The Islands Of The Bahamas is English, more British than American, and generally

intertwined with a special Bahamian dialect. Some Indian words like "cassava" and "guava" have been

retained in the language.


Mail

If you are sending letters or postcards from The Islands Of The Bahamas, be sure to use only Bahamian stamps.

Mail travelling to The Out Islands will arrive a bit more slowly than to Nassau and Grand Bahama Island since it

goes by mailboat.


Sports

The Bahamas have a variety of water sports. The top sellers are; scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, BIG GAME

FISHING, sailing and boating. Land sport activities include tennis, golf, cricket, soccer, bowling, squash,

track and field events, basketball, American football, baseball, volleyball, roller-skating and field hockey.

Time

Eastern Standard Time is used on all islands. April to October is Eastern Daylight Time, in conjunction with U.S.

summer hours.


Tipping

Tip according to quality of service. Bellboys and porters usually receive $1 per bag, while most other servers

(waiters, taxis, etc.) receive 15%. Many establishments include the gratuity in their bills.


Transportation

Buses, rental cars, motor bikes, bicycles, tour cars and limousines. Taxis are accessible from all areas at

all times. Jitney buses run from downtown and Cable Beach in Nassau/Paradise Island and from several

depots at Freeport/Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island at ten minute intervals for 75 cents per ride.

DISTANCE TABLE