Everything You Need to Know About Covid Restrictions in tHe Bahamas
COVID GUIDELINES
disclaimer: in no way are we promoting or encouraging unsafe travel, we completely understand the severity of COVID, however we are both now vaccinated & chose to travel to this island specifically because we wanted to be secluded & away from large crowds. if you choose to travel please continue to follow covid guidelines as masks are still mandated, social distancing is encouraged, & negative test results are required. keep in mind, the people you could ultimately be hurting the most are the local people who most likely have a more difficult time accessing healthcare or do not have the means to do so.
GETTING INTO THE BAHAMAS
You will need a Negative PCR test & to apply for the Bahamas Travel Health Visa
Find it here: (https://www.bahamas.com/tourism-reopening)
You can take your COVID test within 5 days of travel for it to be valid & you will upload this onto your Travel Visa application - it is general information about you and your trip like your lodging address, what settlement you are in, how many days, etc.
Apply for the visa once you have your test, it takes up to 48 for you to get approved - (ours got approved within a day so don’t stress too much)
You will need to apply for a travel visa for every island you travel to in the Bahamas
An international visa from your US city into Nassau ($60)
A domestic visa from Nassau to Long Island ($25) if you are following this itinerary - if not, then you would put the name of the out island you are visiting.
Screenshot the QR code & keep on hand to show at the airport as well as a screenshot of your negative COVID test - they will ask to see both!
FIRST 5 DAYS IN BAHAMAS:
Masks & social distancing as usual!
The Bahamas also requires you get tested on your 5th day on the island if you are staying longer than that!
We got tested at the Simm’s Community Clinic in Long Island - call (242-338-8488) to make an appointment, they were only doing COVID tests until 3 PM
you will show your travel visa QR code & once your results come in, they will automatically be uploaded onto your travel visa & you should receive your results via email within the next 24 hours - make sure to screenshot your results to show at the airport!!
some other testing centers:
Nurse Peggy Sands
(242) 472-8156
The 5th day test should be free but a departure PCR test was $40 per person
HEADING BACK HOME
USA regulations
The US requires a negative viral COVID test for re-entry
Must be taken within 3 days of travel
Depending on your airline they will either ask you to upload the results to their portal or you will have to show an agent at the airport
BAHAMAS REGULATIONS FOR DEPARTURE
You will need a Travel Health Visa to leave from any of the out islands back to Nassau (free) & proof of a negative test result (same as your USA re-entry one)
you most likely won’t be able to check-in online bc at the airport you will have to show an airport agent your negative test-result, your travel visa, & your flight info in order to be able to check-in your bags and get your boarding pass
IS IT WORTH IT?
yes. It might seem like many hoops to jump through but is it for safety and honestly I would get tested everyday if it meant i could be in Long Island’s pristine beaches! Just make sure to be aware of all the requirements, create a checklist before your trip, and ensure you have all the documentation required. IF you want more information on travel requirements - check Bahamas.com and they have a full breakdown of the updated travel requirements as well as resources specific to each island.
be safe!
