Bahamas Question

[blondietink]

going to Harborside in September ... only one more month! We have only been to the Bahamas via cruise line before.

Regard in currency. I understand that they use the American dollar for purchases? Is this true for charges through the resort also? What about tours and such, still American dollars?

I am only asking so that if they do charge in Bahamian dollars or other currency, I will be sure to take a credit card that has no foreign exchange fees.

Lastly, any news on Zika in the Bahamas? Nobody in this family will be having any more children, but still want to avoid the headache, body ache that people report from just getting the virus. Should we take mosquito repellant just in case? Have never seen a mosquito in all our travels around the Caribbean yet.

 

[SandyPGravel]

going to Harborside in September ... only one more month! We have only been to the Bahamas via cruise line before.

Regard in currency. I understand that they use the American dollar for purchases? Is this true for charges through the resort also? What about tours and such, still American dollars?

I am only asking so that if they do charge in Bahamian dollars or other currency, I will be sure to take a credit card that has no foreign exchange fees.

Lastly, any news on Zika in the Bahamas? Nobody in this family will be having any more children, but still want to avoid the headache, body ache that people report from just getting the virus. Should we take mosquito repellant just in case? Have never seen a mosquito in all our travels around the Caribbean yet.

American dollars for charges. Only Bahamian money I have ever received was change for less than a dollar.

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/active-countries.html

I don't think I have ever taken mosquito spray along. I don't remember getting any bites in the Bahamas and mosquitos love me.

 

[LisaRex]

I've taken mosquito spray, but only the pump or wipes, not the aerosol.

 

[Helios]

American dollars for charges. Only Bahamian money I have ever received was change for less than a dollar

My experience as well. I have talked to locals and they actually prefer US dollars. YMMV.

 

[NJDave]

going to Harborside in September ... only one more month! We have only been to the Bahamas via cruise line before.

Regard in currency. I understand that they use the American dollar for purchases? Is this true for charges through the resort also? What about tours and such, still American dollars?

I am only asking so that if they do charge in Bahamian dollars or other currency, I will be sure to take a credit card that has no foreign exchange fees.

Foreign transaction fees relate to charges outside the US. The currency billed doesn't matter.

I would use a card with no foreign transaction fees.

 

[dioxide45]

Foreign transaction fees relate to charges outside the US. The currency billed doesn't matter.

I would use a card with no foreign transaction fees.

If Bahamas is similar to Aruba, they bill in US dollars and it is charged to the card in US$ and the amount charged matches the amount on the statement. So it goes through as true US$. Unlike many places in Europe where they charge it in US$, then it converts to local currency and then goes through foreign transaction by the credit card company back to US$. I have found using any credit card in Europe and other Caribbean countries rather easy and all charges tend to be in US$. They never go through any foreign transaction process.