With its year-round tropical climate, beautiful setting, and friendly atmosphere, the Bahamas is one of the most popular travel destinations for US citizens.
Purchasing travel insurance before a trip is a smart investment and will provide you with peace of mind so that you can have a relaxing time, whether you are on a family vacation, business trip, or annual group getaway.
When planning a trip to the Bahamas, it is important to consider what travel documents are required to get there and back and whether there is sufficient time to acquire the proper documents if you do not have them already. It is also important to consider proper medical preparations and travel medical insurance before departing.
It is possible to travel to the Bahamas from the United States without a passport, but it is not advisable. The reason is because although US citizens can enter the Bahamas without a passport, they can not legally re-enter the US without proper documentation. Effective June, 2009, a passport, passport card, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant documentation is required for US citizens to enter or re-enter the United States.
Children under the age of 16 will be allowed to cross land and sea borders with a valid US birth certificate (original or a copy) or other documentation of US citizenship.
WHTI-compliant documents include a traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; an enhanced Tribal Card; a US Military ID with travel orders; a state-issued enhanced driver’s license; a Native American Tribal photo ID; a US Merchant Mariner document; or an American Indian Card, Form I-872.
A US passport card is a travel document that can be used by US citizens to enter the United States from land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, and Mexico. The passport card cannot be used for entry into the states by air.
When traveling by air from the Bahamas, all US citizens must provide a valid US passport to enter or re-enter the states. Citizens traveling to the Bahamas on short trips for tourist or business purposes do not require a visa. It is of note that many airlines do not allow US citizens to fly to the Bahamas without a valid passport. This is in an effort to prevent them from not being able to board a flight home.
When traveling by sea from the Bahamas, US citizens must present a passport card, passport, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant identification to enter or re-enter the states.