Power & Connectivity (SIM)
Connectivity may vary by region and season.
Voltage & Plug Types
Electrical standards and outlet shapes
The Bahamas uses 120V / 60Hz with Type A and Type B sockets (North American flat pins). Travellers from North America need no adapter, while visitors from 220–240V countries should bring a Type A/B adapter and check devices are dual-voltage.
- Voltage
- 120V / 60Hz
- Sockets
- Type A and B
- Adapter
- Type A/B needed
- Most phone/laptop chargers are 100–240V and fine with an adapter
Buying a SIM Card
Where to buy, costs, and activation process
The main operators are BTC (Bahamas Telecommunications Company) and Aliv, with good 4G/LTE across Nassau, Grand Bahama and larger islands. Prepaid tourist SIMs are sold at the airport and carrier shops; bring your passport to register.
- Operators
- BTC, Aliv
- Where
- Airport, carrier shops
- ID
- Passport required
- Coverage is strong on main islands, patchier on Out Islands
eSIM & Mobile Wi-Fi
eSIM availability and portable Wi-Fi rental
If your phone supports eSIM, international travel eSIMs (such as Airalo) covering the Bahamas are a convenient option: buy one online before arrival and install it in minutes, with no physical SIM or shop visit needed.
- Convenience
- Buy online before arrival
- Setup
- No physical SIM
- Providers
- Airalo and similar
- Check your phone is eSIM-capable and carrier-unlocked
Wi-Fi Availability
Public Wi-Fi coverage and security
Free Wi-Fi is common in resorts, hotels and cafés across the Bahamas. Connections can be slower or unreliable on the Out Islands, so a SIM or eSIM helps for essentials on the go. Use a VPN on public networks for sensitive tasks like banking.
- Availability
- Resorts, hotels, cafés
- Out Islands
- Can be unreliable
- Security
- Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi
- A SIM/eSIM helps where hotel Wi-Fi is weak
Internet Restrictions & VPN
Blocked services and VPN recommendations
The Bahamas has an open internet with no significant restrictions. All standard apps and services — messaging, social media, maps and streaming — work normally. WhatsApp is widely used for everyday communication.
- Internet
- Open, no censorship
- Apps
- All standard apps work
- Popular
- WhatsApp widely used
- No VPN needed to access common global services
Useful Local Apps
Must-have apps for transport, translation, and maps
Handy apps include WhatsApp for messaging, Google Maps for navigation, and a translation app. Ride-hailing like Uber is generally not available, so taxis are the main option — there is no single dominant taxi app, so booking through your hotel is often easiest.
- Messaging
- Everyday
- Maps, translation
- Ride-hailing
- Limited; taxis dominate
- Uber is generally not available; use taxis or hotel transfers
International Calls
How to make international calls and alternatives
The Bahamas uses country code +1 with area code 242 (North American Numbering Plan). App-based calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime and similar) are common and reliable. Save numbers in full +1 242 format so they work from any network.
- Country code
- +1 (242)
- Calls
- App-based common
- Format
- Save as +1 242
- Save numbers in full +1 242 international format