Getting to North Riding Point Club

Of all of the exotic places to fish for trophy-size bones and good numbers of 3 – 4 pounders, it is hard to come up with a place that is any easier to get to.

Freeport, Grand Bahama is served by several air lines with direct flights from many different US cities. Making it possible to get to the lodge from just about anywhere in the US in one day. Just think, you could be sitting in your home on a cold February day looking out of your window at a frozen landscape and be fishing in your shirtsleeves in temperatures of the low 80’s the next day.

Entry Requirements:

US visitors staying for eight months or less need a return ticket plus a passport. Green card holders require their green card and a valid passport from their place of birth. All US citizens are required to have a valid passport for entry in and out of the Bahamas. Canadian visitors not staying more than three weeks need the same identification as those do from the United States. Some visitors that are not citizens of the U.S.A. may also require a visa, check with your country’s consulate. An overtime fee is due to Customs on weekends, holidays or before 9:00n AM or after 5:00 PM on weekdays. At this time this fee is $76.00 per plane.

General Information

Bank Hours:
In Nassau, Paradise Island and Freeport/Lucaya, banks are opened from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Hours vary throughout the Out Islands.

Climate:
The trade winds that blow almost continually throughout The Bahamas give the islands a warm agreeable climate, which varies little year round. The most refreshing time is September through May when the temperature averages 70-75F degrees. The rest of the year is a bit warmer with temperatures between 80-85F degrees.

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 March. Most hotels/restaurants/casinos require jackets for men in the evening, especially in cosmopolitan Nassau. 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 much more flexible.

Currency:
The legal tender is the Bahamian dollar (B$1), which is equivalent in value to the US dollar. Both Bahamian dollars and US are accepted interchangeably throughout the islands.

Customs Regulations & Taxes:
Upon entering The Bahamas, everyone must fill out and sign an Immigration form, keeping a portion of the card in hand until departing. An oral baggage declaration is required. Each adult visitor is allowed to bring 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes or one pound of tobacco, one quart of spirits, and a variety of personal effects (personal radio headsets, bicycle, two still cameras, etc.) All arriving passengers are permitted purchases up to a value of one hundred dollars.

When departing, all visitors are required to pay a $15.00 departure tax ($20.00 from Ft. Lauderdale and $18.00 from Grand Bahama); children six years and under are exempt. Departures to the US must go through US Customs pre-clearance. US visitors may take home US$600 worth of duty-free merchandise. The next $l,000 is taxed at 10%. Gifts valued up to $50 may be mailed home duty-free. One liter of wine, liqueur or liquor and five cartons of cigarettes may be taken duty-free.

Driving:
British rules apply, so please drive on the left and watch those roundabouts! 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.
Language: The official language 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.

Shopping:
Effective January 1, 1992, the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas abolished all import duties on 11 categories of items. Perfumes and Fragrances, Crystal, Leather Goods, Jewelry, Fine Linens and Tablecloths, Watches and Clocks, Photographic Equipment, China, Binoculars, and Telescopes are all duty free. Savings on these items are between 25% - 50% below US prices. It's easy to see why people often return from The Bahamas with more than nice tans.

The best shopping is concentrated in Nassau, Cable Beach, Paradise Island and Freeport/Lucaya; boutiques and gift shops are also found in most major resorts. Everything from duty-free products to local arts and crafts, wood, straw, shell and clothing creations are readily available.

Time:
Eastern Standard Time is used on all islands. April to October is Eastern Daylight Time, in conjunction with US 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%. Some establishments include the gratuity in their bills. Lodge gratuity customs vary somewhat from lodge to lodge, but if you are pleased with the service most lodges average 7% - 10% of the package price for the tip total. If you are in doubt, check with the lodge manager when you arrive. Please be prepared to pay your gratuities in cash, as it is quite difficult with money transfers and US checks.