🇧🇸 How to Pay in Bahamas

The Bahamas is built for tourists, so most things are handled through your hotel or resort. Nassau and Paradise Island have the most infrastructure, while the Out Islands are remote and require advance planning. The Bahamian dollar is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, and both currencies are accepted everywhere. Credit cards work at hotels and larger restaurants, but smaller shops and island vendors prefer cash. Uber exists in Nassau but coverage is spotty. For getting between islands, you will rely on small airlines and mail boats. WhatsApp is the go-to messaging app for locals and businesses alike. Cell coverage can be unreliable on the smaller islands, so download offline maps before island-hopping.

Payment & Finance Apps

Sand Dollar

Essential

The Bahamas' official central bank digital currency, one of the first in the world. Accepted at participating merchants and allows digital payments across the islands.

Pro tip: Sand Dollar adoption is still growing. It works well at larger stores and chains in Nassau, but carry US or Bahamian cash for smaller vendors and the Out Islands.

BTC Flow

Essential

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company's app for managing your mobile plan, topping up data, and paying bills. Useful if you pick up a local SIM card.

Pro tip: Grab a BTC prepaid SIM at the airport in Nassau. The Flow app lets you top up data on the go, which is cheaper than international roaming for longer stays.

All apps in Bahamas →Bahamas Payments guide →