Doing business in The Bahamas: hours, holidays and how things work
Published 15 October 2026 · 2 min read
Business in The Bahamas runs on Eastern Time, in English, and in a currency worth exactly one US dollar. Knowing the public holidays, how mail works and when hurricane season falls makes it much easier to plan around the islands.
Time zone and business hours
The Bahamas follows Eastern Time and changes its clocks for daylight saving at the same time as New York, so meetings with the US East Coast and Canada never need converting. Most offices work Monday to Friday, roughly 9am to 5pm. For teams in Europe, Nassau’s afternoon is the European evening, which suits a short call at the end of the day.
Public holidays
These are the public holidays in The Bahamas. When a holiday falls on a weekend, it is usually observed on the Monday after.
- New Year’s Day: 1 January
- Majority Rule Day: 10 January
- Good Friday and Easter Monday: dates change each year with Easter
- Whit Monday: the seventh Monday after Easter
- Labour Day: the first Friday in June
- Independence Day: 10 July
- Emancipation Day: the first Monday in August
- National Heroes’ Day: the second Monday in October
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day: 25 and 26 December
The days around Christmas and New Year are also Junkanoo season, when Nassau’s famous street parades take over Bay Street on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Expect a quieter business week and plan deliveries around it.
Money
The Bahamian dollar is pegged one-to-one to the US dollar, and US dollars are widely accepted. VAT of 10% applies to most goods and services, so check whether a quoted price includes it.
Mail and deliveries
Many businesses in The Bahamas receive post through a P.O. box rather than street delivery, and international documents usually arrive by courier, such as DHL, FedEx or UPS. A business address that can collect post from a P.O. box and sign for couriers saves a lot of chasing.
Phones and messaging
Bahamian numbers use the +1 242 area code and are dialled from the US and Canada like any long-distance number. Many businesses also use WhatsApp for quick messages with clients.
Hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Most days are unaffected, but when a storm approaches, offices and airports can close at short notice. Keeping digital copies of important documents and a contact who can act locally helps business carry on.
FAQ
Do I need to speak another language? No. English is the official language of The Bahamas.
Are banks open on public holidays? Generally not. Plan payments and transfers around holiday weekends.
What is Junkanoo? A traditional Bahamian street festival of music, costume and dance, held mainly on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Want a Nassau address that handles your mail and couriers while you are away? See Corallium’s virtual office packages.
This article is general information. Details such as holiday dates, prices and services can change.