food, liquor, packing
Value Added Tax at customs:
VAT: $100 exemption per person per visit, so Phelpses can bring $400 of food and Reads $200, if desired.
beer $10 VAT per imperial gallon (imperial gal = 153.722 US oz = 12.8333 beers) plus 10% of the purchase price. Bring receipts
For food you are allowed to bring in $100 worth of food per person in the original manufacturer sealed packaging. Bloggers suggest bringing receipts to prove the value of the food.
If the Phelps family of 4 wanted to bring in more than $400 worth of food:
salad dressing 5%
shampoo 25%
Chicken 30%
disposable cups and plates 45%
energy drinks 55%
FREE: deli meat, ketchup, flour, honey, ready-to-drink juice, peanut butter, pasta, potato chips, rice, women's sanitary products, sugar, syrup, tea, coffee, detergent, deodorant, canned fish, raw beef, sausage, canned soup, vitamins, tooth paste, soap, bread, broth, butter, cheese, cooking oil, mayo, mustard, tomato paste
rum - $15 VAT per proof gallon (1 gallon of 80 proof rum is 0.8 proof gallons), so each 1.75 of Beam is .4623011 gal * .8 * $15 = $5.55 Casey says on Hull Truth people say rum is cheap on Bimini.
Prices of buying stuff on the islands: Cost of Living in Eleuthera. Prices in Eleuthera (numbeo.com) (They didn't have data for Alice Town, I figures Eleuthera was similar) $6 gal of milk, $6/lb chicken, $10/lb beef, $20/bottle wine, $3/can import beer.
Food packing list for
Bimini
|
Dessert |
Bfast Options |
Lunch |
Dinner |
snack |
|
|
Bacon/sausage |
restaurant |
Chicken fajitas |
Cheeze Its |
|
Candy |
Doughnuts |
PB sandwich |
Thai peanut chicken |
Potato Chips |
|
Ice Cream |
Eggs & toast |
|
Enchiladas |
Bars |
|
cookies |
(on the side) Fruit |
|
Fried chicken |
yogurt |
|
|
Cereal |
|
Chicken and biscuits |
Microwave popcorn |
|
|
Muffins |
|
Chicken Satay |
Cheese & crackers |
|
|
Bagel & cream cheese |
|
|
|
Blue = keep cold Green = bring partials from home? Purple = heavy, or takes up a lot of space, or fragile,
or too cheap to bother bringing, just buy it on the island Black = dry
goods Brown
= kitchen tools
|
Baking powder Cumin Coriander Turmeric Curry powder Chili powder Rosemary Oregano Basil Thyme Marjoram Sage Paprika Garlic powder Bouillon Soy Sauce Cooler stuff: 2 pints egg
whites Bacon Breakfast sausage Cheddar
(block or cuts for crackers) 16 oz Cheddar
shreds for enchiladas 16 oz Sour cream Greek yogurt 5% Cottage Cheese
4% Cream Cheese hummus Jar garlic Jar ginger Fish
sauce Chili
garlic sauce Small
amount mayo Frozen Green beans for Thai Frozen peas for w/biscuits Frozen broccoli for w/fried chicken Frozen carrots for w/Thai and Biscuits Frozen bell pepper strips Frozen waffles Frozen 12-15 lb bnelss chick breasts
|
To buy on the island (prices are from instagopher.com): 1% Milk for
breakfast and biscuits $12.41 Diet Soda for
Dad $6.99/6 pack Apple juice for kids $9.65 36 eggs $6.99/doz Chicken breast $10.18/lb Apples $13.79 Bananas Melon Onion $3.44 Spinach or leaf
lettuce $11.99 Carrots $5.69/lb baby 2 Nature’s
own whole wheat bread $9.65 Ice cream $16.99 for Breyers White wine $10.62 - $202.94 Rum $35.18/Lt Tools: Sharp knife water filter Aluminum foil Long lighter Corkscrew New sponge Can opener Travel French press small food processor |
Veg (corn/soy/canola) oil
for muffins Olive oil for cooking meat peanut oil for frying chicken Cooking spray for
enchiladas? Corn tortillas (enchiladas) Soft white tortillas (fajitas)
Ritz Cheeze Its Microwave popcorn (extra
butter or movie theater) Box donuts Bars Candy Muffin mix (Krusteez) apple sauce 6 Bagels Peanut Butter (Jif) huge
jar Salsa Fajita marinade packets Sriracha Cholula salad dressing Lime juice Instant oats Pop tarts Pancake mix Chocolate chips Maple syrup 15-16 oz Can coconut milk 15-16 oz Can tomato sauce
for enchiladas 4 oz can diced jalapenos Can solid tuna in water Coffee grounds Disinfectant wipes water rice flour brown sugar white sugar powdered sugar salt & pepper cinnamon white vinegar natures own whole wheat bread chips cookies sandwich bags paper towels toilet paper coffee filters dish soap root beer diet coke apple juice Cheerioes Old Fashioned oats
|
Cooler packing: Can we do separate coolers for frozen stuff vs stuff that shouldn't thaw? I'm reading that dry ice takes twice as long as water ice to thaw, but it expands more as it melts and can force the lid off of the cooler. This site says it melts faster: "Second, dry ice “melts” significantly quicker than normal ice. In fact, dry ice will sublimate around 5 to 10 pounds per 24 hours in a standard ice chest. A better-sealing, higher performance ice chest will see longer dry ice life but it is still nowhere near what normal ice experiences. Because of this, dry ice might not be well suited for long excursions where you plan on needing to keep items cold for several days at a time without adding additional ice." How to Use Dry Ice and Dry Ice Coolers (thecoolerzone.com)
How do we adjust the grocery list for bringing lunches on the boat?
King Brown's Grocery Store: better selection than other stores on the island. 1.2 mi from the pink house.
What form of currency does The Bahamas use?
The Bahamian dollar is maintained at the same level as the U.S. dollar and both are accepted interchangeably on all islands.
Band of Bahamas has a branch and ATM on King St in Alice Town.
While certain places do take credit cards, it’s advised that you carry cash if you’re exploring the Out Islands.
There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency (USD) you may bring into the island. How much to bring? Do the ATMs spit out USD?
BTC also has roaming agreements with 128 companies around the world. To access BTC's GSM roaming system, simply turn on your phone and wait for it to connect to the network. To check if your home service provider is a BTC roaming partner or for country-specific roaming charges, see btcbahamas.com.
What are the rules of the road in The Bahamas?
UK rules apply in The Bahamas, so please drive on the left and be very careful on the roundabouts. Visitors can use their residence permit for up to three months and may also apply for an international driving license.
To learn more about the road traffic laws, visit www.roadtraffic.gov.bs.
The best way to get around the beautiful 7-mile North Bimini is with a golf cart or bicycle. Shuttles are usually on “island-time” and not the best option for cruising down King’s Highway for some snacks or souvenir-shopping.
Taxi: Bimini is so small that cars are limited. Taxi service is available by telephone, radio (VHF Channel 68), or you can flag one down on the street.
Boat: There is a daily ferry between North and South Bimini.
Bicycle: You can find a lot of bike rental spots on the islands.
Golf Cart: The main form of rental transportation available on North Bimini is a golf cart. You can also rent a bicycle to get around. Pedestrians should remember to first look right and then left before crossing streets. For maximum mobility, pick up a golf cart ($75-90 per day) first thing in the morning before they sell out.
The widely used transportation here though are golf carts and bicycles. There are very few cars for rent since the island is small and cars here are few. There are a lot of Bimini golf cart rental companies that you can get in touch with for short term or long-term golf cart rental.
Some of the top Bimini golf cart rental companies are A.B.C. Golf Cart Rental, Bimini Gulfstream Rental, D&S Golf Cart Rental, Dolphin’s Golf Cart Rental, and Elite Golf Cart Rentals. You can call them ahead of even just walk in when you decide to rent one. It is very unlikely that they will runout of golf carts to rent even during peak season.
Reviews complain about Mr. Dolphin and unreliable golf carts. ecommend "Their number is 242-473-5121 . Another service that was also recommended to me (in addition to Rene and Sluggo) by the assistant manager at Big Game is M&M Cart Rental 242-347-2375."
ABC cart rental: $75 4 seats, $110/day 6 seats. A.B.C. Golf Cart Rental - Explore The Bahamas - The Official Website of The Bahamas
You can also rent bicycles for $20/bike.
Eclipse Bicycle Rentals & Tours - Explore The Bahamas - The Official Website of The Bahamas prices not listed. Think about packing helmets and water bottles if we go with bikes.
Hilton Suggests Travel Blog | 4 Easy Ways to Get Around Bimini, Bahamas says bike rentals are $20/day. But, assume one person per bike, so a $75 golf cart is actually cheaper for 4 people than 4 bicycles.
"($5.00/person in North Bimini; $3-$5 one way in South Bimini). From 6am to 6pm, the Bimini Tram also services transportation throughout the island (Adults $3.00/ children $1.00). " Bimini, Bahamas - Travel Guide and Latest News | TravelPulse
Will I need a voltage converter in The Bahamas?
Electrical outlets in The Bahamas are 60 cycles/120 volts, which is compatible with all American devices. British and European appliances require a two-pin flat adapter and a 220-volt converter.
Car rentals (getting to the grocery store)?
At Bimini Gulfstream Rental, we are committed to bringing the first excellent car rental service in Bimini ,Bahamas. We provide a range of vehicle options to you, whatever your needs may be. Explore our vehicle selections and find the right one for you! We have extremely flexible payment plans and rental contracts, however long you need a vehicle MR. LENORD STUART Tel: (242) 456 - 6949 Kings Highway Stuarts Conch Stand Area, Bailey Town
North Bimini is 7 miles long and 700 feet wide.
Climate: Bimini has a warm and tropical climate– averaging 70 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees in the summer months. The rainy season in the Bahamas runs from May to October, and October and June are the wettest two months.
Car Travel in Andros, Bimini, and the Berry Islands of Bahamas | Fodor's Travel
There are several grocery type stores in downtown Bimini; namely Sue & Joy's, which carries all sorts of things. A favorite though is Ebbie's Grocery in Bailey Town--it's chock-a-block with goodies, and Ebbie is quite the character. Stay for his conch salad--delicious.
If you can, bring a small cooler with frozen meats packed in dry ice (allowed by customs--vegetables are not) along with lots of snacks because food is very expensive; food is brought in by boat. You'll save quite a bit that way. Also, keep your grocery receipt from home to show the customs officials what is in the cooler--that way you may not have to open the container for them.
I have learned on the forums that you don't need dry ice if you have a cooler full of frozen meat, cheese etc. It will stay cold and still be a bit frozen when you get there. Bags of manufacturer-sealed store bought frozen veggies and fruit are ok to bring over.
Expect to pay twice what you pay in the U.S. because as was said before, EVERYTHING is brought in by boat.
(note, this info may be old. There is no other info about Trev Inn): "Trev Inn is probably the largest selection of groceries and produce on North Bimini. It's located four buildings south of the pink-colored Bimini Clinic in Porgy Bay, a short distance from Resorts World. (Also, Brown's in nearby and farther south is Roberts' Grocery Store near the big power station in Bailey Town, and Jontra's near the Bimini Big Game Club.) The mail boat comes in Thursday, so best to shop for fresh produce Thursday pm, Friday, and Saturday. Exploring local grocery stores is quaint and amusing except when you get to the cash register: with costly freight, import duties, and 7.5% VAT tax, expect to pay about double. If you are self-catering, to save money, bring coolers packed with fresh and frozen food." Trev Inn Marketplace Review - Andros, Bimini, and the Berry Islands Bahamas - Shopping | Fodor’s Travel
Trev Inn Marketplace hours: Mon.–Sat. 7 am–10 pm, Sun. 7 am–8 pm
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