The Bahamas – known for having pigs swimming around some beaches, such as at the Pig Beach or Rose Island
Yes – it is true. And the pigs are friendly too.
The country is also known for its stunning beaches with pristine white sand and clear waters.
If you do not feel like being cooked on the beach swimming all the time, you can also enjoy the thrilling nightlife many resorts and bars have to offer.
And if it is a kid-friendly holiday, you may want to visit the Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre if you do not feel like clubbing all night with your kids.
Overall, with more than 700 islands to explore, you are bound to share your incredible (beach-life) experiences with your friends and family online.
The thing is, international roaming can be super expensive. This is especially true when in the Bahamas.
Luckily, there is a way to cut down on excessive international roaming fees – getting a Bahamian SIM card.
So, how expensive are SIM cards in the Bahamas?
You can get a Bahamian SIM card for 15 BSD (14.95 USD) in BTC stores or 30 BSD (29.90 USD) in Aliv stores. Aliv's SIM cards include a plan (Liberty 30), justifying the (high) price. SIM cards are also sold at Nassau-Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS).
These prices may sound expensive, but Bahamian SIM cards are much cheaper than the standard international roaming rates most operators would charge you for 1 GB of data.
But if you feel like giving AT&T or Verizon more of your money already, then go ahead with roaming 🥴.
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in the Bahamas. Let's do this.
Original publication: 6th of March 2020. Last updated: 2nd of March 2024.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in the Bahamas?
You can buy a Bahamian SIM card from BTC and Aliv as a tourist. There is nothing preventing travelers from buying a SIM card in the Bahamas.
You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations.
Moreover, your phone has to support the frequencies used in the Bahamas.
Finally, your phone needs to be unlocked (SIM-lock free) to use a Bahamian SIM card.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in the Bahamas?
You can get a Bahamian SIM card in the official stores of BTC and Aliv. They are also available at Nassau-Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS).
You can expect to pay the following for Bahamian SIM cards:
- BTC Bahamas: 15 BSD
- Aliv: 30 BSD (includes a plan)
The following mobile operators also have SIM cards targeting tourists:
- BTC Bahamas: 25 BSD
Can You Use Your Phone in the Bahamas?
The Bahamas GSM technology for mobile communications primarily. CDMA phones will not work in the Bahamas. However, almost all phones use GSM anyway.
You also need to be aware of the ITU Regions to determine whether your phone will work in other parts of the world.
Although there are three ITU Regions, you only need to know these two terms: American frequencies and European frequencies.
The Bahamas use American frequencies, which are used in the Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2).
Phones sold in the Americas typically have no issues when using their phone in other ITU Region 2 countries.
In Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3), they typically use European frequencies, meaning phones bought in those regions can be used in countries using European frequencies without issues.
If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in the Bahamas.
If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3) and have a low/medium-end device without Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, then there is a possibility you cannot use your phone when in the Bahamas or can only use slower networks (3G or 2G).
If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in the Bahamas (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in the Bahamas
The Bahamas have two mobile operators offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:
- BTC Bahamas
- Aliv
The following frequencies are used in the Bahamas:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz (BTC Bahamas only – Aliv has no 2G network)
- 3G: 850 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 13 & 17) & 1700 MHz (Band 4)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
To check whether your phone will work in the Bahamas, check out this page by Kimovil or this one by Will My Phone Work (outdated, unfortunately, but extremely user-friendly – useful for phones launched in or before 2019. It does not check for 5G NR compatibility).
Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).
If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.
VoLTE & VoWiFi in the Bahamas
VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) is available in the Bahamas. However, VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFi calling) is not available (yet).
However, not all mobile operators in the Bahamas offer VoLTE.
The following mobile operators offer VoLTE only in the Bahamas:
- Aliv
BTC Bahamas does not offer VoLTE and VoWiFi (yet).
This means that when you make a call with BTC Bahamas, your phone will downgrade to 3G (or 2G when 3G is not available) instead of staying connected to 4G/LTE.
This is also why you often cannot use mobile while calling if not connected to WiFi.
VoWiFi is, as the name implies, calling on a WiFi connection as opposed to on a cellular network.
5G NR in the Bahamas
5G NR is not available in the Bahamas as of 2022, and the Bahamian government has not made any indications of when they will auction 5G licenses.
However, the CEO of BTC Bahamas, Andre Foster, claimed that there “is currently no real demand for 5G connectivity in the Bamahas.”
He further speculated that 5G NR would not be rolled out until 2022 or 2023.
So, we have got to be patient in the meantime.
Best SIM Card in the Bahamas
If you want to buy the best SIM card in the Bahamas, I recommend going with BTC or Aliv. The coverage with both operators is on par, so are their speeds. Aliv is more generous with its allowances and slightly cheaper than BTC.
Best eSIM in the Bahamas
Unfortunately, none of the mobile operators offer eSIM to prepaid customers in the Bahamas yet.
Note that the Bahamian mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and physical SIM cards (will be discussed later).
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Bahamas (without personal detail capturing), you can get the Bahamas (Jitney Mobile) eSIM from Airalo with 1 GB of data for 7 days.
Now, you may think this is a sad selection or that 1 GB of data is insufficient.
Both points are true… I agree – but you can make unlimited top-ups with the Jitney Mobile eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.
So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Jitney Mobile 1 GB eSIM and get four 1 GB top-ups.
Yes, it is a bit inconvenient for now; Airalo may offer 3 GB, 5 GB & 10 GB plans with a 30-day validity for Bahamas soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.
The Airalo links will automatically get you the available Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers – a code is unnecessary.
For an in-depth analysis of the Bahamas Jitney Mobile eSIMs (covering pros and cons as well), check out my Bahamas eSIMs Compared guide.
- Check out my Airalo eSIM reviews
With this eSIM, you can skip the Bahamas' SIM card registration scheme entirely and use it immediately upon arriving in the Bahamas!
- Find out about the best local eSIMs, local travel eSIMs & regional travel eSIMs for every country (lookup tool)
TIP: check out my Best Bahamas eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison of several eSIMs for Bahamas, including ones not mentioned above.
Airalo has an eSIM for the Caribbean: Island Hopper. The Island Hopper eSIM can be used in 24 Caribbean countries.
The Island Hopper eSIM is not as valuable as other Airalo regional eSIMs (like Asialink for Asia, Eurolink for Europe & Latamlink for Latin America) because you only have one variant: 1 GB for 7 days, but top-ups are available (the -link eSIMs have at least four variants, up to 100 GB of data for 180 days, making top-ups often unnecessary).
The Island Hopper eSIM can be used in the following 24 Caribbean countries:
- Anguilla
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bonaire
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- French Guiana 1
- Grenada 2
- Guadeloupe
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Montserrat 2
- Panama
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts & Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Turks & Caicos Islands
1 the Latamlink eSIM covers French Guiana too – it has better options than Island Hopper (1 GB/7 days, 2 GB/15 days, 3 GB/30 days & 5 GB/30 days) in Central- and South America. However, if you do not visit those regions and stay in the Caribbean only, then stick with the Island Hopper eSIM instead
2 on 3G only
With the Island Hopper eSIM, you can save a lot of money by skipping the initial SIM card costs per country you visit in Latin America!
I am working with Airalo to turn the Island Hopper into a -link so that it offers you better value.
For now, you still have an eSIM covering almost all of the Caribbean, which is neat :).
TIP: Check out my eSIM lookup tool for an overview of local mobile operators offering eSIMs to prepaid customers and travel eSIMs I use and love (for eSIMs in Bahamas and eSIMs worldwide) and my Best Bahamas eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison of several eSIMs for Bahamas.
SIM Card Registration in the Bahamas
SIM card registration with your passport information is required in the Bahamas. It will be done at the point of sale.
Additionally, two forms of identification are required.
So, in addition to your passport, a national ID or a driver's license will be required.
If you do not have a second form of identification… well, good luck 🥴.
The Bahamas Mobile Speeds, Mobile Internet Prices & Insights
Mobile data plans used to be insanely expensive in the Caribbean.
To some extent, it made sense because internet on island nations is almost always more expensive than on land (and much slower).
However, the cost of mobile data has gone down significantly over the years in the Caribbean.
Does that mean mobile internet is cheap in the Bahamas?
No, but it is not crazy expensive either.
The average price for 1 GB of data in the Bahamas is 5.98 USD, above the Caribbean average of 4.44 USD. The world average is 4.07 USD.
That average is not too bad. Just look at the Cayman Islands – their average used to be 26 USD/GB in 2019!
So, what about mobile data speeds?
Will you get fast mobile internet speeds in the Bahamas?
They are alright for their circumstances.
Unfortunately, no recent speed data is available at the time of writing (December 2021).
However, in May 2021, the average mobile download speed was 33 Mbps in the Bahamas.
The global average was 55 Mbps at the same time.
In November 2021, the global average mobile download speed was 70 Mbps.
Have local speeds improved since then? Yes, but not by a lot since 5G NR has still not been rolled out in the Bahamas.
But your speeds will still be faster than some other nations in the Caribbean, like Haiti or Montserrat.
With somewhat pricey SIM cards, great to excellent nationwide coverage (on the populated islands), decent mobile download speeds, and around average mobile data rates, you should have a smooth network experience in the Bahamas.
Currency in the Bahamas
The Bahamas use the Bahamian Dollar with the symbol BSD (which will be used throughout this guide).
However, prices are often listed as B$ or $. For example, 25 BSD = B$/$ 25.
BSD is pegged 1:1 to the US Dollar (USD), meaning that 1 BSD is 1 USD. 10 BSD is 10 USD. 100 BSD is 100 USD. You know the drill.
USD is widely accepted in the Bahamas, so you can use it to pay for SIM cards and plans. However, you will likely get your change back in BSD.
For up-to-date BSD:your currency (let's say EUR – Euro) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card.
Their fees are MUCH lower than banks and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks).
I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Australian Dollars and Euros, my main currencies, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards.
Bahamian Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through BTC Bahamas & Aliv, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices & availability
- Recharge/top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans & special packs (such as social media packs)
With that being said, let’s see what the Bahamas have to offer to us.
BTC Bahamas (Bahamas Telecommunications Company)
BTC by Cable & Wireless, standing for (the) Bahamas Telecommunications Company, and should not be confused with Bitcoin (also BTC), is the largest mobile operator in the Bahamas.
It used to have a monopoly until 2016, when Aliv entered the market.
It is owned by Cable & Wireless, which owns the Flow and Chippie brand in the Caribbean.
BTC uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 17) & 1700 MHz (Band 4)
This is what you will learn about BTC:
* Coverage
* How to Get a BTC SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – BTC Bahamas
BTC has extensive coverage in the Bahamas.
Coverage is excellent on the large/main islands (Abaco, Bimini, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama & New Providence).
Coverage can also be expected on some smaller islands, but the network reception may not be as strong, speeds will be slower, and you may deal with older networks (3G or 2G).
BTC covers the following islands:
- Abaco
- Acklins
- Alice Island
- Andros
- Berry Islands
- Bimini
- Bullocks Harbour Berry Island
- Cat Island
- Eleuthera
- Exuma
- Grand Bahama
- Inagua
- Long Cay
- Long Island
- Mayaguana
- Nassau
- Rum Cay
- San Salvador
- Treasure Cay
BTC used to have a coverage checker on its website. However, it got removed without warning 😖.
Below is BTC's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – BTC Bahamas
You can get a BTC SIM card for 15 BSD in BTC stores. They are also sold at Nassau-Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS).
Dial *200# to access the BTC menu.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
BTC has no eSIMs.
You can consider getting a travel eSIM for Bahamas, which can, in specific scenarios, be cheaper than getting a SIM card from BTC.
Especially if you get a Latin (Central- and South) America-wide eSIM (for when you visit at least two or more supported Latin American countries) or a global eSIM (for frequent travelers visiting multiple continents).
In my Bahamas eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.
But I will introduce them here quickly:
- Airalo: Jitney Mobile (Bahamas only), – use code APR15 (15% off – first-time users only) or APR10 (10% off)
- Alosim: Bahamas – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
- Once again, check out my Bahamas eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.
For now, I will continue with BTC.
Short-term visitors and tourists can also get the BTC Tourist SIM – BTC's tourist offering.
For 25 BSD, you get unlimited data, unlimited local/international minutes & unlimited local SMS for 4 days.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – BTC Bahamas
BTC top-up vouchers are sold in BTC stores, including grocery stores, gas stations & kiosks.
To top up your BTC SIM card, dial *200# or *202# and follow the instructions.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *201# to check your BTC balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the myBTC app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – BTC Bahamas
BTC has two data-featured prepaid plans: Prepaid Combo Plans & Data-Only Plans
I will list all the prices in BSD (Bahamian Dollar).
To convert BSD to your currency (let's say USD) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Prepaid Combo Plans – BTC Bahamas
The Prepaid Combo Plans are, as the name implies, combo bundles with data, minutes & SMS.
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Data 1,2 | Local Minutes | International Minutes 3 | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 BSD | 1 Day $4 | 1 GB | Unlimited | 1000 Minutes | N/A | 1000 SMS | 1 day |
| 7 BSD | 7 Day $7 | 650 MB | Unlimited | 60 Minutes | N/A | 1000 SMS | 7 days |
| 12 BSD | 7 Day $12 | 2 GB | Unlimited | 500 Minutes | N/A | “Unlimited”, 3000 SMS | 7 days |
| 15 BSD | 7 Day $15 | 3 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 3000 Minutes | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 3000 SMS | 7 days |
| 20 BSD | 10 Day $20 | 6 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 3000 Minutes | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 3000 SMS | 10 days |
| 39 BSD | 30 Day $39 | 4 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 3000 Minutes | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 3000 SMS | 30 days |
1 for Facebook Messenger & WhatsApp
2 500 MB Free data of Youtube
3 Canada & United States
Prepaid Combo Bundles auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, dial *200#.
Unused data will roll over to the new period when your plan auto-renews.
Data-Only Plans – BTC Bahamas
The Data-Only Plans are, as the name suggests, data-only bundles
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 4 BSD | 2 GB | 1 day |
| 10 BSD | 3 GB | 10 days |
| 17 BSD | 3 GB | 30 days |
| 32 BSD | 7 GB | 30 days |
| 42 BSD | 16 GB | 30 days |
Prepaid Data Bundles auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, dial *200#.
Unused data will roll over to the new period when your plan auto-renews.
APN/Internet Settings – BTC Bahamas
- Name: BTC
- APN: internet.btcbahamas.com
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Aliv
Aliv, pronounced Aliv, is the smaller mobile operator in the Bahamas.
It started in 2016 and has grown rapidly since.
Aliv has managed to take many subscribers from BTC Bahamas and may become the largest operator in the Bahamas at one point.
Right now, Aliv has a market share of around 40%.
Aliv uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: N/A – never had it
- 3G: 850 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 13) & 1700 MHz (Band 4)
This is what you will learn about Aliv:
* Coverage
* How to Get an Aliv SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Aliv
Aliv has extensive coverage throughout the Bahamas.
4G/LTE is available almost anywhere throughout the Bahamas.
Below is Aliv's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – Aliv
You can get an Aliv SIM card for 30 BDS with the Liberty 30 plan (3 GB of data, “unlimited” on-net minutes, 300 off-net minutes, “unlimited” on-net SMS & 300 off-net minutes – all for 30 days) in Aliv stores and kiosks. They are also sold at Nassau-Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS).
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
It is also possible to get an Aliv eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card.
To use an Aliv eSIM, you need to have one of the following devices:
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
It is, however, unknown whether prepaid customers can get an eSIM (for now, this perk is often limited to postpaid customers).
If you do want an eSIM, consider the Jitney Mobile or Island Hopper eSIMs from Airalo.
You may want to get a travel eSIM for Bahamas, which can be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Aliv (in some cases).
Especially when getting a Latin (Central- and South) America-wide eSIM if you do not stay in just Bahamas or a global eSIM valid for up to a year if you want one eSIM to work practically worldwide.
My Bahamas eSIM buying guide analyzes various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.
Here is a quick introduction to them:
- Airalo: Jitney Mobile (Bahamas only), – use code APR15 (15% off – first-time users only) or APR10 (10% off)
- Alosim: Bahamas – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
For more information, such as the prices and data allowances, check out my Bahamas eSIM buying guide.
But let's continue with Aliv for now.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Aliv
Aliv top-up vouchers are sold in Aliv stores and kiosks, grocery stores, gas stations & convenience stores.
To top up your Aliv SIM card, dial *44, *200#, or *202#, and follow the instructions.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *201# to check your Aliv balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the myALIV app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Aliv
Aliv has only one data-featured prepaid plan:
While you have the Freedom Plans and the Liberty Plans, both variants are combo bundles with data, minutes & SMS.
I will list all the prices in BSD (Bahamian Dollar).
To convert BSD to your currency (let's say USD) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
The following Prepaid Plans are available, which can be activated by dialing *206#:
| Price | Plan | Data | On-Net Minutes | Off-Net Minutes | On-Net SMS | Off-Net SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 BSD | Freedom4 | 1 GB | “Unlimited”, 7500 minutes | 30 minutes | “Unlimited”, 4500 SMS | 30 SMS | 1 day |
| 6 BSD | Freedom6 | 0.6 GB | “Unlimited”, 7500 minutes | 50 minutes | “Unlimited”, 4500 SMS | 50 SMS | 7 days |
| 12 BSD | Freedom12 | 2.5 GB | “Unlimited”, 7500 minutes | 100 minutes | “Unlimited”, 4500 SMS | 100 SMS | 7 days |
| 30 BSD | Liberty30 | 3 GB | “Unlimited”, 7500 minutes | 330 minutes | “Unlimited”, 4500 SMS | 330 SMS | 30 days |
| 35 BSD | Freedom35 | “Unlimited”, 30 GB | “Unlimited”, 7500 minutes | “Unlimited”, 7500 minutes | “Unlimited”, 4500 SMS | “Unlimited”, 4500 SMS | 7 days |
| 45 BSD | Liberty45 | 6 GB | “Unlimited”, 7500 minutes | 450 minutes | “Unlimited”, 4500 SMS | 450 SMS | 30 days |
| 60 BSD | Liberty60 | 12 GB | “Unlimited”, 7500 minutes | 600 minutes | “Unlimited”, 4500 SMS | 600 SMS | 30 days |
| 90 BSD | Liberty90 | 15 GB | “Unlimited”, 7500 minutes | 900 minutes | “Unlimited”, 4500 SMS | 900 SMS | 30 days |
| 140 BSD | Liberty140 | “Unlimited”, 100 GB | “Unlimited”, 7500 minutes | “Unlimited”, 7500 minutes | “Unlimited”, 4500 SMS | “Unlimited”, 4500 SMS | 30 days |
APN/Internet Settings – Aliv
- Name: ALIV
- APN: pda.newcomobile.com
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in the Bahamas
Getting a SIM card from BTC or Aliv would do you well when considering a Bahamian SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other American Countries
Visiting other countries in the Americas? Check out my Caribbean SIM card buying guide, covering other American nations, such as:
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Montserrat
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Saba
- Saint Barthélemy (Barts)
- Saint Kitts & Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
- Sint Eustatius (Statia)
- Sint Maarten
- Suriname
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Turks & Caicos Islands
- United States
- Uruguay
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Venezuela
Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.