Documents Required to Travel to the Bahamas from Colombia (2026 Requirements)
Visa requirements · Passport · Electronic form · Everything Colombian travelers need to know
Updated: August 2026 · By David Marquetti, local guide in Nassau
Good news: Colombian citizens do not need a visa for the Bahamas
Colombian passport holders can enter the Bahamas as tourists for up to 90 days without a visa. You need a valid passport and the electronic immigration form ($25 USD) completed before you fly. The process is straightforward — the long part is the journey itself, not the paperwork.
Colombia and the Bahamas have a tourism visa-free agreement that makes the bureaucratic side of this trip simple. The flight logistics require a layover (usually via Miami), but the documents you need are minimal. I've guided hundreds of Colombian tourists through Nassau — here is everything you need to know before you book.
Entry Requirements for Colombian Citizens in 2026
| Document | Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Colombian passport | Yes | Valid. Minimum 6 months remaining validity recommended. Cédula not accepted. |
| Bahamas visa | No | Bilateral agreement — no visa required for up to 90 days tourism. |
| Electronic immigration form | Yes | $25 USD per adult. Children under 12 free. At travel.gov.bs. |
| Return ticket | Strongly recommended | Immigration officers in Nassau regularly ask Colombian travelers for this. |
| Proof of funds | Recommended | Bank statement or credit card to show financial solvency. |
| Travel insurance | Strongly recommended | Private medical care in Nassau is expensive — emergencies can cost thousands. |
Do Colombians Need a Visa for the Bahamas?
No. Colombian citizens can enter the Bahamas for tourism without a visa, for up to 90 days. The bilateral agreement between Colombia and the Bahamas allows this without any prior consulate application. This is current as of August 2026.
⚠️ Important note about US layovers: If your route connects through Miami or Fort Lauderdale and requires you to collect and re-check your luggage, you may need a US visa or ESTA authorization (part of the US Visa Waiver Program — Colombians are not currently in the VWP, so most Colombians need a valid US B1/B2 visa for this type of transit). Ask your airline exactly how your connection works before purchasing tickets.
Complete Document Checklist for Colombian Travelers
- ✅Valid Colombian passport — with at least 6 months of validity beyond your return date. The cédula de ciudadanía is not valid for international travel.
- ✅Completed Bahamas electronic immigration form — at travel.gov.bs, generates a QR code for the immigration booth. $25 USD per adult, free for children under 12.
- ✅Return ticket to Colombia — printed or on your phone. Bahamas immigration officers regularly ask Colombian travelers for this — do not skip it.
- ✅Hotel reservation — confirmation with property name, address, and dates.
- ⚠️Proof of funds — bank statement or credit card showing you can fund your stay. This is specifically important for Colombian travelers because immigration officers in Nassau tend to ask more questions about financial solvency.
- ⚠️Travel insurance with medical coverage — strongly recommended. A single medical emergency in Nassau without insurance can cost thousands of USD.
Arriving at Nassau: Immigration for Colombians
At Lynden Pindling International Airport, the process is as follows:
On the plane: fill the immigration card
Cabin crew distribute paper cards before landing. Fill in your name, passport number, Nassau address, and length of stay.
Immigration booth
Present your passport, QR code from the electronic form, and paper immigration card. The officer will ask where you are staying, how many days, purpose of visit, and whether you have a return ticket. Have everything organized. Typical wait for Colombians: 20–40 minutes. Stay calm and answer clearly.
Customs
After baggage claim, pass through Bahamas customs. Travelers with nothing to declare use the green (Nothing to Declare) channel. Cash over $1,000 USD must be declared.
⚠️ Specific tip for Colombian travelers: Bahamas immigration officers historically ask more questions of Colombian travelers than of those from other nationalities. This is standard border control practice, not personal — it does not mean you will have a problem. Stay calm, answer consistently, and have your return ticket, hotel reservation, and proof of funds readily accessible. Colombian tourists with organized documentation clear immigration without issues every day.
Flights from Colombia to Nassau
There are no direct flights between Colombia and Nassau. Most travelers connect through Miami. From Bogotá or Medellín, the total journey is 8–12 hours depending on layover time.
Bogotá (BOG) → Miami (MIA) → Nassau — Most recommended
Avianca, LATAM, or American Airlines on the BOG–MIA leg, then American or Bahamasair to Nassau (35 minutes from Miami). Total: 8–12 hours. The most frequent schedules and widest fare range. Check whether your connection requires clearing US immigration — this depends on whether luggage transfers automatically to your Nassau flight.
Bogotá → Fort Lauderdale → Nassau
Budget airlines sometimes offer lower fares on the BOG–FLL leg. From FLL you can connect to Nassau, but the logistics are more complex. Only worth it if the savings are significant.
Approximate round-trip prices: $600 – $1,200 USD
Colombian travelers have a geographic advantage over South American travelers — Nassau is shorter and cheaper from Bogotá or Medellín than from Buenos Aires or Santiago. Book 6–8 weeks ahead for the best fares.
Practical Tips for Colombians in Nassau
- 💵Currency: USD, not Colombian pesos. The Bahamian dollar is 1:1 with USD and both are used everywhere. Colombian pesos have no exchange value in Nassau. Bring US dollars in cash for taxis, tips, and local markets where cards may not be accepted.
- 💳Notify Bancolombia, Davivienda, or your bank before departure. Colombian cards (Visa and Mastercard) work in Nassau, but many banks auto-block international transactions. Activate international use from your bank's app before you leave.
- 🗣️English is the official language. Nassau is an English-speaking country. Spanish is not widely spoken outside of large resort hotels. Basic English for tourist interactions is enough.
- 💊Yellow fever vaccination certificate: If you are traveling from Colombian regions with endemic yellow fever (Amazon, jungle zones), bring your vaccination certificate. The immigration booth may ask for it.
- 🤝Tipping: 15–20% in restaurants. Tipping is a strong social norm in Nassau — the same culture as the United States. 15% is the minimum in restaurants and bars; 20% for good service.
Vaccines, Health, and Minors
The Bahamas does not require mandatory vaccines for Colombian tourists. COVID-19 requirements were dropped in 2023. If arriving from yellow fever endemic regions of Colombia, carry your vaccination certificate as a precaution. Travel insurance with medical and evacuation coverage is strongly recommended — a hospital night in Nassau can cost thousands of USD without it.
Minors: Colombian minors need their own valid passport. If traveling with only one parent or with a non-parent guardian, a notarized travel authorization from the absent parent is strongly recommended — in Colombia this is processed through a public notary.
Colombian Consulate Near Nassau
There is no Colombian consulate in Nassau. The nearest one is in Miami, Florida (Tel: +1 786-558-7460). In any emergency — lost passport, theft, medical emergency, or legal issue — contact the Miami consulate or the Colombian Foreign Ministry emergency line for citizens abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Colombian citizens need a visa for the Bahamas in 2026?
No. Colombian passport holders can enter the Bahamas without a visa for tourism stays of up to 90 days, under the bilateral agreement in force. You need a valid Colombian passport, the completed Bahamas electronic immigration form ($25 USD at travel.gov.bs), a return ticket, a hotel reservation, and proof of funds. The last two are especially important because immigration officers in Nassau ask more questions of Colombian travelers about financial solvency.
Do I need a US visa for my Miami layover en route to Nassau?
It depends on the type of connection. If you stay "airside" (do not leave the international transit area and your luggage is checked through to Nassau), some airlines allow this without a US visa. But if the connection requires collecting and re-checking your luggage in Miami, you need a valid US B1/B2 visa — Colombia is not in the US Visa Waiver Program. Ask your airline exactly how your connection works before buying your tickets.
What flights are there from Bogotá to Nassau?
No direct flights exist from Bogotá to Nassau. The most common route is Bogotá → Miami → Nassau, with Avianca, LATAM, or American Airlines on the first leg and American or Bahamasair on the 35-minute Nassau leg. Total travel time is 8–12 hours. Round-trip fares typically range from $600 to $1,200 USD. Book 6–8 weeks in advance for the best prices.
How much does the Bahamas electronic form cost for Colombians?
$25 USD per adult. Children under 12 are free. The form is at travel.gov.bs and generates a QR code you present at the immigration booth in Nassau. Complete it from home — it takes less than 10 minutes and can be done up to 30 days before travel. Save the QR on your phone and print a paper backup.
How long must a Colombian passport be valid?
The Bahamas has no formal minimum beyond your stay, but 6 months of validity beyond your return date is the international standard and what airlines and immigration officers expect. If your passport expires in less than 6 months, renew it before booking — airlines can deny boarding and immigration can deny entry.
Where is the nearest Colombian consulate to Nassau?
There is no Colombian consulate in Nassau. The nearest one serving the Bahamas is in Miami, Florida (Tel: +1 786-558-7460). The Colombian Foreign Ministry also operates a 24-hour emergency line for citizens abroad. Contact either resource in case of lost passport, theft, or any serious emergency during your stay.
Ready to explore Nassau?
Contact me on WhatsApp — no deposit, confirmation in minutes.
💬 WhatsApp Me