Cost Effective One-Month Communication in the Bahamas ?

[Tondelayo]

We will be sailing in the Bahamas for 1 month now, and probably up to a month later this year. Is there a cost effective and efficient voice or data communication system that can be used to speak with or email with US based friends and family? Cell phone companies seem to want long term commitments which makes expense seem high?

[Bradley]

A SIM card for a GSM phone costs 15.00 US. Time can be bought in increments of $10.00. Local calls cost about 30 cents a minute.

Plenty of WiFi locations throughout the islands. Load Skype or Yahoo Messenger before going. They both work well. I also use MagicJack.

[Hudson Force]

We use Skype in the Bahamas for pennies! Just take your laptop into a cafe with wireless and with a sandwich and a cold beer, -call everyone.

[nautical62]

Plenty of places to get WIFI and potentially use skype as mentioend above. I also used my AT&T cell phone to get a signal well beyond Wifi range. Roaming data messaging was about $0.45 per e-mail which isn't bad, but can add up if you get a lot of e-mail you don't need to read! A friend who was with me told me texting was the way to go. On my next trip, I plan to create a new e-mail account which I'll give to some people and will leave on all the time and only check my other e-mail only when I can get WiFi.

I have a few other communication related notes that have worked for people in the
Bahamas on my webpage. From the link below click "communications"

[Ram]

Try this out
Out Island Inter.Net Home
these folks may be able to help you

[Tondelayo]

Thank you for the prompt responses. I believe I will be able to use a combination of the suggestions.

Safe and happy cruising to all.

Bruce