Short answer
US carriers bill the Bahamas as international roaming. AT&T’s International Day Pass and Verizon’s TravelPass cost $12/day, charged on each day you use your phone, so a week costs about $84. T-Mobile’s T-Mix More and Loaded plans (and the older Experience plans) include data at no extra cost. A Bahamas eSIM with 1 GB for 7 days costs $7, and it covers every island in the country, so a cruise that stops in Nassau and at a private island needs only one. Local Aliv and BTC plans start at $5 but you need a shop and a free SIM slot. Nassau’s cruise port has free Wi-Fi.
Compare Bahamas eSIM plansWe may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our rankings. How we make money
Cheapest per GB
$49.99
5 GB/day (150 GB total) • 30 days
Checked Nov 9, 2026
Get plan (opens provider site)What each option costs in the Bahamas
| Option | Cost | What you get | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T International Day Pass | $12/day | uses home plan allowance; talk, text, data; per day; $6/day for each extra line. $20/day per line at sea (cruise ship networks). Charged max 10 days per bill cycle. | att.com Verified Oct 6 Checked Oct 6, 2026 |
| T-Mobile included international roaming | Included in some plans | 5 GB high-speed (T-Mix More, Experience More 2.0) or 15 GB (T-Mix Loaded, Experience Beyond 2.0), then 256 kbps; data, texts; billing cycle; Included on T-Mix More and T-Mix Loaded (launched Nov 2026) and the older Experience More 2.0 and Experience Beyond 2.0. T-Mix Standard includes texts only abroad, calls $0.50/min. Essentials and other older plans differ. | t-mobile.com Verified Nov 7 Checked Nov 7, 2026 |
| Verizon TravelPass | $12/day | uses home plan allowance; talk, text, data; per day | verizon.com Verified Oct 6 Checked Oct 6, 2026 |
| Aliv prepaid plan | $5–45 | 2 GB (1 day) to unlimited (7 days); 1 GB / 7 days for $8, 3 GB / 7 days for $15; local calls and texts, some US & Canada minutes, WhatsApp data; 1-30 days | bealiv.com Verified Oct 7 Checked Oct 7, 2026 |
| BTC prepaid plan | $5–39 | Combo plans with app data (WhatsApp, TikTok, YouTube); data-only plans 4 GB for $12-20, 8 GB for $34; unlimited BTC calls and texts; some plans include US & Canada minutes; up to 30 days | btcbahamas.com Verified Oct 7 Checked Oct 7, 2026 |
| Travel eSIM (compared above) | from $0 | GigSky 100 MB / 7 days, data only | Verified Nov 9 |
Does Verizon work in the Bahamas?
Yes, through TravelPass, at $12/day, charged on each day you use your phone there. It uses your normal plan’s allowance. The Bahamas isn’t part of Verizon’s cheaper Mexico and Canada rate.
Does AT&T work in the Bahamas?
Yes. The International Day Pass costs $12/day, plus $6 a day for each extra line on the account. AT&T charges at most 10 days per bill cycle. On a cruise ship’s network at sea it’s $20 a day.
Does T-Mobile work in the Bahamas?
Yes. On T-Mix More and T-Mix Loaded, and on the older Experience More 2.0 and Experience Beyond 2.0, data in the Bahamas is included: 5 GB or 15 GB at high speed, then up to 256 kbps. T-Mix Standard includes texts but no data abroad. Other T-Mobile plans have different terms, so check yours in the T-Mobile app before you go.
Roaming or an eSIM: what a Bahamas trip costs
| Trip | AT&T / Verizon day pass | Bahamas eSIM (cheapest verified that fits) |
|---|---|---|
| Short cruise: Nassau + a private island (2 days) | $24 | Airalo 1 GB / 7 days ($7) |
| One port day, heavy use | $12 | Holafly Unlimited / 1 day ($11.50) |
| 1 week on land | $84 | Nomad 5 GB / 30 days ($19) |
For a family the gap grows: on AT&T, four phones cost $12 + 3 × $6 = $30 a day.
Buying a local SIM: Aliv or BTC
The Bahamas has two mobile networks, Aliv and BTC. Both sell prepaid plans in their stores in Nassau, Freeport and other towns: – Aliv: $5 for 1 day with 2 GB, $8 for 7 days with 1 GB, $15 for 7 days with 3 GB, $40 for 30 days with 5 GB. Aliv’s plans renew automatically unless you cancel, so cancel before you leave if you topped up with a card. – BTC: combo plans from $5 to $39 that mix general data with app data (WhatsApp, TikTok, YouTube), and data-only plans of 4 GB for $12 or $20 and 8 GB for $34. BTC also sells an eSIM through its website.
A local SIM gives you a Bahamian number and local calls, which helps if you’re booking boats or tours by phone. For a cruise stop it’s rarely worth the time: you have to find a store, and your phone needs a free SIM slot and has to be unlocked.
Free Wi-Fi in Nassau and on the private islands
- Nassau Cruise Port has free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal and its waterfront area. Look for “Nassau Cruise Port Wifi”.
- Downtown Nassau: the government announced free Wi-Fi from Arawak Cay to the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge, run by Aliv. We haven’t confirmed that it’s working.
- Perfect Day at CocoCay: Royal Caribbean says Wi-Fi packages bought for the cruise work on the island. See our Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi prices for what a package costs on each ship.
Away from the port, on a tour or walking around Nassau, you’ll need an eSIM or a roaming pass for maps and messages.
Which network will a Bahamas eSIM use?
Airalo and Nomad say their Bahamas plans run on BTC; Holafly says Aliv. The cruise lines’ private islands, such as CocoCay, are part of the Bahamas, so a Bahamas eSIM works there wherever a local network reaches. We haven’t tested signal on the private islands yet.
How to avoid surprise charges
- Before the ship sails or the plane lands, turn off data roaming for your home line.
- If you don’t need your home number, switch the line off (iPhone: Settings → Cellular → tap the line → turn off “Turn On This Line”).
- At sea, keep cellular data off. Your phone can connect to the ship’s network, which eSIMs don’t cover and carriers bill at high rates.
- Ashore, switch on the eSIM for data. WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime work over it.
Common questions
Is the Bahamas included in my US phone plan?
Usually not. AT&T and Verizon bill it as international roaming at their daily rate. T-Mobile’s T-Mix More and Loaded plans (and the older Experience More and Beyond) include data there. Check your plan in your carrier’s app.
Can I use one eSIM in Nassau and at CocoCay?
Yes. Both are in the Bahamas, so one Bahamas eSIM covers them. A plan valid for 7 days covers most short cruises.
Is there free Wi-Fi at the Nassau cruise port?
Yes. The port’s own Wi-Fi is free throughout the terminal.
Do I need a Bahamian SIM card?
Only if you want a local number or you’re staying a while and your phone has a free SIM slot. For a cruise or a short stay, an eSIM is quicker: you install it at home and it works when you arrive.
More: eSIM for a Caribbean cruise · Do I need an eSIM? · How to install an eSIM