Welcome to my blog about San Salvador in the Bahamas.
I create this Blog today because, honestly, I need your help,I get so many inquiries and questions, that I just can’t answer all of them anymore. So, this Blog is my new way of communication. I think we can help each other out by asking questions on this forum and whoever knows the answer can post it. Or just write a comment or experiences you have made or just a travel report whatever it is. It will help us all to understand the “Bahamian way” of live or of doing things.Hopefully you also have some great pictures to share. So, let’s get this communication started. The Bahamas Islands are beautiful but too many people still think that every one of them is just like Nassau or Freeport…….. Couldn’t be father from the truth !
San Salvador Bahamas 
This blog is a such great idea, it is so difficult to get information about san Salvador.
Here is my question: How do you get to San Salvador?
Hi Cecilia
Well, there is no special spot, some watch it in the marina area or where the Columbus monument is close to sugar loaf or the fish fry area in the northern part of the island.
Hi Cecilia – getting to San Sal from US can sometimes be difficult. There is no direct commercial flight except for Spirit Air which services Club Med. When I travel (from Mississippi) I fly to Nassau on any commercial airline, spend the night there and catch Bahamas Air the next day. As a matter of fact, just booked my trip for this Christmas for 3 weeks. So mostly, if you fly commercial, you have to connect thru Nassau. Hope this helps.
Anne – great way to communicate and stay in touch. Hope to meet you.
Hi Jenni
Welcome to this blog.
Thanks for your comment.
I do the same, but from Tampa sometimes I am lucky and I can catch a flight that arrives in Nassau before 9 am and this way I usually get the plane to San Sal.
Have a great time on the Island and if you have a minute, tell us all about it later.
Anne
Hi there. my husband and i have been coming down to Bahamas for the past 12 years and we have ventured to many different islands and San Sal is on our list to do…hopefully next year 2010. One of our main interests is fly-fishing for bonefish. I haven’t been able to find alot of information about ‘flats’ for this style of fishing. Does anyone have any info on this specific subject? Would greatly appreciate it!
Hello Anne – great talking with you tonight via cell phone. My brother in law bought some property in San Salvador 25 years ago, and I am interested in buying now. Please send me ocean view acreage with privacy -360 degree views- remote yet accessable by 4WD jeep. ALso ocean front property please. I could live off the land for solar and wind should get one by the rough days :-). My biggest concern are: (1) taxes, (2) legal ingress and egress, and (3) free title. I would love to fly in. When is the best time to visit? Can you camp out if I brought a tent with my 11 year old daughter? Food? Restaurants? Thanks loads and looking forward to working w/ you in near future. Jim.
Hi Jim
Thanks for posting the questions. Other than the two small town Cockburn and United Estates, everything is remote on San Salvador.It is good to have a 4WD but most of these dirt road can be accessed by a regular car. Property prices start as low as $5000 and for about $15000 and up you can get a nice view onto the ocean. Solar energy on San Salvador is a great idea. I have checked into some systems a while back and it is amazing what they can do and how reliable they are.
The Bahamas has no income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax or sales tax with the exception of the Stamp Duty on the conveyance of real property.
The government’s primary source of revenue is from duties charged by customs on all imported goods into the Bahamas. There is also Real Property Tax. The following are the Real Property Tax Rates: In respect to owner-occupied property:
The first $250,000 is tax exempt.
On that portion in excess of $250,000 and less than $500,000 the rate of tax is 0.75% (¾%) of the market value of the property.
On the portion in excess of $500,000 the tax rate is 1% of the market value of the property.
The maximum annual tax shall not exceed $35,000.00.
In respect to unimproved property other than unimproved property exempt by virtue of Section 39 of the Real Property Tax Act:
Upon that part of the market value that does not exceed $3,000 a fee of $30.00.
Upon that part of the market value which exceeds $3,000 but does not exceed $100,000 a tax rate of 1% per annum of the market value of the property.
In respect to any other property:
Upon that part of the market value that does not exceed $500,000 a tax at the rate of 1% per annum of the market value.
Upon that part of the market value in excess of $500,000 a tax at the rate of 2% of the market value of the property.
When it comes to Legal ingress and egress, I do not see a problem at all. Just make sure that there is an official road to your property and you do not have to cross over someone else’s property.
Free Title – well this one is tricky! Make sure you know wo you are buying from. Instead of trusting the seller, double check. Have your OWN title search done with a lawyer that is NOT hired by the seller. Get title insurance. Check public records and see if the taxes have been paid. Check public records and see who is the last owner of record. Check with the home owners asociation and see what they know about the property. Be careful !!!
Best time to visit San Salvador is always. It is beautiful all year around. Keep in mind that they have a rainy season (hurrican season) My favorite time is in October.
I have to run now
Will answer the rest of your questions soon
Anne
Where do you find a partner on the islands who like to fish and hunt? Thanks.