Bahamas, San Salvador visit Stanley’s Bar

Stanley’s Bar is an icon in the Bahamas on the Island of San Salvador. If you ever visit the Island you have to go for a drink a Stanley’s, even if you do nothing else.This little bar gives you a great feeling for the Bahamian people, the Island and the way they live on San Salvador.
Stanley's Bar San Salvador Bahamas (6)
Stanley’s is open every day from about 7 am to 7 pm. The bar is located in Sugar Loaf, about 7 minutes south of San Sal airport. It sit right on Queens highway, next to Kenny the wood-carver. (which will be another post)

Most tourist drive by, not even knowing that they just missed an awesome place. Yes, there is a sign but since the little bar is in a corner and cars are always parked on that corner, you will focus on the street and miss the bar. There is no official parking lot but then again, we are in the Bahamas, on San Salvador, you can pretty much park anywhere other than in the middle of the street.  Sometimes the door is closed and the place looks deserted from the outside  but  don’t worry, just pull the door and walk right in.

Stanley's Bar San Salvador Bahamas (5)

Stanley’s bar is tiny but so cosy, when you have 4 people at the bar counter and 4 people sitting on chairs, the bar is full and unusually crowed. Sometimes when the weather is not too hot or cold here in the Bahamas, people take their drinks outside and sit on the front steps.

Stanley's Bar San Salvador Bahamas (8)

Stanley runs this bar for more than … years now and he is the sweetest and friendliest bar tender you can find anywhere. He knows all his clients, knows what they drink and greets everybody with a warm welcome. I had only been to the bar once but month later when I visited the Island again, he gave me a big hug and with a huge smile on his face he said “Welcome back to San Salvador Anne”  .

Stanley's Bar San Salvador Bahamas (3)

Every one on the Island knows Stanley and his bar, everybody stops by for a beer once in a while and a lot of stories get told and created in this bar. People just hang or play domino or back gammon (on the one table in the bar) or you take your drink outside and go over to Edna (Stanley;s mother) and sit on her doorsteps chit chatting for a while, surrounded by a cat and some chicken and children playing. But, be careful, if Edna starts telling you her stories you might stay much longer than you anticipated, time just flies by listing to her.

Stanley's Bar San Salvador Bahamas (4)

Enough said about Stanley’s bar here in the Bahamas on San Salvador, no words or pictures can describe it.

Trust me, if you have not seen Stanley’s Bar you have not seen San Salvador. If it was up to me, it would be a national historic site ! Check out the  San Salvador Video

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Waterfront / Oceanfront / Beachfront land for sale in San Salvador Bahamas

Huge direct oceanfront lot for sale. Property is located on Marshal track, San Salvador Bahamas. If you are looking for a perfect beachfront lot with amazing views onto crystal clear waters and a sandy beach, this piece of property might be your dream. It has 100 feet on the ocean and is over 200 feet deep.

The land is situated on the west coast of San Salvador Bahamas you will be able to see the beautiful sunsets every night. This part of the Island has water and electiricity, phone and internet access. Only 10 minutes away from town, the marina, Club Med and the airport, the location is perfect and the lot is big enough to build a waterfront estate if you wanted to.

Please check out some of my blog posts to get a better feeling for the island of San Salvador here in the Bahamas. There are some other ocean / beachfront lots for sale on the Island but I truly believe that this one is the most attractive waterfront lot.

You have some shallow rock formation which I think is the perfect natural seawall but you also have a beautiful beach and unspoiled sand. I spend hours on the beach and will not see one single person ! This piece of land is very secluded but at the same time close to shops and restaurants.

Where in the world can you buy oceanfront lots for this price???

As of October 2015 American Airlines has biweekly flights from Miami directly to San Salvador. so, within an hour or so your could be at your oceanfront dream home.

 

 

Listing by McCarroll Real Estate

 

Airport San Salvador Bahamas

San Salvador International Airport gets an upgrade
Transport and Aviation Minister the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin led a delegation to San Salvador on Tuesday morning to tour the San Salvador International Airport as it undergoes an expansion and structural upgrades after the terminal suffered structural damage during the passage of Joaquin.

“It would not be unfair to say that San Salvador is getting a new airport” said the Transport and Aviation Minister, obviously pleased with the progress made to date.

With increased airlift to the island from France, Canada and the United States, Minister Hanna-Martin is confident that an enhanced airport, the gateway, will definitely enhance the island’s tourism product.

“An enhanced airport that more properly facilitates people to this island I think will enhance the (tourism) product” she said.

Having commenced on the 12th January, the $1.2 million airport expansion and upgrades are being carried out by World Construction and Development Company.

Copied this from an article on BahamasIslandinfo

Incredible deal! House for sale on San Salvador Bahamas

Incredible deal! House for sale on San Salvador Bahamas.

Do NOT wait, don’t miss this one. House for sale on San Salvador Bahamas.
This is the best deal you can probably find in the Bahamas. This home is a diamond in the rough, needs TLC but has the potential to be something really really special.

San Salvador Bahamas House for sale. Best deal in the Bahamas (13)

Look out the window and enjoy magnificent view onto white sandy beaches and the clear world famous Bahamian waters of the ocean.

San Salvador Bahamas House for sale. Best deal in the Bahamas (9)

Situated on the south west side of the Island in Sandy Point, Columbus Landings 4. San Salvador, by many people also called “The forgotten Island” is and amazingly beautiful Island on the east side of the Bahamas island chain.

San Salvador Bahamas House for sale. Best deal in the Bahamas (10)

Real Estate prices on San Salvador are still very affordable and this 3 bedroom 2 bath single family home is way under fair market value.

Do not miss this opportunity, some repairs and a little updating and you have the perfect beach escape in the beautiful Bahamas. The lot is big and enough space for an addition if you needed more space.The asking price is $279,900. Send me a quick note today to get more info on San Salvador here in the Bahamas and this incredible opportunity to buy a home in the Bahamas on San Salvador.

Below please see more pictures of this San Salvador home for sale.

Listing by McCarroll Real Estate

Direct beachfront lot for sale in San Salvador, the Bahamas

Direct beachfront lot for sale in San Salvador, the Bahamas

Dreaming of an affordable gorgeous direct beachfront lot with long white sandy beaches and crystal clear turquoise and blue waters?  Well you might have just found it on San Salvador, Bahamas. This piece of land is just absolutely beautiful.

San Salvador Bhamas oceanfront lot - land for sale (25)
Beachfront / Oceanfront lot for sale on San Salvador Bahamas.

Situated on the west coast of San Salvador with breathtaking sunsets every night. What are you waiting for?

Waterfront lot, direct oceanfront land for sale in San Salvador Bahamas
Waterfront lot, direct oceanfront land for sale in San Salvador Bahamas.

This is your chance to finally own a piece of paradise and built the house of your dreams on a far away yet so close secluded charming little island. The lot is huge, about half an acre, 100 feet direct oceanfront. Unlike most oceanfront lots, this one has access to electric, water, internet and phone service. One for the things that is special to this oceanfront lot is what I call “the natural seawall” The lot itself is covered in lush tropical landscaping from the access road to the oceanfront. The beachfront itself is very unique, you have white sandy beach then a little formation of rocks between 2 and 10 feet deep and about 3 feet high and then white sandy beach again leading into the beautiful waters. I personally really like this setting because the rocks protect you when a storm and big waves are coming in.

Waterfront lot, direct oceanfront land for sale in San Salvador Bahamas
Waterfront lot, direct oceanfront land for sale in San Salvador Bahamas

Only minutes away from town and maybe 10 minutes from Club Med, the marina and the airport. The location could not be better.

San Salvador here in the Bahamas is about 180 miles south east of Nassau, probably 1200 people living on the Island, a few grocery stores, bars and restaurants but hardly any tourism other than the people that come from France, Canada and a handful from the US but they spend all their time in the all inclusive Club Med, they never venture out on the Island. San Salvador is very special and unique, come see for yourself !!! Check out my website to learn much more about the Island. The asking price on this beautiful lot for sale is $179,900 US

Below just find a few pictures of San Salvador here in the Bahamas.  Sometimes a photo says more than 1000 words. There are a lot of different sides to San Salvador, you actually have to come and see for yourself.

Listing by McCarroll Real Estate
























 









How to buy property, house or land on San Salvador Bahamas

How to buy property, house or land on San Salvador Bahamas

Bahamas Real Estate, San Salvador (35)Buying real estate, house, home, condo or vacant lot in the Bahamas / San Salvador is totally different from buying a house, condo or land in the US. Bahamas real estate law and the process of finding the property, getting it under contract and actually going to closing cannot be compared to the US process. Even I as a Real Estate Broker in Florida had a hard time understanding this whole new set of rules and it took me a long time to figure out the best way to go about it, actually the only way to be sure you get a legal conveyance ( deed)

Let’s split this issue (buying a house, home, condo or land in the Bahamas) in two separate parts

Bahamas Real Estate, San Salvador (37)First part, finding a property to buy in the Bahamas.

You have to find your dream property, your lot, your condo, your home in the Bahamas. NOT that easy!

See, in the US we have the MLS system meaning about 99% of all properties for sale get submitted to this system and you can find them on websites like Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow and many more. So, it is very easy to sit at home and search the net for hours and days till you see something that is interesting and in the process of searching for homes or land or condos you get a very good feeling for the areas and the prices etc.

Not so in the Bahamas. Till a few years ago the Bahamas did not have an MLS system, now finally the Bahamas has a similar system BUT only a few properties that are for sale in the Bahamas actually make it into the system. You wonder WHY? As always, it is money ! In the Bahamas the real estate commission is not negotiable, the seller has to pay 10% for a vacant land sale or 6% for and improved land sale(house,condo)

If a realtor put the property (his listing) in the MLS he has to split that commission with the buyer’s broker. If he doesn’t put it in the MLS he can keep the whole commission. Since Bahamian sellers are so new to the MLS system, most of them do not understand it’s benefits and therefore the sellers do not insist on an MLS listing. All this means that you as a buyer have a very difficult time finding ALL the properties for sale. If you check on realtors website only HIS listings are on there and there is a very HIGH chance that he will not even tell you that the house next to his is also for sale for a much lower price. There is also a high amount of “for sale by owner” . These properties are usually not advertised at all and since no commission is paid, no realtor in the Bahamas will tell you about these homes or condos for sale.

Now what ??? How can you make sure that you know each and every property that meets your needs and wants that is for sale in the Bahamas, on the Island you chose? Well, get on a plane and come down here. Find someone who knows the island and that knows real estate, drive around and ask questions. There is only so much research you can do online and it is very difficult to find good information on the web.

Bahamas Real Estate, San Salvador (5)Second Part. How to get clear title to your Bahamas property and all the legal paperwork.

We are not talking about buying a new shirt at Burdines and if you don’t like it you can bring it back within 90 days. Your Bahamas home or land will cost a lot more that a shirt and you can not get a refund if you don’t like it anymore.

You need a lawyer that works for YOU and not the seller !!! This Bahamian lawyer will do a title search and ensure that it is free and clear !!! he will issue something like a title insurance that will protect YOU. Please understand the importance, till just recently the Bahamas was not known for keeping accurate records of property sales (due to the different recording system). If money exchanged for a piece of land or home and the buyer got some “official looking paperwork” but forgot to record it ( because he was not told to do so) than the government didn’t even know that there was a new owner and therefore the old seller could sell this piece of Bahamian property again, to someone else……. and again. So, please get your own lawyer (unless it is a new home or condo development you are buying in) when buying property in the Bahamas.

Please understand, this was the short version of this complex issue. I have met a lot of people who bought properties in the Bahamas and the once that are happy and that use their property have done their research and talked to the closing lawyer. The once that are unhappy and full of drama stories are the people who got caught up in the moment and believed a smiling “NO PROBLEM” salesperson.

Bahamas Real Estate, San Salvador (12)The photos on this page a REAL photos that I took today on the Island of San Salvador Bahamas. These real estate for sale signs tell the story better than I ever could. You do not know if they are from realtors or owners but then again, it doesn’t really matter since you can’t read the phone number anyway ……LOL This is just the island way, nobody is in a hurry to sell I guess.

Buying real estate, house, home or vacant land in the Bahamas, San Salvador is a dream come through for many people (and it was for me) This Island is breathtaking beautiful and the moment you step off the plane you get transported into another world.  It is all worth it !!!  Go after your dream !!! 

Sashimi dinner on San Salvador Bahamas

Sashimi dinner on San Salvador Bahamas

San Salvador here in the Bahamas is famous for fishing and diving and snorkeling and all kinds of things that have to do with water. I am not the biggest fan of Sushi or Sashimi but this appetizer was out of this world, the best I ever had Sashimi. The pictures tell the whole story.

San Salvador Bahamas sashimi dinner (3) I do not fish, wouldn’t even know how to but I am lucky enough to know people that fish !!!

San Salvador Bahamas sashimi dinner (4) Please do not ask me the names of the fish…….. have no idea just know that they were delicious !!!

San Salvador Bahamas sashimi dinner (5)San Salvador is a beautiful place and yes, you only have 3 or 4 little grocery store with limited inventory so you got to be creative when you cook dinner but who needs a big Publix if fish like this swim around in your backyard and you can pick the “sours” (mix between a lemon a lime a grapefruit and an orange if you ask me) from the trees.

San Salvador Bahamas sashimi dinner (6)

San Salvador Bahamas, after the Hurricane Joaquin

 

AMAZING how fast this little island of San Salvador on the eastern side of the Island chain recovered. Yes, there is still some work to do, some roofs to repair and some streets to fix BUT the spirit is back up and everybody is in a positive mood.

San Salvador Island of the Bahamas (12)
San Salvador Bahamas, beaches are as beautiful as ever.
San Salvador Bahamas after hurricane (6)
San Salvador Bahamas This is the biggest clean up job I have seen. Mostly it is just a few pieces of debris here and there.

A lot of people are still out of work because Club Med doesn’t open till 1/31/2016 but that is only 2 weeks away. Electric, water, phone, internet they were all down after the storm but back up and running now all over the island. I have to say, I am truly amazed about the progress and most of all how the beautiful people of San Salvador dealt with the clean up.

San Salvador Bahamas after hurricane (7)
San Salvador Bahamas after hurricane

Yes, you still see some debris on the side of the roads, some blue traps on homes, some of the landscaping is still brow instead of green but the one thing that really stunned me when I was on the Island in December was the road to Snow Bay (east coast of San Salvador) ……..everything is and looks totally different than before and I think I will be like this for some time to come.

San Salvador Bahamas after hurricane (4)
San Salvador Bahamas. This used to be a normal dirt road , now you can not drive on it because it is blocked by tons and tons of rocks and stones.

What used to be a typical dirt road with some potholes in it now looks like something from out of space. my first thought was “this is how I picture the moon” I know, it sounds crazy but it is soooooo different.

San Salvador Bahamas after hurricane (3)
San Salvador Bahamas, sand dunes all the way along the road.

Never seen anything like this and the first time I went from Sandy Point, Columbus Landings 4 (west coast of San Salvador)  to Snow Bay and Guanahani Resort to have a coffee with Elena and Carlos I stopped the car a couple of times to take in this new reality and the beauty of it.

San Salvador Bahamas after hurricane (5)
San Salvador Guanahani Beach Resort, looks like new after the storm. Beautiful place !!!

This first drive down to Snow bay is something I won’t forget for a long time. I was mesmerized by how different everything looks and by the thought that “wind” did change the landscape that much. I guess that was the moment when I really understood how strong this hurricane was. So, like I said, San Salvador here in the Bahamas survived the storm and is doing great again.

Hurricane Joaquin on San Salvador Bahamas

Hurricane Joaquin on San Salvador Bahamas
Hurricane Joaquin news, updates and damages on the Island of San Salvador in the Bahamas.
It has been a couple of very intense dates for San Salvador and it looks like there is still a few more hours of high winds, lots of rain and definitely huge waves for the west coast of the island.
I am in Florida at the moment and I was going crazy with worries about the people on San Salvador. I spend hours on the computer and in front of the TV to find any kind of reliable news and information. at one point I realized how many people are NOT in San Salvador right now and they all have friends or family here in the Bahamas or homes that they own and care about. they are all in the same situation I was in.

So, instead of just sitting here worrying I created a face book page for San Salvador news and updates. This page is helping a lot right now and I hope in the future we can keep it going with more positive updates and news about the Bahamas and our beloved Island of San Salvador.
Check it out to get REAL information from real people on the island of San Salvador. Joaquin is not gone yet and there is already a lot of property damage on San Salvador but hopefully nobody will get hurt.
Here is the link    San Salvador facebook updates
Please like the page, that way you will not miss any updates on Joaquin.