Area code 242 is the telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for The Bahamas. Area code 242 translates to the letter sequence BHA on an alpha-numeric keypad. The numbering plan area (NPA) was created in a split of area code 809, which was originally assigned to the Bahamas and many of the Caribbean islands. A permissive dialing period was in effect from October 1, 1996, to March 31, 1997.