Passport Requirements for U.S. Citizens

There may be new requirements for travel documents since you last traveled abroad. Please see this important information for full details. Or, click here for information about how to apply for, or renew a U.S. passport.

Bermuda Weather

What's the current weather in Bermuda? Visit weather.bm.

Going boating? Check out the Bermuda marine forecast first. Visit weather.bm/forecastmarineextended.asp.

Hurricane Guarantee

New this year! Visitors planning trips to the famed pink sand beaches of Bermuda over the coming months can now do so with greater peace of mind due to the first-ever "Hurricane Guarantee" program offered by 16 of the island's top resorts. Get full details here.

Arriving in Bermuda

Airlines
Air Canada 1-888-247-2262
American Airlines 1-800-433-7300 / 293-1420
British Airways 1-800-247-9297
Continental 1-800-231-0856 / 295-1973
Delta Airlines 1-800-221-1212
Jet Blue 1-800-538-2583
United Airlines 1-800-241-6522
US Airways 1-800-622-1015
USA 3000 1-877-USA-3000
Find schedules and more information in the Transportation section.

Airport

Planes arrive at L.F. Wade International Airport in St. George's. You can reach Bermuda in less than three hours from the East Coast of North America.

Customs & Duty

United States residents who have been out of the country for 48 hours or more may take home items valued up to $800 once every 30 days without incurring duty. Adults may include 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars and one litre of alcohol within their exemption, plus a second litre if produced by a Caribbean Basin country. Duty and federal tax on the next $1,000 of merchandise is just 3.566 percent. Original paintings, drawings and sculptures are duty-free, although they must be declared. Cuban products cannot be imported legally without a special licence. Family members who return home together may combine their personal exemptions on a joint declaration. Visit www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/duty_free.xml for more information.

United Kingdom residents 17 or older may take home duty-free two litres of table wine and one litre of spirits or liqueurs, or two litres of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs, plus 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, plus 60cc of perfume and 250cc of eau de toilette, plus other goods worth up to £145. Travellers cannot group their allowances. Visit www.hmrc.gov.uk for more information.

Canadian residents who have been out of their country for 48 hours or more can claim up to CAN$400 worth of goods without paying duty if they carry the goods with them. After each absence of seven days or more, Canadian residents can claim up to CAN$750 worth of goods without duty. Except for tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, they do not need to have the goods with them. Partial exemptions may apply to tobacco products. Visit www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca for more information.

Additional Information About Clearing Customs in Bermuda

Passports

As of January 8, 2007, birth certificates are no longer acceptable as a form of identification for U.S. citizens travelling between Bermuda and the U.S. All U.S. citizens who are returning to the U.S., including infants and children, must have a valid passport. Check www.travel.state.gov for the most updated information on the requirements.

On Island Time

Bermuda's standard time is one hour later than U.S. Eastern Standard Time. Bermuda's daylight-saving time begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March (March 8, 2009, March 14, 2010) and ends on the first Sunday in November (Nov. 1, 2009, Nov. 7, 2010).

Allergies

Ragweed is nonexistent in Bermuda. Pollens and other weeds are quickly blown out to sea. Moulds and mildews are often present due to the high humidity.

Calling Cards

You can buy calling cards in denominations of $5, $10, $20 and $50 from Cable & Wireless, Logic and TeleBermuda. Available at various locations throughout Bermuda.

Credit Cards

Visa and MasterCard may be used for cash advances at local bank branches. In addition, Bank of Bermuda HSBC and Butterfield Bank provide ATMs island-wide for MasterCard, Cirrus and Plus cash advances. Visa, MasterCard and AmEx cards are accepted virtually everywhere on island.

Currency

The Bermuda dollar is divided into 100 cents and is equal in value to the U.S. dollar; both are legal tender on the islands. The exchange of other foreign currencies is done in banks. Credit cards are widely accepted in stores, restaurants and hotels.

Electricity

Electrical service is the same as in the U.S. and Canada: 110 volts, 60 cycles AC.

Telephones

Call to Bermuda: Country code 1, area code 441
Call to North America: 1 + area code + phone number
Call to the U.K.: 011 + 44 + city code + phone number
Call to other countries: 011 + country code + city code + phone number
Call the international operator: 00

Important Telephone Numbers

Planning a wedding or honeymoon, or to coordinate group travel, contact a Bermuda travel expert at bermudatravel.bm.
Tel: 781-662-1953 or info@bermudatravel.bm

Postal Service

General Post Office: 56 Church St., Hamilton, 297-7893 or 295-5151, ext. 114 (open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to noon). Rates: Local letters are 35 cents, and local greeting cards are 30 cents. Airmail to the United States, the Caribbean or Canada is 70 cents; 85 cents to Great Britain; and 95 cents to Europe, Asia, Australia or New Zealand.

Internet

Bermuda has a number of Internet service providers offering DSL and dial-up connections.

The Bermuda Library on Queen Street offers free Internet service with a limit of 30 minutes per person. Its hours are: Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Other locations where you can access the Internet are Caffe Latte, Docksiders Pub, the Hot Spot, Internet Lane, iStore, Logic Internet Café, Print Express and TeleBermuda International.

Newspapers

Bermudian, British, Canadian and U.S. newspapers are available at several locations in Bermuda. Local newspapers are The Royal Gazette, The Bermuda Sun and The MidOcean News. The Royal Gazette is the daily newspaper, available Monday to Saturday, found online at www.royalgazette.com. The Bermuda Sun is published on Wednesday and Friday, www.bermudasun.org, whilst The MidOcean News is published each Friday, www.midoceannews.bm.

Shops and Office Hours

Generally, shops, businesses and professional offices open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Clocktower Mall, in Royal Naval Dockyard, opens seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April 1 to Dec. 31 — later on Monday evening during Destination Dockyard - and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Jan. 1 to March 31.

Smoking

Smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars, and the sale of cigarettes from vending machines are banned in Bermuda. Offenders face a $1,000 fine.

Taxes and Tipping

There is no sales tax. At most restaurants, a 15 percent tip will be added to your bill. At hotels, a 7.25 percent hotel-occupancy tax is added to your bill at checkout.

Legal Drinking Age: 18

Religious Services

Check the local newspaper for detailed information on the religious services available.

Movie Theatres

Take in a movie at Liberty Theatre, Union Square, Hamilton, 292-7296; Neptune Cinema, Royal Naval Dockyard, 234-2923; Southside Cinema, St. David's, 297-2821; or Speciality Cinema & Grill, Queen Street, Hamilton, 292-2135/295-2751.

Bermuda Official Public Holidays for 2009 and 2010

For more holidays, events and festivals visit our Events section.

Bermuda Consuls

Getting Around

Visitors aren't permitted to rent cars in Bermuda, but don't worry about getting from the East End to the West End. Bermuda offers reliable transportation services to suit all of your needs — from shuttles, bicycles, buses and carriages to ferries, motor scooters and taxis. Check out our Transportation section for more information.

Working in Bermuda

Thinking of doing business in Bermuda? Here are a few things you'll need to know:

• You can work in Bermuda with a locally incorporated company for up to six days.
  
  
• You can work for an overseas branch of a Bermuda-based company for up to 15 days.
  
  
• If you want to work in Bermuda for longer than 15 days you must apply for a temporary (three-month) work permit.
  
  
• Your sponsoring company must provide you with a stamped, signed copy of the Immigration Department's Business Visitor Form before you leave home.
  
  
• Before arriving in Bermuda, you should complete Section A of the Bermuda Immigration landing card by ticking Box 4 ("Business") or Box 6 ("International Company Business"). Give it to an immigration officer after you arrive.
  
  

In an effort to strike a fair balance in accommodating both businesses and Bermudian citizens in the work force, the government of Bermuda maintains strict policies concerning non-Bermudians seeking employment on island.

For more information about living and working in Bermuda, please see our Business + Relocation Guide.

Extended Stays

Extended stays must be authorized by the Minister. Generally, on arrival at the airport, a visitor is given the opportunity to stay in Bermuda for up to 21 days. If you require a longer stay you must make an appointment with an Immigration Inspector at the Department of Immigration Headquarters. For stays beyond three months there is a small fee. Extensions are normally given for no more than a total stay of eight weeks. In very exceptional circumstances, extensions may be given for up to five months, but visitors are limited to a total maximum stay of six months. For returning visitors, the length of stay is cummulative (the length of stay for each successive visit is added to the duration of the previous visit).

Business in Bermuda / Relocation Guide

Read the Experience Bermuda Business & Relocation Magazine online now.
(Best if viewed with IE 7.0.)

Vessels Visiting Bermuda

Over 1,000 private yachts and vessels call to Bermuda each year from North America, Europe, the Caribbean and Canada. H.M. Customs may give permission for a private vessel and visiting yachtsmen to remain in Bermuda waters for an extended period, particularly during the Hurricane Season. From June 1st through November 30th permission may be granted to stay in Bermuda for up to five months to provide safe haven. Contact the Department of Immigration to learn more about documentation and requirements.

Cruise Ships That Stop In Bermuda

In 2009 Bermuda will expect to receive 138 cruise calls, just one more than in 2008, but 65 fewer calls than in 2007. The 2009 cruise season runs from April 10th to November 25th. The new cruise ship pier in Royal Naval Dockyard built to better service the growing number of mega-ships, expects to see its first cruise ship on April 29th, 2009. The estimated combined revenue generated by cruising in Bermuda is approximately 69.2 million (based on exit survey data, visitor and crew spending and tax revenues).

Cruise ships may dock at any of the following piers or at anchor in Great Sound:
Hamilton, #1 Passenger Terminal
Hamilton, #5/6 Passenger Terminal
Pennos Pennos Wharf, St. George's
Ordnance Island, St. George's
West End (King's Wharf), Dockyard
Heritage Wharf, Dockyard

Ships with frequent stops to Bermuda are:
Caribbean Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Grandeur of the Seas
Norwegian Dawn
Norwegian Spirit
Norwegian Majesty

Additionally the following ships will call once a year in 2009, or occassionally:
Grand Princess
Braemar
Voyager of the Seas
Prinsendam
Orchestra
Club Med 2
Constellation
Seven Seas Navigator
Dawn Princess
Costa Atlantica
Carnival Miracle
Carnival Dream
Seven Seas Voyager
Jewel of the Seas
Crystal Symphony
Crystal Serenity
Regatta
Silver Cloud

A comprehensive guide to the 2009 cruise ship calls to Bermuda is published by the Bermuda government. You can view it in PDF here.

Local Information

Land

Bermuda is composed of approximately 138 islands that are volcanic in origin with limestone caps.

Bermuda's "mainland" comprises seven of the largest islands linked by bridges.

People

Weather

Rainfall is even throughout the year.

* Bermuda Government Statistics Department

Winging It

Bermuda Has A Proud Aviation History

Surrounded by water, Bermuda enjoys a venerable seafaring heritage. But the islands also boast several aviation milestones.

Even in the early days of commercial aviation, crowds flocked to fly to balmy Bermuda. British Airways began service from New York to Bermuda as Imperial Airways in 1937. Soon service was offered from the United Kingdom as well.

Sir Winston Churchill, the country's legendary prime minister, was among the first travellers to take advantage of the service, bucking the traditional trans-Atlantic cruise by boarding a Boeing 314 "flying boat."

The 4,437-mile trip took a little longer than it does today — 17 hours and 55 minutes, compared with only six and half hours that modern fliers face from Gatwick.

But it was still a few years before BA offered regular service from London. That began in 1950 with a Boeing Stratocruiser that stopped along the way in Lisbon and the Azores. Surprisingly, it wasn't until the 1980s that BA offered non-stop service.

Now BA offers five flights a week from London's Gatwick on Boeing 777 jets.

Local Lingo

English is the official language in Bermuda, but from time to time you're apt to overhear some unusual words and phrases. Bermudians love to add their own special twist to things and language is no exception. Want to talk like a native? Bone up on these bon mots.

Fast Facts About Bermuda

 Bermuda is the oldest British Colony. In 1995 73% of Bermuda’s voting population voted ‘no’ to independence.

 Throughout Bermuda there is approximately 155 miles of roadway.

 Bermuda bus stops are painted either pink or blue. Pink indicates a bus traveling into Hamilton and blue indicates the bus is heading away from the city. Learn more about Bermuda bus transportation here.

 Bermuda’s typical breakfast is Codfish & Potatoes.

 'Onions'’ – the unofficial name for Bermudians and 'Onion patch' – the unofficial name for Bermuda.

 The land mass of Bermuda is almost equal to the size of London’s Heathrow Airport. Bermuda has approx 138 islands that are volcanic in origin with limestone cap. Mainland comprises of 7 largest islands linked by bridges.

 Tree frogs, also known as whistling frogs, are hard to find. You can hear their relaxing chirp every night but they will show themselves only when it rains.

 In Bermuda, most Christmas trees are imported from Canada.

 Bermuda has more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Read more in Land Sports.

 Bermuda roofs are made from Bermuda slate and timber. They are whitewashed and collect rainwater into tanks stored under each house. The water undergoes a filtration process with each dwelling having their own water supply.

 Kite flying is a custom always done on Good Friday. (a public holiday in April). Many families make their own kites and a popular place to fly them is on Horseshoe Beach. Find local events here.

 The Dark'n Stormy^TM is Bermuda's national drink made with authentic Gosling's Black Seal Rum. Place ice cubes in highball glass, add 1.5 oz. of Gosling's Black Seal Rum, top with Ginger Beer. Squeeze lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and garnish with lemon wedge. Enjoy!

 Car rentals are not permitted in Bermuda. However, transportation is made easy using moped, buses, taxi, or ferries. Get full details here.

 Johnny Barnes is a self appointed “Good Will Ambassador of Bermuda’’. Each weekday morning between 6am-10am you will find him standing by the round-about near Crow Lane Park in Paget, waving and greeting travelers going in and out of Hamilton. He has been doing this for over 20 years. Read more.

 The Gombeys are traditional dancers originating back to the 17th century. They perform with drum and bottle whistles in a fantastic whirl of colour and rhythm. The word Gombeys comes from the African Bantu language and means both rhythm and drum.

 St Georges is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the oldest continuously inhabited town of English origin in the western hemisphere. In 1612 it was the second English town to be established in the New World. Learn more here.

 In 1815 Hamilton became Bermuda’s capital and still is today.

 Gibbs Lighthouse was the second cast iron lighthouse to ever be constructed. At 362 feet above sea level it was the tallest in the world. There are 185 steps to the top. Visit the lighthouse and find more about sightseeing here.

 Bermuda has one of the highest concentrations of limestone caves in the world.

 The waters off Bermuda are home for more than 650 species of fish. The Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo and Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute are great places to explore for educational fun. Read more.

 Bermuda has pink sand from the remains of a tiny organism known as the red foram. This marine animal has a red skeleton and grows in abundance on the under side of rocks. When it dies, the skeleton is eroded by waves and mixes with other particles of shells, coral and sea urchins, which together form the grain of pink sand.

 Bermuda’s waters seem to be much bluer than other places because of the low levels of phytoplankton.

 Bermuda shorts are the most famous attire for men in Bermuda. They are worn with jacket, tie and knee socks. They are typically worn from the first week in May through the first week in November, however many locals are seen to be wearing them all year round.

 Houses were always given a name until recently when they were issued numbers.

 May 24th is the traditional ‘first swim date of the year’.

 Most advertisements, advertising, guide books and newspapers in Bermuda are spelt the British, not the American way. Also Bermudians write the dates the English way for example, July 4th 2005 would be 04/07/05, not 07/04/05.

 In Bermuda distance is shown in meters, not miles and petrol (gasoline) is measured in liters, not gallons.

 Locals predict storms and other severe weather from a unique shark oil-based barometer. The appearance of the oil alters consistently with the changes of the weather. The most logical theory seems to be that sharks are alerted to weather changes by a change in their liver. They will swim to deeper water before a bad storm arrives. The oil used in the home-made barometers seems to retain its ability to detect the weather change by changing from a clear golden color to milky white.

 Coordinates:
      Bermuda’s Latitude: 32 degrees 19’ north
      Bermuda’s Longitude: 64 degrees 46’ west

 Maximum elevation is 259.4 ft high

Per every 10,000 people there are:
	Doctors	15
	Nurses	79
	Dentists	6

Racial Ratio
	Black	61%
	White	39%

In the workplace
	Bermudians	77%
	Expats	23%
	Unemployment	2.6%
	Average hours worked in a week	32.6
	Average employment income	$44,000
	Average household income	$72,000

Private Cars are limited to one per household.
	Private Cars	22,000
	Motor Cycles and Mopeds	24,250
	Buses, Truck & others	5,103

DID YOU KNOW? Bermuda time is 12 hours behind Hong Kong, five behind Paris and Frankfurt, four behind London and one ahead of Atlanta, Boston, New York and Toronto.

Learn more about Bermuda’s professionals, industries and doing business in Bermuda.

Make your Bermuda trip even more memorable with dolphins! Dolphin Quest offers fun, interactive dolphin encounter programs for all. Book your adventure today!

Have a fun-filled vacation with a cycle from Oleander. If you can ride a bicycle, you can easily ride an Oleander scooter. See all of Bermuda...reserve one today!

Getting Around Bermuda Relax, enjoy, save and see Bermuda by bus. A blue or pink pole indicates bus stops. If the pole is topped with blue, the bus travels from Hamilton; if the pole is topped pink, the route is toward Hamilton.