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.

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 or 293-1420
British Airways 1-800-247-9297
Continental 1-800-231-0856 or 295-1973
Delta Airlines 1-800-221-1212
Jet Blue 1-800-538-2583
United 1-800-241-6522
US Airways 1-800-622-1015
USA 3000 1-877-USA-3000
Zoom 1-613-235-9666

Airport

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

Customs & Duty

U.S. residents who have been out of their country for 48 hours or more may take home items valued up to $800 once every 30 days without incurring taxes. Family members who live in the same home and return together to the United States may combine their personal exemptions; this is called a joint declaration. Visit www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/duty_free.xml for more information.

Residents of the United Kingdom who are over 18 years old may take home 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars, and one litre of spirits or two litres of wine. 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 any duties, as long as they have the goods with them when they arrive. After each absence of seven days or more, Canadian residents can claim up to CAN$750 worth of goods without paying any duties. With the exception of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, they do not need to have the goods with them when they arrive. For both types of duty exemptions, a partial exemption may apply to cigarettes, tobacco products or manufactured tobacco. 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 and ends on the first Sunday in November.

Allergies
Ragweed is non-existent 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.

Currency and Credit Cards

The Bermuda dollar is divided into 100 cents and is equal in value to the American dollar; both are legal tender on the island. Exchange rates for all other foreign currencies are available throughout Bermuda banks. Credit cards are widely accepted in stores, restaurants and hotels.

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 credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere on island.

Electricity

Same as in the U.S. and Canada: 110 volts, 60-cycle AC.

Telephones

To Call Bermuda - area code: 441
To Call Out of Bermuda - International Operator 00
To call U.S.A. - Dial 1 before the area code and the seven-digit number
To call U.K. - Dial 011 + 44 + area code and phone number
To call any other country - Dial 011 + country code + area code + phone number

Important Telephone Numbers

Postal Information

Post Office: 56 Church Street, Hamilton (Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. - noon).

Rates: Airmail postcards: Canada and U.S., Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia 70¢ - 80¢ - 90¢. Airmail closing time at the General Post Office on Church Street, Hamilton, is 9:30 a.m. of the same day.

Internet

Bermuda has a number of Internet service providers. Both DSL and dial-up connections are available.

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

Newspapers

Bermudian, British, Canadian and U.S. papers, are often available at several locations in Bermuda. Local newspapers are The Royal Gazette, The Bermuda Sun and The MidOcean News. The Royal Gazette is the only daily newspaper available Monday-Saturday; it can also be found online at www.theroyalgazette.bm. The Bermuda Sun is published on Wednesdays and Fridays, whilst The MidOcean News is published on Fridays.

Shops and Bank Hours

Shops are generally open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Business and professional offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Clocktower Mall in Dockyard is open weekdays 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., and opens Sundays and holidays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Smoking

As of October 1, 2006, Bermuda banned smoking in all public places (including restaurants and bars) and the sale of cigarettes from vending machines. Offenders face a US$1,000 fine.

Taxes and Tipping

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
Liberty Theatre, Union Square, Hamilton, Tel: 292-7296; The Little Theatre, Queen Street, Hamilton, Tel: 292-2135; Neptune Cinema, Dockyard, Tel: 234-2923; Southside Cinema, St. David's, Tel: 297-2821.

Public Holidays

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.
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Vessels Visiting Bermuda

H.M. Customs may give permission for a 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

Cruise ships may dock in St. Georges, Royal Naval Dockyard (West End, King's Wharf), or Hamilton.

Ships with frequent stops to Bermuda are: Caribbean Princess, Explorer of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Dream, Norwegian Majesty. Additionally the following ships will call once a year in 2008, or occassionally: Boudicca, Noordam, Hebridean Spirit, Costa Fortuna, Azamara Journey, Constellation, Seven Seas Navigator, Navigator of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Carnival Miracle, Amsterdam, Club Med II, Seven Seas Mariner, Century, Seven Seas Voyager Amadea Jewel of the Seas, Crystal Symphony, The World, Regatta, Island Star, Vistamar.

A comprehensive guide to the 2008 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!

Bermuda Breeze Transportation Passess are the best value for visitors, good for unlimited rides on the bus and ferry system. Passes are available for one, two, three, four and seven days.