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English is Bermuda's only official language and is spoken by everyone, so English-speaking visitors face no communication barriers.

Local prepaid SIM and eSIM plans are available from Digicel and One Communications, both with counters at L.F. Wade International Airport. Mobile coverage is reliable across the main islands, including beaches, Hamilton and St. George's.

Tap water comes from rainwater collected in household tanks, and quality varies by property — many visitors choose bottled water as a precaution. Pharmacies are available in Hamilton and other main towns and stock familiar over-the-counter brands. No vaccinations are required for entry, and healthcare on the island is good but expensive, so travel insurance covering medical costs is worth arranging before departure.

Citizens of the US, UK, Canada and most Commonwealth countries do not need a visa. They can stay up to 180 cumulative days within a rolling 12-month period, though immigration officers set the exact permitted stay on arrival. Everyone needs a passport, a return or onward ticket, and a free Bermuda Arrival Card completed online before travel. Most flights connect through the US, UK or Canada, so travelers from other countries should also check the transit visa rules for whichever of those three they fly through.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

Bermuda has an unusually formal dress culture for a beach destination. Business attire commonly includes tailored Bermuda shorts worn with a blazer, tie and knee-high socks. Many restaurants and clubs expect collared shirts and closed shoes in the evening. Swimwear belongs on the beach and at the pool; cover up before entering shops, restaurants or churches. Greetings tend to be polite and unhurried — a "good morning" to shopkeepers and strangers on the street is normal and appreciated.

Public holidays affect banks, government offices and many shops, and some close entirely for Bermuda's own observances, such as the Cup Match cricket holiday at the end of July or start of August, when much of the island effectively shuts down for two days. Most shops keep standard daytime hours and close early or stay shut on Sundays outside central Hamilton.

• By bus: pink-and-blue public buses cover the whole island on a zone-fare system. Drivers sell no tickets and give no change, so buy a pre-paid transit pass in advance or carry exact coins. See the Department of Public Transportation for routes and schedules.
• By ferry: passenger ferries connect Hamilton, the Royal Naval Dockyard and St. George's, and are often faster and more scenic than the bus for cross-island trips. The same transit passes work on buses and ferries.
• By taxi: metered taxis are available island-wide and can be booked by phone or hailed in town; many drivers also work as informal tour guides for a fixed hourly rate.
• By scooter or moped: the main way for visitors to get around independently, since Bermuda does not allow tourists to rent standard cars (see Driving below).

Bermudian food blends British, American, Portuguese and Caribbean influences built around what the surrounding ocean provides. A cooked breakfast of codfish and potatoes is one of the island's oldest dishes, traditionally eaten on Sunday mornings. Bermuda fish chowder is another classic — a dark, richly spiced soup finished at the table with a splash of black rum and sherry peppers.

Fresh fish, usually wahoo or rockfish, shows up grilled, fried into a fish sandwich, or served with rice and peas. Cassava pie, a dense savory pie of grated cassava layered with chicken and pork, is a traditional Christmas dish still served in restaurants year-round. For something sweet, look for Bermuda syllabub, a whipped cream and sherry dessert.

The national drink is the rum swizzle, a fruity rum cocktail invented on the island and served everywhere from beach bars to hotel restaurants. Gosling's Black Seal rum, Bermuda's best-known export, is the base for it and for the Dark 'n' Stormy. Most dining is in restaurants and hotel dining rooms rather than street food or market stalls, reflecting the island's high cost of living.

Bermuda has two incorporated towns worth building a visit around. Hamilton is the capital and main hub, with the country's shopping, restaurants and the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity and Bermuda National Gallery. St. George's, at the eastern end of the island, is the oldest continuously inhabited English settlement in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage town, with the St. Peter's Church and Unfinished Church within walking distance of each other.

The western end of the island, around the Royal Naval Dockyard, centers on the Keep Fort & National Museum of Bermuda and connects by ferry to Hamilton, making it an easy stop for cruise passengers and day-trippers alike.