Bermuda
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory made up of about 180 small islands in the North Atlantic. It sits roughly 1,050 km (650 miles) east of North Carolina — despite the name, it has nothing to do with the Caribbean. The islands were settled by accident: in 1609 the English ship Sea Venture, sailing for Jamestown, wrecked on Bermuda's reefs, and the survivors stayed. Today the territory is known for pink-sand beaches, pastel cottages with white stepped roofs, and a mix of British and American influences left over from centuries as a naval base.
Bermuda suits travelers who want a short, easy getaway built around beaches, golf and walkable historic towns rather than nightlife or budget travel. Most visitors arrive on a two- to three-hour flight from the US East Coast, and the whole island can be explored in three or four days. Prices run high across the board, so it fits travelers comfortable paying resort-level rates for food, transport and accommodation.
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Money & payments
The currency is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar. US dollar bills are accepted everywhere alongside local banknotes, and change may come back in either currency — nobody here distinguishes between the two in daily use.
Cards are the practical way to pay for most things, and ATMs are common in Hamilton, St. George's and other main towns, but carry some coins for public buses, which take exact cash fare only and give no change. Bermuda is one of the most expensive destinations in the Atlantic — a modest lunch, a taxi ride or a hotel room all cost noticeably more than in the US or the Caribbean.
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Tours & Activities
Bermuda — Map
Tipping
Bermuda largely follows American tipping habits. Most restaurants add a service charge automatically, typically 15-17%, so check the bill before adding more. Hotels commonly add a daily gratuity charge as well — ask at check-in whether it is already included. Taxi drivers expect around 15%, more if they help with luggage.
15-17%, often added automatically
often added as a daily charge
~15%
round up or 10-15%
Electricity
Bermuda uses Type A/B plugs at 120 V / 60 Hz, the same as the United States and Canada, so visitors arriving from North America need no adapter.
Language
English is Bermuda's only official language and is spoken by everyone, so English-speaking visitors face no communication barriers.
Staying connected
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.
Safety & emergencies
Bermuda is a low-crime destination for tourists, and violent crime against visitors is rare. The most common issues are petty theft from unlocked cars, rental scooters and beach bags, so keep valuables out of sight. Scooter accidents are the most frequent safety concern, since Bermuda does not allow tourists to rent standard cars and mopeds are the main way to get around independently — wear the helmet provided and take it slowly until you are used to the left-hand traffic.
Health
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.
Visas & entry
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.
Etiquette
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.
Holidays & opening hours
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.
Getting around
- 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).
Driving
Bermuda does not allow visitors to rent full-size cars. The main way for tourists to drive independently is a rental scooter or moped, or, since 2017, a small two-seat electric "mini car" booked through accommodation.
- Which side: Bermuda drives on the left, with the driver's seat on the right, whatever vehicle you rent.
- Speed limit: a single, very low limit applies island-wide — Bermuda has no motorways, and the small road network makes higher speeds unsafe and pointless.
- Rules that differ: mopeds are the default rental vehicle for visitors, and helmets are mandatory; take the practice lesson most rental shops offer before riding on unfamiliar left-hand roads.
- Tolls: none — Bermuda has no toll roads or vignette system.
- Parking: free and usually easy to find outside central Hamilton, where metered on-street parking applies during business hours.
- Fuel: called gasoline or gas at the pump, sold by the liter; stations are staffed and take cards.
Food & drink
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.
Where to explore
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.
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