- Destinations
- North America
- Bermuda
Bermuda
Britain's oldest colony, Bermuda, is a land of pink, sandy
beaches, clear turquoise seas and picturesque old colonial towns.
It is hard now to imagine that sailors knew it as Devil's Island,
but the combination of shallow waters and coral reefs caused many
shipwrecks in the past, which contibuted to the legend of the
'Bermuda Triangle', which stretches from Bermuda to Florida and
Puerto Rico. Today, however, the reefs provide a wonderful
playground for swimming, snorkelling, and diving.
Bermuda is an archipelago comprised of approximately 200 coral
islands and islets located 650 miles (1,045km) off the east coast
of America in the Atlantic Ocean. The bulk of the country consists
of the seven main islands linked to each other by causeways and
bridges and stretches just 20 miles (32km) from tip to tail.
Most visitors to the islands are American citizens who think of
it fondly as very English in character. British visitors, on the
other hand, seem to feel that it has a strongly American flavour.
In truth, Bermuda has a distinct atmosphere that draws its
influences from American and British traditions merged with local
island culture. Business attire might constitute a jacket and tie
with Bermuda shorts, while bikinis are banned further than 25 feet
(7.5m) away from the water!
With its mixture of colonial style and its close proximity to
America, Bermuda has become a centre of high finance as well as one
of the world's most coveted holiday destinations. Generous tax
advantages and satellite communications have induced a stream of
major corporations to set up offices on the island, and have helped
the country become one of the richest, per capita, in the
world.
Because of its natural beauty and close proximity to Florida,
Bermuda is a very popular destination for both cruise ships and
yachts. Over 200,000 people visit the islands from cruise ships
every year.
Information & Facts
Business
Bermuda's economy is dominated by tourism and international
financial services. Business etiquette is conservative, and
businessmen and women should stick to formal dress or lightweight
suits. For meetings, punctuality is important, people are greeted
with handshakes, and business cards are exchanged. Business hours
are generally 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Climate
Bermuda weather features a very mild climate with few extremes
of hot or cold. Temperatures in winter average 68°F (20°C) and 86°F
(30°C) in mid-summer. The most popular time to visit is between
April and October when the sea temperatures are favourable for
swimming. Some facilities are limited in the winter months but room
rates are much cheaper over this period. If however one is
primarily interested in playing tennis or golf, this is the time to
come. Short but heavy showers can occur during any time of the year
so it is advisable to bring suitable clothing.
Communications
The international access code for Bermuda is +1, in common with
the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean, followed by 441. The
outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
01144 for the United Kingdom); no outgoing code is needed to call
the US. Mobile phones operate on a GSM 1900 network. Internet cafes
are widely available.
Customs
As a general rule, dress conservatively. Bathing suits are
acceptable only on the beach, and it is considered an offence to
appear in public without a shirt. Casual sportswear can be worn in
restaurants during the day, but in the evening men should dress
more formally with slacks and a shirt. Good manners are expected,
and asking a question without first offering a proper greeting is
considered extremely rude. Nude or semi-nude bathing is not
permitted in Bermuda.
Duty Free
Travellers to Bermuda over 18 years do not have to pay duty on
200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 0.5kg tobacco; and 1 litre liquor and
1 litre wine. Duty may have to be paid on perfume and gifts.
Spearguns are prohibited.
Electricity
Electrical current is 110 volts, 60Hz. US two-pin
plugs and one with round grounding pin are used.
Getting Around
To get around in Bermuda, you cannot hire a car, although you
can choose from a bicycle, scooter, or even a horse and carriage!
There is a reliable bus system that services the entire country,
and you can get a free schedule from any tourist office. Buses
generally run from 6:30am to around 11pm, and can be crowded at
peak commuting hours. There are usually metred taxis waiting around
major hotels and tourist attractions.
Health
There are no specific health risks for visitors to Bermuda and
medical care is of a high standard. Health insurance is
recommended, as medical treatment is expensive. Food and water are
considered safe for consumption.
Language
English is the official language.
Money
The Bermudan Dollar (BMD) is divided into 100 cents, and is tied
to the US Dollar (US$1=BD$1). US currency is accepted almost
everywhere and other major currencies can be exchanged at banks and
bureaux de change. Banking hours vary, though most are open
weekdays from 9am to 4.30pm. Visa, MasterCard and American Express,
and travellers cheques are widely accepted and ATMs are extensively
available. To avoid additional charges, it is best to carry
travellers cheques in US dollars. Visitors are advised to exchange
all their Bermudan Dollars before leaving, as it is impossible to
exchange once outside the country.
Passport Visa
All visitors must hold a return or onward ticket and any
documents required for further travel. As part of the Western
Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling
between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the
Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid
travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If
departing from the USA a valid passport will be required by
immigration authorities.
Safety
Bermuda is relatively crime-free but visitors should exercise
the necessary precautions to safeguard personal possessions. Care
should be taken after dark, avoiding quieter, poorly lit streets in
particular. The use of 'date rape' drugs is on the increase.
Hurricane season normally runs from June to November.
Time
GMT -4 (GMT -3 from the second Sunday in March to the first
Sunday in November).
Tipping
If not included in the bill, a 15% tip is generally expected at
restaurants and hotels. Taxi drivers are usually tipped 10%. All
Bermuda hotels add a hotel tax of 7.25% to the bill at
check-out.