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Territory of United Kingdom

North America

BermudaTravel guide

Explore Bermuda visa rules

Bermuda is a self-governing British overseas territory in the Atlantic Ocean, off North America. Its capital is Hamilton. It has beaches, caves, historic forts and nature reserves, but travel and accommodation can be expensive.

Why go

  1. Explore Hamilton and the historic town of St George's.

  2. Visit Crystal Caves and Fantasy Caves.

  3. See old forts and the National Museum of Bermuda.

  4. Explore nature reserves such as Spittal Pond.

  5. Visit the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo.

Best time to go: Spring to autumn brings warmer weather. Hurricane season runs from June to November. Winter is cooler, with gales and strong winds.

Getting there

By air

  • L.F. Wade International Airport is in St George's Parish, closer to St George's than Hamilton.
  • British Airways flies from London Heathrow. The source also lists daily flights from several cities in the United States and from Toronto Pearson.
  • All passengers pay a $50 airport tax. Air tickets can cost considerably more than flights to many Caribbean destinations.

By sea

  • Cruise ships visit during summer, mainly from ports on the eastern coast of the United States.
  • Cruise ships may stop in Hamilton, St George's or the Royal Naval Dockyard. The largest ships can dock only at the Dockyard.

Customs

  • Non-residents must have a return or onward ticket to pass immigration.
  • The same immigration and customs rules apply to arrivals by sea and air.
  • For flights to the United States, customs and immigration checks take place in Bermuda before boarding. This makes onward domestic connections easier after arrival.

Getting around

  • Bus

    Buses connect all parts of the islands with Hamilton. They are the cheapest way to get around. Services may run late, with waits of 15 to 30 minutes. Many areas cannot be reached by bus after about 6 PM. You can buy a travel pass for several days at a post office in Hamilton or St George's. Pink bus-stop poles mark services heading into Hamilton. Blue poles mark services heading out. Buses do not accept passengers with a lot of luggage. Buses are air-conditioned, but some journeys can feel fast and close to roadside plants.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are available at the airport. Airport rates are set and posted. A journey may cost up to $100, depending on arrival time and destination.

  • Ferry

    Ferries connect the Royal Naval Dockyard directly with Hamilton. Cruise passengers in Hamilton can use the ferry system to reach other parts of the islands.

  • Rented moped

    Traffic drives on the left, and roads can be narrow. Rented mopeds are often involved in accidents. Lock your moped whenever you leave it unattended. Mopeds are frequent targets for theft. Stay calm in traffic, which can pass quite close.

What to see and do

  • National Museum of Bermuda

    Explore old limestone storage buildings, a keep and a fortress that have been turned into a visitor attraction.

  • Globe Hotel museum

    This museum is among the historic buildings cared for by the Bermuda National Trust.

  • Gibbs Hill Lighthouse

    One of the world's oldest cast iron structures, it was first lit on May 1, 1846.

  • Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo

    Its centrepiece is a 140,000-gallon replica coral reef. It also has more than 300 birds, reptiles and mammals, and 200 fish species.

  • Crystal Caves and Fantasy Caves

    These two caves share an address but offer quite different sights.

  • Spittal Pond

    This is one of Bermuda's nature reserves.

Food and drink

  • Lobster and other seafood

    Seafood often appears on restaurant menus. Much of Bermuda's food is imported, which raises dining costs.

  • British pub food

    Most pubs serve typical British pub meals.

  • Bermudian restaurant cooking

    Hotel and restaurant chefs often adapt dishes from other cuisines, including West Indian and Californian food.

  • KFC in Hamilton

    This Bermudian-owned restaurant is the only multinational fast-food outlet allowed to operate under the law described in the source.

  • Rum Swizzle

    A strong, sweet cocktail made with amber rum, dark Jamaican rum and citrus juices. Some versions also include brandy.

  • Dark n' Stormy

    A sweet mixed drink made with Gosling's Black Seal rum and Barritt's Bermuda Stone Ginger Beer.

Money

Bermudian dollar (BMD), written as $ or B$.

  • One Bermudian dollar equals one United States dollar at a fixed rate. United States dollars are accepted everywhere at the same value.
  • Bermudian dollars are not accepted elsewhere in the world.
  • Imported goods carry a large markup because of import taxes.
  • Groceries and everyday goods usually cost less away from tourist areas. Shop where local people shop.

Typical costs

  • The airport tax is $50 per passenger.
  • An airport taxi may cost up to $100.
  • The source gives an example of yoghurt costing about $1.60 near hotels, with a price about 25% lower away from tourist attractions.
  • Accommodation and airfares are expensive. The source describes similar products in Bermuda as costing two to five times as much as in Caribbean destinations.

Language

  • English is the official and main spoken language. Local accents can be distinctive, and spelling follows British English.
  • Portuguese is the second most widely spoken language.
Good morning
A polite greeting or farewell in the morning.
Good afternoon
A polite greeting or farewell in the afternoon.
Good evening
A polite greeting or farewell in the evening.

Staying safe

  • Most crime is theft or robbery. Use the same precautions you would use at home to protect your belongings.
  • Lock rented mopeds when unattended, as they are frequent theft targets.
  • Take care on narrow roads and remember that traffic drives on the left.
  • Watch for purple men o' war floating on the sea surface. They can cause a very painful sting.

Local customs

Do

  • Say good morning, good afternoon or good evening when greeting someone and when leaving.
  • Ask politely if you need help. Many Bermudians are happy to answer visitors' questions.
  • Respect local religious customs. Anglican and Roman Catholic churches are common.

Staying healthy

  • Carry water when going more than a short distance from your hotel. Bermuda can get very hot during the day.
  • Apply plenty of sunscreen. Even a couple of hours on a sunny beach can cause painful sunburn, especially on fair skin.
  • Healthcare is very expensive, and there is no government-funded national health service.
  • King Edward VII Memorial Hospital has emergency services and a decompression chamber for pressure-related diving injuries.

Where to stay

  • Accommodation in Bermuda is usually expensive.
  • Bed and breakfasts and smaller hotels with kitchenettes are available.
  • Some businesses offer private homes, apartments and studios for short stays.

Outdoor adventures in Bermuda

Bermuda offers pink sand beaches, a former railway walking trail, caves and nature reserves. Spring to autumn is the best time to visit, though hurricanes and tropical storms can occur from June to November.

  • Horseshoe Bay Beach

    Beache

    Spring to autumn

    Visit the beach to swim and enjoy the pink sand.

    • Apply plenty of sunscreen. Even a couple of sunny hours can cause sunburn.
    • Watch for purple, floating men o’ war. They can give a painful sting.

  • Bermuda Railway Trail

    HikeSt. George’s through Pembroke Parish toward Somerset Villagenear Hamilton, near the Pembroke Parish section

    Spring to autumn

    Walk along the public trail on the former railway bed. It runs from St. George’s through Pembroke Parish near Hamilton and toward Somerset Village in the west.

    • Carry water. Bermuda can get very hot during the day.
    • Apply plenty of sunscreen.

  • Crystal Caves

    More to do

    Visit Crystal Caves at the same address as nearby Fantasy Caves.

  • Fantasy Caves

    More to do

    Visit Fantasy Caves at the same address as nearby Crystal Caves.

  • Elbow Beach

    Beache

    Spring to autumn

    Visit the pink sand beach for a swim.

    • Apply plenty of sunscreen.
    • Watch for purple, floating men o’ war. They can give a painful sting.

  • Tobacco Bay

    Beache

    Spring to autumn

    Visit the beach for a swim.

    • Apply plenty of sunscreen.
    • Watch for purple, floating men o’ war. They can give a painful sting.

  • St. Catherine’s Bay

    Beache

    Spring to autumn

    Visit the beach at St. Catherine’s Bay to swim.

    • Apply plenty of sunscreen.
    • Watch for purple, floating men o’ war. They can give a painful sting.

  • Spittal Pond Nature Reserve

    More to do

    Visit Spittal Pond, one of Bermuda’s nature reserves.

    • Carry water when venturing more than a short distance from your hotel.
    • Apply plenty of sunscreen.

Airports, metros and trains in Bermuda

Airports with scheduled flights

  • BDAL.F. Wade International AirportHamiltonMain international airport

People and safety in Bermuda

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mixed.

  • Christian75%
  • No religion19%
  • Folk religions3%
  • Muslim1%
  • Other<1%
  • Buddhist<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex couples can form civil unions, but not marry.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 52 of 101 countries can visit Bermuda easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required52
  • Visa required49

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Oceania14 of 14 countries
  • Americas14 of 19 countries
  • Europe2 of 4 countries
  • Asia4 of 10 countries
  • Africa18 of 54 countries

Questions

Is Bermuda part of United Kingdom?

Bermuda is a territory linked to United Kingdom, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit United Kingdom.

Does a United Kingdom visa let me visit Bermuda?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for United Kingdom may not cover Bermuda. Check the Bermuda visa page for your passport.

Is Bermuda in the Caribbean?

No. It is in the Atlantic Ocean, north of the Caribbean and off North America.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring to autumn brings warmer weather. Hurricane season runs from June to November, while winter is cooler and can be windy.

Can I pay with United States dollars?

Yes. They are accepted everywhere, and one United States dollar equals one Bermudian dollar.

How can I get from the airport to my hotel?

Taxis are available, with set, posted rates that may reach $100. Inclusive tours may provide a private bus; public buses do not accept luggage.

What is the cheapest way to get around?

The bus is the cheapest option. Passes for several days are available at post offices in Hamilton and St George's, but many areas have no bus service after about 6 PM.

What language do people speak?

English is the official and main spoken language. Portuguese is the second most widely spoken language.

Are there places to stay with cooking facilities?

Yes. Some smaller hotels have kitchenettes, and private homes, apartments and studios are available for short stays.

What should I watch for in the sea?

Purple men o' war can float near the surface and cause painful stings. The most common sharks around Bermuda are harmless and generally stay away from the shoreline.

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