Destination Hot Spot
Bermuda
Facts Sightseeing Restaurants Hotels














Facts

Bermuda consists of a chain of some 180 coral islands and islets lying 1046km (650 miles) off the coast of North Carolina, in the Atlantic Ocean.


Its coastlines are characterised by small bays with beaches of fine pale pink coral sand. The surrounding waters are a vivid blue-green. Inland there is an abundance of subtropical plants and flowers. Hamilton is the colony's capital city, situated at the end of Bermuda's Great Sound on the inner curve of the 'fish hook'.

Ferry trips are available round Hamilton Harbor. In Hamilton parish is the Bermuda Aquarium and Natural History Museum and Zoo, based at Flatts Village. At the far eastern end of the chain of islands is the 17th-century town of St George. The town's narrow lanes and historic landmarks appear much as they did more than three centuries ago.

St George has many excellent pubs, restaurants and shops. Bermudian specialities include Bermuda lobster, shark and fish chowder laced with sherry, peppers and rum. There are restaurants, cafés, bars and taverns to suit all pockets. Local drinks are mainly rum based. Most hotels offer evening entertainment. Local music is a mixture of calypso and Latin American.

Passport & Visas

Before entering Bermuda, it is essential to be in possession of either a return or onward ticket to a country to which one has a legal right of entry. Anyone arriving in Bermuda and intending to return to their own country via another one which requires a visa must obtain such a visa before arrival in Bermuda. Visitors are advised to check details with the British Overseas Territories Visa Section (see Contact Addresses section).

Valid passports are required to enter Bermuda, and a visa is not required for stays of up to 3 weeks.

The following countries do require visas, Albania, Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China (PR), CIS, Croatia, Cuba, Ghana, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Korea (Dem Rep), Lebanon, Libya, Mongolia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia and Vietnam. Nationals who do not require a visa for stays of up to 3 weeks can obtain an extension by applying directly to the Department of Immigration in Bermuda (tel: 295 5151).

A tourist visa costs £28.

Currency

Bermuda Dollar (Bda$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Bda$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of Bda$1, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

The Bermuda Dollar is tied to the US Dollar.

Master Card, American Express, Diners Club and VISA are accepted in most large hotels.

Currency restrictions: There is no limit to the import of local or foreign currency, provided declared on arrival. The export of local currency is limited to Bda$250. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported and declared.

Banking hours: Mon 0930-1600, Tue-Thurs 0830-1600, Fri 0830-1630.

Time & Date

GMT - 5 hr

Captial

Hamilton

Area

53 sq km (20.59 sq miles)

Area Code

+ 001 441, Outgoing international code: 011. The internal telephone system is operated by the Bermuda Telephone Company. Bermuda numbers dialled from within Bermuda should be prefixed with the last two digits of the country code (29 or 23) but there are no conventional area codes.

Mobile Phones, TDMA and AMPS (800 MHz) networks operated by BDC (website: www.cellularone.bm). Roaming is available to North American visitors who can access the A channel on their handsets. Handsets can be hired from Bermuda Telephone Company or Bermuda Best Buys.

Getting Around

Sea:

Ferries run on a regular daily schedule across Hamilton Harbour and to points on the West End and East (in summer months).

Road:

The main island has an extensive road network, but foreign visitors may not drive cars in Bermuda. Motorcycles and scooters may be hired (see below). The speed limit is 35kph (20mph) and traffic drives on the left.

Bus:

Buses are modern and punctual. Bermuda's state-run buses (painted pink) are a pleasant and inexpensive way to visit points of interest. The trip from Hamilton to the town of St George's, the northeastern tip of Bermuda, takes about half an hour, with the ride from Hamilton to Somerset, Bermuda's westernmost point, taking about 45 minutes. It is essential to have the correct fare in coins. A route and schedule map is available free, and books of tickets are available at sub-post offices.

Taxi:

All taxis are metered, with a surcharge after midnight; there is a maximum of four passengers per taxi. Taxis displaying small blue flags are driven by qualified guides approved by the Department of Tourism. A 25 per cent surcharge operates between midnight and 0600.


Carriages:

Horse-drawn carriages are available in Hamilton.


Motorcycle/bicycle hire:

Lightweight motor-assisted bicycles ('livery cycles') may be hired throughout the island; a driving licence is not required for this. Crash helmets must be worn. Third party insurance is compulsory. Bicycles can also be hired. The Department of Tourism produces a comprehensive sheet giving details of prices and supplies. Minimum age limit is 16 years.

Business Hours

Lightweight suits or shirt and tie are acceptable, as are Bermuda shorts. Visiting cards and, occasionally, letters of introduction are used. Codes of practice are similar to those in the UK. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Bank Holidays 2004

Jan 1 2004 New Year's Day. Apr 9 Good Friday. May 24 Bermuda Day. Jun 14 Queen's Birthday Celebrations. Jul 29 Emancipation Day. Jul 30 Somers Day. Sep 6 Labour Day. Nov 11 Remembrance Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day. Dec 27 Christmas Day Holiday(forwarded to Monday). Dec 28 Boxing Day Holiday (forwarded to Tuesday). Jan 1 2005 New Year's Day. Jan 3 New Year's Day Holiday (forwarded to Monday). Mar 25 Good Friday. May 24 Bermuda Day. Jun 13 Queen's Birthday Celebrations. Jul 28 Emancipation Day. Jul 29 Somers Day. Sep 5 Labour Day. Nov 11 Remembrance Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day. Dec 27 Christmas Day Holiday (forwarded to Tuesday).

Local Voltage

110 volts AC, 60Hz. American (flat) 2-pin plugs are standard.

Language

English is the official language. There is a small community of Portuguese speakers. There is a special twist with some unusual words and phrases;

Bermudaful Day The perfect day (hot, sunny and cloud free)
Bermuda Time At least 20 to 30 minutes late
The Rock Bermuda Island
Onion Local Bermudian
Ace Boy Generic form of addressing someone; 'hey, ace boy, how you doing'
X-Pats Foreigners living in Bermuda
Mysin To daydream, not paying attention
Cross de pond America
Ver ya stay too? Where do you come from?
Shrew dee trees All the way, to get married
Tastes vell Tastes nice
Pitch a hot/Juiced up To get drunk
Dark and stormy Local drink made of black rum and fruit juices
Swizzle Local drink made of rum and fruit juices
Burr Beer
Ax To ask 'Are you axing me?'
Lard Loud
Grease Meal
Sparring Partner Date/Companion

Climate

Semi-tropical, without a wet season. The Gulf Stream which flows between Bermuda and the North American continent keeps the climate temperate. A change of seasons comes during mid-November to mid-December and from late March through to April. Either spring or summer weather may occur and visitors should be prepared for both. Showers may be heavy at times but occur mainly at night. Summer temperatures prevail from May to mid-November with the warmest weather in July, August and September - this period is occasionally followed by high winds.

Fares

There is a regular non-stop service to Bermuda, from London Gatwick with British Airways. Alternatively travel via the US mainland with American Airlines, Continental or US Airways.