Bermuda
Phone Code
+1
Capital
Hamilton
Population
65,024 (2013)
Languages
Area
53 km²
Electricity
120 V
Plug types
NEMA 1-15 · NEMA 5-15
Driving side
left
Native Name
Bermuda
Region
Americas
Northern America
Timezone
Atlantic Time
UTC-04:00
On This Page
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean, renowned for its distinctive pink-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, British colonial heritage, and sophisticated island culture. Located 650 miles east of North Carolina, this subtropical archipelago of 181 islands offers an elegant blend of Caribbean beauty and British refinement.
Entry Requirements for Bermuda
Bermuda welcomes visitors from most Western nations without visa requirements for tourism and business purposes. British, American, Canadian, and EU citizens can enter visa-free for stays up to 180 days within any 12-month period. Bermuda does not issue its own visas; nationals who are not visa-exempt — including Brazilian passport holders — must instead hold a valid multiple re-entry visa or travel authorisation for the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada, valid for at least 45 days beyond their departure from Bermuda. All arrivals must complete the Bermuda Arrival Card online prior to travel or on paper upon arrival (cruise passengers exempt). Visitors need a passport valid for the duration of stay, proof of onward or return travel, and evidence of sufficient funds. Accommodation confirmation is frequently requested at immigration. Entry is straightforward, though officials maintain high standards and may refuse entry without proper documentation.
Common Visa Types
Visa-Free Entry (180 Days)
Tourism, business meetings, visiting friends/family, attending conferences, short-term professional activities
Work Permit (Multiple Categories)
Employment in Bermuda across finance, international business, hospitality, healthcare, technology, and professional services sectors
Essential Bermuda Travel Information
•Bermuda has no land borders...
•US citizens can use passport...
•Visitors must declare all goods...
•Travel insurance is highly recommended...
•Rental cars are not available...
•Driving is on the left...
•The official currency is the...
•Bermuda is one of the...
•Hurricane season runs from June...
•Bermuda maintains strict environmental protections;...
•The territory has excellent infrastructure,...
•Mobile phone coverage is excellent;...
•Bermuda shorts and knee-high socks...
•Many restaurants and hotels add...
•Sunday shopping is limited; many...
Bermuda ranks among the world's most exclusive island destinations, combining natural beauty with refined sophistication. The island's signature pink-sand beaches—colored by crushed coral and shells—create some of the Atlantic's most photogenic coastlines. Horseshoe Bay Beach, Warwick Long Bay, and Elbow Beach headline dozens of pristine stretches. The subtropical climate delivers year-round warmth, with peak season from May through October offering temperatures between 75-85°F, while winter months (November-April) provide mild 65-75°F weather ideal for golf and sightseeing. Bermuda's compact 21-square-mile size makes exploration effortless despite lacking rental cars for tourists—colorful public buses, ferries, taxis, and iconic scooter rentals provide charming transportation. The capital Hamilton pulses with waterfront shopping, dining, and harbor views, while the UNESCO-listed historic town of St. George preserves centuries of colonial architecture. The Royal Naval Dockyard anchors the western tip as a cruise hub transformed into boutiques, museums, and restaurants. Crystal and Fantasy Caves showcase otherworldly underground lakes and formations. The Bermuda Railway Trail offers 18 miles of scenic hiking and cycling along a former rail line. Water clarity averages 200+ feet visibility, making Bermuda a premier diving and snorkeling destination with countless shipwrecks to explore.
Discover Bermuda
Pink-sand beaches and 200-foot visibility diving
Bermuda's signature pink sand gets its colour from crushed coral and shell fragments, and beaches like Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay and Elbow Beach rank among the most photogenic in the Atlantic as a result. That same reef system that colours the sand also makes the surrounding water exceptional for diving: visibility regularly exceeds 200 feet, and the island's position on Atlantic shipping routes has left dozens of wrecks scattered across the seabed, including the Cristóbal Colón and the Mary Celestia, both regularly visited by dive operators. Snorkelling closer to shore, at spots like Church Bay and Tobacco Bay, brings the same clear water within reach of anyone without a tank.
St. George's UNESCO old town and the Royal Naval Dockyard
St. George's, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves more than 400 years of continuous history in its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, anchored by St. Peter's Church, the oldest Anglican church still in continuous use anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. At the island's western tip, the Royal Naval Dockyard tells a different chapter of the same British colonial story — a Victorian-era fortress now repurposed as the National Museum of Bermuda, surrounded by the boutiques and restaurants that have grown up around the island's cruise-ship arrivals, giving the Dockyard a working-heritage feel that the more residential streets of St. George's don't share.
Crystal Caves and the Railway Trail
Beyond the beaches and colonial towns, Bermuda's Crystal Caves reveal an entirely different landscape underground: dramatic stalactite formations and a still, mirror-clear underground lake, reached via floating walkways rather than the scramble-and-crawl access typical of most show caves. Above ground, the Railway Trail traces the route of a defunct 1920s railway for roughly 18 miles across the island, cutting through residential parishes and past coastal viewpoints in a way that makes walking or cycling Bermuda end-to-end genuinely practical — a much quieter side of the island than the resort strip along the south shore.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Bermuda excels in upscale hospitality with iconic pink-palace properties like The Lani and Rosewood Bermuda, boutique hotels overlooking private coves, and all-inclusive resorts. Expect world-class spas, infinity pools, gourmet dining, and impeccable service. Most resorts offer private beach access, water sports equipment, and concierge services. High season rates reflect premium positioning—Bermuda is consistently ranked among the world's most expensive destinations. Book spa treatments and fine dining well ahead during peak summer months.
Crystal-clear Atlantic waters create ideal conditions for snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet skiing. Dive operators run trips to dozens of shipwrecks including the Cristóbal Colón and Mary Celestia. Snorkeling is spectacular at Church Bay, Tobacco Bay, and John Smith's Bay where tropical fish, sea turtles, and coral gardens thrive. Sailing charters range from sunset cruises to multi-day adventures. Fishing charters target wahoo, tuna, and marlin. Water temperatures peak at 82-84°F in August, drop to 64-66°F in February—wetsuits recommended November-May for extended water activities.
Bermuda delivers world-class golfing with stunning ocean views on championship courses designed by legendary architects. Port Royal Golf Course hosts PGA Tour events and offers dramatic clifftop holes. Tucker's Point and Mid Ocean Club (where Eisenhower played) provide exclusive experiences. All courses feature oceanfront layouts with trade wind challenges. Green fees reflect premium quality—expect $200-400 per round. Year-round playability with best conditions March-November. Advance tee time reservations essential in high season.
St. George's UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves 400+ years of history with colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and historic landmarks including St. Peter's Church (oldest Anglican church in continuous use in Western Hemisphere). Royal Naval Dockyard showcases maritime heritage through the National Museum of Bermuda housed in a Victorian fortress. Hamilton's Front Street offers British-style shopping with duty-free pricing on crystal, china, and imported goods. Bermuda shorts and knee socks remain official business attire—locals take pride in this unique formal wear. Art galleries showcase local and Caribbean artists. The Bermuda Festival in January-March brings international performing arts.
Beyond beaches, Bermuda surprises with caves, nature reserves, and coastal hiking. Crystal Caves features dramatic stalactites and underground lakes accessible via floating walkways. Spittal Pond Nature Reserve shelters migratory birds along coastal trails. The Railway Trail spans the island along a defunct 1920s rail line—ideal for walking and cycling through parishes. Cliff-jumping at Blue Hole Park and Admiralty House Park attracts adventurous visitors. Whale watching season (March-April) offers humpback sightings. The 400-year-old cedar forests showcase endemic Bermuda cedars recovering from blight.
Money & Currency
Bermudian Dollar (BMD), US Dollar accepted
Currency code: BMD
Practical Money Tips
Bermuda Dollar Pegged 1:1 to USD — Both Currencies Freely Interchangeable
Bermuda uses the Bermuda Dollar (BMD, BD$), pegged at exactly 1:1 to the US dollar. Both currencies circulate freely and are interchangeable on the island. USD is accepted everywhere. British pounds, Canadian dollars, and euros are not widely accepted — exchange to USD before arrival or withdraw USD/BMD from an HSBC or Clarien Bank ATM in Hamilton. Bermuda Dollars have no value outside the island.
ATMs in Hamilton — Limited Elsewhere on the Island
HSBC Bermuda and Clarien Bank have ATMs in Hamilton city centre. The airport arrivals area has an ATM. A few machines are scattered in Dockyard (Royal Naval Dockyard) and St. George's. International Visa and Mastercard work reliably. ATMs are sparse outside these three hubs — plan cash withdrawals before leaving Hamilton. The island is small (21 sq mi) so access is manageable, but cash can be handy for smaller vendors.
Highly Card-Friendly — Contactless and Apple Pay/Google Pay Widely Accepted
Bermuda has excellent card infrastructure for a small island. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at virtually all restaurants, hotels, shops, and golf courses. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at most modern POS terminals across the island. Contactless payments are standard. Only small, informal vendors at farmers' markets or remote ferry stops may be cash-only. Carry a modest cash reserve of USD 40–60.
One of the World's Most Expensive Destinations — Budget USD 300–600+/Day
Bermuda consistently ranks among the most expensive territories globally. Budget hotel room: USD 200–350/night. Mid-range dinner for two: USD 80–150. Hamburger and fries: USD 20–30. Moped rental (the primary transport): USD 50–80/day. Ferry from Hamilton to Dockyard: USD 5. Travelling in the shoulder season (Nov–Mar) offers meaningful savings. There is no budget option on the island — it caters almost exclusively to luxury and premium travellers.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
What currency is used in Bermuda?
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Do I need a visa to visit Bermuda?
Most Western visitors don't — British, American, Canadian and EU citizens can enter visa-free for tourism or business for up to 180 days within any 12-month period. Bermuda doesn't issue its own visas, so nationals who aren't visa-exempt need a valid multiple re-entry visa or travel authorisation for the US, UK or Canada instead.
What is the Bermuda Arrival Card, and do I need to complete it?
Yes — all arrivals must complete the Bermuda Arrival Card, either online at bermudaarrivalcard.com before travel or on paper on arrival. Cruise passengers are exempt from this requirement.
I'm not visa-exempt for Bermuda — what do I need instead?
Nationals who aren't visa-exempt, including Brazilian passport holders, must hold a valid multiple re-entry visa or travel authorisation for the United States, United Kingdom or Canada, valid for at least 45 days beyond their departure from Bermuda.
What currency does Bermuda use, and is the US dollar accepted?
The Bermudian Dollar (BMD) is pegged 1:1 with the US Dollar, and USD is widely accepted throughout the island alongside it.
Can I rent a car in Bermuda?
No — rental cars aren't available to tourists. Getting around means public buses, ferries, taxis or the iconic scooter rentals, which suits the island's compact 21-square-mile size well.
When is hurricane season in Bermuda?
Hurricane season runs from June to November. It's worth monitoring weather forecasts if travelling during this period, and travel insurance is highly recommended given the island's expensive medical costs for non-residents.
When is the best time to visit Bermuda?
Peak season runs May through October, with temperatures of 75-85°F. Winter months (November-April) are milder at 65-75°F and suit golf and sightseeing well, though water activities are more comfortable November-May with a wetsuit.
Is Sunday shopping available in Bermuda?
It's limited — many stores close on Sundays except in tourist areas. Also worth knowing: Bermuda drives on the left, and restaurants and hotels commonly add a 17% service charge automatically.
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