Bermuda Department of Tourism

Before embarking on your sub-tropical island getaway, make sure to pack the required documents:

* A round-trip ticket to Bermuda
A return or onward ticket, i.e., a round-trip ticket, or other proof of onward transportation to a country to which the passenger has right of entry is required of all visitors.

* A valid, machine-readable passport
All travellers must carry with them proof of citizenship and identification, specifically a passport, for return to their own country or for re-entry through another foreign country as required by Bermuda Immigration authorities. This applies to adults as well as children and infants travelling alone or with their parents.

Note: Married women whose identification documents are in their maiden name but who are travelling under their married name should also carry their marriage certificate or certified copy as further proof of identity.

Note: For a list of Nationals who are required to present a visa to enter Bermuda, please visit the Website of the Bermuda Government's Department of Immigration, www.immigration.gov.bm.

Visas to enter Bermuda may be obtained from the Visa Section of a British Embassy, British High Commission, British Consulate or other British Foreign Service establishment aboard. For more information, visit www.immigration.gov.bm

No matter where you are travelling from, we look forward to welcoming you. Simply follow these guidelines to make your arrival and departure as seamless as possible.

Every traveller arriving in Bermuda must complete a Customs Traveller Declaration. Travellers must declare all goods, including gifts, that will be left in Bermuda.

• If members of the same household are travelling together as a group, then one person may complete one declaration form for the whole group
• The value of imported goods must be declared in Bermuda dollars—exchange rate information is available from H.M. Customs; for visitors from the United States, the U.S. dollar is on par with the Bermuda dollar
• The Customs Traveller Declaration is not intended for use to declare goods for resale, commercial samples or goods bought on commission
• Visitors arriving as passengers by air or sea are entitled to duty-free allowances for accompanied baggage, personal effects, gifts, tobacco and alcoholic beverages
• Duty is payable on any imported goods not covered by a duty-free allowance
• See our Customs Regulations fact sheet for specific duty rates and more detailed information.

When visiting an international shopping destination such as Bermuda, the correct currency proves essential.

• Legal tender in Bermuda is the Bermuda dollar, which trades at the same rate as the US dollar and carries the same symbol ($)
• Bermuda and US currencies are accepted interchangeably, but change is almost always given in Bermudian coins
• Canadian dollars, British pounds and other foreign currencies will need to be exchanged at local banks
• ATMs may be your best bet for exchanging money. They are fast, accessible and usually offer a great rate. Both the Bank of Bermuda Limited and the Butterfield Bank have on-island ATMs, available 24 hours a day. Check convenience stores, gas stations and your hotel for the nearest ATM

Find your Bermuda Exchange Rate:

Credit cards

• MasterCard, VISA and American Express are accepted at virtually every store, restaurant and hotel on our island
• VISA and MasterCard may be used for cash advances at all local banks Cheques
• Traveller's cheques are accepted everywhere
• Personal cheques, if drawn on US banks, may be used at many of our establishments, including hotels, gas stations, liquor stores, restaurants and retail shops
• Some hotels and banks may accept personal cheques, if you make prior arrangements
• The Bermuda Financial Network will cash personal cheques for a 3 percent fee at its Hamilton location (133 Front Street, City of Hamilton, Tel: +1 441 292 1799)

We encourage our visitors to first check the adaptability of personal appliances before plugging in at island hotels.

• The electrical current in Bermuda is 110 volts, 60Hz AC, which is the same voltage supported by the US and Canada 
• Travellers from the UK and Europe will need to use an adapter since two-pronged plugs are in use island-wide
  

With our excellent health care and extremely low crime rate, taking a holiday in Bermuda can only boost your well-being.

Our island supports one large critical care hospital, offering all of the same services you would rely on at home. There is a charge for health services here so many visitors choose comprehensive travel insurance. No inoculations or unusual health precautions are required for your visit.

Our small size and affluent population not only affords us quality care for residents and visitors, but it leads to safe streets and a very low rate of crime.

Mind the outdoors

Follow these simple safety guidelines to more fully enjoy our vibrant ecosystem:

• Limit your exposure to the sun, especially at midday. Make certain to apply sufficient sunblock on all of your favourite body parts
• Steer clear of the Portuguese man-of-war that occasionally shows up on our beaches and in our waters between March and July. This extremely poisonous creature sports a brilliant blue, gas-filled float. Very pretty, but very dangerous
• Hay fever sufferers will be overjoyed on our shores since ragweed is nonexistent, and pollens of other weeds are quickly blown out to sea
• When exploring coastal trails or accessing our famous beaches, sturdy shoes will help prevent twisted ankles and stubbed toes, as well as protect your toes from the hot sand

Our national holidays are certain to delight visitors of all ages. We trust you will join in the jubilee, complete with Gombey dancers and a parade.

• New Year's Day, Friday, January 1, 2010;  Saturday, January 1, 2011
  Sporting events held island wide and the Gombeys dance in the streets throughout the neighbourhoods.
  
• Good Friday, Friday, April 2, 2010; Friday, April 22, 2011
  Bermudians traditionally spend the day kite flying in open fields and on beaches such as at Horseshoe Bay beach and eating codfish cakes and hot cross buns.
  
• Bermuda Day, Monday, May 24, 2010; Tuesday, May 24, 2011
  Bermuda Day is the highlight of Heritage Month, the month of May. Formerly known as Victoria Day (after Queen Victoria) and later Empire Day, the holiday is now Bermuda Day…a day steeped in tradition. Bermudians traditionally take their first dip in the ocean; sporting events include the Half-Marathon Derby running races, plus fast-paced cycle and roller blade races all between Somerset Island and Pembroke Parish; the Bermuda Fitted Dinghies’ first race of the season is held in St. George’s Harbour. The afternoon features the colourful and cultural Bermuda Day Parade that wends through the streets of the City of Hamilton.
• National Heroes’ Day, Monday, June 21, 2010;  Monday, June 20, 2011
  
• Emancipation Day & Somers' Day, Thursday, July 29 and Friday, July 30, 2010; Thursday, July 28 and Friday, July 29, 2011
  Before 1947, too many Bermudians were missing work to attend an annual cricket tournament, the Cup Match. So, it was declared a two-day holiday with historical reason: Emancipation Day commemorates the end of slavery (August 1, 1834); Somers’ Day honours Admiral Sir George Somers whose shipwreck brought our first settlers. The two full days of cricket are broadcast live on both local radio and TV so you can follow the game while enjoying the beaches and parks or staying home and relaxing.
  
• Labour Day, Monday, September 6, 2010; Monday, September 5, 2011
  The Labour Day holiday activities are organised by the Joint Labour Day Organizing Committee that comprise all of Bermuda’s trade unions and the corporate sector. The day’s activities include a march, road races, entertainment, cultural food and exhibition.
• Remembrance Day, Thursday, November 11, 2010; Friday, November 11, 2011
  Bermuda’s Fallen Heroes are remembered and honoured in this solemn parade and service held at The Cenotaph on Front Street in the City of Hamilton.
  
• Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25, 2010; Sunday, December 25, 2011
  Special Nativity Tidings and Christmas Eve midnight candlelight services in all denominations island wide.
• Boxing Day, Sunday, December 26, 2010; Monday, December 26, 2011 Traditionally a day to visit friends and family or to receive guests and to finish off the Christmas eats such as cassava pie. Sporting activities include soccer and harness racing. Also, the Gombeys can appear anytime, anywhere!

While visiting our island you may slip into an altered, more relaxed zone, but you will also be in a different time zone.

Standard Time in Bermuda is Greenwich Mean Time minus four hours. In other words, the clocks on our island read:

• One hour ahead of New York
• Two hours ahead of Chicago
• Four hours ahead of Los Angeles
• Four hours behind London
• Five hours behind Rome
• Five hours behind Munich

Daylight Savings Time will be from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November with effect in 2007.

Given that island shopping establishments retail some of the world's finest designer goods, our residents dress with style and chic comfort.

The atmosphere of our island is one of British reserve and decorous informality. Modesty is the prevailing rule, whether you are swimming at the beach or walking through town.

• Bathing suits, abbreviated tops and short shorts may be worn at our beaches and pools, but a cover-up is wise off the beach
• As relaxing as our beaches are, there are no nude or semi-nude beaches on our island
• Casual sportswear may be worn at lunchtime in our restaurants, but many dining establishments and nightclubs ask gentlemen to wear a jacket and tie in the evenings
• When making dinner reservations, it is always wise to check on dress requirements
• Formal dress is not necessary except for specific personal needs. Tuxedos, morning suits and evening tails may be rented, but your accessories must be purchased

Season-by-season guide to attire

In the warmer months (May to mid-November), make certain to pack:

• Summer-weight sports clothes, swimsuits, a raincoat or lightweight windbreaker for daytime activities
• Evenings call for casual elegant cottons, with ladies in a light dressy sweater or cocktail-type outfits and gentlemen in a sports jacket and tie

In the cooler months (December to late March), visitors will need to bring:

• Light woollens or fall-weight casuals, sweaters, a raincoat, windbreaker or coat, and, as always, swimsuits for the daytime
• Evenings deserve elegant lightweight woollens, with ladies in a dressier sweater or cocktail attire and gentlemen in a suit or sports jacket and tie

Though our island may be small in size, our international telecommunication system ranks among the best in the world for reliability, quality and sophistication.

Internet

With two undersea fibre-optic cables and multiple satellite systems linking our island to the world, visitors enjoy everything they rely upon at home, including:

• High-speed Internet access and e-mail service
• Video-conferencing capabilities
• Digital, privately leased circuits
• International, high-speed data transmission

Inquire at your hotel to find out how to connect to the Internet from your room.

Telephone

• Our island provides state-of-the-art telephone, fax, Internet, wireless and wireless roaming services
• Bermuda's country code is 441
• Direct dialling is possible to and from the island
• Worldwide and international prepaid calling cards can be purchased locally

Public telephones

• Local calls at public phones cost BM35 cents
• Many shops and hotels sell prepaid phone cards useable at public phones
• For international collect and credit card calls, most public phones accept a variety of cards including American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, EuroCard, JCB and Bell

Mobile phones

• Most mobile phones will work on the island; ask your carrier ahead of time to make sure
• To avoid roaming charges, many visitors rent mobile phones

Post

General Post Office The main post office is located in the City of Hamilton. Contact them at:

56 Church Street
Hamilton HM 12
Tel: +1 441 297 7893
Fax: +1 441 292 1928

Operating Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
Saturday, 8am - 12pm

Postal rates
Contact the General Post Office for rates or visit their website on the Government Portal under Finance.

MEDIA

We publish a daily newspaper, broadcast several radio stations and run three local television affiliates. Naturally, if you are here to escape all of that, we will make sure your wish is granted.

Newspapers

• The Royal Gazette: The island's only daily local newspaper (Monday to Saturday) features both local and international news
• Bermuda Sun: Biweekly (Wednesday and Friday) local newspaper covers mostly local news
• Mid-Ocean News: Once a week (Friday) local newspaper containing local news features and personality profiles
• International newspapers can be found in hotels, magazine stands and local shops

Radio

FM Stations

• 89.1 ZBM-FM, FM 89: Easy Listening/Adult Contemporary
• 94.9 ZFB-FM, Power 95: Urban Contemporary
• 98.1 KJAZ: Smooth Contemporary Jazz
• 106.1 VSB FM, Mix 106: Hits
• 107.5, Hott 107.5: R&B hits

AM Stations

• 1160 VSB-3: BBC broadcasting 24 hours a day
• 1230 ZFB-AM, Bermuda Spirit: Community and religious
• 1280 VSB-2: Christian
• 1340 ZBM-2: News information and talk radio
• 1450 VSB-1: Oldies Goldies request line

Television

Cable television listings include local stations and major American networks.

Local stations include:

• ZBM-TV 9: CBS affiliate
• ZFB-TV 7: ABC affiliate
• VSB-TV 11: NBC affiliate
• Fresh TV: Channel 3

No country maintains an embassy on our shores, but the US and Portugal have consulates here.>

US American Consulate - Kathy Jansen

General Crown Hill
16 Middle Road
Devonshire Parish DV 03
Tel: +1 441 295 1342
Fax: +1 441 295 1592
E-mail: hmlamcongen@state.gov 

Portugal Portuguese Consulate

Melbourne House
11 Parliament Street
Hamilton
Tel: +1 441 292 1039 
Fax: +1 441 292 0137
E-mail: mail@cnham.dgaccp.pt 

Honorary Consuls

Many countries have appointed "honorary consuls" on our island to represent their unique interests. Should you need to consult someone, here is the contact information:

Austria (Honorary) Consulate General
Tel: +1 212 737 6400
Fax: +1 212 585 1992
E-mail: info@austria-ny.org

Belgium (Honorary) Eric Arcay
Tel: +1 441 295 2470
Fax: +1 441 292 8243
E-mail: shillen@asl.bm

Canada (Honorary) Saul Froomkin
Tel: +1 441 294 3611
Fax: +1 441 296 4229

Denmark (Honorary) Bent Poulsen
Tel: +1 441 295 4806
Fax: +1 441 295 4788
E-mail: bdaapm@maersk.com

Finland (Honorary) John Riihiluoma
Tel: +1 441 295 2244
Fax: +1 441 292 8666
E-mail: jriihiluoma@applebyglobal.com

France (Honorary) Edgar Humann-Guilleminot
Tel: +1 441 236 0853
Fax: +1 441 236 7310

Germany (Honorary) Peter Bubenzer
Tel: +1 441 295 2244
Fax: +1 441 292 8666
E-mail: pbubenzer@applebyglobal.com

Ireland (Honorary) John Kane
Tel: +1 441 295 6574
Fax: +1 441 296 7318
E-mail: jkane@avondale.bm

Italy (Honorary) Giocchino Di Meglio
Tel: +1 441 295 5391
Fax: +1 441 295 5327
E-mail: italia@northrock.bm

Jamaica (Honorary) Winston Laylor
Tel: +1 441 295 5264
Fax: +1 441 295 5646
E-mail: honconjam@northrock.bm

Luxembourg (Honorary) Curt Engelhorn
Tel: +1 441 295 1082

Netherlands (Honorary) Willem Mulder
Tel: +1 441 236 3332
Fax: +1 441 236 7398
E-mail: sbmulder@ibl.bm

Norway (Honorary) CNA Butterfield
Tel: +1 441 295 5519
Fax: +1 441 292 7972
E-mail: nathaniel@butterfield.bm 

Spain (Honorary) ACJ Dean
Tel: +1 441 295 3062
Fax: +1 441 295 5386
E-mail: ndean@northrock.bm

Sweden (Honorary) Jens Juul
Tel: +1 441 293 7242
Fax: +1 441 293 7242
E-mail: jensjuul@logic.bm

Switzerland (Honorary) Roman Brunner
Tel: +1 441 278 2828
Fax: +1 441 295 3137
E-mail: rbrunner@quovadis.bm

Overseas

Bermuda does not have its own embassies or consulates abroad as they are represented by Great Britain. Visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for more details.

With the way our island caters to children, do not be surprised when an excursion to Bermuda becomes a popular family tradition.

Our island is a safe, clean and exceptionally family-friendly destination, surrounded by astounding beachfront on every side. We boast many world-class hotels that will graciously cater to your needs - several offer great savings if you bring the kids.

Pink-sand beaches and crystal-clear seas are not our only exciting offering, not by far. Every member of your family will enjoy our wide range of family-friendly activities, which include touring the subterranean wonderland of our caves or visiting exotic animals in our zoo.

Hotel programs

From family breakfast packages to special welcome packs for your young ones, our island hotels and resorts know how to please the kids. And no one will have to ask them twice to get in the pool or on the child-size putting green. When you book your hotel stay, be sure to inquire about special rates and kid-friendly amenities.

Pediatric care

Our island supports several large hospitals, offering all of the same services you would rely on at home. Better still, no inoculations or unusual health precautions are required for your family's visit. With our excellent health care and extremely low crime rate, a family holiday in Bermuda is just what the doctor ordered.

Babysitters

Many hotels offer assistance with finding a reputable babysitter while you are visiting our island. We recommend you enquire in advance of your stay. However, if you need babysitting or special services after you arrive, hotels will generally make every effort to assist you.

Beach time

During summer months, lifeguards are stationed at Horseshoe Beach, John Smith's Bay, Clearwater Beach and Turtle Bay during daytime hours. Your hotel or resort may even have its own private beach with an assigned lifeguard.

Kids ride free

Many children consider a ride on one of our ferries an adventure! Better yet, on ferries children under five ride free, and those under 16 ride for BM$2. On our pink public buses, children under five ride free while those under 16 ride for BM$1.