Traveling Luck for Bermuda. Bermuda, North America

Bermuda is located in North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US).

Land in Bermuda is low hills separated by fertile depressions.

Bermudian land covers an area of 53.299999999999997 square kilometers which is about one-third the size of Washington, DC

Bermudian flag Bermudian national flag (Flag of Bermuda)

As for the Bermudian climate; subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter.

Bermudian(s) speak English (official), Portuguese.

Places of note in Bermuda

Bermudian Map Bermudian map

Regions of Bermuda

Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has reopened debate on the issue.

Country Profile for Bermuda

Bermuda enjoys the highest per capita income in the world, more than 50% higher than that of the US. Its economy is primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies relocated to the island following 11 September 2001 and again after Hurricane Katrina, contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - continues to struggle but remains the island's number two industry. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important; the average cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited with only 20% of the land being arable.

Bermudian natural resources include limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995

Bermudian religion is Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%, other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none 14% (2000 census).

Natural hazards in Bermuda include hurricanes (June to November).

Travel Advice for Bermuda

Bermuda

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Road Safety section (driving licence), Health (Insurance) and Natural Disasters section (removal of reference to Tropical Storm Florence).  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

SUMMARY

  • Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory.  There is no formal British diplomatic or consular representation.  Due to Bermuda’s status as a British Overseas Territory the local authorities deal with all requests for consular-type assistance.  The Entry Requirements, Health and General sections of this travel advice give you more information about this.

  • Most visits to Bermuda are trouble-free.  There is a moderate crime rate, you should take sensible precautions.

  • Possession or importation of drugs and weapons (including air pistols and catapults) is illegal, and those caught will be prosecuted - which may well result in imprisonment.

  • The hurricane season in Bermuda runs from June to November.  Please see the Natural Disasters section of this Travel Advice and Hurricanes for more information.

  • The threat from terrorism is low.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

  • We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see:  Travel Insurance.


SAFETY AND SECURITY

Political Situation
Bermuda Country Profile

Crime

Bermuda has a moderate crime rate driven in part by the drugs scene.  Serious incidents, including use of weapons, do occur.  (The use of firearms remains rare).
You should take sensible precautions to ensure your personal safety, and to safeguard your possessions.  Common crimes include mugging, theft of unattended baggage and belongings, and theft of items from rental scooters.  Please sea the Bermuda Police Service website which provides information on Tourist Safety Tips at:  http://www.bermudapolice.bm
Particular caution should be exercised after dark.  You are advised to stick to well-lit parts of the island and avoid the quieter, dark streets.  There have been incidents of sexual offences.
Should you need assistance you should contact the Bermuda Police Service in the first instance.

Road Safety
You cannot drive in Bermuda on a UK driving licence. A Bermudan licence must be obtained.

Buses, ferries and taxis are safe, frequent and efficient.  You cannot hire a car in Bermuda, but 50cc scooters are readily available for public hire.  Bermuda drives on the left, as in the UK.  Roads are narrow, winding and undulating; and traffic –  is getting heavier.  Road accidents involving scooters are relatively common, and have resulted in serious injury or even death. You should take care.  The speed limit in Bermuda is 35kpm (22mph).

Outside the major urban areas there are few footpaths or street lighting.  You should take care when out walking, especially at night.


LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You should not become involved with drugs of any kind.  Possession or importation of even small quantities attracts severe penalties.
Bermuda, while welcoming, is a conservative place and you should dress modestly.  Bathing suits, abbreviated tops and short shorts should only be worn at the beach or pools.  There are no nude or topless beaches and it is an offence to appear in public without a shirt or just wearing a bathing suit top.
Drinking alcohol in public outside of a licensed premise is not allowed.


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

British passport holders do not require visas to enter Bermuda as a visitor but accommodation must be booked prior to arrival.  The usual length of stay automatically permitted to a visitor is twenty-one days.  If you want to extend your stay, permission must be sought from the Department of Immigration before your initial twenty-one day stay ends.  While an extension of stay is not automatic, extensions are normally granted.  Bermuda Immigration will help in cases of problems with passports and visas. If you face a real emergency that cannot be resolved by the local authorities you may contact the office of the Deputy Governor (contact details below) who will do their best to help.
If you wish to work in Bermuda, you must secure a job before coming to the island.  You may not seek employment while visiting Bermuda.  Your employer will then apply to the Department of Immigration for a work permit, and once this is received you may enter the country to work.
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.


HEALTH

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should ensure that this covers medical repatriation by Air‑Ambulance as cases that cannot be dealt with in Bermuda are usually referred to either Baltimore or Boston in the USA. You should also ensure that your insurance covers any additional medical expenses incurred in the USA. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see: Travel Insurance.

Bermuda has good modern medical facilities with a fully equipped General Hospital and numerous doctors and dentists.  King Edward Memorial Hospital has a good Accident and Emergency Department.  If you face a real emergency that cannot be resolved by the local authorities you may contact the office of the Deputy Governor (contact details below) who will do their best to help.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at: www.dh.gov.uk.

NATURAL DISASTERS

The hurricane season in Bermuda normally runs from June to November.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation.  You can also access the http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ for updates.  Please also see Hurricanes for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.
Air services can be disrupted during heavy storms and in worst cases may not return to normal for several days.


GENERAL

If things go wrong when overseas, please see:  What We Can Do To Help.

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory; there is no British Diplomatic or Consular representation.  In an emergency the Bermuda Government Department of Immigration will be able to issue emergency travel documents and the Bermuda Police Force will assist with other crime related matters.

Department of Immigration, Government Administration Building, Parliament Street, Hamilton (Tel:  +1 441 295 5151; fax:  +1 441 295 4115).

Central Police Station, 42 Parliament Street, Hamilton. (Tel:  +1 441 295 0011; fax:  +1 441 299 4559).

Bermuda Tourism UK/Europe, Mr Thomas MacDonald, Regional Manager – Sales (UK/Europe), Suite 9, Tulip House, 70 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1EF (Tel:  +44 (0)20 7864 9924; E-mail:  tmacdonald@bermudatourism.com.

Useful website:  Bermuda Online