A Gombey Festival dancer in the moment; credit Visit Bermuda
Bermuda Travel Tips
Bermuda Facts
Official Language: English
Currency: Bermuda Dollar or U.S. Dollar
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (1 hour ahead of EST)
Est. Population: 66,000
Capital: Hamilton
Port City: Hamilton
Traveling While Black
Black Bermudians descended from African slaves and constitute about 50% of the population. White Bermudians, primarily of British, Irish, and Portuguese descent, make up 30% of the population. There are smaller percentages from other races or mixed-race.
Cricket is the national sport.
This means black folk can feel comfortable visiting here. Though there is small crime activity in some villages, it’s not an issue in tourist areas.
Though Bermuda is not a Caribbean island, it has enough kinship to be an associate member of the Caribbean Community.
Cricket teammates discussing tactics; credit Visit Bermuda
Bermuda Travel Tips
Passports are required for U.S. citizens.
The island’s tropical climate averages 75 degrees. As a result, the “dress code” is always “island casual.”
With the island’s tropical climate, brief showers can come at any time. Nevertheless, it’s great to visit any time of year.
Food is expensive because most of it is shipped in from America.
Currency is the Bermuda dollar or U.S. dollar with credit cards accepted by most establishments.
If you don’t have international service on your smartphone, purchase a local phone card for the best rates.
The main post office is located on Church Street in Hamilton. Post office hours are 8a-5p Monday to Friday and 8a-12p Saturday.
Banks are open from 9a-5p Monday-Friday. Most stores are open 9a-5p Monday-Saturday.
For long drives in the sun, bring bottled water, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen lotion.
Electric current and outlets are the same as in the USA, so that’s a relief.
If your Internet connection is spotty, you might want to visit a resort hotel lobby.
Car rentals are not permitted in Bermuda.
The crime rate is less than a major U.S. city, but visitors should use common sense when visiting local areas.
The major holidays in Bermuda are New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Bermuda Day, Gombey Festival, Queen’s Birthday, Emancipation Day, Somers Day, Labour Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas, and Boxing Day.
