Bermuda Travel Guides

The Basics:

Electricity

Electrical current is 110 volts, 60Hz. US two-pin plugs and one with round grounding pin are used.

Language

English is the official language.

Tipping

If not included in the bill, a 15% tip is generally expected at restaurants and hotels. Taxi drivers are usually tipped 10%. All Bermuda hotels add a hotel tax of 7.25% to the bill at check-out.

Safety Information

Bermuda is relatively crime-free but visitors should exercise the necessary precautions to safeguard personal possessions. Care should be taken after dark, avoiding quieter, poorly lit streets in particular. The use of 'date rape' drugs is on the increase. Hurricane season normally runs from June to November.

Local Customs

As a general rule, dress conservatively. Bathing suits are acceptable only on the beach, and it is considered an offence to appear in public without a shirt. Casual sportswear can be worn in restaurants during the day, but in the evening men should dress more formally with slacks and a shirt. Good manners are expected, and asking a question without first offering a proper greeting is considered extremely rude. Nude or semi-nude bathing is not permitted in Bermuda.

Business

Bermuda's economy is dominated by tourism and international financial services. Business etiquette is conservative, and businessmen and women should stick to formal dress or lightweight suits. For meetings, punctuality is important, people are greeted with handshakes, and business cards are exchanged. Business hours are generally 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Communications

The international access code for Bermuda is +1, in common with the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean, followed by 441. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom); no outgoing code is needed to call the US. Mobile phones operate on a GSM 1900 network. Internet cafes are widely available.

Duty Free

Travellers to Bermuda over