Bermuda / Island Essentials

All travellers to Bermuda will need to know the essential island facts. The information on Bermuda shown below is current (2011).

Airport

Bermuda's only airport is called L.F Wade airport (BDA) and is situated on St David's Island in St George's Parish in the north east.

Check-in/Check Out

Hotel check-in time is generally 3 pm and check-out time is usually 11 am. If you expect to arrive before check-in time, plan to have a change of clothes and swimming gear handy. Most hotels have a luggage and changing room for early arrivals. The same applies with late departure flights.

Departure Tax/Taxes

There are a number of arrival and departure taxes levied in Bermuda - all travellers over the age of two departing by air must pay a Passenger Tax of US$35, while those departing by cruise ship between 01 April and 30 October will pay US$20 per day/part thereof up to a maximum of US$60 and a Passenger Cabin Tax of US$10 per person per night from 01 September to 31 October and $14 from 011 May to 31 August. These charges are normally included in the price of the plane or cruise ticket but do check with your travel agent/tour operator when booking. Those arriving by yacht will incur a Yacht Arrival Tax of US$35 per person.

Unlike many countries, there is currently no VAT or sales tax in Bermuda, however there is a government Hotel Occupancy Room Tax of 7.5% on all hotel, guest house, cottage colony and villa accommodation rates and Resort Hotels incur an additional Resort Levy Tax which increases their charges to 9.5% - some establishments include the taxes in their rates. Plus there is also a 10% service charge (sometimes more) in lieu of tips which is normally added to your hotel/accommodation bill and will also expected by villa staff who will want payment in cash. It can make quite a significant difference to the eventual cost of your holiday, so if you are booking direct make sure you calculate it in when pricing up your trip.

Electricity

The electrical current in Bermuda is 110 volts, 60Hz AC, the same voltage supported by the US and Canada.

Two pronged plugs are in use island wide so travellers from the UK and Europe will need to use an adapter plug. Power on Bermuda is very reliable, and outages are extremely rare, usually associated only with major storms.

Embassies/Consulates

There are no foreign embassies or high commissions in Bermuda, which is a British Overseas Territory, however there are honorary consuls for Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

UK
The Deputy Governor’s Office will assist British citizens with emergencies. It is located at Government House, 11 Langton Hill, Pembroke, Hamilton. Office hours are from 8.45am -1pm and 2.15 pm-5pm, Mon-Fri, t 292 3600 | f 295 3823

USA
US Consulate, General Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire Parish DV 03. The Consul General is Grace Shelton. American Citizen Services office hours are from 8am-4.30pm Mon-Fri (closed for public holidays in both Bermuda and America), t +1 441 295 1342 or in emergencies out of office hours American Citizens should call the Duty Officer, t 335 3828 | higheKE@state.gov

Canada
Canadian citizens can obtain consular assistance from the Honorary Canadian Consulate, Mrs Heather Conyers at 73 Front Street, 4th Floor, Hamilton, Bermuda HM12, t 292 2917 | f 292 9307 | heather.conyers@international.gc.ca

Emergencies

Police – 911
Ambulance – 911
Fire Service – 911

Nudity

There are no nude or topless beaches on Bermuda.

Service Charge/Tipping

Most hotels and restaurants will automatically add a service charge to your bill, so check whether this is the case before leaving an additional tip.

If a service charge is not a part of the bill, 15-17% is the standard for gratuities in restaurants, hotels, and bars. Helpful taxi drivers will appreciate 10-15% of the charge.

Time Zone

Bermuda is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, which is one hour ahead of the eastern seaboard of the USA. It is four hours behind GMT (Britain in winter) and five behind mainland Europe.

Unlike the Caribbean and Bahamian islands, which are quite a way to the south of Bermuda, the island does observe Daylight Saving Time – this normally starts on the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November. Consequently it is always an hour ahead of the US eastern seaboard.