Bermuda

Bermuda might be small on the map, but it feels wonderfully rich when you arrive. Coral-pink sands at Horseshoe Bay, pastel houses with white limestone roofs, and turquoise water make a striking first impression. The island is compact, so you can base yourself in Hamilton or St. George’s and explore easily by bus or scooter. Most visitors land at L.F. Wade International Airport, where it helps to already have Hello eSIM set up, so you’re online for maps, ride bookings, and last‑minute hotel changes without worrying about roaming fees.

Weather is warm most of the year, with peak beach time from May to October; shoulder seasons are great for fewer crowds and better hotel deals. Bermuda has its own customs: dress is smart‑casual rather than beachy in towns (Bermuda shorts with knee socks are an actual office look), and tipping around 15–20% in restaurants is standard unless a service charge is included. Use Hello trip planning to plot beach days, golf at Port Royal, and snorkelling at Tobacco Bay, and keep ferry and bus times handy. It’s an easy island to navigate, but a bit of pre‑planning makes you feel like a temporary local rather than a confused newcomer.

Bermuda doesn’t allow standard car rentals for visitors, so you’ll mostly rely on buses, ferries, and small electric vehicles. The pink and blue buses connect major areas like Hamilton, Dockyard, and St. George’s; they’re inexpensive and run fairly frequently, though schedules thin out in the evenings. Pick up a Transportation Pass or use tokens for point‑to‑point rides, and snap a photo of the latest timetable so you can reference it offline if needed.

The ferry system is a scenic way to move across the Great Sound; routes from Hamilton to Dockyard are especially beautiful at sunset. For more independence, consider renting a two‑seater electric car or scooter—perfect for exploring coves like Warwick Long Bay or Church Bay at your own pace. Roads are narrow and twisty, with left‑side driving, so take it slow if you’re not used to that.

With Hello eSIM you’ll have steady data for navigation, bus stop locations, and checking ferry updates on the go. Save frequently visited spots and use Hello trip planning to group nearby attractions into the same day, minimizing transit time. At night, if buses are sparse, taxis are reliable, though fares add up quickly, so try to plan evening returns with public transport when possible.

Bermuda’s food scene blends British, Caribbean, and North American influences with plenty of fresh seafood. Don’t leave without trying fish chowder (often splashed with black rum and sherry pepper sauce), cracked conch, and a classic fish sandwich on raisin bread—Art Mel’s or Mama Angie’s are local favourites. For casual meals, beach bars near Horseshoe Bay or Tobacco Bay offer burgers, grilled fish, and rum cocktails with a view.

Prices are on the high side: a mid‑range restaurant main might run BMD 25–40 (roughly USD 25–40), and cocktails are commonly BMD 12–18. Use Hello budget tracking to keep an eye on your daily food spend in Bermudian dollars, especially for longer stays. If you’re travelling with others, Hello’s expense splitting makes it easy to divide shared meals, taxi rides, and bar tabs without awkward calculations.

Bermuda’s signature drink is the Dark ’n Stormy (black rum with ginger beer), and the Rum Swizzle is another island staple. Tap water is generally safe to drink, as most homes collect rainwater, but many visitors still opt for bottled water, especially on hot days. To balance costs, mix sit‑down dinners with supermarket picnic supplies and casual takeaways—you’ll still eat well while saving enough for special splurge nights overlooking the harbour.

Bermuda uses the Bermudian dollar (BMD), kept at parity with the US dollar, and US cash is widely accepted. Cards are common, but small shops and beach shacks sometimes prefer cash, so keep a mix on hand. With Hello budget tracking, you can log costs in BMD and see how your trip spending compares to your planned budget, which is helpful as prices for accommodation and dining are relatively high.

ATMs are easy to find in Hamilton and St. George’s, less so near remote beaches, so withdraw when you’re in town. Tipping around 15–20% is standard unless service is already included on the bill. If you’re travelling with companions, use Hello expense splitting to track who paid for what—especially helpful after shared taxis, boat trips, or group dinners.

Bermuda is generally very safe, with low violent crime, but normal city awareness still applies: watch your belongings on busy buses and don’t leave valuables unattended on the beach. Sun is strong even on cloudy days, so pack reef‑safe sunscreen, a hat, and a light cover‑up. For connectivity, activate an eSIM from Hello before you fly, so you’re online immediately at landing for airport transfers and accommodation check‑ins. Save emergency numbers and your hotel’s address in your phone and inside Hello trip planning, giving you quick access if you ever need directions or assistance.