Bermuda's Department of Tourism promotes two seasons: "beach and sizzle" (summer) and "golf and spa" (winter). In summer, the island teems with activity; hotel barbecues and evening dances complement daytime sightseeing trips, and public beaches never close. The pace slows considerably in the off season (November through March). A few hotels and restaurants close; some of the sightseeing, dive, snorkeling, and water-skiing boats are dry-docked; and only taxis operate tours of the island. Most hotels remain open, however, and slash their rates by as much as 40%. The weather at this time of year is often perfect for golf and tennis, and you can still rent  boats, tour the island, and take advantage of sunny days and serene beaches, shops, restaurants, and walking tours.

In winter (December through March), temperatures range from around 55°F at night to 70°F in early afternoon. High, blustery winds can make the air feel cooler, however, as can Bermuda's high humidity. The hottest part of the year is between May and mid-October, when temperatures generally range from 75°F to 85°F. It's not uncommon for the temperature to reach 90°F in July and August. The summer months are somewhat drier, but rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. Bermuda depends solely on rain for its supply of fresh water, so residents usually greet a summer shower as "good tank water" in reference to the tanks where rain water is stored beneath many of the houses. In August and September, hurricanes moving north from the Caribbean sometimes batter the island and cause flight delays.

Language - In The Bermuda, locals speak English, but sometimes with a marked accent that provides the clue to their ancestry -- African, Irish, or Scottish.
Manners - Well-tailored Bermuda shorts are acceptable on almost any occasion, and many men wear them with jackets and ties. On formal occasions, they must be accompanied by navy blue or black knee socks. Aside from that, Bermudians are rather conservative in their attitude toward dress -- bikinis, for example, are banned more than 7.5m (25 ft.) from the water. Men are usually required to wear a jacket to dinner.

Liquor Policy - Bermuda sternly regulates the sale of alcoholic beverages. The legal drinking age is 18, and most bars close at 3am. Some bars are closed on Sunday.
Hard liquor is sold in specialty stores selling liquor, beer, and wine. Although it's legal for grocery stores to sell hard liquor, most limit their inventories to beer and wine. Alcohol can't be sold on Sunday. You can bring beer or other alcohol to the beach legally, as long as your party doesn't get too rowdy and you generally stay in one spot. The moment you actually walk on the beach or the streets with an open container of liquor, it's illegal.

Time - Bermuda is 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). Daylight savings time is in effect from the first Sunday in April until the last Sunday in October, as it is in the United States.

Passport and Visas: A valid passport is preferred from U.S., British, and Canadian nationals. An original birth certificate accompanied by a photo ID that's issued by a government agency is also acceptable, but we recommend that you carry a passport when visiting a foreign country. All arriving visitors must hav e a departing ticket.
 

Hospitals -- King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, 7 Point Finger Rd., Paget Parish (tel. 441/236-2345), has a highly qualified staff and Canadian accreditation.
Hot Lines -- Call tel. 441/236-3770 Monday to Friday and you'll be connected to either Bermuda Psychiatric Hospital's outpatient clinic (9am-5pm) or St. Brendan's Hospital (in the evening). Both can help with life-threatening problems, personal crises, or referral to a medical specialist.

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