Bermuda was discovered by European settlers sometime before 1511, when the archipelago was mentioned in a paper by Peter Martyr d'Anghiera. The islands were used as a refueling and restocking port by ships from Spain and Portugal. The islands were claimed by the British in the early 1600s, and remain a British territory.
Bermuda's many islands offer considerable opportunity for a variety of tourism activities. Visitors to the islands can choose from large resorts, camping, or nearly deserted areas. Many tourists spend their time in Bermuda on the white sand beaches, swimming, sunbathing or snorkeling. The island is an ideal location for snorkeling, diving, para-sailing or other water sports. The many golf courses offer stunning 9- and 18-hole courses for golfers of all abilities, and an abundance of shopping areas will satisfy even the most ambitious shoppers.
Bermuda is an archipelago, or a grouping of islands in a large body of water. It is in the North Atlantic Ocean, just over 650 miles from North Caroline and southeast of Martha's Vineyard. Its subtropical climate makes the islands an attractive location for tourists, and the Gulf Stream warms the weather, making it humid and temperate even in winter. The extensive shoreline of Bermuda offers countless opportunities for tourists to snorkel, swim and relax.
All visitors to Bermuda are required to have a return ticket or another way to prove that they have onward transportation off of the island. With new U.S. passport regulations, U.S. citizens returning to the United States from Bermuda will be required to show a valid passport for re-entry into the country. Tourists to Bermuda must bring proof of citizenship and a form of government-issued photo identification. Before going to Bermuda, be sure to research the requirements for citizens of your country, as some countries require visas to enter Bermuda.
Although tourists in Bermuda are generally safe, visitors should act with general safety and common sense when on the island. Exercise caution when swimming off the coast, as currents and tides in the Atlantic Ocean can be dangerous. Renting motorbikes is a popular activity in Bermuda, but exercise extreme caution when driving on busy roads.
