- Currency Local
- BMD
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: explore.atmfeesaver.com, travelcurrencyguide.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Bank ATMs in Hamilton are free for foreign card holders; avoid standalone ATMs at Royal Naval Dockyard and Front Street, which charge US$5+ per transaction
- Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion at ATMs—the machine's exchange rate is poor and includes extra fees
- Most restaurants (15–17% service charge already added automatically); always check your bill before adding extra
- Bring small bills for taxis and tips; taxis generally accept cash only unless using the Hitch app
- USD and BMD are equal value (1:1 peg since 1972), so you can use either currency freely with zero exchange-rate math
- ATMs dispense mainly BMD; if you need USD, bring it from home or use specific USD-only ATMs at Clarien Bank's Point House location in Hamilton
- Credit cards are widely accepted in city center, but Discover is not accepted anywhere in Bermuda
- Buses accept coins only, not bills—have small change ready
- Call your bank before arriving to prevent your card from being frozen when used abroad
Licensed Banks
HSBC Bank (Bermuda) Limited
- Type
- Global bank
- Location
- 37 Front Street, Hamilton
- Expat Services
- Yes
Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited
- Type
- Regional bank
Clarien Bank Limited
- Type
- Local bank
Bermuda Commercial Bank
- Type
- Licensed operator
Account Opening For Residents
- Available
- Yes
- Requirements
- Residency and work permits required
Methods
- Online
- Phone
- In-person
ATM Info
- Dcc Warning
- Decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) at ATM prompts; ATM sets unfavorable exchange rates and charges extra conversion fees
- ATM Locations
- Concentrated in Hamilton, St. George's, and Royal Naval Dockyard; limited outside these hubs. Bank ATMs preferred over standalone machines
- Foreign Bank Fees
- Your home bank may charge foreign transaction and currency conversion fees—verify with your bank
- Operator Surcharge
- Generally none from bank ATMs
- Note
- Bank ATMs in Hamilton are fee-free for foreign card holders. Standalone ATMs near Royal Naval Dockyard may charge US$5+ per withdrawal. ATMs primarily dispense BMD, with some dispensing USD.
Main Banks
- HSBC
- Bank of Butterfield
- Clarien Bank
Tipping Norms
- Tip Currency
- Tip in BMD or USD (1:1 peg, so no math needed)
Bars
- Amount
- BMD 1.00
- Note
- BD$1–2 per drink, or round up
Taxis
- Amount
- 10–15% of fare, or round up to next dollar
- Note
- Tipping considered part of driver income
Hotel Staff
- Porters
- BMD 2.00
- Housekeeping
- BMD 2.00
- Porters Note
- Per bag
- Housekeeping Note
- Per night
Restaurants
- Check Bill
- Always verify bill to confirm if service charge has been added
- Amount Automatic
- 15–17% (added to most bills automatically)
- Additional Tipping
- Only if service is exceptional; not required if charge is already on bill
- Service Charge Automatic
- Yes
Spa Services
- Amount
- 15–20%
Bus And Ferry
- Note
- No tip expected; a friendly greeting when boarding and 'thank you' when departing is appreciated
Tours And Guides
- Amount
- 15–20%
- Note
- Glass-bottom boat operators, snorkeling guides, tour guides
Currency Local
BMD
Card Acceptance
- Status
- High acceptance in city center
- Notes
- Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Hamilton restaurants, shops, and hotels. American Express accepted to a lesser degree. Discover cards not accepted anywhere in Bermuda. Many taxi drivers only accept cash unless using the Hitch app.
Not Accepted
- Discover
Accepted Cards
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
Banking Hours
9 AM–4 PM (typical)
Local Currency
Bermuda Dollar (BMD)
Account Opening For Nonresidents
- Private Banking Minimum
- BMD 500,000
Typical minimum starting deposit for private banking services for nonresidents
- Business Account Minimum
- BMD 500,000
For nonresident-owned exempted companies; range typically 500,000–1,000,000 USD
- Retail Banking Available
- No
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.explore.atmfeesaver.com
- 2.travelcurrencyguide.com
- 3.explore.atmfeesaver.com
- 4.bermuda-attractions.com
- 5.bermuda4u.com
- 6.thehamiltonprincess.com
- 7.whereintheworldisnina.com
- 8.smartercurrency.app
- 9.tripadvisor.com
- 10.tippingin.com
- 11.how-2-tip.com
- 12.wise.com
- 13.frommers.com
- 14.clarienbank.com
- 15.gov.bm
- 16.bermuda-attractions.com
- 17.privacyshield.gov
- 18.nomedic.co
- 19.en.wikipedia.org
- 20.bm.usconsulate.gov
- 21.bma.bm
- 22.bankaccounts.io
- 23.globalbanks.com
- 24.expatfocus.com
- 25.hsbc.bm
- 26.pharmacy.bm
- 27.bermudayp.com
- 28.gotobermuda.com
- 29.bernews.com
- 30.bermudapharmacygroup.mysecurescripts.com
- 31.bermuda.com
More About Hamilton
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.