TRAVEL TIPS

Following are practical tips and useful information you will need whilst enjoying our island paradise. All information is subject to change, so we recommend calling to verify rates, schedules and more.

AIRLINES

Air Canada 888-247-2262
American Airlines 800-433-7300
British Airways 800-247-9297
Delta Airlines 800-221-1212
JetBlue Airlines 800-538-2583
United Airlines 800-864-8331
WestJet 888-204-0020

BANKING

Banks are usually open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are many ATMs islandwide that dispense Bermuda dollars.

BUSINESS HOURS

Generally, shops, businesses and profes- sional offices open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clocktower Shopping Mall in Royal Naval Dockyard

is open seven days a week, except Christmas Day and Good Friday. For more information on hours of operation, please visit dockyard.bm. Many grocery stores throughout the island are also open on Sundays with shortened hours. Grocery deliveries to your vacation property are available through Crown Point Grocery Services. Visit crownpointbda.com or call 705-0804 to arrange.

COMMUNICATION

CALLING CARDS: You can buy pre-paid calling cards in denominations of $5, $10 and $20 from Fort Knox Bermuda Limited (400-5900; fortknox.bm). One Communications offers pay-as-you-go long-distance plans (700-7000; onecomm.bm).

INTERNET: Bermuda has a number of internet service providers offering Wi-Fi connections. The Bermuda Visitor Service Centres in Hamilton, Dockyard and St. George’s offer free Wi-Fi.  Just sign up through the Bermuda Wi-Fi net- work. There is also free Wi-Fi available throughout the terminal at the L.F. Wade International Airport.

TELEPHONE SERVICES:

• Call to Bermuda: Country code 1, area code 441

• Call to U.S. and Canada from Bermuda: 1 + area code + phone number

• Call to the U.K. from Bermuda: 011/44/city code/phone number

• Call to other countries from Bermuda: 011/ country code/city code/phone number

• Call to international operator: 00

CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS

The Bermuda dollar is divided into 100 cents and is equal in value to the U.S. dol- lar; both are legal tender on the islands. Bermuda introduced new bank notes in 2009 with distinctly Bermudian designs, featuring wildlife on one side and local landmarks on the other. The exchange of other foreign currencies is done in banks. Credit cards are widely accepted in stores, restau- rants and hotels.

Visa and MasterCard may be used for cash advances at local banks. In addition, HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited and The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited provide ATMs island-wide for MasterCard, Cirrus and Plus cash advances. Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards are accepted mostly everywhere on the island.

CUSTOMS AND DUTY

U.S. residents who have been out of the country for 48 hours or more may take home items valued up to $800 once every 30 days without incurring duty. Adults may include 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and one litre of alcohol within their exemption, plus a second litre if produced by a Caribbean Basin country. Original paintings, drawings and sculptures are duty-free but must be declared. For information regarding Cuban cigars and products, visit cbp.gov.

U.K. residents 17 or older may take home duty-free two litres of table wine and one litre of spirits or liqueurs, or two litres of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs, plus 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, plus 60cc of perfume and 250cc of eau de toilette, plus other goods worth up to £145. Visit hmrc.gov.uk.

Canadian residents who have been out of their country for 48 hours or more can claim up to CAN$300 worth of goods without paying duty if they carry the goods with them. After each absence of seven days or more, Canadian residents can claim up to CAN$800 worth of goods without duty. For more information, visit cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.

DRINKING AGE

The legal drinking age is 18.

ELECTRICITY

Electrical service is the same as in the U.S. and Canada: 110 volts, 60 cycles AC.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Alcoholics Anonymous 297-0965
Ambulance 911
Animal Emergencies (SPCA) 236-7333
Bermuda Allergy and Asthma Relief Centre 292-9258
Bermuda Diabetes Association 292-8427
Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre 297-1010
Bermuda Red Cross 236-8253
Bermuda Tourism Authority 296-9200
Directory Assistance 411
Emergency 24-hour counselling 236-3770
Fire Service 911
King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (emergency) 239-2009
King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (general) 236-2345
Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre 298-7700
Physically Handicapped Association 293-8148
Police 911
Police/Central 295-0011
Police/Somerset 234-1010
Police/Southside 293-2222
Weather forecast 977
What’s Going On in Bermuda 974
Women’s Resource Centre 295-7273

LIFEGUARDS

Lifeguards are stationed at the following beaches daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.:
• Clearwater Beach/Turtle Bay: May 24 to Labour Day
• John Smith’s Bay: May 24 to Labour Day
• Horseshoe Bay: May 1 to October 31

MOVIE THEATRES

Watch a movie at Liberty Theatre, Union Square, Hamilton (292-7296) or Speciality Cinema & Grill, 12 Queen Street, Hamilton (292-2135, 295-2751; specialitycinema.bm). The Media Lounge Cinema and Wi-Fi Café at The Cooperage Building in Royal Naval Dockyard is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a different media experience, have a refreshing drink or just take a break and surf the internet. (526-6843; medialoungebda.com).

POPULATION

The 2022 population of Bermuda is approximately 64,031.

(Source: Macrotrends.net)

POST OFFICE

The General Post Office is located at 56 Church Street, Hamilton, and is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon (297-7893). Local letters are 50 cents, and local greeting cards are 50 cents. Air mail to the United States, the Caribbean or Canada is $1.15; $1.35 to Great Britain; $1.35 to Europe; and $1.55 to Asia, Australia or New Zealand.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2023/2024

Bermuda Day – Friday, May 26
National Heroes’ Day – Monday, June 19
Emancipation Day – Thursday, August 3
Mary Prince Day (formerly Somers’ Day) – Friday, August 4
Labour Day – Monday, Sept 4
Remembrance Day – Monday, Nov 13 (observed)
Christmas Day – Monday, Dec 25
Boxing Day – Tuesday, Dec 26
New Year’s Day – Monday, Jan 1, 2024
Good Friday – Friday, March 29

RADIO STATIONS

Bermuda Broadcasting Company Limited (295-2828; bermudabroadcasting.com);
Ocean 89 – Top 40; Power 95 – R&B; Inspire 105 – Country

SMOKING

Smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars, and the sale of cigarettes from vending machines are banned in Bermuda. Offenders face a $1,000 fine.

TAXES AND GRATUITIES

There is no sales tax. At most restaurants, a 15 to 17 percent tip will be added to your bill. At hotels, a 7.25 percent hotel-occupancy tax, a 4.5 percent tourism guest fee, and a 10 percent service charge are added to your bill.

TRANSPORTATION

BUSES: With 11 bus routes and 14 bus zones of about two miles each, buses are frequent and plentiful, and they service the entire island. They’re easy to spot as they’re painted Bermuda pink with blue stripes. Most buses leave from the Central Terminal on Washington Street, next to City Hall in Hamilton. Bus stops are identified by either a solid blue or pink pole. Blue poles signify routes outbound from the City of Hamilton; pink ones mark routes inbound to the City of Hamilton. Note: Exact cash is accepted. For up-to-date routes, visit www.gov.bm/bus or call 292-3851.

FERRIES: A unique and reliable way to travel around Bermuda is on the Sea Express ferry system. Four public ferry routes offer a picturesque alternative for travel around the island. All ferries depart from the Hamilton Ferry Terminal on Front Street. Note: Cash is not accepted on the ferries. For up-to-date schedules, visit marineandports.bm or call 295-4506.

• The Blue route stops at Royal Naval Dockyard in Sandys Parish on the west end of the island.
• The Orange route only operates in the summer, and it stops at Royal Naval Dockyard before continuing on to the Town of St. George.
• The Pink route makes several stops in Warwick and Paget parishes.
• The Green route stops at Watford Bridge and Cavello Bay, both in Sandys, and Rockaway in Southampton.

BUS AND FERRY FARES: Cash fares (on buses only) are $3.50 for up to three zones, $5 for up to 14 zones. It is cheaper to use tokens, tickets or a pass on both the bus or ferry. You can buy a book of 15 tickets for $25 for three zones, and $37.50 for 14 zones. Alternatively, tokens are $2.75 for up to three zones, $4.50 for up to 14 zones. Children under 5 years of age ride free, and ages 5–16 for $2.75 An unlimited one-day pass is $19; two-day, $31.50; three-day, $44; four-day, $48.50; and one-week, $62. An unlimited one-day pass for children is $9.50; two-day, $16; three-day, $22; four-day, $24.50; and one-week, $31. All fares, tokens, tickets and passes are the same for buses and ferries. For more information on fares, visit gov.bm/bus-fares or call 292-3851.

SCOOTERS, BICYCLES AND CARS: Rentals are available by the day or the week. Prices vary, but daily rates range from $40 to $50 for a single-seat scooter. Double-seat scooters are slightly higher. It is mandatory for both drivers and passengers to wear helmets, which are included with the rental. A $30 non-refundable insurance waiver is also required. You must be 18 or older to rent a motor scooter or a moped, and most rental agencies will require that you demonstrate the ability to operate the vehicle properly following an instructional session on safety and handling. Contact Smatt’s Cycle Livery (295-1180 or 238-7800), Elbow Beach Cycles Ltd. (296-2300), or Oleander Cycles (236-2453).

Visitors can now explore the island by renting two-seated electric vehicles from Current Vehicles Bermuda (currentvehicles.com) or from Bermuda Rental Car Ltd. (236-2453; bermudarentalcar.com) These electric cars can travel up to 50 miles on a single charge, and recharging stations are found throughout the island. Visitors must be 25 years old and hold a valid car driver’s licence to rent and drive a vehicle. You can also rent pedal bikes from a variety of island outfitters, which are ideal for exploring the island. You can bring your bike aboard a ferry. Rental rates range from about $30 a day, with $15 insurance waiver required. If you need a little bit more help pedalling, try a hybrid electric bike. For all rentals, you must obey Bermuda’s speed limit of 22 mph/35 kph and remember to drive on the left side of the road. For scooters and mopeds, gas stations are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

TAXIS AND MINI BUS SERVICES: Taxis can usually be found outside Bermuda’s larger hotels, near the airport or on the streets of the Hamilton, the Town of St. George or in Royal Naval Dockyard. All taxis are metered at government-set rates, and exact change is required. Current taxi fares are as follows, based on travel between 6 a.m. and midnight:
• For a 1- to 4-passenger taxi: $7.90 USD for the first mile, $2.75 USD for each additional mile
• For a 5- to 7-passenger taxi: $9.95 USD for the first mile, $3.50 USD for each additional mile

Fares are 25 percent higher for 1- to 4-passenger taxis, and 50 percent higher for 5- to 7-passenger taxis, between midnight and 6 a.m., all day on Sunday and on public holidays. Taxi businesses include Bermuda Island Taxi (295-4141), BIU Taxi Co-op Transportation (292-4476), BTA Transport Taxis (296-2121), CEO Transport Limited (234-4366) and Quality Transport (337-2578).

Bermuda’s taxi drivers are great guides, too. No one knows the best destinations better than they do. Taxi drivers displaying tour guide flags are qualified tour guides. The sightseeing rate is $50 USD per hour for a 1- to 4-passenger taxi or $70 USD per hour for a 5- to 7-passenger taxi.

Island Express Mini Bus offers a range of transportation services islandwide, including airport transfers, weddings, and corporate or sporting events. They also specialise in tailor-made islandwide sightseeing tours that can cover attractions and shopping in the capital city of Hamilton. The air-conditioned buses can accommodate small or large groups (777-6464; islandexpressbda.com).

VISITOR SERVICES CENTRES

Hamilton: 10 Front St., 261-2872
Royal Naval Dockyard:
2 Dockyard Ter., 296-9400
Town of St. George:
25 York St., 297-0556

WHEELCHAIR SERVICES

Wheelchair-accessible ferries: Hamilton Ferry Terminal, Dockyard, Rockaway and St. George’s ferry stops only. Wheelchair-accessible mini bus: Suburban Transit Mini Bus 335-1825