Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
with a cane outside the town of St. George and City of Hamilton, because most roads
don't have sidewalks or adequate curbs. When two vehicles pass, you are often crowded
off the road.
Taking taxis to everything you want to see can be very expensive. Unfortunately, the
public buses are not geared for passengers in wheelchairs. However, you can ask your
hotel to check on the availability of volunteer buses operated by the Bermuda Physically
Handicapped Association (see below). It occasionally runs buses with hydraulic lifts. You
can also call the tourist office and request a schedule for such transportation; make
arrangements as far in advance as possible.
Before you go, you can seek information from the website of the
Bermuda Physically
Handicapped Association
(
&
441/293-5035;
www.bermuda-online.org/BPHA.htm). Visi-
tors planning to bring a guide dog to Bermuda must obtain a permit in advance from any
Bermuda Department of Tourism office; see “Visitor Information” below.
The most accessible hotels in Bermuda are Elbow Beach Hotel, the Fairmont Hamilton
Princess, and the Fairmont Southampton (see chapter 4 for listings).
Drinking Laws
Bermuda sternly regulates the sale of alcoholic beverages. The legal
drinking age is 18, and most bars close at 1am (some close as early as 10pm, and others
as late as 3am). Some bars are closed on Sunday, and stores can't sell alcohol 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.
Driving Rules
Visitors cannot rent cars. To operate a motor-assisted cycle, you must
be age 16 or over. All cycle drivers and passengers must wear helmets. Driving is on the
left side of the road, and the speed limit is 32kmph (20 mph) in the countryside, 24kmph
(15 mph) in busy areas.
Drug Laws
In Bermuda, there are heavy penalties for the importation of, possession
of, or dealing of unlawful drugs (including marijuana). Customs officers, at their discre-
tion, may conduct body searches for drugs or other contraband goods.
Drugstores
Try the
Phoenix Drugstore,
3 Reid St., Hamilton (
&
441/295-3838
),
open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 6pm, Sunday from noon to 6pm.
In Hamilton,
People's Pharmacy,
62 Victoria St. (
&
441/292-0398
), is open Monday
through Saturday from 8am to 8:30pm, Sunday from 10am to 6pm. The
Somerset Phar-
macy,
49 Mangrove Bay, Somerset Village (
&
441/234-2484
), is open Monday to Friday
8am to 6pm, and Saturday 8am to 5pm.
Electricity
Electricity is 110 volts AC (60 cycles). North American appliances are com-
patible without converters or adapters. Visitors from the United Kingdom or other parts
of Europe need to bring a converter.
Embassies & Consulates
For Residents of the U.S.:
The American Consulate Gen-
eral is located at Crown Hill, 16 Middle Rd., Devonshire (
&
441/295-1342;
http://hamilton.
usconsulate.gov), and is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm.
For Residents of Canada
The Canadian Consulate General (Commission to Bermuda) is
at 73 Front St., Hamilton (
&
441/292-2917;
www.embassiesabroad.com).
For Residents of the U.K.
As Bermuda is a British territory, Britain does not maintain a
consulate in Bermuda. For emergency travel documents, contact the Bermuda Department
of Immigration, Parliament Street, Hamilton (
&
441/295-5151;
www.immigration.gov.bm).
For Residents of Australia
The Australian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada (
&
613/
236-0841;
www.canada.embassy.gov.au) provides consular assistance for Australians
traveling in Bermuda.
Emergencies
To call the police, report a fire, or summon an ambulance, dial
&
911.
The nonemergency police number is
&
441/295-0011.
For air-sea rescue, contact the
Rescue Coordination Center,
&
441/297-1010.
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