Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
guesthouses and hotels allow you to bring in small animals, but others will not; be sure to
inquire in advance. Always check to see what the latest regulations are before attempting
to bring a dog or another pet—including Seeing Eye dogs—to Bermuda.
Pharmacies
See “Drugstores,” above.
Police
In an emergency, call
&
911;
otherwise, call
&
441/295-0011.
Post Offices
The
General Post Office,
56 Church St., Hamilton (
&
441/297-7866
), is
open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, Saturday from 8am to noon. Post office
branches and the Perot Post Office, Queen Street, Hamilton, are open Monday to Friday
from 8am to 5pm. Some post offices close for lunch from 11:30am to 1pm. Daily airmail
service for the United States and Canada closes at 9:30am in Hamilton. See also “Mail,”
above.
Safety
Bermuda has always been considered a safe destination, especially when com-
pared to countries of the Caribbean such as Jamaica. However, there is some crime here,
and the U.S. State Department has an advisory. Criminal activity continues to take place
at St. George, a popular cruise-ship destination. Incidents of verbal and physical assault
against tourists have been reported. Petty drug use is frequent, and gang activity has
been reported in the area as well.
In recent years, the area of Pitts Bay Road from the Hamilton Princess Hotel into the
town of Hamilton has been a common setting for muggings. The back streets of Hamilton
are often the setting for nighttime assaults, particularly after the bars close.
Valuables left in hotel rooms (occupied and unoccupied) or left unattended on
beaches are vulnerable to theft. Criminals often target transportation systems and popu-
lar tourist attractions. Examples of common crimes include pick-pocketing, theft of unat-
tended baggage and items from rental motorbikes, and purse snatchings (often
perpetrated against pedestrians by thieves riding motorbikes).
Travelers should exercise caution when walking after dark or visiting out-of-the-way
places on the island, which can be vulnerable to crime, and because narrow and dark
roadways can contribute to accidents.
Senior Travel
Though much of the island's sporting and nightlife activity is geared
toward more youthful travelers, Bermuda has a lot to offer seniors. The best source of
information for seniors is the Bermuda Department of Tourism (see “Visitor Information,”
on p. 200). If you're staying in a large resort hotel, the activities director or concierge is
another excellent source.
Smoking
In the spring of 2006, the government of Bermuda passed a law banning
smoking in enclosed public places. Tobacconists and other stores carry a wide array of
tobacco products, generally from either the United States or England. Prices vary but
tend to be high.
Student Travel
The Bermuda Department of Tourism offers Spring Break programs
for sports teams from the mainland, as well as Spring Break Arts Programs. Inquire with
the tourism office for details (see “Visitor Information,” p. 200).
Taxes
Bermuda charges visitors a Passenger Tax before they depart from the island;
it's hidden within the cost of an airline or cruise-ship ticket. Frankly, you might never
know that a tax has actually been imposed, but if you're interested, $25 of the cost of
your airline ticket, and $60 of the cost of your cruise-ship ticket, goes to the Bermudian
government. Children age 2 and younger are exempt from paying this tax.
All room rates, regardless of the category of accommodations or the plan under which
you stay, are subject to a government tax of 7.25%.
Taxis
See “Getting Around,” earlier in this chapter.
Telephones
Worldwide direct-dial phone, fax, and cable service is available at the
Cable & Wireless Office,
12 Burnaby St., Hamilton (
&
441/497-7000;
www.cwbda.com).
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