Inside Info

INSIDE INFO Tips to save you time, money and trouble here

BUSINESS HOURS Business and professional offices, 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. Shops, generally 9 to 5, Monday through Saturday. Grocery and some retail stores also open 1–5 Sundays. Some open earlier. COURIERS Excellent services from here to major cities worldwide, provided by FedEx, DHL and UPS.

FERRIES & BUSES Buses run from major hotels and islandwide into Hamilton from early morning until late at night. Fares $3.50 to $5 (exact change only accepted). Information: 292-3854. Ferries ply between Hamilton and outlying parishes. Adult fares are $5 each way to the West End, $3.50 on the Paget/Warwick rou tes. Rental bikes can be taken on the West End ferry for an additional $4.50. Commuter tokens and passes available. Information: 295-4506. MEDICAL & DENTAL Call the hospital (236-2345), explain that you need to see a doctor or dentist and they’ll give you the number of the appropriate professional on call at that time.

If you are suffering from minor injury or illness, just walk-in for medical attention, 5 Reid Street, Hamilton, or call BMSG Health Express Urgent Care at 292-0022. For additional or specialist care, call BMSG Family Medicine & Diagnostics at 541-2674. MEETINGS, CONFERENCES & RECEPTIONS Several local hotels are set up to handle everything from a handful to hundreds of delegates with a full range of catering and technical support. Any of the guest properties featured in this publication would be happy to help. SCOOTERS Anyone over 18 can rent, but be cautious: we drive on the left, and the roads are narrow and winding. There’s a 22mph (35kph) speed limit and tough drink/driving fines. Contact Oleander Cycles (236-2453, www.oleandercycles. bm). OFFICE SERVICES If you need a temporary secretary, messenger, word processing, photocopying, faxing, mail services, meeting or presentation room, video recording or A/V equipment, there is competent, professional help at hand. See ‘Key Contacts’ page 47 POSTAL SERVICES Air mail takes around a week to arrive from the US, Canada and Europe and about the same to reach there from here. The General Post Office, 56 Church Street, Hamilton, is open 8 to 5, Monday to Friday. Tel: 297-7893. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2020 New Year’s Day holiday Wednesday January 1; Good Friday April 10; Bermuda Day, Monday May 25; National Heroes’ Day, Monday June 15; Cup Match, Thursday July 30 and Friday July 31; Labour Day, Monday September 7; Remembrance Day, Wednesday November 11; Christmas Day, Friday December 25; Boxing Day Monday December 28. TAXES & TIPPING Bermuda has no sales tax. At most restaurants, a 15% or 17% tip is added to the bill. There is no need to tip hotel staff individually as most resorts assess a fixed gratuity on the final bill. In addition, all room rates are subject to a 7.25 percent “hotel occupancy tax.” Airport porters usually get a few dollars. TAXIS All taxis are metered at government-set rates. For a 1- to 4-passenger taxi: $7.90 for the first mile, $2.75 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. Between midnight and 6 am, and all day on Sunday and on public holidays, fares are 25 percent higher for 1- to 4-passenger taxis, and 50 percent higher for 5- to 7-passenger taxis. The sightseeing rate is $50 per hour for a 1- to 4-passenger taxi or $70 per hour for a 5- to 7-passenger taxi. Tip 10%-15%. Call 295-4141 or hail a cab with its yellow light on. TELEVISION Don’t worry, you won’t miss that game, whether it be NFL, NHL, NBA or MLB; Premier League Soccer or Test cricket. Most hotels have cable, and there are several sports bars in town. Local cable also features CNN, BBC World and several business and financial networks. And you might find the Bermuda Channel (cable 3) helpful, too, for dining, shopping and recreational options. INTERNET, WiFi & MOBILE DEVICES Almost all hotels offer wireless Internet access and there are a host of Internet Cafes throughout Hamilton. Wifi is even offered at Horseshoe Beach, and there is free Wifi at the airport.

Bermuda has two cell phone providers, One (700-7000) and Digicel (500-5000). They both have international roaming agreements which your mobile device should pick up automatically. Check roaming charges though, which could be relatively expensive.