Hamilton Travel Guide
Bermuda's pretty pastel-shaded capital, Hamilton, named after a former Governor, hustles and bustles with local shoppers and keen sightseers every day of the week. Although it is officially a city, boasting a massive 19th century neo-Gothic cathedral, it is the size of a town and is inhabited by approximately 15,000 people. The population swells appreciably with the frequent arrival of cruise ships that berth next to Hamilton's main thoroughfare, Front Street, stretching along the harbour. Front Street also boasts a ferry terminal, a parade area and countless shops, restaurants and taverns. Most visitors linger at any one of the restaurants along the stretch and enjoy the harbour views or watch the passersby from the decorative balconies.
The mood is relaxed and amiable. Throughout the town British influences have blended comfortably with the casual island style. Visitors can explore elegant buildings like the Royal Yacht Club and Historical Museum, or take a ride in a quaint horse-drawn carriage. Hamilton's pride is the Georgian-style Sessions House, on Church Street. It dates back to 1815 and serves as Bermuda's House of Assembly and Supreme Court. It is also worth visiting Fort Hamilton, particularly for the splendid views it offers of the city, harbour and Gibb's Hill Lighthouse. At midday every Monday shows are staged with bagpipers and traditional dancers.
Things to do in Hamilton
A holiday in Hamilton is a holiday in the principal harbour town of one of the world's favourite Caribbean islands. Tourists are spoilt for choice when it comes to attractions and activities in the city. No one who travels to Bermuda can avoid visiting Hamilton, the focal point of the island's historic sight-seeing and tourist attractions. From Hamilton all the sightseeing boats, ferries and local buses depart and all the cruise liners arrive, and its busy Front Street is the main shopping area of the island.
Front Street is the life and soul of Hamilton City and centre of all the main activities. This is where most of the island's glittering shops, great restaurants, retail shops and many other commercial establishments like banks and insurance companies are located. And as expected, this is the busiest place in the island. A good place to start exploring is the Visitor's Information Center located next to the Hamilton ferry terminal. There are complimentary pocket maps and brochures available, and visitors can leave from here to enjoy the attractions on foot, or take the option of carriage ride - there is nothing more romantic than a horse drawn carriage taking a stately route through Hamilton City. There are of course buses as well that can take visitors to various points within the city and the outskirts in Pembroke parish.
From Hamilton it is a 15-minute walk to one of Bermuda's more recent attractions, the state-of-the-art Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. This is a multi-million dollar institute built to showcase the natural wonders of the surrounding oceans. The Institute offers a simulated dive in a capsule and interactive exhibits detailing local reef wrecks, plant and animal life. Also worth visiting is the Bermuda Historical Society Museum.
Fort Hamilton
Fort Hamilton is a substantial Victorian fort with a panoramic view of Hamilton Harbour, built in the mid-19th century during a period of rising tensions between Britain and the USA. The ramparts are mounted with 18 ton artillery pieces capable of firing 400 pound (181kg) cannonballs through iron-hulled vessels. Nearby is Clarence Cove, a popular beach forming part of Admiralty House Park. The house itself dates from the early 19th century, built as the residence of the Royal Navy's regional commander. Another military echo along North Shore Road, Black Watch Well, was dug by troops of the famous Scottish regiment during a drought in 1849.
Botanical Gardens
Paget is a delightful park providing the perfect environment to experience the island's flora. It is a fragrant haven of exotic subtropical plants, flowers, and trees. Highlights of this 36-acre paradise include the palm garden with native palmetto trees, the subtropical fruit garden, a garden for the visually-impaired which features scented plants, a ficus collection, and a flowering hibiscus garden. There are greenhouses with orchids, bromeliads, a miniature forest, an aviary, and a variety of flowering houseplants. The white house on the grounds of the Botanical Gardens is Camden, the official residence of Bermuda's Premier, open for tours except when official functions are scheduled.
Harrington Sound
Harrington Sound is a large inland sea five miles (8km) northeast of Hamilton. Its calm waters provide perfect sailing territory. The Sound is linked to the ocean by the narrow Flatts Inlet where changes to the tide are magnified and waters rush beneath a bridge connecting the two sides. On the north side of the inlet, opposite Flatts Village, is the Bermuda Aquarium where visitors can enjoy more than 100 species of indigenous Bermuda fish in ocean and reef environments. Located within the same complex is the Natural History Museum and zoo that features animals from the Caribbean, Australia, Asia, Madagascar and the Galapagos.
Crystal Caves
The stretch of land between Harrington Sound and Castle Harbour is riddled with caves. Located 80 feet (24m) underground, Crystal Caves never ceases to amaze with its dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. There is a wonderful walk over the pontoon bridge to Cahow Lake, with crystal-clear water that reaches a depth of 55 feet (17m). Visitors can also enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Palm Garden. A little further on are the Leamington Caves with their incredible crystal formations and underground pools that can be explored along well-marked paths. More caves are located on the grounds of the 300-year-old Walsingham House, now a well-known restaurant.
Bermuda Railway Trail
Bermuda used to have a public railway that served the island's eastern and western cities between 1931 and 1948. In 1984, the government opened the Bermuda Railway Trail as a walking trail and bridle path. A great way to spend a few hours with the kids, the trail can also be cycled, traversed on horseback or even rollerbladed in certain areas. This 21-mile (35km) trail is a great way to see the island's flora and fauna, made even better with some breathtaking views and plenty of chances for bird watching. Organised walking tours are also available.
Getting Around
It is important to note that visitors to Bermuda are not allowed to rent cars. There are, however, several transport options, and the city of Hamilton and Bermuda itself are not large. A bus service operates in Hamilton and links it to other major points in Bermuda, with inbound service stops marked with pink-topped poles and outbound service stops marked with blue-topped poles. If transferring to another bus, be sure to ask the first driver for a transfer to avoid paying again. Transfers are valid for half an hour.
Ferries are another popular way to enjoy the sights of Hamilton and its surrounds, and scooters and mopeds are also available for hire. Walking and cycling are also excellent ways to get around. A traditional means of transport, and a fun way to enjoy the city, is on a horse drawn carriage ride.
Hamilton Climate and Weather
The climate of Hamilton is sub-tropical, with sunny and hot weather all year round. There are no distinct seasons, but the hottest weather is during July, August and September when highs can hit 90°F (32°C). Generally the Gulf Stream keeps temperatures moderate. There is no specific rainy season, with showers occurring at any time of year, although the skies do clear rapidly.
Bermuda travel info
Electricity
Electrical current is 110 volts, 60Hz. US flat, two-pin plugs are used. Power outages and surges are common, as a result visitors should bring surge protectors for the safety of their devices.
Language
English is the official language.
Money
The Bermudan Dollar (BMD) is divided into 100 cents, and is tied to the US Dollar (US$1=BD$1). US currency is accepted almost everywhere and other major currencies can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change. Banking hours vary, though most are open weekdays from 9am to 4.30pm. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted and ATMs are easily available. Visitors are advised to exchange all their Bermudan Dollars before leaving, as it is impossible to exchange once outside the country.
Tipping
If not included in the bill, a 15 percent tip is generally expected at restaurants and hotels. Taxi drivers are usually tipped 10 percent, and all Bermuda hotels add a hotel tax of 10 percent to the bill at check-out.
Health
There are no specific health risks for visitors to Bermuda and medical care is of a high standard. Health insurance is recommended, as medical treatment is expensive. Food and water are considered safe for consumption.
Safety
Bermuda is relatively crime-free but visitors should exercise the necessary precautions to safeguard personal possessions. Care should be taken after dark, avoiding quieter, poorly lit streets in particular. Hurricane season normally runs from June to November.
Local customs
As a general rule, dress conservatively. Bathing suits are acceptable only on the beach, and it is considered an offence to appear in public without a shirt. Casual sportswear can be worn in restaurants during the day, but in the evening men should dress more formally with slacks and a shirt. Good manners are expected, and asking a question without first offering a proper greeting is considered extremely rude. Nude or semi-nude bathing is not permitted in Bermuda.
Doing business
Bermuda's economy is dominated by tourism and international financial services. Business etiquette is conservative, and businessmen and women should stick to formal dress or lightweight suits. For meetings, punctuality is important, people are greeted with handshakes, and business cards are exchanged. Business hours are generally 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Duty free
Travellers to Bermuda over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 500g tobacco; and 1 litre liquor and 1 litre wine. However, duties may have to be paid on perfume and certain gifts. Spearguns are prohibited.
Communications
The international access code for Bermuda is +1, in common with the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean, followed by 441. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom); no outgoing code is needed to call the US. Mobile phones operate on a GSM 1900 network. Free wifi is widely available in restaurants, pubs and other tourist areas.
Passport & Visa
All visitors must hold a return or onward ticket and any documents required for further travel, as well as a valid passport. We recommend that passports be valid for six months after arrival at destination. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA, a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities. Visa requirements vary according to country.
Entry requirements
United States nationals must have a passport that is valid upon arrival, but a visa is not required.
UK nationals require a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay, and it must have space for entry and exit stamps. They can visit without a visa for up to 180 days in any 12-month period, but must have a ticket for return or onward travel.
Canadian nationals need a passport that is valid for at least 45 days beyond the date of expected departure from Bermuda, and a visa is not required.
Australian nationals need a passport that is valid upon arrival, but a visa is not required.
South African nationals require both a visa and a valid passport for entry to Bermuda. Passports should be valid for at least 45 days beyond the intended period of stay.
Irish nationals must have a passport that is valid upon arrival, but they do not need a visa.
New Zealanders must have a passport that is valid upon arrival, but they do not need a visa.
Useful contacts
Bermuda Department of Tourism, Hamilton: +1 441 292 0023 or www.gotobermuda.com.
Emergencies: 911 (ambulance, fire, police, and marine).