American Express--The representative in the City of Hamilton, Meyer Agencies, 35 Church St. (P.O. Box 510), Hamilton HM 12 (tel. 441/295-4176), provides complete travel service, traveler's checks, and emergency check cashing.

Banks--The main offices of Bermuda's three banks are in the City of Hamilton. All banks and their branches are open Monday from 9:30am to 4pm, Tuesday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Banks are closed Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays. Many big hotels will cash traveler's checks, and there are ATMs all around the island.

The Bank of Bermuda Ltd., 6 Front St., Hamilton (tel. 441/295-4000), has branches on Church Street, Hamilton; Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton; King's Square, St. George; and in Somerset.

The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son, Ltd., 65 Front St., Hamilton (tel. 441/295-1111), has several branches, including locations in St. George and Somerset.

The Bermuda Commercial Bank Ltd. is at 43 Victoria St., Hamilton (tel. 441/295-5678).

Bookstores--Bermuda Book Store (Baxters) Ltd., Queen Street, Hamilton (tel. 441/295-3698), stocks everything that's in print about Bermuda, including titles on gardening, flowers, local characters, poets, and other topics; some books are available only through this store. There are also many English publications not easily obtainable in the United States, as well as a fine selection of children's books. You can also buy maps, prints, and that beach novel you forgot to bring. Open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm.

Business Hours--Most businesses are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Stores are generally open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm; several shops open at 9:15am. A few shops are also open in the evening, but usually only when big cruise ships are in port.

Car Rentals--There are no car-rental agencies in Bermuda because visitors are not allowed to rent cars.

Crime--See "Safety," below.

Currency Exchange--Because the U.S. dollar and the Bermuda dollar are on par, both currencies can be used. It's not necessary to convert U.S. dollars into Bermuda dollars. Canadian dollars and British pounds must be converted into local currency.

Dentists--For dental emergencies, call King Edward VII Hospital, 7 Point Finger Rd., Paget Parish (tel. 441/236-2345), and ask for the emergency department. The hospital maintains lists of dentists on emergency call.

Doctors--In an emergency, call King Edward VII Hospital, 7 Point Finger Rd., Paget Parish (tel. 441/236-2345), and ask for the emergency department. For non-emergencies, ask the concierge at your hotel for a recommendation.

Drinking Age--See "Liquor Laws," below.

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 securely fastened safety 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--Importation of, possession of, or dealing in unlawful drugs (including marijuana) is illegal in Bermuda; there are heavy penalties for infractions. Customs officers, at their discretion, may conduct body searches for drugs or other contraband goods.

Drugstores--Try the Phoenix Drugstore, 3 Reid St. (tel. 441/295-3838), open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm, Sunday from noon to 6:30pm.

In Paget Parish, Paget Pharmacy, 130 Rural Hill Plaza (tel. 441/236-7275), is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm, Sunday from 10am to 6pm. The Somerset Pharmacy, 49 Mangrove Bay, Somerset Village (tel. 441/234-2484), is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm, Sunday from noon to 2pm.

Electricity--Electricity is 110 volts AC (60 cycles). American appliances are compatible without converters or adapters. Visitors from the United Kingdom or other parts of Europe need to bring a converter.

Embassies & Consulates--The American Consulate General is at Crown Hill, 16 Middle Rd., Devonshire (tel. 441/295-1342). It does not keep general business hours, but has hours for specific services. Call before you go to find out whether the service you need is available. It is closed on Thursday and Friday. The Canadian Consulate General (Commission to Bermuda) is at 1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 (tel. 212/596-1600). Britain doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Bermuda.

Emergencies--To call the police, report a fire, or summon an ambulance, dial tel. 911. The non-emergency police number is tel. 441/295-0011. For Air-Sea Rescue, dial tel. 441/297-1010.

Etiquette--Well-tailored Bermuda shorts are acceptable on almost any occasion, and many men wear them with jackets and ties. On formal occasions, they must be accompanied by knee socks. Aside from that, Bermudians are rather conservative in their attitude toward dress -- bikinis, for example, are banned more than 7.5m (25 ft.) from the water. Men are usually required to wear a jacket to dinner.

Eyeglass Repair--Argus Optical Company (Henry Simmons, O.D.), Melbourne House, Parliament Street, Hamilton (tel. 441/292-5452), works with prescription glasses and contact lenses. Hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to noon and 1 to 4:45pm.

Gasoline--Mopeds take a mixture of oil and gas, and always have a separate pump at gasoline (petrol) stations. Honda scooters require regular unleaded gasoline. The typical touring biker needs about one refill per week. Both Honda scooters and mopeds are rented with full tanks. Gasoline stations are conveniently situated around the island, and gas for cycles costs $3 to $4 per liter.

Hospitals--King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, 7 Point Finger Rd., Paget Parish (tel. 441/236-2345), has a highly qualified staff and Canadian accreditation.

Hot Lines--Call tel. 441/236-3770 and you'll be connected to the Bermuda Psychiatric Hospital's outpatient clinic or (in the evening) St. Brendan's Hospital. Either can help with life-threatening problems, personal crises, or referral to a medical specialist.

Information For telephone directory assistance, call tel. 411.

Legal Aid--The U.S. consulate will inform you of your limited rights and offer a list of attorneys. However, the consulate's office cannot interfere with Bermuda's law-enforcement officers. The Citizens' Emergency Center of the Office of Special Consular Services in Washington, D.C. (tel. 202/647-5225), operates a hot line that's useful in an emergency for U.S. citizens arrested abroad. The staff can also tell you how to send money to U.S. citizens arrested abroad.

Liquor Laws--Bermuda sternly regulates the sale of alcoholic beverages. The legal drinking age is 18, and most bars close at 1am. Some nightclubs and hotel bars can serve liquor until 3am. Many bars are closed on Sunday.

Hard liquor is sold in specialty stores selling liquor, beer, and wine. Although it's legal for grocery stores to sell hard liquor, most limit their inventories to beer and wine. Alcohol can't be sold 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. (The thinking behind this law is apparently that roaming gangs of loud, obnoxious drunks are more dangerous and disruptive than sedentary gangs of loud, obnoxious drunks.)

Mail--Deposit regular mail in the red pillar boxes on the streets. You'll recognize them by the monogram of Queen Elizabeth II. The postage rates for airmail letters up to 10 grams and for postcards is 65¢ to the United States and Canada, 80¢ to the United Kingdom. Airmail letters and postcards to the North American mainland can take 5 to 7 days, to Britain possibly a little longer. Often visitors return home before their postcards arrive.

Newspapers/Magazines--Bermuda has one daily newspaper, the Royal Gazette. Three weekly papers -- the Bermuda Sun, the Bermuda Times, and the Mid-Ocean News -- are issued on Friday. Major U.S. newspapers, including the New York Times and USA Today, and magazines such as Time and Newsweek are delivered to Bermuda on the day of their publication on the mainland. This Week in Bermuda is a weekly guide for tourists.

Pets--If you want to take your pet with you to Bermuda, you'll need a special permit issued by the director of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Parks, P.O. Box HM 834, Hamilton HM CX, Bermuda (tel. 441/236-4201). The island has no quarantine facilities, so animals arriving without proper documents will be refused entry and will be returned to the point of origin. Some guesthouses and hotels allow you to bring in small animals, but others will not, so be sure to inquire in advance. Always check to see what the latest regulations are before attempting to bring a dog or other pet -- including Seeing Eye dogs -- to Bermuda.

Pharmacies--See "Drugstores," above.

Photographic Needs--If you want to buy a camera or film, or develop Kodak or Fuji film, try the City of Hamilton's leading camera store, Stuart's, 5 Reid St., near the corner of Queen Street (tel. 441/295-5496). Film can be developed in-house in about 4 hours (sometimes within 1 hr., for a surcharge). Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

Police--In an emergency, call tel. 911; otherwise, call tel. 441/295-0011.

Post Offices--The General Post Office, 56 Church St., Hamilton (tel. 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.

Radio & TV--News is broadcast on the hour and half-hour over AM stations 1340 (ZBM), 1230 (ZFB), and 1450 (VSB). The FM stations are 89 (ZBM) and 95 (ZFB). Tourist-oriented programming, island music, and information on activities and special events air over AM station 1160 (VSB) daily from 7am to noon.

The television channel, 10 (ZBM), is affiliated with America's Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS).

Restrooms--The City of Hamilton and St. George provide public facilities, but only during business hours. In the City of Hamilton, toilets are at City Hall, in Par-la-Ville Gardens, and at Albouy's Point. In St. George, facilities are available at Town Hall, Somers Gardens, and Market Wharf. Outside of these towns, you'll find restrooms at the public beaches, the Botanical Gardens, in several of the forts, at the airport, and at service stations. Often you'll have to use the facilities in hotels, restaurants, and wherever else you can find them.

Safety--Bermudians are generally peaceful people, not given to violence. To be sure, the island has experienced racial tensions in the past, but right now relations between white and black residents seem to be harmonious, as blacks assume a greater role in Bermuda's affairs.

Crimes against tourists, violent or otherwise, are rare, but don't be lulled into a false sense of security. Crime does exist in Bermuda, as it does in any society. Take care to protect your valuables, especially when you're at the beach. Lock your moped each time you leave it. If you bring very valuable items with you (this is not advisable), place them in your hotel safe and never leave them carelessly in your room.

Smoking--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. At most tobacconists you can buy classic cigars from Havana, but Americans must enjoy them on the island -- they can't be taken back to the United States. Smoking in public places (such as restaurants) is generally permitted, but check before lighting up. Movie theaters set aside a section for nonsmokers.

Taxes--Bermuda charges visitors a Passenger Tax before they depart from the island. For those who leave by air, the tax, collected at the airport, is $20 for adults or children (children under 2 are exempt). For those who leave by ship, the tax, collected in advance by the cruise-ship company, is $60 (children under 2 are exempt).

All room rates, regardless of the category of accommodation or the plan under which you stay, are subject to a government tax of 6% (for simple guesthouses) to 7.5% (for the large majority of Bermuda's conventional hotels).

Telephone/Telegrams/Telexes/Faxes--Worldwide direct-dial phone, fax, and cable service is available at the Cable & Wireless Office, 12 Burnaby St., Hamilton, opposite City Hall (tel. 441/297-7022). Hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Prepaid phone cards may be purchased and used island-wide, and calling cards may be used from selected call boxes.

Cable & Wireless, in conjunction with the Bermuda Telephone Co., provides international direct dialing (IDD) to more than 150 countries. Country codes and calling charges may be found in the Bermuda telephone directory. Telephone booths are available at the Cable & Wireless office, and customers can either prepay or buy cash cards in $10, $20, and $50 denominations. Cash-card phone booths are available at numerous locations around the island. Making international calls with cash cards can be a lot cheaper than using the phone at your hotel, which might impose stiff surcharges. To make a local call, deposit 20¢ (Bermudian or U.S.). Hotels often charge 20¢ to $1 for local calls.

Special phones at passenger piers in the City of Hamilton, St. George, and the dockyard will connect you directly with an AT&T, Sprint, or MCI operator in the United States, permitting you to make collect or calling-card calls.

Telephone Directory--All Bermuda telephone numbers appear in one phone book, revised annually. The Yellow Pages list all the goods and services you are likely to need in the back.

Time--Bermuda is 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). Daylight savings time is in effect from the first Sunday in April until the last Sunday in October, as it is in the United States.

Tipping--In most cases, a service charge is added to hotel and restaurant bills. In hotels, the charge is in lieu of tipping various individuals, such as bellhops, maids, and restaurant staffers (for meals included in a package or in the daily rate). Check for this carefully to avoid double tipping. Otherwise, a 15% tip for service is customary. Taxi drivers usually get 10% to 15%.

Transit Information--For information about ferry service, call tel. 441/295-4506. For bus information, call tel. 441/292-3854.

Useful Telephone Numbers--On Bermuda, for time and temperature, call tel. 977-1. To learn "What's On in Bermuda," dial tel. 974. For medical emergencies or the police, dial tel. 911. If in doubt during any other emergency, dial tel. 0 (zero), which will connect you with your hotel's switchboard or the Bermuda telephone operator.

Water--Tap water is generally safe to drink.

Weather--Call tel. 977 at any time for a forecast covering the next 24-hour period.