Passport/Visa Requirements: All U.S. citizens must have a passport when traveling by air to or from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America and Mexico. Citizens of Canada, Mexico and the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda also must have a passport or other designated secure document to enter the U.S.
Beginning 1 June 2009, passports are required for land crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders with the U.S. and for cruise passengers returning to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada or Bermuda. Reconfirm travel-document requirements with your carrier prior to departure.
Population: 50,209.
Languages: English.
Predominant Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant), though other major religions are represented..
Time Zone: 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-6 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
Voltage Requirements: 110 volts.
Telephone Codes: 228,
| Currency Exchange | Top  |
Banks are generally open Monday-Friday 9 am-4 pm, with limited hours on Saturday mornings. ATMs are widely available and are the easiest way for foreign visitors with bank cards to get U.S. currency. Some casino hotels provide foreign currency exchange. For example, the Beau Rivage will exchange these currencies: Canadian dollar, Swiss franc, Japanese yen, Australian dollar, British pound sterling and the euro.
There's a 7% state sales tax, and a 5% Harrison County hotel tax. Casinos pay a 12% tax on gaming revenues.
Tip servers 15%-20% depending on service. Tip your casino dealer 10% of your win, or whatever you think is fair if you've really hit it big. Bellhops receive US$1-$2 per bag.
The Gulf of Mexico influences the temperature range in Biloxi and Gulfport. As a result, winters are generally mild, ranging from 40-60 F/4-16 C. In July and August, temperatures can shoot up into mid-90s F/30s C, with high humidity. Spring, fall and winter are the best times to visit Biloxi.
The area averages 62 in/160 cm of rainfall a year, much of that in the summer. Hurricane season lasts 1 June-30 November—and, as with locals, visitors should have an evacuation plan in mind in case a hurricane threatens. Tropical storms are also common during those months.
| Weather Forecast | Top  |
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| Pressure: | 1015.57044364 Millibars | | Dew Point: | 71 °F/ 22 °C | | Humidity: | 100% | | Visibility: | 6 Miles / 10 Kilometers | | Wind: | 8 MPH / 13 KPH SSE | | Comfort Index: | 78 °F/ 26 °F | | Last Updated: | 10/7/2008 10:00:00 PM |
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| THU | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| OVERCAST | 78 °F
26 °C | 62 °F
17 °C | | FRI | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| MAINLY SUNNY | 82 °F
28 °C | 62 °F
17 °C | | SAT | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| MAINLY SUNNY | 82 °F
28 °C | 62 °F
17 °C | | SUN | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| MAINLY SUNNY | 82 °F
28 °C | 64 °F
18 °C | | MON | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SCATTERED CLOUDS | 82 °F
28 °C | 68 °F
20 °C |
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| What to Wear | Top |
In summer Biloxi and Gulfport are hot and humid, so dress for the heat. During the winter months, you usually need only a light jacket or a sweater at night. Most of the year, including the winter, you can get away with wearing shorts and short sleeves. Because this is a tourist-friendly area, casual wear is accepted at most restaurants and other establishments. In fact, Eddie Favire, the mayor of Bay St. Louis—a small town on the west side of the Mississippi Gulf Coast that was "ground zero" for Katrina damage—has pledged to wear nothing but shorts until his town is rebuilt, and he's still wearing them year-round.
Business meetings are more formal, and travelers will find that business attire will make the best impression.
For outdoor excursions, wear long sleeves and long pants with shoes, as the mosquitoes, gnats and "no see ums" can be fierce, particularly at dawn and dusk. If you want the cooler dress of shorts and sleeveless tops, be sure to take mosquito repellent. Wear sunscreen, especially when planning a beach outing or a trip to Ship Island.
| Communication | Top |
| Internet Access | Top |
Most hotels have regular plug-in Internet access as a standard feature. Wireless (Wi-Fi) Internet access is available at increasing numbers of hotels in the area, and also at local McDonalds restaurants. To locate the closest Wi-Fi hot spot, visit http://www.wififreespot.com and http://www.jiwire.com.
This shop has free Wi-Fi access for customers. 2180 E. Pass Road, Gulfport. Phone 228-604-2162.
Has Wi-Fi access in public areas. 3641 Sangani Blvd., D'Iberville. Phone 228-396-0036. Toll-free 800-228-1000.
| Newspapers & Magazines | Top |
The
Sun Herald, the city's local newspaper, is published daily from offices on DeBuys Road, which is the boundary line between Gulfport and Biloxi. In 2006, the Sun Herald won a Pulitzer Prize for public service for coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. http://www.sunherald.com. The
Sun Herald also produces a glossy bi-monthly lifestyle magazine,
BeachBlvd (http://www.sunherald.info/beachblvd). Another local lifestyle magazine is
South Mississippi Living. http://www.smliving.net.
There are free entertainment guides at most hotels and casinos. Look for Jackpot magazine for listings of casino events and casino-related stores (http://www.jackpotmagazine.com). A good alternative source for news is the online publication http://www.gulfcoastnews.com. A weekly that contains a lot of arts and entertainment coverage is the Bay Press (http://www.getthepress.com). Daily newspapers from Mobile, Alabama; Jackson, Mississippi; and New Orleans are available at some news outlets.
There are few pay phones in Biloxi and Gulfport, but try areas such as gas stations, casinos and the mall. For directory assistance call 555-1212 or 411. You should have no problem with cellular phone service.
| Transportation | Top |
Although you can travel much of Biloxi on foot, you will eventually need some transportation for the sites along or near Beach Boulevard. The Coast Transit Authority trolleys make designated stops about every 35 minutes. If you prefer to drive, parking is generally not a problem. There are parking meters downtown and free parking at the beach. Casinos have large parking garages.
The Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) offers nonstop service to Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Memphis, Greensboro, Orlando, St. Petersburg and Tampa. Airlines include AirTran, Allegiant Air, American Eagle, Continental, Delta, Myrtle Beach Direct Air, Northwest and Skybus Airlines. There are ATMs, four restaurants, a lounge and a gift shop on-site. Skycaps can be found at curbside and baggage claim. Taxi stands are available outside, and there are five major car rental companies at the airport. The airport itself has been undergoing a US$51 million terminal expansion project that will more than double its annual passenger capacity from 1 to 2.4 million. In 2007, two gates, a waiting area and a baggage-claim area opened. It also has an 800-car parking garage. Phone 228-863-5951. http://www.flygpt.com.
Connecting Transportation
For casino drop-offs, taxis have set rates: US$17-$20 for the Island View Casino, Gulfport; US$30-$32 for Casino Row, Biloxi. There is a maximum charge of US$33 to go anywhere in Biloxi from the airport.
The Casino Shuttle runs daily 24 hours. For service to Grand Casino, Isle of Capri, Palace Casino, Beau Rivage, IP Casino, Boomtown and Treasure Bay, the cost is US$22 (round-trip), and US$12 (one way). There is also a one-way drop-off at Keesler Air Force Base (US$12).
The Coastliner/Hotard Shuttle departs about 15-30 minutes after all arriving flights—you'll find the vehicle just outside the baggage claim area. The Coastliner makes runs to Isle of Capri, Palace Casino, IP, Beau Rivage, Treasure Bay and Keesler Air Force Base. Phone 228-354-8401; toll-free 800-647-3957.
The bus makes stops in Gulfport and Biloxi on the Mississippi Coast. 166 Main St., Biloxi. Phone 228-436-4335. Toll-free 800-231-2222. http://www.greyhound.com.
Driving is a good option in Biloxi. There are plenty of places to park, and casinos have their own garages. Rental cars are available at the airport. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time.
| Public Transportation | Top |
The Coast Transit Authority buses have a number of different routes through Biloxi and to neighboring towns. You can pick up a bus at the bus stop or by flagging it down along its route. Buses run on average every 45 minutes to an hour; some leave as early as 4:30 am and run as late as 7:30 pm. The fare is US$1, exact change only. A one-day pass (unlimited rides) is available for US$5. Daily 6:30 am-10:30 pm. 333 Debuys Road, Gulfport. Phone 228-896-8080. http://www.coasttransit.com.
Phone is the best way to hail a taxi; the hotel staff will be able to provide a list of reputable companies.
The Sunset Limited, which runs from Los Angeles to Orlando, Florida, includes sleeping and dining accommodations with feature movies shown in the evening. The train normally makes four stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast as it travels from New Orleans to Pensacola, Florida, but the Mississippi Coast stations have been closed because of Hurricane Katrina damage. To check current status and for reopening dates, contact Amtrak. Toll-free 800-872-7245. http://www.amtrak.com.
| For More Information | Top |
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | Top |
This office has helpful information and coupons. Open Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm. 2600 24th Ave., Gulfport. Phone 228-896-6699, ext. 224. Toll-free 888-467-4853. http://www.gulfcoast.org.
