Cheap Things To Do On The World’s Most Expensive Island
Believe it or not, budget travel is possible here too
I know. “Bermuda” and “budget” are two words that really don’t go together. But if you’re low on cash and here for another day, you can still make it memorable while keeping your wallet happy (and your sanity intact).
Known as a paradise tax-haven surrounded by pink sand and turquoise ocean, Bermuda has maintained itself as one of the “Most Expensive Countries” in the world and is a pretty high-profile place to spend a vacation. It’s also a popular getaway for celebrities and a comfortable spot for millionaires to quietly spend their retirement.
Sound expensive? It is.
According to Numbeo, Bermuda prices are 26% higher than in Switzerland, 63% more expensive than in London (yes, London), 97% higher than in major U.S cities, and 125% higher than in the whole of Canada.
But me being a struggling freelancer, I have successfully found that there are places you can go and enjoy without inducing a sobbing fit over your bank statement later.
I then finally found the decency to scribble down these magical locations and put together a list of cheap things to do in Bermuda. Some are so cheap they’re free (which is the best kind of cheap).
So let’s get to it.
Visit the Aquarium
A great stop for animal lovers. With an affordable entry fee of $10, you have access to a small aquarium full of strangely named fish (“Slippery Dick” is real) and informational plaques. Beyond this, you can continue over to the Museum where you can learn about the origins of Bermuda as an island. Don’t skip the presentations here, they’re great for making you feel smart when you leave.
Then you can move on to the zoo behind it— which is a lot bigger and more interesting than the aquarium. Seals, monkeys, lemurs, birds, and even a crocodile dwell here — some without cages. There’s much to learn here and for only $10 you get to see a good amount of things that will already take up 2–3 hours of your day (5 hours if you have kids).
Go fishing in Flatts Village
Right in front of the Aquarium is a little park and pier where the occasional family can be seen fishing (or attempting to).
But if worms and trout aren’t your cup of tea, then sitting at the picnic tables for a spot of lunch and watching the boats go by is also a very respectable way to spend your time here. Surely on a more active day you would be able to hitch a boat ride to the other side for a couple bucks too.
I would go as far as saying I enjoyed relaxing by Flatts Village more than walking around the Aquarium, but I’m a sucker for peace and quiet.
Explore the Canyon Caves (near Admiralty House)
Good news! There’s no fee here. In fact, there’s really no-one else here either. The admiralty house is a tourist hotspot, but near the water you’ll find a beach and a flight of stairs going down into a mostly hidden cave.
Now I don’t recommend going down there with hyper dogs or disobedient children, they will most likely throw themselves through the hole like salmon. In fact, there are multiple bottomless tunnels going straight through the floor and into the ocean, so be careful where you step.
Aside from all the caution, you’ll love the view of the ocean from inside the cave, and if you have a local with you, they may tell you that this cave is where canons used to shoot at ships from. Fascinating, eh?
Enjoy a traditional Bermudian meal
I don’t mean first-class lobster or fresh cod. I mean a truly traditional, local meal for less than 12 bucks.
On a corner of Serpentine road, Spotlight Café is a low profile gem of Bermudian cuisine. It’s easy to miss this small turquoise building with its simple cardboard sign in the window saying “Open”, and a front door that’s always closed.
With just a kitchen and a small waiting area, you can take a look at the meals set out for show before ordering one of the local Bermudian fares off their humble two-meal menu:
Granted, it kind of looks like what you could get at any lunch buffet, but the portions are bigger than they seem, and once you taste it, you’ll soon realise why this little café is the go-to place for locals on a lunch break.
If you’re not a seafood fan then you can exchange the tilapia for chicken (and re-consider why you’re vacationing on an island). You can also get some home-made root beer — which is a drink I will forever maintain tastes like cough medicine — but this version has a hint of ginger and maybe even cloves, so it’s a lot more bearable than most.
They also make their own tartar sauce from scratch. And oh, it’s really good tartar sauce.
*Local man sees me taking photos of the building*
First time here?
Oh, uh…yes.
You’re gonna love it. Did you get the fish or chicken?
I got the fish with potato salad.
Ahhhh you’re gonna love it!
He was right. I did love it.
To be perfectly honest, Bermudian fare seems like an odd mix between picnic food and microwaveable dinners (mac ‘n’ cheese, really?), but both dishes have something about them that just makes you want to keep eating until you’re scraping the plate.
Take a walk down the Railway Trail
The great thing about walking in nature is that you generally don’t have to pay for it. Unless you’re trespassing.
Just a few miles from the airport, the Bermuda Railway trail is a fascinating place to see the best of Bermuda. Boats floating on a royal blue sea, waves crashing on the shore, and a Bermudian flag waving on top of a lush green island are just a few things you’ll get to appreciate.
Built only a few years ago, there’s a long wooden bridge going across the ocean, connecting you to the pasture where the walking trail continues for miles. Don’t feel pressured to walk the whole way, there are plenty of benches and view points you can sit and having a picnic at.
Fair warning: the wind here can get pretty gusty. This is not the place to go for a first date or when you’re really looking to impress. Unless squinting and getting your hair blown into oblivion is your idea of sexy.
Admire the view from Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
For a small fee of $2, you can walk up a seemingly never-ending spiral staircase until you reach the balcony and feast your eyes on Bermuda.
It’s not a bad sight for sore eyes — and probably screaming calves at this point. There’s no one else up there most of the time so it’s really a great spot to get away from it all and overlook Bermuda from every angle (while pretending you’re the eye of Sauron).
Hike around Spittal Pond
Not going to put it nicely — it’s a hell of a climb to get up here. Or maybe it was because I was wearing slippery flats instead of proper walking shoes. Either way, it’s a bit of a walk to get to this area, but the view is very much worth it.
There are various levels of rock to get up, but you’ll have the ocean breeze in your hair and you won’t know where to point your camera first. This magical place is on the East side of the island so if you get bored of nature (blasphemy) you can head on over to the Aquarium, golf course, or the beaches.
Which leads me to my last recommendation.
Relax on the beach
Restaurant meal= $80. Drinks? $40. Beaching yourself like a whale? Priceless.
Being in Bermuda without going to the beach is like going to Italy without trying the pizza. You’re surrounded by it and you’re really missing out if you don’t.
Bermuda is an island, so beaches are along all the shores. The South Shore is known for stronger currents than the North Shore, although Bermuda is only 22 miles long so it’s not a total disaster if you have to cross to the other end.
The most popular beach in the South Shore is Horseshoe Bay, and during the months of May — October it’s just a wave of pale skin turning dangerously red under the sun. But if you keep walking you’ll find smaller, less populated beaches with more spots for shade and plenty room to lay down your towel.
So you see? There’s no need to cross Bermuda off your travel list just yet. I’ve only been here for two months and there are definitely many more things that should be on this list, so if you’re in Bermuda or been here, feel free to suggest other activities or locations. As for all you travel lovers, don’t hesitate to come here if you have the chance. Whether you have somewhere to stay to lower the costs or just have complete disregard for your finances — this slice of paradise is where your next beach day should be.
