Bermuda has a reputation for high prices, and for hotels and dining out it is deserved. But the island's best sights are often free, and a few choices about where you stay, how you travel and what you book can bring the total down a long way. This guide shows how to build a rewarding trip around the free and low-cost highlights, and where it is worth spending.
Start with the free sights
Many of the island's best experiences cost nothing to enter. The beaches are public: Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay and Jobson's Cove are free, and the coastal path connects them for a scenic walk. Spittal Pond Nature Reserve and Walsingham Nature Reserve, known as Tom Moore's Jungle, give you wetlands, woodland, caves and swimming grottoes for the price of a bus ride. The Bermuda Botanical Gardens are free and open from sunrise to sunset. Scaur Hill Fort and Park has a moat, tunnels and some of the best views on the west end. In St. George's, the UNESCO town is free to wander, and the Unfinished Church is a free stop. You could fill several days with these alone.
Use the buses and ferries
Public buses and ferries cover most of the island, and they are far cheaper than taxis. The ferry from Hamilton to the Dockyard doubles as a scenic harbour cruise. Ask at the terminal or your hotel about multi-day passes if you plan to ride a lot, and check the timetable, because services run less often on Sundays and holidays. Scooters and e-bikes are an alternative for confident riders, but remember the island drives on the left and visitors cannot rent cars.
Choose a cheaper base
Hotels are the biggest cost, so pick wisely. The Oxford House in Hamilton is a small, central hotel with continental breakfast included, which saves money and keeps you near buses and ferries. Willowbank Resort in Sandys offers oceanfront in a more modest style and is handy for the Dockyard. Grotto Bay Beach Resort on the east end is a relaxed option near the airport and the caves. Out of season, winter rates drop across the island, and you may find upgrades or packages. Book early for summer, and check what is included, such as breakfast, to avoid surprises.
Eat smart
Make lunch your main meal and choose casual places for fish sandwiches, chowder and pub food. Picnic at a free sight with supplies from a supermarket in Hamilton, and carry water. A hotel with breakfast included saves a meal a day. If you want to try the island's flavours, a guided food tour is a good-value way to sample many things in one outing. Check whether a service charge is already included before you tip, and share portions when they are generous.
Spend where it counts
Pick two or three paid experiences and skip the rest. The Crystal and Fantasy Caves are a highlight, and the National Museum of Bermuda is modest in cost for a half day of content. On the water, the glass-bottom boat is the easiest option for mixed groups, the shipwreck snorkel suits confident swimmers, and the catamaran cruise is the most social and best reviewed. Book early in your trip so weather cancellations can be rescheduled, and compare the cancellation terms. Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is low-cost and the view is superb, though you should check that the climb is open.
Extra ways to save
Travel midweek when you can, since weekend and holiday rates are higher, and avoid peak school holiday weeks. Pack a rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen and a reusable bottle so that you do not buy them on the island, where imported goods cost more. Check whether your hotel lends beach towels, chairs or snorkel gear before you rent anything. Look for free events and cultural walks run by the tourism board and local groups, and use free walking routes such as the old Railway Trail, which crosses Scaur Hill Fort and Park and runs the length of the island.
A sample plan
Day one, ferry to the Dockyard, museum, ramparts and Scaur Hill Fort at sunset. Day two, Warwick Long Bay, Jobson's Cove, Horseshoe Bay and the lighthouse. Day three, the Botanical Gardens in the morning and a food tour in Hamilton. Day four, Walsingham, the caves and St. George's. Mix in one boat trip and you have seen the island at a fraction of the cost many expect. Bring a refillable bottle, sun protection and sturdy sandals, and you will find that Bermuda's best things are free.