The nicest people I’ve ever met while traveling were Bermudians. But I guess it must be hard not to be nice when you live in paradise.
Bermuda is 21-square miles of island vibes, located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is commonly mysticized for the Bermuda Triangle legend. Despite this uncertainty, what is certain is that when visiting Bermuda you’ll find a welcoming people, a rich blended culture, pink beaches and other natural wonders, and incredible luxury.
Must-Do Activities for Your Itinerary
1. Visit the Crystal & Fantasy Caves
2. Head to the beach! (See the list below for all the must-see beaches on the island)
3. Explore Blue Hole Park
4. Discover Hamilton
5. See Gibbs Hill Lighthouse (enjoy the view and go for afternoon tea!)
6. Go diving for shipwrecks!
7. Try some Rum Swizzle!
8. Tour the Royal Naval Dockyard
9. Go golfing!
10. Head to Flatts Village
11. Sip on a Dark N’ Stormy–the island’s signature cocktail
Must-See Beaches
1. Horseshoe Bay Beach*
2. Jobson’s Cove Beach*
3. Tobacco Bay Beach*
4. Sinky Bay Beach* (Hamilton Princess Bermuda’s private beach club)
5. Warwick Long Bay Beach
6. Elbow Beach
7. Church Bay Beach
8. Somsert Long Bay Beach
9. Clearwater Beach & Turtle Bay
10. Astwood Cove*
11. Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve*
12. Stonehole Bay Beach
13. Daniel’s Head Beach Park
Where to Stay
Unlike most other island destinations that are lined with endless options of hotels and resorts, Bermuda is a bit more modest. Here you’ll find a select range of very high-end luxury hotels, resorts, and boutique hotels (e.g., The Loren, Cambridge Beaches, and The St. Regis). You’ll also find guesthouses, inns, B&Bs, cottages, and vacation rentals (e.g., airbnb). And if you’re a very high-spender, you could even have your pick of private island options.
During my 7 days on the island, I spent 3 in an airbnb guesthouse in Somerset and 4 at the iconic Hamilton Princess Bermuda Hotel & Beach Club. I decided on this split for two reasons. First, at the time, travel restrictions required visitors to quarantine in their accommodations until the results of their COVID-19 tests (conducted at the airport upon arrival) came back negative. This wait could take up to 72 hours, depending on when you arrived. At a hotel, this would mean being locked in the room and not being able to venture around the property for up to 3 days. This made airbnb a much more attractive option, as depending on the property, you could freely go outside (as long as you stayed on the property). Second, the cost of staying at the hotel for 3 additional days (which I didn’t even know whether I’d be able to use/enjoy) was not justifiable.
Ultimately, I’m happy I chose to split my time in this way, because I didn’t end up receiving my test results until the third day of the trip. Not to mention, the airbnb guesthouse that I stayed in was amazing! Although it was kind of in the “countryside,” far from Hamilton, and on the smaller side, it had everything I needed and the property itself was stunning. Just down the road was a private beach. And I had the opportunity to meet some locals in the area during my stay. The guesthouse itself led to a massive backyard that had direct access to the ocean. The homeowners were away and kindly gave permission to make myself at home. Naturally, meals were eaten on the terrace, with an ocean view.
When my time at the guesthouse was up, I headed straight to the “Pink Palace.” This Fairmont-managed property offers the ultimate lifestyle experience with its Fairmont Gold option. I could rave about my experience all day, so I’ve already written an entire post on my time there. You’re going to want to readabout my stay at the Hamilton Princess Bermuda Hotel & Beach Club before you book your accommodations. Overall, I highly recommend looking into this hotel for your Bermuda trip–it’s central, has all of the amenities you could ask for, and offers incredible guest services!
Where to Eat
The island’s restuarant scene has flourished over the last 5 years, now offering a dynamic culinary landscape that is sure to dazzle your taste buds! Make sure to check out the following restaurants during your Bermuda vacation:
1. 1609 Bar & Restaurant
2. Mad Hatters
3. Mickey’s Bistro
4. Crown & Anchor
5. The Village Pantry
6. Blu Bar & Grill
7. Blackbeard’s Hideout
8. Harry’s
9. Barracuda Grill
10. Wahoo’s Bistro
11. Devil’s Isle
A highlight from my culinary experiences in Bermuda was my dinner at 1609 Bar & Restaurant. I was lucky to try a variety of menu items, and none of them were disappointing in the slightest. Not only are the food and drinks delicious here, but you get to enjoy them in the open air with a spectacular uninterrupted view of the harbour. This restaurant is seasonal, but I guarantee you do not want to miss it! So try to align your visit with its open season (see the website linked above for more details).
Something to know about the food scene in Bermuda is that you will not find any of your familiar restuarant/fast-food chains (there are local fast-food joints, which are definitely worth a try!). Bermudian law prohibits the establishment of foreign fast-food franchises–so don’t expect to grab Starbucks or McDonald’s while you’re there. The only exception is the KFC in downtown Hamilton, which was established before the law came into effect in the ’70s.
Weather
Don’t let the endless beaches and blue skies fool you–Bermuda isn’t like the Caribbean (i.e., it’s not necessarily a winter getaway). If you’re looking for high temperatures and beach life, make sure to visit during April to September. Unlike most island destinations that spring to mind, temperatures in Bermuda are lower from October to March. But these off-season/shoulder-season months also have much better pricing. So, if you’re not looking to swim or suntan, you might consider visiting during October to March.
Rentals & Transportation
Government policy prohibits tourists from renting traditional gas cars in Bermuda. In fact, Bermuda residents are only allowed to own one gas car per household! However, if needed, visitors can choose from a limited range of small electric vehicles for rent: the Twizy, the Tazzari, the Bermi, and the Hummer HXT minicar. Rent with caution–while renting might seem ideal, there are a few factors you should consider before booking an electric vehicle for your stay.
1. Limited rental car options
2. They do not drive well
3. They are incredibly small and not particularly comfortable
4. They are slow and do not reach high speeds, making it hard to keep up with gas cars on the road
5. Charging stations are unreliable and few in number; not to mention it can take hours to charge
6. They are not entirely safe (no airbags)
7. You must be comfortable driving on the right
8. They are expensive!
If you do decide to give these car rentals a go, check out the Bermuda tourism board’s article on rental car options on the island for more detailed information on the cars available as well as trusted rental companies.
Other means of transportation on the island include the local bus system, motorized scooters, pedal/electric bicycles, and of course taxis. Ferries, ride-hailing services, and private tour buses are also worth a look depending on the size of your party, your budget, and how far you need to go.
Money & General Costs
Bermuda uses the Bermudian Dollar (BMD) as its official currency. The BMD is pegged to the U.S. Dollar (USD) at a 1:1 ratio, so BMD and USD can and often is used interchangeably. This means, when traveling, make sure to have some USD to spend–you won’t have to worry about converting it.
Something I didn’t realize before planning my trip to Bermuda was that it is (and remains today) the most expensive country in the world to live in. With this in mind, prepare to spend some money while vacationing here because it’s one of those places where things just cost more, and in some cases exorbitantly more. You’ll feel this especially if you, like me, are from somewhere where the currency is less valuable than the USD. But, there are ways to spend less while also enjoying the best of what Bermuda has to offer:
1. Split your stay between an airbnb (or other less expensive accommodation options, such as a guest house or inn) and a hotel/resort (although the former can also be expensive, they are nowhere near the cost of some of the hotels/resorts on the island).
2. Visit during off season or shoulder season, when hotel prices drop significantly (e.g., I’ve seen $700/night rooms decrease to $250/night at the Hamilton Princess during off season).
3. Try to eat some meals in or grab some local fast food. Both groceries and local fast food are likely to be more expensive than what you’re used to, but they will still pale in comparison to eating out at restaurants for every meal. I loved going to the Marketplace in Hamilton and grabbing prepped meals for lunch. (They were actually very good!)
4. Avoid taking taxis or renting a Twizy unless absolutely necessary.
5. Stay central! (i.e., to avoid having to take a taxi/Twizy)
Overall, things just cost more here, so plan accordingly! (Interestingly, flights to the island seem to be pretty well priced.) While you can spend less in some ways, there is no way to do Bermuda on a tight budget. Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful destination and deserves a visit!
Regardless of where you stay, what you eat, or how much you spend, visiting Bermuda will be a treat! It’s such a naturally beautiful destination, and is home to some of the nicest people you will ever meet. It’s also incredibly safe, no matter the time of day. Just a short trip from cities like Toronto, Miami, and New York (1-3 hours), it’s perfect for those seeking a short-haul flight to paradise. Go, see, enjoy!
For more on my Bermuda trip, check out my Bermuda Instagram posts and story highlights at @la_wandereuse. If you want to read more about where I stayed in Bermuda, check out my post on the Hamilton Princess Bermuda Hotel & Beach Club.
