Mark Twain once said  “You can go to heaven if you want to. I’d rather stay in Bermuda.” Two years ago, my family and I spent a week in Bermuda. Anyone who travels to Bermuda is bound to fall in love with its pink, sandy beaches and turquoise waters. We couldn’t believe how easy it was to travel there from Boston – I packed everything for the week in a duffel bag for the hour & a half flight. Ever since we visited, we’ve been dying to go back for a long weekend. Here’s what you must do if you’re looking to stay in Bermuda for a long weekend, along with some tips on where to stay and how to get around.

Spend a day in Tobacco Bay

Our day at Tobacco Bay Beach was probably my favorite of the whole trip. The easiest way to get there is by taking the public bus to St. George’s (also worth exploring the town if you have time!) then walking to the beach. The beach has everything you need to rent there, from lounge chairs to snorkel gear, as well as a restaurant & bar right there if you get hungry. The stunning water is calm and surrounded by gorgeous rock formations, making for picturesque scenery. Some people go cliff jumping into the water there if you’re up for an adrenaline rush. The water doesn’t get deep until you are way far out, allowing for lots of people to fit in the cove without being on top of each other. I literally spent the entire day floating in the ocean! End your day by watching the sunset on the rock formations behind the beach’s restaurant.

Explore the Crystal Caves, then sip a Rum Swizzle at the Swizzle Inn

Perfect for a day when the weather isn’t cooperating (although this rarely happens in Bermuda), head underground to explore the famous Crystal Caves. You’ll be amazed by these stalagmite and icicle formations, all set to the background of blue water. Tours of the caves are given daily for $22. After your tour, walk across the street to the Swizzle Inn for a Rum Swizzle, a British pub where the first Rum Swizzle was served. The food at the pub was delicious, so grab a bite to eat while you’re there as well!

Relax in Horseshoe Bay

While Tobacco Bay Beach has calm water, Horseshoe Bay is its wavier sister. Probably known as the most popular tourist beach in Bermuda, there’s a reason everyone loves to relax at Horseshoe Bay. Unwind with a Miami Vice on a lounge chair you can rent in this beautiful spot. There is reggae music playing next to a bar & restaurant on the beach. Want to escape from the crowds? You can walk for miles along Horseshoe Bay to discover privates beaches with pink sand under your feet.

Stroll along Hamilton’s Front Street

We stayed in Pembroke nearby Bermuda’s main city, Hamilton, so we spent many nights strolling along the water in downtown Hamilton. There’s usually live music playing outside, and tons of bars, restaurants and shops to stop in. The city is right on the water, so it makes for a lovely walk around sunset or to see the streetlights glistening during the night. If you’re looking to bring home souvenirs, the Goslings Rum shop is downtown, which makes perfect Dark N’ Stormys. The Instagrammable Princess Hotel is also a short walk from the city center, so if you’re looking to add more pink into your feed, this is a must-see!

Explore Elbow Beach

Elbow Beach is another serene spot in Bermuda, with less tourists than Horseshoe Bay. Spend the day relaxing on the soft sand, or go for a stroll on the beach. Unlike Tobacco Bay & Horseshoe Bay, there are no bathrooms or chair rentals at this beach, unless you want to pay $200 from the nearby hotels for a lounge chair. For this reason, Elbow Beach may be better for a half day adventure!

Tips for staying in Bermuda on a budget for a long weekend

When to visit

While I stayed during the busy summer season, Bermuda is pretty much beautiful all year round, and doesn’t get hit by hurricane season as hard as islands further south. I would recommend using Skyscanner‘s “cheapest month” feature (type in cheapest month in the depart & return forms when searching) to find the cheapest time for you to visit.

Where to stay in Bermuda

While Bermuda is known for being expensive, we actually found it quite reasonably priced to stay in an Airbnb. I would definitely opt for renting an Airbnb over an expensive hotel to save money & have the option to cook at your house. We stayed in Pembroke, which was more of a central location near the city Hamilton, making it easy to access public transportation and walk to restaurants and grocery stores. However, if you just plan on relaxing on the beach every day, I would stay somewhere near Horseshoe Bay in Southhampton or Elbow Beach in Paget Parish.

The best way to get around Bermuda

DON’T RENT A SCOOTER. They may look fun, but Bermuda’s roads are very hilly and windy, causing tons of car accident deaths every year. The best and easiest way to get around Bermuda is by using their public bus system. The buses can bring you to any of the popular beaches and run all day. Check out the bus schedules and route maps here.

Bermuda also has an electronic taxi app, similar to Uber, called Hitch. I would recommend downloading the app and using it at night or when the buses aren’t running.

Where to eat

To stay on budget, I would recommend buying groceries for breakfast & dinner, and enjoying lunch and drinks out while you’re exploring. Bermuda is not known for a distinct cuisine, so you won’t be missing out on much (but you have to drink at least one Rum Swizzle while you’re there). Many of the beaches have restaurants & bars, so I would recommend grabbing lunch and drinks there so you can spend all the time you have on the island relaxing and exploring.