A Turks and Caicos honeymoon is ideal for relaxation. You can engage in water sports or lazily read a book as the palms sway above you. With multiple islands to choose from, finding one that fits your expectations is easy.
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Is Turks and Caicos a Good Place for a Honeymoon?
Turks and Caicos is an excellent honeymoon destination. It is a group of islands under British Overseas Territory. It’s approximately 575 miles (925 kilometers) from Miami and about 423 miles (624 kilometers) from the Bahamas. It consists of roughly 100 islands, but only eight are inhabited. Of the eight, two are private islands.
These islands have pristine sand beaches, perfect for water activities, including swimming with the dolphins and exploring the reefs. The weather is warm, the accommodation is plentiful, and since it’s less famous than the neighboring Bahamas, it’s quieter and less pricey.
What Activities Can You Do on a Honeymoon in Turks and Caicos?
- Scuba diving and snorkeling: Grand Turks is home to one of the most extensive barrier reefs, providing a phenomenal underwater experience in turquoise waters.
- Visit Grace Bay Beach: It’s the best place to experience the unspoiled Turks and Caicos beaches. You can lounge, people watch, dive in the ocean to cool off, or wait for the most breathtaking sunsets in the Caribbean.
- Visit La Famille Express Shipwreck: This abandoned boat sits two miles off Long Bay Beach in Provos.
- Immerse yourself in history: At the Turks and Caicos National Museum, you’ll learn about the island’s culture and history and explore more than one thousand-year-old artifacts.
- Charter a private boat: Escape to the island’s most diverse reserve and meet the endangered rock iguanas at Little Water Cay.
- Stroll the Cockburn streets: Cockburn town is the island’s capital with famous streets such as Queens Street, lined with beautiful British colonial architecture.
- Shop and eat at Cockburn Town: This charming coastal town has many small shops for locally made souvenirs. It’s also the best place to enjoy Caribbean delicacies.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Turks and Caicos?
The best months to visit Turks and Caicos are from February to May. The weather is excellent, and you can enjoy all the outdoor activities. December and January are also good months to visit, but they might be pricey due to Christmas and New Year holidays.
June to November is a risky time to visit the islands because it’s the hurricane season, with August and September experiencing the most storms.
Is a Honeymoon in Turks and Caicos Expensive?
A Turks and Caicos honeymoon is expensive because it is a luxurious destination. A couple may spend $5,000-9,000 on a 7-day honeymoon vacation. Depending on your activities, accommodation type, and food, this amount may be higher or lower.
How To Plan a Budget Turks and Caicos Honeymoon
- Stay in vacation rentals with in-suite kitchens so you can make some meals. Restaurants are usually expensive.
- Indulge in free activities such as swimming and strolling the beaches and towns.
- Fly with a budget airline, especially if you’re from the east coast cities since the distance is short.
- Opt for a mid-range all-inclusive accommodation to work with a fixed budget and avoid miscellaneous expenses.
- Buy food from the supermarket and enjoy a picnic by the beach.
5 Best Islands to Stay On In Turks and Caicos
Providenciales (Provo)
It’s the largest by size and population and home to the island’s international airport, meaning it’s the Turk and Caicos entry point. It hosts world-class beaches, including the famous Grace Bay Beach, Tailor Bay, and Long Bay Beach. Luxurious and budget-friendly accommodations are in plenty on this island.
At these picturesque beaches, you can engage in watersports such as snorkeling, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, scuba diving, and kayaking. On-land activities include hitting the links at Provo Golf Club or Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, going on a buggy tour, or visiting historical remnants like Cheshire Hall Plantation.
Where to stay: Grace Bay Beach, Long Bay Beach
Grand Turk
Grand Turk is the second largest by population and is home to the region’s capital city, Cockburn Town. It also has exquisite white sand beaches, including Cockburn Town Beach, Eastside Beach, and Governors Beach. From when the island manufactured sea salt, you’ll see various windmills and salt ponds on this island.
In addition to water sports and exploring the beaches, you can try Caribbean cuisine in the plentiful beachfront restaurants, visit the Grand Turk Lighthouse for picturesque ocean views, and explore Turk and Caicos National Museum.
Where to stay: Cockburn Town or Beach, Eastside Beach
North and Middle Caicos
These two islands are interconnected by road and function as one. Located at the center, they’re a perfect getaway for adventurous couples and budget travelers to various budget-friendly accommodations. The landscape is lush and green and includes majestic limestone cliffs and caves.
The best activities include savoring freshly-caught seafood, exploring the pristine sand beaches and secluded cays, hiking limestone cliffs, and visiting mysterious attractions such as Cottage Pond Blue Hole and the conch bar caves.
Where to stay: Bottle Creek, Bambara, Pelican Beach
South Caicos
This is a quiet and laid-back destination with slightly over 2,000 inhabitants. Although it lacks the bustling life of other islands, it has beautiful and secluded beaches, such as Cove, East Bay, and Long Beach, perfect for privacy.
The most popular activities in South Caicos include bird tours at Bell Sound Nature Reserve, kayaking and bonefishing, learning about salt panning history, and lounging on the beautiful beaches.
Where to stay: East Bay, Sail Rock
Salt Cay
Tranquil is the best way to describe this tiny island. It’s the best place to escape from all the noise, sit by the beach, and bond with your new spouse. The town is small, with only three restaurants and a few limestone block colonial buildings, but you still enjoy some of the best beaches like North Bay and Balfour Town. It’s the best place to stay on a budget since there are budget-friendly boutique villas and guest houses.
Visitors can enjoy scuba diving at Balfour Town Beach, catching a glimpse of the humpback whale migration (especially in winter), and snorkeling. Salt Cay has some of the best snorkeling spots due to crystal clear waters and majestic coral reefs.
Where to stay: Balfour Town, Dean’s Beach
What Is the Best Way to Travel to Turks and Caicos?
The best way to travel to Turks and Caicos islands is by flight. You can get direct flights from many east coast US cities to Providenciales International Airport. If you come from the west coast, you’ll likely have a layover in South Florida.
Traveling Within Turks and Caicos
There are several options for traveling within the Turks and Caicos islands. When exploring one island, biking is the most common means of transportation. You can also walk the smaller islands, like Salt Cay and South Caicos, but it will be hot. You can hire a taxi on large islands like Providenciales and Grand Turk.
To travel between islands, the TIC ferry is ideal for moving between Provo, North Caicos, and South Caicos. A commuter ferry runs between Grand Turk and Salt Cay. You could also fly between large islands, but it’s a more expensive option.
What Types of Honeymoon Accommodations Are Available in Turks and Caicos?
Turks and Caicos is a luxurious destination with various types of accommodation for an unforgettable Caicos honeymoon. These include:
- Luxury resorts: They feature all-inclusive resorts and cater meals and activities. On the other hand, you can choose a honeymoon resort, many of which are adults-only.
- Luxury hotels: Most are by the beachside, offering spectacular ocean views and high-end amenities such as private pools and free WI-FI.
- Airbnbs: These are usually beachfront luxury condos but are cheaper than resorts.
- Private islands: If you don’t mind splurging, stay on one of the private islands, such as Pine Cay or Parrot Cay, that include secluded beaches and world-class cuisine.
What Type of Food Should You Try in Turks and Caicos?
- Conch fritters: A popular island dish made from a giant sea snail. It’s made by seasoning and chopping the meat, dipping it in batter, and flying it in hot oil.
- Crab and rice: A comfort food made from blue crab, fried rice, and your preferred seasoning.
- Lobster: Turks and Caicos grilled lobster is meaty, flavorful, and usually served with garlic lemon butter sauce.
Are There Any Cultural Experiences to Include in a Turks and Caicos Honeymoon?
Most Turks and Caicos islanders have their roots in the Bahamas. Therefore, they share cultural practices from the Caribbean Islands. You can book tours with local guides that will give you an insight into everyday life and the islands’ history.
The most famous cultural experience is the Conch Festival. It’s celebrated every November and involves hotels and restaurants serving their best conch dishes. Visitors and locals eat amid traditional music and dance.
What to Pack For a Turks and Caicos Honeymoon
Turks and Caicos is a casual and warm place. With that in mind, bring all your beach essentials, including water shoes, sandals, a hat, sunscreen, and coverups. You may also want to pack some light casual wear with long sleeves for when you’ve had too much sun.
Is Turks and Caicos Safe to Visit?
Turks and Caicos is one of the safest places for tourists. The crime rate is low, and if something does happen, it usually occurs in the large Providenciales Island. With basic safety precautions, it’s easy to stay safe. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Avoid walking alone at night.
- Keep your valuables safe, and don’t wear flashy, expensive jewelry.
- Avoid the hurricane season (June to November).
- Don’t swim in restricted areas.
- Bargain taxi fares upfront, and beware that most charge per person.
- Pick a hotel with tight security.
- Avoid hitchhikers.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Turks and Caicos?
As a US citizen, you don’t need a visa to visit Turks and Caicos for up to 90 days.
Bonus Tips For a Turks and Caicos Honeymoon
- ATMs are scarce in some areas, especially South Caicos and Salt Cay, so you will need cash.
- The local language is English.
- The currency is the USD.
- Tipping culture is the same as it is in the US.
- Tap water is generally safe to drink but may have an odd smell and taste.
- Cars drive on the left side of the road.