How Expensive Is a Turks & Caicos Vacation? Vacation Price Guide

Restaurants & Dining 

The Turks and Caicos has a great restaurant scene, especially for fine dining. Prices are high, yet there’s less of a disparity between plate prices in the Turks and Caicos and major US cities than there is for groceries and other expenses.

Some of the well-known beachfront restaurants on Providenciales can be quite expensive compared to their lesser-known competitors. In many cases, you’re simply paying for the ambiance. See Best Budget Restaurants for cheaper places to eat.

Here are some example prices of common dishes and meals. These prices do not include 12% tourism tax and 10% service charge, which many establishments are required to charge on top of the base meal price.

Groceries 

Food and grocery prices are high in the Turks and Caicos, especially for perishables and imported alcohol. Graceway IGA is the largest supermarket in the country, and typically has a great selection of products, produce, and meat. Graceway Gourmet is located in the Grace Bay region and is smaller, yet still maintains a good inventory, and also offers a salad bar and a great menu of prepared foods. Graceway Gourmet tends to have higher prices than Graceway IGA.

Several discount and wholesale grocery stores can be found in the Downtown area of Providenciales, including Sunny Foods and Quality Supermarket. Prices tend to be lower at these stores, yet much of the stock is dry goods.

Boat Charters & Excursions 

A boat excursion to the amazing uninhabited cays, beaches, and reefs is one of the best things to do in the Turks and Caicos. There are many options, from half-day and full-day boat tours to private charters on a wide array of vessels.

Shared half-day combination snorkeling and beach trips start at around $125 per adult and $62 per child (excluding 12% tourism tax and tips). Typically, snacks, drinks, and snorkel gear are included.

The Turks and Caicos also has some great private charter options, and the additional cost can be worth it in many cases. Private charters allow you to spend the day how you want, and often go the extra distance to visit the best places in the Turks and Caicos. Half-day excursions on a smaller center-console boat start at around $900, and tours on more spacious vessels such as power catamarans and Axopar powerboats can range from $1,250–1,700. Larger yachts with enclosed cabin space and air conditioning begin at approximately $3,000–4,000 per half day.

Prices below do not include the mandatory 12% government tourism tax.

Car Rental & Transport 

For most guests visiting the Turks and Caicos, having a rental car for the duration of your stay is the best option for transport. Economy-class cars start at around $40 per day. It often makes sense to pick up your rental upon arrival at the Providenciales International Airport (PLS), which saves a costly taxi trip.

Compact cars aren’t the only rental option. There are minivans, SUVs, large sedans, and even upfitted Jeep Wranglers, which can be a lot of fun to drive.

Rental prices below do not include the required 12% stamp tax that the government charges on rental vehicles. Additional charges can apply for additional drivers or delivery or pickup of a vehicle. It's common for companies to add a loss damage waiver to your reservation, which typically releases the renter from responsibility for damage or theft. All considered, additional taxes and fees on rental cars in Turks and Caicos can be as high as 27%.

Wymara Resort

Wymara Resort, which is located on the beautiful Bight Beach on the western side of Grace Bay Beach, is a good representation of a five-star resort on Provo. This luxury resort offers a great ambiance with two restaurants, a spa, and a white-sand beach onsite.

Amenities include a fitness center, water sports equipment on the beach, and a beautiful pool.

The Bight Beach offers something slightly different from Grace Bay, as it has a great snorkeling reef near shore and is a bit more sheltered. Lush seagrass beds grow near the beach, and these beds are home to sea turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, and starfish.

Beaches All-Inclusive 

The expansive Beaches Turks and Caicos all-inclusive resort is one of the most popular resorts in the country. It offers by far the greatest collection of restaurants and activities of any accommodation. Attractions include more than 20 dining options, a water park, a great selection of water sports, and huge pools.

Beaches is made up of four village enclaves: the Caribbean Village, Italian Village, Key West Village, and French Village. Room options are quite varied, with everything from one-bedroom garden studios and suites to beachfront villas with multiple bedrooms.

There’s often a bit of sticker shock when initially seeing the prices for Beaches, yet keep in mind that rates include unlimited dining and drinks, tips for staff, free scuba diving, and a huge selection of things to do. If you don’t plan to do offsite excursions or charters, there typically isn’t much in the way of additional vacation expenses (not including airfare) to cater for. Below are general high season and special rates, excluding taxes. Beaches is one of only two resorts that charge 7.5% tourism tax, as opposed to the normal 12%.

Kokomo Botanical Resort 

Kokomo Botanical Resort is a small inland micro resort that combines great rates with an excellent onsite restaurant, high levels of service, and a complimentary beach shuttle service to the Bight Beach, where there are amenities for guests.

The resort consists of standalone villas which surround the central pool and restaurant, which offer a bit of privacy and are perfect for families. The restaurant, WE Grill + Wok, serves international fusion cuisine that incorporates fresh local and imported ingredients.

See also Budget Hotels and Resorts.

Island Club 

The central Grace Bay region is home to both beachfront and inland hotels, and as may be expected, the inland accommodations usually have much lower rates than those on the beach. The inland hotels are typically less than a five-minute walk from the beach, so they tend to be quite busy.

Island Club is a condo hotel that is a short walk from Grace Bay Beach and many restaurants. It’s a convenient place to stay for those who want to be in Grace Bay, yet don’t want to pay for a beachfront room. As is the case with nearby hotels such as Ports of Call Resort, Inn at Grace Bay, and The Oasis at Grace Bay, it may not be necessary to rent a car for the entirety of your stay due to the many restaurants and shops within walking distance.

Hakuna Matata Villa 

Hakuna Matata is an example of an inland and mid-sized vacation villa that offers a modern atmosphere and sleeps seven people. Such a rental can be a great budget-minded option for a large family or couples traveling together, as the effective per-person nightly rate can be less than $90, yet the accommodations are comfortable, clean, and contemporary.

A rental car is almost always a necessity for an inland villa. That being said, the islands of the Turks and Caicos are quite small, so the beaches, restaurants, dining, and shopping plazas are typically a 10-minute drive away or less.

Most vacation villas are found in one of a few residential neighborhoods, including Leeward, Long Bay, the Bight, and Turtle Cove. It’s best to know a little about your area before booking, as nearby beaches and tranquility vary.

Serenity House 

Serenity House is a good choice for a large beachfront villa that typically rents for a little less than one of the new luxury properties. The house is spacious and has six bedrooms and sleeps 12. The villa boasts a top-tier beachfront location that features the rare combination of both perfect sand and water as well as nearby snorkeling reefs.

Large beachfront and waterfront vacation rentals can be a really good option for large family getaways. Many such villas typically offer plenty of space, a pool, and kayaks and paddleboards. The full kitchens make it easy to prepare meals, which can also save quite a bit over dining out.

Villa Balinese 

Villa Balinese is an elegant three-bedroom mansion in the incredible Turtle Tail region of Providenciales. It is a good representation of the mid and upper-luxury property rental segment.

This villa features a great complement of amenities, including an infinity pool and indoor and outdoor seating and lounging spaces.

North & Middle Caicos Day Trip 

A great way to spend a day in Turks and Caicos is to take a day trip to the tranquil and sparsely populated islands of North Caicos and Middle Caicos. Commonly referred to as the Twin Islands, these two islands are connected by a causeway and are a 30-minute ferry ride from Providenciales (where most tourists spend their vacation).

Some amazing places to visit include Mudjin Harbour, Conch Bar Caves, Bambarra Beach, Wade’s Green Plantation, and the exquisite Crossing Place Trail.

It’s quite easy to plan your day trip to these islands. Simply check the North Caicos ferry schedule and port location (Heaving Down Rock on Providenciales and Bellefield Landing on North Caicos) so you’ll know where and when to go, reserve your rental car, and do a little online research on the beaches and attractions.