Turks and Caicos Vacations

Important Travel Information for Providenciales

• Bars and Night LifeLimited to hotels
• Car RentalsLeft-handed driving - available
• Credit CardsWidely Accepted
• DivingOutstanding, coral reefs, colouful fish and marine life
• Golf1-18 hole course
• Hurricane SeasionJune - October
• Rainy SeasonMay, June, August - November
• RestaurantsLimited to hotels
• Sight SeeingVirtually none
• Time ZoneEastern
• USDLocal Currency
• VegetationDry, some pines along beach areas
• WaterWater mains chlorinated / bottled water still recommended for drinking
• Water SportsExcellent

Turks & Caicos Vacations: Package Holidays for Beach Lovers, Scuba Divers, and Everyone

General Information About Turks & Caicos Vacations

The Turks & Caicos islands, located south of the Bahamas in the Caribbean, are a British Crown Colony (British Overseas Territory) featuring all-inclusive Turks and Caicos vacations particularly well-suited for beach lovers and explorers of the deep. All-inclusive Turks & Caicos vacations offer the opportunity for tourists to explore some of the finest coral reefs and walls in the world. Turks and Caicos tourism is a relatively recent development in the history of these islands, with Club Med literally paving the way (upgrading the airstrip at what would become Providenciales International Airport to allow for larger aircraft to land on the island) in the 1980s. Prior to tourism, Turks & Caicos was known for its salt making industry that dates back to 1668. French and Spanish occupation of Turks and Caicos, captured from the Bermudians in 1706, lasted until 1710 when the British recaptured the islands. At various times through the 1990s there was some suggestion that Turks and Caicos should become a part of Canada, but this failed to materialize, and the islands continue to be a British Overseas Territory to this day.

The Turks and Caicos islands are well-known as a tax haven, but recent years have seen a greater focus on the development of tourism. The greatest attractions for all-inclusive Turks and Caicos vacations are extraordinary beaches and some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in the world. Although all-inclusive Turks & Caicos vacations are not generally known for providing the best in local dining, shopping, or nightlife, the main cultural centre of the island of Providenciales has plenty to offer to enhance any Turks and Caicos holiday package.

All-inclusive Turks & Caicos vacation packages appeal to a variety of travellers, including singles, couples, and families. Those who enjoy world-class beaches, scuba and snorkelling, good quality built on solid British infrastructure, and a great vacation in a relatively serene environment will definitely appreciate an all-inclusive Turks & Caicos package holiday. Providenciales International Airport is the main entry point for International flights into Turks and Caicos, providing access to all-inclusive Turks and Caicos package holidays at resort locations that are concentrated throughout the islands, with the majority located in Providenciales. Turks & Caicos vacation transportation options include taxis or call rentals – driving is relatively easy, but North American tourists should know that cars drive on the left side of the road in the British tradition. For those interested in visiting/touring nearby islands while on a Turks & Caicos vacation, a great number of tour operators provide various tour package options that provide great access to sights, fishing, and underwater exploration.

Sand and Sun on Your Turks & Caicos Vacation

All-inclusive Turks & Caicos vacations offer beach lovers the opportunity to enjoy some of the best beaches in the world.  In particular, Provo beach in Providenciales is arguably the best beach the world has to offer, featuring white powdery sand and clear, calm waters – a real beach lover's paradise. Many other wonderful beaches scattered throughout the many Turks and Caicos islands are likewise outstanding, making Turks and Caicos a must-visit destination for any beach lover.

Situated in the Northern Caribbean, the Turks and Caicos islands are blessed with outstanding weather, yet the temperatures in December and January may be cool for a Caribbean destination. Winter temperatures range from 17-25?C (62-77?F), and summer temperatures typically range from 24-33?C (75-92?F). Although any time of year is a good time to go on an all-inclusive Turks and Caicos package holiday, the springtime (March through May) is truly ideal, with temperatures that typically range from 19-28?C (66-82?F) – the perfect weather by most standards, and plenty of sunshine to compliment those wonderful beaches.

Hurricane season, with its unpredictability of storm events, typically lasts from July through December, peaking from mid-August to mid-November. Although Turks & Caicos vacations are not often impacted by hurricanes, the possibility remains. However, when booking Turks & Caicos vacation packages, you can rest assured that tour operators will not fly you into a hurricane and will act fast to get you out in the event of any development if your holiday plans are affected. You can find great Turks & Caicos vacation package deals during hurricane season, and the economic advantage is well worth considering. We recommend that you speak with one of our tripcentral agents to fully understand the great value benefit vs. limited risk associated with travel to this region during hurricane season.

Things to See and Do on Your Turks & Caicos Package Vacation

Although all-inclusive Turks and Caicos package holidays are not really known for providing the greatest access to world-class shopping, restaurants, nightlife and culture, downtown Providenciales does feature some good options that tourists have come to appreciate over the years. For Turks and Caicos vacation shopping, tourists will enjoy a good variety of little shops and high-end merchants. The cruise port in Grand Turk is also a good place to look for shopping opportunities on an all-inclusive Turks and Caicos package holiday, featuring duty free liquor, hand-crafted silver and jewellery. For restaurants, apart from various good dining options at the all-inclusive Turks and Caicos resorts, Providenciales restaurant scene has become increasingly popular, with a recent trend toward providing tourists with authentic local fare. Da Conch Shack, operated by Canadian island resident John Macdonald, has become very popular with locals and tourists alike. Nightlife is generally limited to what is available at the many all-inclusive Turks and Caicos resorts, as well as pubs in town. There are also a couple of casinos for those who enjoy a bit of gambling, but Turks and Caicos is not well-known for casinos.

For the sporting adventurer, Turks & Caicos vacations offer plenty of sporting activity options, including deep sea fishing, parasailing, and more. For those who wish to explore the wonders beneath the clear Caribbean waters, all-inclusive Turks & Caicos package holidays offer some of the world’s best scuba diving and snorkelling at some of the finest coral reefs and walls to be found. The legendary coral walls of Grand Turk, West Caicos and Provo's Northwest Point, as well as the historic wrecks south of Salt Cay, and many other world-class dive sites await the avid scuba diver on an all-inclusive Turks and Caicos package holiday. For an interesting Turks & Caicos vacation day trip, tourists have many options, including fishing charters, island tours, eco-tours, a visit to Caicos Conch Farm, horseback riding on Grace Bay Beach, jeep safaris, dune buggy tours, whale watching tours on Salt Cay, and exploration of the Middle Caicos Caves, the largest limestone caves in the Caribbean.

For the Turks & Caicos vacation golf enthusiast, golfing is available at the Provo Golf & Country Club in Providenciales. This course is known as one of the best and most challenging courses in the Caribbean, and features no restrictions on tee times, a good pace, wonderful breezes, and a great round of golf to be enjoyed while on an all-inclusive Turks and Caicos vacation.

All-Inclusive Turks & Caicos Vacation Package Availability, Accommodations, and Value

In general, Turks & Caicos vacation package flights are available only from Toronto, with flights departing several times throughout the week during the high winter travel season.  For travellers from other regions of Canada wishing to enjoy an all-inclusive Turks & Caicos package holiday, a connecting flight through Toronto is required and available daily. There are no direct flights offered from Montreal, and availability is generally limited during other seasons throughout the year.

Turks & Caicos packages offer a variety of hotel accommodation options, including several well-known hotels. The big sellers of all-inclusive package holidays are Beaches and Club Med. Otherwise, condo-style accommodations are becoming increasingly popular with Turks and Caicos tourists, with timeshare options widely available. These condo-style accommodations tend to be non-inclusive – no meals – but some do have kitchen facilities. Turks and Caicos vacations are among the priciest in the Caribbean, particularly if tourists choose an option that does not feature an all-inclusive package.

For those planning a wedding in the sun, all-inclusive Turks & Caicos vacation packages may accommodate wedding plans nicely, although this destination is not well known for weddings. Speak with one of our tripcentral agents to ensure availability, and begin planning your dream wedding.

Turks & Caicos is relatively expensive, but a great option for anyone who can appreciate the world's best beaches and coral reefs.

Turks and Caicos Vacations Pictures

View of Cockburn beach on Grand Turk - Turks & Caicos