Turks & Caicos

Jun 11

Written By Lexie

Turks & Caicos

If you’re like me and you just want to lounge at the beach and eat seafood while on vacation, then Turks & Caicos is the perfect place for you. This British territory consisting of two groups of islands, Caicos Islands & the smaller Turks Islands, is a beach lovers dream. With miles of white sand beaches and turquoise blue water, Turks and Caicos is a pristine island paradise.

While Turks and Caicos might be a celebrity playground (google it), for me it’s all about the locals.

Approximately 88% of Turks Islanders are of Afro-Caribbean descent and the culture reflects that. The remaining 12% of the population is of Euro-Caribbean and mixed East-Indian descent. However, the island is also home to a growing Jamaican, Haitian, and Dominican population. Like in many other countries, food is always a unifying factor and the food culture in Turks and Caicos is vibrant and reflects the diversity of the culture.

But when it comes to food, Conch is king! Conch “is a tropical marine mollusc with a robust spiral shell which may bear long projections and have a flared lip” & it is delicious! One of the best ways to eat conch is curried. Scroll down to the image section to see what this delicious sea creature looks like.

Although Turks & Caicos is beautiful, this paradise comes at a huge price. A one week stay at a 3-4 star resort can cost anywhere from $3,000 to hundreds of thousands depending on the time of year. But since the weather is good year round, off season is always an option. The cheapest time to visit is June-November when you can find up to 40% off hotels. Peak season is December-March when North Americans are escaping the cold weather. I prefer staying at villa. Below in the image section, I’ve listed my favorite budget friendly black-owned villa in Turks & Caicos. It’s always a good thing to venture off the beaten path and support the locals by patronizing shops, restaurants, and activities outside of the resorts.

Turks and Caicos isn’t known for its nightlife or parties but if you want night life, there are several clubs and bars on each of the major islands. If you like outdoor events and need a little more than rest, relaxation, sea & sun then you can get some action at the following times of the year:

Junkanoo Jump Up (January)

Turks and Caicos Kite Flying Competition (April)

South Caicos Regatta (May)

Turks and Caicos Conch Festival (November)

One of my favorite things to do in Turks & Caicos is glass-bottom kayaking, eating, and swimming with the sting rays.

Thanks to our Turks Islander insider, Candy, for all the local tips. If you need help organizing your trip to Turks, send us an email.

Stuff to know

Population: 42,953 (Jul 2020 est)
Attractions: Grace Bay Providenciales, Diving & Snorkeling, Chalk Sound National Park, Crossing Place Trail Hike, Conch Bar Caves National Park, Swimming with Sting Rays
National Dish: Conch! In as many ways as possible (fritters, curry, soup…whichever way you have it, it’s delicious!)
Language: The official language of Turks and Caicos is English but Turks and Caicos creole is also spoken by many Turks islanders.
Sports: Football (soccer), rugby, and cricket.
Favorite Restaurants - Grace’s Cottage, Coyaba Restaurant, Coco Bistro, Da Conch Shack, Seafood Hub, Mango Reef Restaurant & Bar.