When it comes to the ideal antidote for the real world and the lifestyle that has all of us praying for a little solitude and escapism, there really aren’t many places that tick all the right boxes quite like Turks & Caicos. There’s very little in the world that can compare to the blissful relaxation of crystal blue seas, sparkling white sands and that wonderfully intoxicating feeling that the outside world is a million miles away. Of course, the stunningly beautiful weather doesn’t harm matters either and neither does the fact that the local population of Turks & Caicos has a reputation for being among the world’s most welcoming and warm.
There’s a very good reason this majestic plot of 40 islands hasn’t made it onto the mainstream tourist map like most other comparable resorts – it’s the kind of an exclusive secret those in the know would rather keep. It’s one thing to find an island paradise after all, but another to stumble across a gem like Turks & Caicos which in many ways still feels undiscovered and wholly uncharted. Of course, this kind of exclusivity has never come free of charge and it often tends to be a case of the un-trodden path being the more expensive to take. As such, it’s unsurprising that Turks & Caicos has a reputation for being a little on the pricey side, though this doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of ways and means to make your money stretch as far as possible.
So, if heading out to this Heaven on Earth for the first time, here’s a quick look at a few insider tips on really making the most of your money in Turks & Caicos:
Pack an Umbrella
From June to September, Turks & Caicos experiences its rainy season which despite the rather worrying name isn’t quite as bad as it sounds. You’d be forgiven for thinking that this would mean a period during which the order of the day, every day was nothing but drizzle and downpours. In reality however, the rainy season is simply the period of the year when you’re more likely to experience the odd bit of rain here and there – it’s certainly not an all-day, everyday guarantee. In fact, ask the life-long experts at coralgardensdirect.com and they’ll probably tell you that so-called ‘off season’ travel is one of the biggest and best-kept secrets of all! As such, if you’re willing to pack an umbrella and risk getting wet from time to time, you’ll save up to 40% on flight prices and a huge sum on accommodation costs.
And let’s face it – if you’re planning to spend much of your time lapping up the amazing water sports, you’ll be spending half of your holiday wet anyway!
Consider Several Islands
It’s generally said that for the more budget-friendly stays in Turks & Caicos, you should focus your attention more on Salt Cay and Grand Turk as opposed to say Parrot or Pine Cays, or the exclusive resorts of Providenciales. However, while these kinds of rules of thumb can indeed pan out as accurate, it’s not to say that they are hard and fast rules that are 100% true at all times. There will always be great deals to be found all over Turks & Caicos which means it’s a bad idea to write off any area or resort without first trying it out.
The last thing you want is to settle for the second best only to find you could have stayed at the resort of your dreams for even less – if might happen if you don’t check all options!
Book Ahead
While there will always be exceptions to the rule, these days it’s a very good idea to book as far in advance as possible. The reason being that genuine last-minute bargains are rare commodities to say the very least in the modern way of travelling, with the vast majority of tour operators and resorts charging the highest prices for those booking at the last minute. If of course you have no choice but to book last-minute you can always try your luck, but at the same time it’s advisable to leave yourself as much time as possible to shop around.
Book Direct
And finally, still on the subject of shopping around it’s always a good idea to see what kinds of prices you’d be looking at to book directly with the resorts of your choosing, rather than with a travel agent. Agents often have access to special deals not available to the public, but at the same time there’s always the chance you’ll end up paying more due to their own commissions and fees. It costs nothing to explore all avenues, so check out the direct and indirect costs of booking your trip before going ahead.
