The Turks and Caicos Islands along with their most prestigious resort are back open for business, which comes as very welcome news to the many of us stuck in the depths of winter throughout North America and Europe.
I think it’s safe to say we could all use a tropical getaway right about now, but push aside the Bahamas or Caribbean and opt for what has once been named the best beach destination in the world. Located in the Lucayan Archipelago of the tropical Atlantic is the autonomous British Overseas Territory known as Turks and Caicos.
Turks and Caicos’ most popular island Providenciales is home to the award-winning Beaches Turks & Caicos all inclusive luxury resort. The resort just recently launched its grand reopening event shortly before the New Year which was celebrated with a giant parade and attended by the territory’s first female premier.
For well over 20 years, Beaches Turks & Caicos has been a favorite holiday destination for families and one of the most romantic places on the planet to tie the knot or celebrate your honeymoon. With several unique themed villages within the resort to choose from and a wide array of inclusions, Beaches Turks & Caicos is exactly what the doctor ordered to cure your wanderlust.
Get Traveling Again with Beaches Turks & Caicos
Getting to Turks & Caicos
The Turks and Caicos can be accessed by direct flights from several U.S. cities including Miami, New York, and Atlanta. You can also enjoy direct flights from Toronto, Canada as well as a quick flight from London via a quick stopover in Antigua.
The best news is visas are not required for citizens or residents from any of the countries I mentioned above.
While COVID-19 may be impacting travel to many nations in many different ways, the Turks and Caicos are one of the easiest nations to travel to right now in terms of not being required to quarantine upon arrival so long as you have tested negative pre-arrival.
And Beaches Turks & Caicos resort offering complimentary COVID-19 testing before your return back home to help you avoid any hassles. You can read all of the latest coronavirus information regarding travel to Turks and Caicos at the end of this article.
The Villages of Beaches Turks & Caicos
Whether you’re looking for a bit of Italian or French flair, Beaches Turks & Caicos has you covered. They resort offers a range of different themed villages including their French, Italian, Key West, and Caribbean/Seaside Villages.
Each Village has its own unique atmosphere including restaurants that suit the theme such as a French Bistro in the French section or delicious Italian restaurants in the Italian village.
The various villages collectively offer countless pools including ones with swim-up bars and most are just steps from the sands of Grace Bay Beach, which consistently ranks as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
Throughout the property, you’ll also find flowering gardens and fountains, shopping, and sporting courts.
Resort Inclusions
Your stay at Beaches Turks & Caicos includes a large number of inclusions that begin upon your arrival to the islands. Roundtrip private transfers from the airport are provided for all guests and you are given access to the private airport lounge that is reserved for Beaches guests.
Take advantage of unlimited dining at nearly two dozen restaurants including all meals of the day and snacks. You’ll also enjoy free unlimited premium liquors to go along with your meals which can be found at over a dozen different bars or your room’s own stocked bar.
There is entertainment including live shows both day and night and free in-room Wi-Fi for those rare times when the weather isn’t cooperating or you simply want to research things to do on the islands.
Free activities abound and include PADI-Certified scuba diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, basketball, beach volleyball, and more.
There’s even a 45,000 square-foot Pirates Island Waterpark as well as Kids Camp with certified nannies if you are traveling with children.
Getting Married at Beaches Turks & Caicos
For many, even the thought of planning a wedding during COVID was a nightmare. So many weddings were tragically impacted by the pandemic, with rules and regulations varying by location.
Beaches Turks & Caicos has made getting married a breeze, offering up a number of special wedding package offers. One such offer is getting a free wedding when you book a stay 3 nights or longer.
Free Weddings!
Your free wedding includes a personal wedding planning team preparation of marriage documents, beautiful venue, wedding gift registry, wedding cake, bouquet, and more.
Enjoy a table setting with white linens and white cushioned Chiavari chairs for the reception along with sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres. After the wedding, you and your spouse will enjoy even more special treatment during the honeymoon phase of your stay and discounts on spa services.
They also are offering a separate complimentary wedding ceremony live stream service offer where friends and family can watch your nuptials live if they aren’t able to attend in person.
It’s important to note that visitors to Turks and Caicos must be in the islands 48 hours before submitting a wedding application which currently is $250 USD.
There may also be other mandatory marriage officiant and government documentation fees. Be sure to check the Beaches Turks & Caicos website for all their latest wedding package offers and how you may qualify for each.
Honeymoon at Beaches Turks & Caicos
Already tied the knot? If it’s within 30 days of your wedding, you can take advantage of the resort’s free honeymoon package which includes a champagne welcome and bottle to enjoy back in your room later, special turndown service with a bed of flower petals on your first night, and fresh delivered flowers alongside breakfast in bed one morning.
If you’ve been married for years or even decades and want to relive your wedding day all over again by renewing your vows, you can do so with the resort’s ReTie the Knot ceremony.
The already very reasonable package price can be waived completely when you book 5 or more rooms for you and your spouse to experience your re-wedding with close friends and family who wish to attend.
Things to Do in Turks and Caicos
A holiday in Turks and Caicos can be as relaxing or adventurous as you want it to be. Blessed with year-round gorgeous weather, it should come as no surprise that outdoor recreation is very popular.
Surrounding the resort are ample opportunities for scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, kiteboarding, fishing, and freediving.
Cruise the islands’ waters to discover hidden cays and pristine beaches or get a bird’s eye view by parasailing over Grace Bay Beach. Rent a jeep and take to the paved coastal drives or saddle up for a horseback ride along Long Bay Beach
There are plenty of galleries to shop and the Provo Golf and Country Club will allow you to tee-it-up at one of the Caribbean’s top ten golf courses. History lovers will want to pay a visit to sites like the Sapodilla Bay Hill Rock Carvings and the 18th century Cheshire Hall Cotton Plantation.
Coral Reefs
The Turks and Caicos Islands are considered to be a biodiversity hotspot and sections are being considered as possible future UNESCO Word Heritage Sites. The coral reefs are home to all kinds of marine life and Humpback whales migrate just offshore.
You may even get a chance to spot JoJo, a wild Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin that has become a bit of a local celebrity. He is frequently spotted swimming just off Grace Bay Beach.
Meanwhile, Chalk Sound National Park features a sheltered lagoon and is a great place to spot even more wildlife.
All of these attractions can be found on the island of Providenciales where Beaches Turks & Caicos is situated. You can choose to island-hop for even more unforgettable adventures.
Turks and Caicos COVID Information
There have only been slightly over 1,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Turks and Caicos since the pandemic began, making the islands one of the safest destinations to travel right now. Most of the restrictions that were put in place to stop the spread of the virus have since been eased.
There are no quarantine requirements for visitors unless you arrive with symptoms. The island of Providenciales is not under any kind of lockdown or curfew and all businesses are allowed to operate.
This means there are no restrictions on where you can visit on the islands. No travel authorization is needed to travel between the islands of Turks and Caicos either.
Taking a COVID Test
You will be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test with a negative result within 5 days of your travel to Turks and Caicos if you are aged 10 or above but you won’t be tested upon arrival.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) policy currently requires international travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test prior to their return to the United States, but Beaches Turks & Caicos resort offers complimentary COVID-19 testing beginning January 26th to all its registered guests on-resort prior to their departure to assist you. Tests will be done within 72 hours before guests’ departure with results being available within 24 hours.
There may also be added benefits offered by Beaches such as their Travel Protection Insurance which is complimentary for reservations made now through January 31, 2021 for travel before August 31, 2021.
This covers guests in the event they test positive for coronavirus during their stay and require an extension of their stay to quarantine. Guests would receive any necessary medical treatment for up to 14 nights at no extra cost. Please check their website for complete information regarding current insurance offers or other included travel benefits.
Cleanliness
Beaches Turks & Caicos has implemented a “Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness” policy to ensure the safety of its guests and staff. The policy includes a triple-check system for cleaning and sanitation that encompass 18 key touch points.
The elevated hygiene practices means room surfaces, common areas, restaurants and kitchens, bars, activities, fitness centers, and spas are cleaned regularly to give you peace of mind
While the pandemic may have restricted travel for many, there are now ways to easily and safely get traveling again. A holiday in the Turks and Caicos may be exactly what you need and deserve right now!