TURKS AND CAICOS ON A BUDGET: TOP 5 MONEY-SAVING TIPS

Wondering if you can do Turks and Caicos on a budget? After looking at some of the Turks and Caicos prices, you might not be so sure. But I’m here to let you in on all the details for your budget vacation planning!

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“Turks and Caicos” and “expensive vacation” go hand in hand.

On average, a trip to Turks and Caicos Islands can end up costing over $3,000 USD per person.

But let’s not be average.

Let’s “See the World, Save a Dollar” instead!

Turks and Caicos is not your typical budget travel destination.

However, there are lots of ways to save money on this Caribbean trip.

Let me show you how to do Turks and Caicos on a budget!

Turks and Caicos is made up of over 40 islands and cays. Providenciales is the most populated of them all.

This is because there are so many amazing beaches, restaurants, and excursions. It’s perfectly designed for tourism. Luxury tourism.

Provo attracts the likes of Drake, Taraji P Henson, Justin Bieber, Kevin Durant. It’s very much a celebrity vacation.

When you think “celebrity vacation”, you probably start seeing dollar signs. A lot of them.

And as I mentioned, Turks and Caicos can be EXPENSIVE.

But there are ways to make your trip to Providenciales more affordable. (We did it!)

Our first trip of 2023 was to Turks and Caicos.

We discovered some incredible ways to save money without compromising on the island’s beauty and adventure.

turks and caicos on a budget . is turks and caicos expensive

I’m giving you FIVE tips to save money in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos with step-by-step instructions on how to do them successfully!

These budget travel tips will help you have the perfect island vacation in Provo. And you’ll still leave feeling like a celebrity.

Want to save time & money planning your vacation? >> Download our Explore Turks & Caicos Travel Guide!

We found an irresistible flight deal to Turks and Caicos.

Leaving from JFK on New Years Eve was only $50 USD one-way with JetBlue!

We’re subscribed to JetBlue’s email list. This was the only way we knew about this last-minute travel deal.

Do you get emails from your favorite clothing brand about sales they offer?

In the same way that you signed up for their email list, you can sign up for airline emails, too.

Airlines are always promoting different flight sales to their email subscribers.

This is one easy way that you can find cheap flights.

When an airline has a sale, that is the perfect time to book your flight.

If you don’t live in a major airport city, consider booking a positioning flight.

A positioning flight is a shorter flight from your hometown to an airport hub that has more cheap flight options.

There are more airlines competing for similar routes in airport hubs. This competition lowers the overall flight prices there.

Let’s take our scenario and make it yours.

We happen to be close to JFK airport, which is a hub for JetBlue, among other airlines.

Let’s say you got the JetBlue sale sent to your email. But, you don’t live near JFK.

This is where the positioning flight comes in. You can take a short positioning flight to the hub where the sale is located.

Of course you take into account the total cost of flights to gauge whether reaching the sale is ultimately worth it.

Positioning flights have the potential to get you to an irresistible cheap flight.

We also created a list of the top 9 apps to find cheap flights that can be extremely useful to land that flight deal.

How to Book Your Flight to Turks and Caicos on a Budget

1. Check for flight deals from airlines sent directly to your e-mail

If you’re subscribed to airlines’ email lists like JetBlue, SouthWest, and United, they will send you emails periodically with exclusive sales.

This is how we found our last-minute flight deal to Turks and Caicos.

2. Search for flight deals using Skyscanner or a similar flight search engine

Third-party apps and websites will show you the best prices for different dates and times. If you search in advance, you’ll have a higher likelihood of scoring an exceptional flight deal.

You’re also more likely to find flight deals if you have flexible travel dates and if you plan to travel during the off-season.

For more details on the best seasons to travel to Turks and Caicos for deals, download our Explore Turks and Caicos Travel Guide!

CHEW TIP: Search online using incognito mode. There are different opinions on whether or not this avoids flight prices from increasing as you search, but it doesn’t hurt to do it. We always search for travel using incognito mode.

3. After you find the flight deal, book directly with the airline

Although third-party websites and apps are helpful for finding competitive prices and making the search process convenient, booking your flights directly with the airline offers direct support and greater flexibility in managing your travel plans.

4. Make sure you have travel insurance

We recommend securing your travel plans with SafetyWing. They offer protection in situations such as lost luggage, travel delay, and trip interruption.

Having travel insurance will save you money on your Turks and Caicos vacation in the long run if any unexpected situations arise.

Tip #2: Stay Outside of Grace Bay

Grace Bay beholds one of the most beautiful beaches in the world!

Don’t just take our word for it. They have been ranked in the top 10 best beaches in the world by TripAdvisor.

As you can imagine, this is a highly sought after location.

Staying in the world-renowned central location of Grace Bay can blow your budget, especially if you visit during high season.

Think $900 USD per night minimum.

That’s just for one bedroom. If you want two bedrooms, it can run you over $2,000 USD per night during the high season.

Instead, you can book with a property that is outside of Grace Bay for a fraction of the cost.

The entire length of Providenciales is 17 miles and takes ~30 minutes to drive from end to end.

So as long as you have a rental car, staying outside of Grace Bay should not be a problem. You can still easily get to all that this island has to offer!

We have phenomenal recommendations on where to stay comfortably and affordably in Provo, just outside of Grace Bay included in our Explore Turks & Caicos Travel Guide.

These stays are a fraction of the cost of the Grace Bay resorts.

They include many of the same amenities such as pool access, full kitchens, and so much more.

RELATED ARTICLE: How to Find the Best Airbnb Deals

How to Book Your Stay in Turks and Caicos on A Budget

1. Search for hotel deals on Booking.com

Their mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. Booking.com will seamlessly connect you to some of the best hotel deals in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.

Similar to subscribing to specific airlines, you can do the same for hotels and resorts.

Head to their website and sign up for their email list to get access to exclusive deals that they offer.

3. Book a vacation rental like an Airbnb

We have an entire article with tips on finding a cheaper Airbnb that will help you find a deal on an Airbnb in Turks and Caicos.

Renting a vacation home in Turks and Caicos is a great idea, especially if you’re planning a group trip.

Tip #3: Cook at Least One Meal Per Day

Food is going to be one of your biggest expenses on the island.

The local grocery stores are even pricier than the ones back home in the United States.

Even still, grocery shopping will save you money on food when you realize how expensive many of the restaurants are.

Inside of our Explore Turks and Caicos guide, we include over 20 restaurant recommendations and they are all organized by budget so you can better prepare your spending while you are in Provo.

Having a kitchen in your accommodation is so important!

If you can prepare at least one of your meals each day, this will be a major savings.

Whether you are selecting a hotel or Airbnb stay, be sure to have a kitchen inside your accommodation!

This will turn into a major money-saver in Turks and Caicos.

How to Save Money On Food in Turks and Caicos on a Budget

1. Pack food with you

You can bring snacks with you! But not every snack is TSA-approved.

Particularly liquid snacks. We went over more tips on TSA-approved snacks in our article on airplane travel tips.

2. Shop duty-free at the airport

Your Turks and Caicos vacation savings can start as soon as you land!

Before you leave the airport in Turks and Caicos, check out the duty-free shops. Buy any liquor here tax-free before you start your vacation.

3. Go grocery shopping

There are grocery stores near the airport and in Grace Bay where you can stock up on snacks, cheaper prepared meals, and easy-to-cook ingredients.

Having a kitchen in your accommodation becomes a big money-saver. This way you can easily avoid eating out all the time during your vacation.

Cook at least one meal each day yourself.

4. Eat at less expensive restaurants

We include over 20 restaurants in our Explore Turks and Caicos Travel Guide that are organized by budget to help you save when you do go out to eat, as well.

Tip #4 Rent a Car or Bike

If you’re still wondering “Is Turks and Caicos expensive?”

Let me tell you – Turks and Caicos is notorious for their high prices, but transportation takes it to another level.

There is no Uber or Lyft. In fact, there is no transportation app at all.

If you hire a taxi, you will be paying in cash USD only. No credit card or electronic payments are accepted. The rides are not priced per ride. The rides are priced per person!

Usually, if you go on a group trip, you can easily split the cost of transportation.

But that is not the case in Provo. The cost goes up per person.

Instead of the ride from the airport to your accommodation being $25 USD split between your group of let’s say 3 people, it goes up to a total of $75 USD total for that same ride.

Simply because of the number of people getting into the taxi.

A great way to save money is by getting a rental car.

When we visited Turks and Caicos, our rental car cost us $43 USD per day. A huge savings compared to the price of taxis.

Be mindful of the fact that they drive on the left side of the road, which is the opposite of how we drive in the United States.

There are also many roundabouts to navigate. The streets are well-paved, and for the most part, you’ll be driving on the main roads.

If you do end up staying in Grace Bay, some of the hotels offer free bikes to rent.

This can offset the cost of your stay by saving hundreds of dollars on transportation.

Just be sure to use caution when riding your bikes near main roads that are full of tourists that may not be accustomed to driving on the left side of the road.

How to Do Activities and Excursions in Turks and Caicos on a Budget

1. Get your own transportation

Either rent a car or a bike to get from point A to point B in Provo.

This is much more affordable than catching taxis around the island.

2. Make your plans in advance

Create an itinerary so you know exactly what you want to do and find out when the best time to do it would be.

This way you won’t waste money trying to go somewhere that’s better to visit on a different day.

We include a sample 5-Day itinerary inside our Explore Turks and Caicos Travel Guide and an events schedule.

There are certain days that are just better to visit certain places than others.

3. Figure out what you can DIY

Providenciales has some of the best beaches in the world, and many are free to visit!

Research what you can do for free around the island on your own time using your own mode of transportation.

If you’re less into DIY and more into guided excursions, we included our top recommended tour companies in our Explore Turks and Caicos Travel Guide. They are all organized by budget to make it easy for you.

If you book your excursions in advance, you can start covering the cost of your Turks and Caicos vacation before it even starts.

This ensures a more financially manageable travel experience when you arrive.

Tip #5 Pack Smart

Even though the beaches are free to access, renting a chair and umbrella can be very expensive.

Renting two chairs and an umbrella at Grace Bay beach costs $56 from the time you get there until sunset.

It’s not a bad idea to bring your own bucket hat and beach towel and chill on the beach without these pricey rentals.

Another way to save money is to bring your own snorkel mask that you can get from Amazon for under $30 USD instead of renting a snorkel mask.

Going on a self-guided tour can save you money, but you have to weigh the pros and cons of DIY vs booking a tour.

For more ideas on what to pack, check out the Essential Items You Might Forget to Pack blog post.

We mentioned this earlier, but remember to pack snacks.

Remember how I said even the groceries are expensive?

You’ll be so happy with yourself when you remember you packed your favorite granola bars with you from home.

RELATED ARTICLE: Ultimate Guide to Caye Caulker Snorkel

How to Pack for Turks and Caicos on a Budget

1. Travel light

That’s it, that’s the Tweet!

If you need tips on how to do this, check out our article full of tips on minimalist travel packing.

This will also help you save on any airline baggage fees.

FAQs: Turks and Caicos on a Budget

What currency does Turks and Caicos use?

The currency used in Turks and Caicos is the United States Dollar (USD).

What to bring to Turks and Caicos?

Essential items to bring to Turks and Caicos include beachwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a valid passport, and any necessary medications.

How to go to Turks and Caicos on a budget?

Traveling during the off-peak season, booking flights and accommodations in advance, opting for budget-friendly lodging, and utilizing local transportation can help you visit Turks and Caicos on a budget.

What is cheaper, Bahamas or Turks and Caicos?

Generally, the Bahamas is considered more budget-friendly compared to Turks and Caicos, but costs can vary based on travel choices and deals available.

What are the cheapest months for Turks and Caicos?

The cheapest months to visit Turks and Caicos are typically during the off-peak season, which is from mid-April to mid-December.

Is Aruba or Turks cheaper?

Aruba is often considered more budget-friendly compared to Turks and Caicos, but travel costs depend on factors like travel dates, accommodations, and activities.

Is Turks and Caicos worth going?

Yes, Turks and Caicos is worth visiting for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, water activities, and overall tropical beauty.

Is Turks and Caicos cheap?

No, Turks and Caicos is generally considered to be an expensive destination. For 22 pages of top budget-friendly recommendations, check out our Explore Turks and Caicos Travel Guide.

Is Turks and Caicos expensive?

Yes, Turks and Caicos is generally considered to be an expensive destination due to its reputation as a luxury Caribbean getaway.

What are the main expenses when visiting Turks and Caicos?

The top expenses in Turks and Caicos are lodging, food, and activities. High-end resorts are costly, and dining out and activities such as snorkeling can add up quickly.

Can I travel to Turks and Caicos on a budget?

Yes, Turks and Caicos can be budget-friendly by staying in affordable accommodations outside of Grace Bay, cooking at least once per day to avoid eating out at expensive restaurants for every meal, and enjoying free activities.

What is the best time to visit Turks and Caicos on a budget?

Turks and Caicos is cheapest to visit from May to November which is the low season. Prices for accommodations and flights are generally lower, and there are fewer crowds. Some excursions do not operate during the entire low season, so check to see that what you want to do is available.

What are the main expenses when visiting Turks and Caicos?

Visiting Turks and Caicos can be costly due to high expenses on accommodations, food, and activities. Luxury resort options are expensive, and dining out and water sports can be a significant cost.

How can I save money on accommodations in Turks and Caicos?

You can stay in budget-friendly options outside of Grace Bay that cost less than hotels and resorts.

How many days are enough in Turks and Caicos?

The recommended stay in Turks and Caicos is 3 to 5 days to enjoy the beaches, culture, and activities. For a more immersive experience, 7-10 days may be better.

Is Turks and Caicos safe?

Turks and Caicos is generally safe with low crime rates. Basic safety measures should still be taken, such as avoiding isolated areas at night and securing valuables. When swimming or participating in water activities, visitors should also be cautious of strong currents and sudden weather changes.

Save Money on Your Turks and Caicos Vacation

This article included five major tips on how to save money in Turks and Caicos. Simple money-saving tactics include signing up for flight deal notifications, staying outside of the central area, not eating out for all three meals, renting a car, and packing smart!

Turks and Caicos is a must-visit beach destination. But the prices can really add up quickly if you don’t come prepared.

The best way to prepare for your trip to Providenciales, especially if you want to see Turks and Caicos on a budget, is by getting a detailed guide on the destination.

Our Explore Turks and Caicos Travel Guide is 22 pages full of important details that you must-know in order to have a stress-free vacation in Provo.

This ultimate guide includes:

important tips to know before you go to Providenciales
reliable tour companies
private driver details
Over 20 amazing food recommendations
top beaches you should prioritize visiting
sample 5-day itinerary exploring Providenciales

Start planning your time in paradise in Turks and Caicos now!

Our recommendations will help you plan the travel budget you will need for your trip to Providenciales.

As always, we’ll help you “See the World, Save a Dollar!”

TURKS AND CAICOS ON A BUDGET: TOP 5 MONEY-SAVING TIPS

Top 9 Ways to Find Your Next Cheap Flight!