dasalomon

I just got back from a vacation to the islands of Turks & Caicos in the Caribbean, just south of the Bahamas.

Besides for luggage problems with AA, it is a great place to go and relax. Providenciales, the main islands, has some wonderful hotel/resorts and offers beautiful beaches and clear waters.
I went diving off of the Turks & Caicos Explorer II. If you have any quetions about that I'll be happy to send you my trip report.

Travel from LAX was pretty easy - via JFK. The other option was via MIA but given the weather problems 2 weeks ago, I thought it safer to go the JFK route even if it added a little time on to the trip.

- Alexandra

neuro0

Hi,

I am glad you had a wonderful vacation. My GF and I just got back form aruba, also had a wonderful time. During our stay, we snorkeled a lot off the beaches and saw a lot of fishes. Do you think we can do the same at Turks&Caicos? Any hotel/resort you recommend?

Thanks!

cme2c

Turks and Caicos has a couple great snorkeling sites right of the beach. There are several outfits that take you out too. The Beaches resort ( a Sandals resort for families) has 3 or 4 free trips a day out on the reef, and a nice off beach site is a 10 minute walk down the beach.

Jakebeth

Anything else you can offer for a not-so-intrepid traveler? I'm probably going to take my wife and daughter to Beaches this winter, but I don't know anything about this island, how safe it is, etc.

cme2c

Jakebeth,

I don't have a lot of experience in the Caribbean other than Turks and Caicos, but a few years ago I would have classified it as a poor island. There has been tremendous development since 2001 though and I saw some significant changes. I think it is safe. If you stay at Beaches you will have a "shuttle" from the airport to the hotel if desired. This is usually a taxi contracted to the resort. Taxi's there are typically vans. You will really have everything you need at the resort. There are a few shops not too far away and cabs are not that expensive. There is a shuttle service "Gecko" on the main road. There really isn't much else to see though. There is a little bit of shopping, and a few restaurants. The food at the resort was decent. They have a place that has burgers/fries/chicken nuggets etc more appropriate for kids. If you have any questions, PM me.

One thing to watch out for is the phone rates. I had a problem with accessing ATT through the hotel which turned out to be an extra 200 dollars. Never did get it resolved, but for the most part was pleased with the customer service. And make sure to sign up for their signature guest program. Will save you on your next stay at a Beaches/Sandals resort.

Jakebeth

Thanks very much cme2c. I really appreciate it. Is it bad form to ask if you're an optometrist or opthamalogist?

My cousin's favorite handle is cme2p. The funniest coincidence is that he did his residency in Omaha.

cme2c

yes im an ophthalmologist. there was a urologist in lincoln who has that license plate , cme2p.

Jakebeth

That's fantastic. I bet he knows him/her. Thanks again for your comments.

wanderlust_jules

Was in T&C in feb with BF and we stayed at one of the smaller resorts on Grace Bay Beach. Royal Resort something or other next to the ClubMed, it was lovely but the name currently escapes me. Only quad-band cell phones will work there.
Its a sleepy place and not much nightlife. We rented a scooter and stocked up on groceries at the one main supermarket and I would definitely classify the island as "poor". Did you get to Malcolm Beach? The roads out there were horrible but the seculsion of the beach was fantastic. There is a lot of development in current stages, locals told us lots of things are started and then they run out of money and it just sits. We dove with Dive Provo—excellent dive outfit.

Elli

How warm or hot was it this time of year, Alexandra, since it really isn't that far south. What were the temps and water temps? Thanks.