22 Things to Know About Beaches Turks and Caicos

Beaches Turks and Caicos is a spectacular family Caribbean resort near the city of Providenciales. Like all Beaches Resorts, it is an oceanfront ultra all-inclusive in a posh yet unpretentious setting that is the perfect family vacation spot. It’s also a fantastic getaway for couples or groups of friends. Even if you have been researching this Turks & Caicos resort or have stayed there in the past, I bet there are some secrets you may still not know.

22 Things to Know About Beaches Turks and Caicos

   Update: Beaches Turks & Caicos is NOT closing for good!
   Why visit Beaches Turks and Caicos?
   What about the hurricanes?
1. All water sports are free.
2. Kids camp is for babies, too.
3. Take food to go.
4. Walk from bar to bar with a drink.
5. Trying the “Dirty Banana” is a must.
6. Don’t miss the Junkanoo parade.
7. Volunteer on your trip.
8. It’s totally safe to leave the resort.
9. Upgrades to “Concierge Level” are worth it!
10. There are pools for every personality.
11. Opt for a “Butler Suite” for the ultimate splurge.
12. Have a great time with or without your kids.
13. There are extras you can buy (but you don’t need to).
14. Only one restaurant needs reservations.
15. Not all restaurants are open every day or at every meal.
16. Scream for ice cream late into the night.
17. There are adult-only areas at this family Caribbean resort.
18. Guests can only smoke outside. And many do.
19. There are rooms big enough for any family.
20. No need for fancy clothes.
21. Daily tennis clinics are included!
22. Airport transfers are included.
   Click here to learn more about Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa

I have visited Beaches Turks and Caicos three times during the Social Media on the Sand conferences. Each time I am stunned at what I didn’t see at Beaches Turks & Caicos during the prior visits.

The gorgeous white sand beaches, kid-friendly dining options, swim-up bars, and fantastic fitness center and other sporting activities have made this my favorite beachfront resort.

Update: Beaches Turks & Caicos is NOT closing for good!

The biggest news regarding this resort is that it is staying open! Contrary to news reports that came out in early 2019, Beaches Turks & Caicos will not be closing for good. Sandals Resorts International said this Beaches property will close for six weeks (Sept. 3-Oct. 14, 2019) for refurbishment and will open afterward for guests.

The initial closure was due to a tax dispute with the Turks & Caicos islands government, which is still in litigation.

Why visit Beaches Turks and Caicos?

Beaches Turks and Caicos is one place where you can go over and over again and still find something new. It is a family-friendly all-inclusive beachfront resort that will wow you in all respects. The resort is broken into four Turks and Caicos resort villages: Key West, Italian, Caribbean, and French Village. Each of these areas has its own feel and amenities.

Key West is the most luxurious. The French Village is the quietest. The Italian Village and Caribbean Village are the most family-friendly and offer some of the best-priced options.

What about the hurricanes?

If you have plans to visit Beaches Resorts in Turks and Caicos or on some other Caribbean islands, during Hurricane season (June 1 to November 1) be sure to check the forecasts as you get closer to your trip.  Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria left a path of destruction and devastation throughout the Caribbean and some resorts, including Beaches Turks and Caicos, took several months to make repairs and get the resort ready for guests again. I visited this resort before Hurricane Maria and afterward and could see very little difference.

Read MORE about getting refunds and other post-hurricane travel information.

Since we all now have more time to enjoy this spectacular Caribbean resort, I made a list of 22 things you probably didn’t know about this Beaches Resort on the British-ruled Turks and Caicos islands…but you should!

Read more: Is an All-Inclusive Worth It?

1. All water sports are free.

All water sports, even snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, kayaks and water tricycles (yes, that’s a thing) are included at this all-inclusive family Caribbean resort. The equipment needed for these water sports is included too, as well as any instruction that is needed.

Look for other complimentary extras like hospitality boat cruises that are offered at different times during the week. (And yes, they are included too!)

2. Kids camp is for babies, too.

Think that you have to hurry and potty-train your two-year-old so he/she can go to the Kids Camp? Not so! There is a special villa designed for kids from newborn to 4 years old. They even have their own fenced-in pool and play area in the back! Want one-on-one care? Babysitting services can be arranged. Older kids are taken care of too with their own age-specific kids’ club. The kids won’t want to leave and you can actually relax on your vacation. This is a family Caribbean resort for families of all ages!

And don’t forget to visit the game room! Any tweens or teens will be astonished by the game room at Beaches Turks & Caicos. With X-Box, PlayStation and tons of the latest games and technology, they may not want to leave.

3. Take food to go.

The food at Beaches Turks and Caicos is amazing. However, if you can’t finish your dinner or you just want to eat in your room (or on the beach), just ask for a takeout box.

I did this for breakfast nearly every day and ate at the beach or in my room. I even got dessert to go and enjoyed it in my bed late that night. Heavenly!

4. Walk from bar to bar with a drink.

No need to worry about open container laws at Beaches Turks and Caicos, or about “stealing” the stemware! If you didn’t finish your glass of wine with dinner, just take the glass with you! Dive into the pool and hit the swim-up bars over and over.

And just so you know, no one is counting how many drinks you have or how many times you enjoy the buffet. They don’t care!

5. Trying the “Dirty Banana” is a must.

Honestly, I’m not even sure what’s in this drink. Rum and…well other things I guess. All I know is that it goes down smooth and sweet and the bartenders know to keep them coming!

This may be a family Caribbean resort but adults can definitely have some fun of our own.

6. Don’t miss the Junkanoo parade.

This is not just something for the kids. Make sure you go and get into the Caribbean spirit. There’s dancing, music, and a fire-eater who does things you just can’t believe.

Also, the Sesame Street parade is a MUST for families with young children. Actually, it’s a must for everyone. Who doesn’t adore Sesame Street characters?

7. Volunteer on your trip.

The Sandals Foundation offers opportunities for guests to visit local schools during their trip to read to students. They also allow guests to bring much-needed school supplies to donate to the Turks & Caicos schools and greater Grace Bay and Providenciales communities.

Make your vacation mean something more than just a fun week away.

8. It’s totally safe to leave the resort.

Turks and Caicos is one of the safest Caribbean islands. Beaches Turks and Caicos ask you to sign out at the guard shack for security reasons, but there is a whole beautiful island to explore.

It’s not easy to leave this ultra all-inclusive resort but give it a try!

9. Upgrades to “Concierge Level” are worth it!

Concierge-level suites have en-suite fully-stocked bars and refrigerators, along with a separate room that comes with a trundle bed. This is a fabulous room type for families. They also offer a dedicated concierge who can get you reservations at Kimonos or onto the complimentary afternoon cruise. The extra space was delightful, and would have been even more so had we brought kids. And having access to cold daily Diet Cokes in my room was lovely!

Splurge even more with butler service suites!

10. There are pools for every personality.

Beaches Turks and Caicos has six swimming pools in all. There are active pools with dancing, music, games and tons of activities throughout the day. Both families and couples can be seen enjoying them. The resort also has “quiet” swimming pools which are designed more for adults. However, all are welcome everywhere.

Families will definitely be spending a large amount of time the Pirates Island water park which includes waterslides, a lazy river, swim-up bars, a surf simulator, and poolside activities. There’s so much to do here!

11. Opt for a “Butler Suite” for the ultimate splurge.

Let’s just say that Butler Service Suites have everything. They are the poshest, most luxurious experiences at this ultra-luxury family Caribbean resort. Want breakfast in bed? No problem. Ice cream delivered to your room at 10 am? Why not?

The butlers who attend to these suites will make your every desire come to pass. They take concierge service up 8 notches!

12. Have a great time with or without your kids.

I’ve been to this resort without my kids and enjoyed every second. I missed my little ones but I was able to really enjoy Grace Bay beach and do the things adults do when kids aren’t around…like sleep.

13. There are extras you can buy (but you don’t need to).

While almost everything you could imagine is included at this all-inclusive, there are still a few things you can add on like excursion tours, special bottles of wine, and spa services at the Red Lane Spa. But you don’t need them to enjoy yourself. You can have a fantastic time without adding anything. And, while we’re talking comfort, sometimes we need to think about what would happen if one of us were to get sick while thousands of miles away from home.

TravelingMom loves the convenience of Medjet, an emergency evacuation membership and their key difference is that they will send you to your hospital of CHOICE and others send you to the nearest hospital. Great for peace of mind!

14. Only one restaurant needs reservations.

I highly recommend making reservations for Kimonos, the Japanese steak house that comes with a side of humor and impressive singing. Make reservations early, perhaps even before arriving as the restaurant fills up fast!

And yes, this is a family-friendly dining option too!

15. Not all restaurants are open every day or at every meal.

Make sure you check operating hours of your favorites to plot out a dining strategy.

The Jerk Shack is only open for lunch but that should definitely be on your list.

16. Scream for ice cream late into the night.

Or early into the morning, as the case may be.

The little known fact is that the ice cream parlor is open 11 a.m. to 6 a.m. It is a great place for a late-night fix.

17. There are adult-only areas at this family Caribbean resort.

Like at all Beaches Resorts, there are areas where it doesn’t make sense to have kids. The Red Lane Spa is one of those areas. If you are thinking you will see little three-year-olds pop up during your facial, no worries!

There is also adults-only bars and hang out areas as well.

18. Guests can only smoke outside. And many do.

I found many guests, mostly Europeans, still smoke quite heavily. They are allowed to smoke at the pool areas, on the beaches, and at other outdoor areas. I found most smokers here to be considerate enough to not blow smoke in your face, or smoke around children.

All restaurants, hotel rooms, and other indoor facilities at Beaches Resorts (and throughout Turks & Caicos) are smoke-free.

19. There are rooms big enough for any family.

Big families can rejoice. Beaches Turks and Caicos thought of you too! There are suites and villas that can fit 8 people or more! You will pay for the extra space, but it’s great to have that option for those of us with large families or who will be traveling with extended family.

Key West Village offers gigantic houses with multiple bedrooms, a living room, and tons of space. Standard rooms are roomier than you’d expect too.

20. No need for fancy clothes.

Leave the stilettos at home and pack an extra pair of flip flops at Beaches Resorts. I wished I had several swimsuit covers or clothes to throw over a suit. I didn’t need all the dresses and chic “resort wear” I brought with me.

One thing though is that men should have one pair of long pants and a collared shirt as some restaurants do require that at night.

21. Daily tennis clinics are included!

Top tennis instruction every day? Yes! And exercise classes are included as well at Beaches Resorts. In my two stays at Beaches Turks and Caicos, I tried tennis clinics, Zumba, water aerobics, Caribbean dancing, and boot camp. They were all great!

And I felt a little better about how much I was indulging in the fantastic food and drinks!

22. Airport transfers are included.

Regular taxi rates are $17 per person each way so for a family that is quite a saving! The resort is a pretty quick ride from the Turks & Caicos airport. Do remember to tip your driver though.

This will be the ONLY tip you’ll have to do during your stay!

Want to learn more about Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa?

Check out the 10 VIP tips on Beaches Resorts Tara Settembre, VIP TravelingMom shared.

Traveling to Beaches Resorts with your family? See the 6 ways Rebecca Darling, Texas TravelingMom, had some family fun at this spectacular family Caribbean resort.