Vacation villas and rental homes are becoming very popular in the Turks and Caicos. Compared to the typical hotel or resort, these vacation rentals typically offer greater privacy and a more expansive setting. In many cases, rental properties may have an excellent oceanfront location, or access to a secluded and sandy beach.
Another option on Providenciales (or Provo as it's often called) is luxury villas that are managed by one of our local resorts. These exquisite accommodations combine the service of a resort with the advantages of a vacation home. There are many choices, with properties overseen by the Grace Bay Club, Amanyara, Wymara Resort, COMO Parrot Cay Resort, and more.
In the case of our smaller islands such as North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and Salt Cay, vacation rentals are the main choice simply due to the lack of larger hotels and resorts.
Some of the best Turks and Caicos villas are found on our smaller and secluded beaches, such as Long Bay Beach, Leeward Beach, Taylor Bay, and Sapodilla Bay.
The least expensive lodgings in the Turks and Caicos are usually homestay and guestroom rentals, which start at around $60 per night. On the island of Providenciales, many of the less expensive options may be located a distance from the island’s top beaches. This isn’t specifically a problem if a car is rented, which we generally advise for most guests.
Like the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos is home to a large number of beautiful islands and cays. Each of our inhabited islands offers a different atmosphere, both in accommodations and scenery and activities. See Islands of the Turks and Caicos for advice on choosing an island.
As may be expected, beachfront locations on Providenciales often have a pricing premium over the inland sites.
Our other islands do not have a high level of development, and properties on or near the ocean are the norm.
Providenciales is the undisputed leader when it comes to villas in the Turks and Caicos, and there’s a perfect rental for every budget. Nearly all of the expansive luxury rentals are found here. More so than the other islands in the country, excellent beaches surround Providenciales.
Most vacation rentals on Providenciales are found in coastal regions and developments, including Leeward, Long Bay, Chalk Sound, Turtle Cove, Silly Creek, and Turtle Tail.
The world-famous Grace Bay Beach is of course the island’s top beach, yet there isn’t an extensive collection of beachfront properties to choose from here, as luxury resorts occupy much of the coast.
Providenciales hosts several gated luxury home projects, including Wymara Villas, Beach Enclave, the Grace Bay Club Villas, Southbank, Blue Cay, and Rock House.
The majority of lodgings on the quiet garden islands of North Caicos and Middle Caicos are vacation homes. North Caicos offers quite a few secluded and breezy beach regions, and Middle Caicos features the beautiful Mudjin Harbour and Bambarra beaches.
Grand Turk is home to the nation’s capital city of Cockburn Town—a picturesque beachfront settlement featuring quaint British-Bermudian colonial architecture.
There’s a great selection of restored and modern homes and villas to choose from.
Rental and guest houses are the sole accommodation choice on the tiny and laid-back island of Salt Cay. Villas are found across the settlements of Balfour Town, South District, North District, and on the exceptional North Bay Beach.
South Caicos is a newcomer to the tourism industry, having been a quiet fishing society for decades. The Sailrock project has just opened, with several exquisite properties on Long Beach now available for stays.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to the possible amenities included with a property, and no two sites are alike.
Depending on your family or group size, the number of bedrooms can vary from studio apartments to over 8 bedrooms in larger rental homes.
Almost every short-stay vacation rental in the Turks and Caicos is fully furnished, and has linens, towels, outfitted kitchens, and appliances. Basic consumables may also be included, such as laundry detergent and some basic dry goods.
Many properties offer a complete kitchen, an outdoor BBQ grill, a swimming pool, beach chairs and umbrellas, snorkeling gear, and water sports equipment such as kayaks or paddleboards.
Scuba diving trips, including private trips, can be arranged by contacting your agent, or directly with one of the local companies.
Homes in the Leeward area of Providenciales are a short distance from the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, one of the top ten courses in the Caribbean.
The more expansive mansions may also have tennis courts, Hobie cat sailboats, private chefs, and housekeeping staff. A private chef can create the perfect meals for your stay while catering to any dietary concerns. Local seafood and cuisine, including conch, lobster, and fish can likewise be incorporated.
Some of the Turks and Caicos properties that are managed by resorts include extra access to the parent resort amenities. In the case of sites such as the Amanyara Villas and the Private Villa Collection by the Grace Bay Club, special privileges at the resort’s restaurants and spas are some of the perks.
To obtain the best rates and avoid potential headaches, it’s important to understand how accommodations are managed and booked in the Turks and Caicos.
Reservations are typically made through either an international booking website Airbnb or VRBO, or direct with the local management company or owner. In nearly all cases, on-the-ground management of properties and guest relations is overseen by companies based in the Turks and Caicos. International booking agencies rarely have personnel based in the Turks and Caicos.
For the best experience, it is often easiest to book with one of the larger local management firms, which the The Turks and Caicos has several of. Many local management companies have been established and operating for years. Long-established management businesses tend to have professional staff and oversee dozens of properties. They’re often able to deal with any problems that arise in a timely manner, and have other homes available should a problem arise with a particular villa.
Dealing directly with the owner often results in slightly lower rates. However, the chance of delays, difficulties in meeting the owner after arriving on island, and other issues may increase. Likewise, if there are any problems with the property, it’s also unlikely the owner will be able to switch you to another rental. Some of the owners neglect to pay the mandatory 12% accommodation tax on stays, which accounts for the comparatively lower rates!
The global booking websites typically list the same properties that are overseen by local management companies. Rates may be a little higher than those offered by local companies, as there’s an additional party taking a portion of the rental commission.
On our smaller islands, many rentals and guest houses are managed by owners who live at adjacent or nearby sites, so the booking and management situation is a little different from Providenciales.
The prices for accommodations in the Turks and Caicos vary quite a bit according to the season, with the highest rates experienced during the winter “high season”. Rates can be 30% to 60% higher at such times.
The late summer and fall months, which coincide with the Atlantic hurricane season, tend to have the lowest rates. Keep in mind that due to depressed tourist arrivals at these times, some accommodation and activity businesses temporarily close down.
A 12% accommodation tax is applicable on stays in the Turks and Caicos. This may or may not be factored into published accommodation rates.
Large villas with staff (such as butlers) also charge a 10% service charge (a fee required by the Government and which is paid to staff).
Electricity beyond an allotted amount may incur additional fees. Electricity rates in the Turks and Caicos are quite high at around 50¢ per kWh, and air conditioning consumes quite a bit. Normal air conditioning use shouldn’t exceed the allocations, yet heavy air conditioning usage or operating it with windows or doors open likely will.
