The only people that would ever tell you that Turks & Caicos, or the Caribbean in general for that matter, is not the ideal place for a family vacation are those that have never tried it out. Some will tell you that it’s too crowded, others say it’s too hot or too expensive and then there are those that say it’s a downright dangerous place, despite having never even been without 5,000 miles of the place.
In reality, there really aren’t many places on Earth that make for better family vacation spots than Turks & Caicos. When you even begin to think about what’s on offer here it truly is a wonder for families with kids of all ages. From the gorgeous white sands to the crystal blue seas and right through to the family entertainment on offer at most leading resorts, it’s an all-in-one package guaranteed to create memories for life.
Of course, as is the case with any family holiday hotspot there are certain precautions that should be taken in order to stay safe and have as much fun as possible. So, if you’ve finally decided to make this year the year you and the whole family head out to Turks & Caicos, here’s a quick overview covering a few key points for staying safe and having fun:
1 – Family-Friendly Resorts
First and foremost, it’s important to establish whether the Turks & Caicos holidays booking service you’re going with has the same definition of ‘family friendly’ as you and the gang. The reason being that while some will call themselves family-friendly because there’s a kids menu in the restaurant, others will literally stop at nothing to make sure kids of all ages have the time of their life. From daily activities to child-minding services to all manner of entertainment provisions day in and day out, if you really want to make the most of your trip, it’s a good idea to establish what they really mean by family friendly ahead of time.
2 – Sun Safety
If heading out to this part of the world for the very first time, it’s important to acknowledge that the standard rules with regard to summer sun safety need to be taken up a notch or two – especially where kids are involved. The sun can be exceptionally strong for much of the day, so be sure to bring along plenty of light clothing to keep skin covered and enough sunblock to keep slapping on a fresh coat as and when needed throughout the day. Of course, when the sun is at its strongest, the shade is your friend!
3 – Don’t Carry Too Much
When heading out and about on holiday with kids, it’s common to fall into the habit of trying to bring along absolutely everything you own and a thousand different backups. The only problem being that the more you carry, the more you stand to lose if you have a bout of absent-mindedness or find yourself falling victim to a pickpocket. Crime rates are quite enviably low in this part of the world and represent no real cause for concern, but for the sake of proactivity it’s better only to ever carry what you need for the immediate moment and no more.
4 – Licensed Taxis and Excursions
All over the Caribbean, you’ll find taxi and excursion providers in operation which despite their appearances are wholly unlicensed to be doing what they’re doing. Now, in most instances they won’t pose any kind of direct danger, but lack of licensing means lack of insurance and therefore could land you and the family in trouble should something untoward happen. And of course, there will always be the small remaining minority who exist only to rip you off and do your wrong. In order to be safe therefore, never do business with any taxi, excursion companies or any other service provider that isn’t 100% legitimate.
5 – The Beaten Path
Last but not least, if there are any areas around where you are staying that are perhaps not the best idea to be ventured into with the whole family after dark, it’s probably a good idea not to do as such, Like every other country the world over, there will always be those places that are safer than others which in the case of Turks & Caicos…the whole Caribbean in fact…are those areas that are busy, active and generally full of other families and locals. If in doubt, stick to the beaten path – a global travel rule to follow!