Turks and Caicos have a lot of fun and affordable things to do. Spending lots of money on fancy restaurants, luxury hotels, and resorts is not the only way you can enjoy Turks and Caicos. In fact, you won’t need to spend any money at all on some. The best things to do in Turks and Caicos are absolutely free or very cheap. You just have to know where to look for them. I’ve spent time looking for these fun and inexpensive activities for you so that you can spend more time enjoying your trip instead of planning it.
Let’s dive in!
1. Relax on the beach in Grace Bay
Grace Bay is one of the best beaches on earth and perfect for swimming and sunbathing, and best of all, it’s free. There are many beachside bars and restaurants, so you can enjoy a cocktail and some food while you watch the waves roll in. Grace Bay Beach is perfect for couples, families, and solo adventurers.
2. Meet the Iguanas on Half Moon Bay
The Rock Iguana is an endangered animal that can be found on Half Moon Bay. You will need a boat to get to Little Water Cay first, but there are many of them going back and forth from Grace Bay, and they are very affordable. A day trip to the Cay is highly recommended if you enjoy nature and want to meet the local iguanas. The nature preserve offers visitors a chance to get up close with these amazing reptiles in their natural environment. Swimming, sunbathing, and kayaking are other great activities to do on the beach.
3. Ride a horse on the beach
Horse riding on the beach in Turks and Caicos is a great way to explore the area. The sand is soft, and the horses are gentle, making it an easy and fun experience. Did you know horses are excellent swimmers, and they love the water? You will find that out during this activity for sure. The weather is perfect for riding, with cool breezes and sunny days. Check out Provo Ponies (1) for an unforgettable adventure.
4. Rent a scooter and ride around Providenciales
Love exploring and the breeze in your hair? You can rent a scooter and ride around Providenciales for cheap. Scooters are a fun way to explore the island and see some sights that aren’t accessible by foot or car. If you fancy a Vespa, check out Paradise Scooters (2) in Provo.
5. Go snorkeling at Bight Reef
Bight Beach is one of the Best Beaches in Provo, and the reef can be found just a few yards to the east. Bight Reef is a great spot for snorkeling, with a vibrant variety of colorful fish and plenty of corals to see. Be sure not to touch the corals, and wear appropriate clothing when diving to avoid damaging the delicate ecosystem and yourself, of course.
6. Explore the amazing view at Mudjin Harbour
Not the most popular place in Turks and Caicos, but stunning views and secret caves make it a great place to visit. The Crossing Place Trail provides a great way to explore Mudjin Harbour. Be sure to continue the path past the observation point and continue into the cave. A very interesting and exciting experience. If you get hungry after the hike, check out Mudjin Bar & Grill (3) for a fantastic lunch.
7. Find beautiful seashells on Leewards Beach
Leewards Beach itself is a great reason to visit, it’s breathtaking. The beach is surrounded by calm, heavenly ocean and very popular for swimming and sunbathing. The beach is also a great place to find seashells in and out of the water. Be sure to keep an eye out for the giant Conch that the island is famous for, and make yourself a natural seashell horn.
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8. Explore Taylor Bay Beach
Taylor Bay Beach is a great place to relax and enjoy the sun. The water is shallow and perfect for swimming and playing. The beach is a great sunset spot, maybe the best on the island, making it a perfect place to end your day. Order a cold beverage and watch the sun go down beneath the waves.
You will find helpful: Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean.
9. Have an adventure at Chalk Sound National Park
Chalk Sound National Park is a great place to visit for its natural beauty and wildlife. It’s a small, tranquil lagoon in Provo with brilliant teal waters, almost land-locked altogether. Being protected, no powered crafts are allowed, but you can kayak or paddleboard in the park to get up close to the wildlife that call it home. Start by exploring the park’s visitor center to learn more about its history and attractions.
10. Relax at Pillory Beach
Pillory Beach is a beautiful, peaceful beach located a short drive from Grand Turk’s cruise terminal. The beach features white sand, clear water, and a tranquil ambiance. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent, and amazing food and drinks can be ordered from the nearby Bohio Dive Resort (4).
11. Kayak through the mangroves of Little Water Cay
Kayaking through the mangroves of Little Water Cay is a great way to see the wetlands and shallow waters of North and Middle Caicos. You can find kayaking adventures of different lengths, so it’s a great activity for all ages and levels of fitness.
12. Hop on the tram and explore Grand Turk
The tram tour in Grand Turk is a fun and exciting way to see the sights of this beautiful island. You’ll get to relax as the tour guide travels through Grand Turk, past museums, churches, and other historical buildings. This is a great way to see the sights of Turks and Caicos without having to do any walking! I know walking is good exercise, but sometimes it’s just too hot.
13. Take a bike ride through Providenciales
A bike tour around Providenciales is a great way to explore Turks and Caicos’ most popular island. You’ll get to see the island from a unique perspective, and you’ll also get a taste of the local culture. The bike tour is a great way to get a feel for what it’s like to live here. And you don’t have to worry about parking.
14. Watch the kite surfers at Long Bay Beach
Kite surfing is very popular at Long Bay Beach because of the constant trade winds blowing all day. You can judge their skills from the beach or attempt it yourself if you are brave enough. Adventure packages and gear can be booked from local shops. The bay at Long Bay Beach is calm and clear, making it perfect for beginners and experienced kite surfers alike.
Ensure you don’t forget a thing on your next trip, check out the Turks and Caicos Packing List.
15. Escape the crowds on Bambarra Beach
Bambarra Beach & Reef is an off-the-beaten-path location which is perfect for exploring. The beach has great shallow waters for snorkeling as well as plenty of space for swimming and sunbathing. If you wait for low tide, you can walk to Inner Cay, which is just a few yards away from the beach.
16. Adventure to Three Mary Cays
When I say adventure, I mean it; it’s not the easiest place to get to, but you can drive there if you are brave enough, just be careful when it’s very wet, as you can get stuck. While the drive there is crazy, the reward at the end is well worth it, you will not find such pristine natural beauty anywhere. Because of its remote location, you will most definitely get away from the crowds even in the busy season. The snorkeling is amazing at Three Marys Cays, so bring your mask and fins.
17. Devour the Fish Fry at Bight Park
The fish fry at Bight Park is a great opportunity to try the local culture and feast on amazing local fish and seafood. The weekly event offers delicious fried fish, conch meals, and side dishes, as well as live music. The event is very popular with tourists and locals alike, a must-do when you visit Turks and Caicos.
18. Visit the Grand Turk Lighthouse
The Grand Turk Lighthouse is a historical tourist attraction that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding ocean and coastline. Admission to the lighthouse grounds costs just $3 and includes access to the lightkeeper’s house, snack shop, and scenic coastal path. From the clifftop vantage point, visitors can snap photos or simply enjoy the incredible views.
If you are planning to visit, make sure you check out my article on the Best Time to Visit Turks and Caicos.
19. Discover how they extract salt
The Turks and Caicos Islands were once known for their salt production. Salt was an essential part of the economy, and the industry thrived for many years. However, the salt industry collapsed in the early 1900s. Despite this, remnants of the salt industry can still be seen on the islands. The Salt House Museum in Grand Turk showcases some of the equipment used in salt production, while the Boiling Hole in South Caicos is a reminder of the methods used to extract salt from seawater.
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20. Visit the Turks and Caicos National Museum
The Turks and Caicos National Museum is a must-see for visitors because of the artifacts it contains. The museum features exhibits about the country’s culture, nature, and history. The museum is located in Cockburn Town and is one of the top museums in the Caribbean. The museum has artifacts from shipwrecks, coins from the Spanish, and a museum shop. Cockburn Town itself is a very popular attraction and the city capital of the Turks and Caicos islands.
21. Explore the Conch Bar Caves
The Conch Bar Caves are one of the largest cave systems in the Caribbean and are home to a variety of wildlife and natural formations, including bats and stalactites. The cave system is accessible through the National Trust and is a great place to explore if you’re interested in nature or history. You can book in advance online on the TCI National Trust website or pay in cash on arrival. The tickets cost $20, and the tour takes about one hour.
22. Stop by Her Majesty's Prison
This small colonial-era prison is located in Cockburn Town and is a great stop for people who love history. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the prison for $7 per person.
23. Go stand-up paddleboarding at Turtle Cove
Stand-up paddleboarding is a great way to exercise, experience the ocean and test your balance. You can take a tour through the mangrove island, and you’ll see all sorts of marine creatures. The tour is suitable for all abilities and is a great way to get fit. Turtle Cove is the perfect place to go stand-up paddleboarding because it offers beautiful clear water views and plenty of opportunity to see turtles, rays, and other marine life up close. The cost for stand-up paddleboarding at Turtle Cove is about $35 per person.
24. Take a picture of the Turks & Caicos map mural
If you went to Turks and Caicos and didn’t take a picture with the Map Mural in Provo, did you really go? This free activity is super easy to get to, and the area has a lot of shops and restaurants, so you can combine it with some shopping. The map is beautifully hand-drawn, and you get a good overview of all the different islands that form this beautiful country.
25. Explore Princess Alexandra National Park
When I say national park, my first instinct would be forests and wildlife, but this is Turks and Caicos, so the Princess Alexandra National Park is a coastal and marine park filled with beautiful coral reefs, tidal wetlands, and beaches. Visitors can kayak to iguana islands, scuba dive with turtles, or go on a nature tour. There are several different activities that can be enjoyed at the park.
26. Marvel at nature at the Boiling Hole
The Boiling Hole is a subterranean cave located in South Caicos. It gets its name from the turbulent waters that flow through it during high tide. It was used to extract and transport salt water to flat plains for evaporation and salt extraction. Nowadays, the salt industry is long gone, but it’s very interesting to see this historic part of Turks and Caicos. This is a free activity, and it’s self-guided, enjoy!
27. Visit the Salt Salinas
The Salt Salinas were used to evaporate the water and extract the salt. Built around the 1700s these extended plains exported salt to North America and the Caribbean. Although efforts were made to improve the process and extend the operation, it eventually failed due to its small scale, and it took the entire salt industry with it. Although there is not a lot to see in the abandoned plains, there is a large variety of birds that call this place home. Birdwatching is the number one reason people come here. The birds are very used to people, so there are plenty of opportunities for close-ups for photography enthusiasts.
28. Watch the cruise ships at Grand Turk Cruise Port
The Grand Turk Cruise Port is a large complex with many amenities for cruise passengers, including a pool and cabanas. The beach has beautiful white sand, and the water is warm and calm. A great place to grab a cold drink and watch the massive cruise ships that dock here daily.
29. Shop for souvenirs and presents
If you’re looking for unique souvenirs to take home from your trip to Turks and Caicos, you can find stalls all around the different islands. Most vendors sell souvenirs made from materials collected right from the beach and crafted by hand. There are several shopping areas located at the Cruise Center and in Providenciales. You’ll be able to find T-shirts, jewelry, and trinkets pretty much everywhere.
30. Drink a mojito at Jack’s Shack
Jack’s Shack is the perfect place to enjoy a cold mojito on the beach. The shack has great reggae and a very chill atmosphere, perfect after a long day of swimming and exploring.
31. Dine by the sea at La Brisas Restaurant
La Brisas Restaurant, located in Provo, right on the water, offers a great view of the sunset and a menu with a variety of seafood and Caribbean fusion items. The perfect end to a beautiful day.
Free and Cheap Things to Do in Turks and Caicos
And that concludes my top Free and Cheap things to do in Turks and Caicos. Although it has a reputation for being a luxury-oriented destination, I have met many budget-conscious travelers all over the islands. I hope this list of activities helps you create your perfect vacation without breaking the bank.
When are you planning your next trip to Turks and Caicos?
Let me know in the comments below!
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6 thoughts on “31 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Turks and Caicos”
I’m visiting on March 15, and would like ideas and places I can visit.
You will have a fantastic time!
Our favorite activities were visiting the Iguanas on Half Moon Bay, Horseback riding on the beach and renting a scooter and driving around.
My husband and step son and his girlfriend are going on a cruise and this will be one of our stops. I can’t wait to see some of these places.
Thanks for the list.
Have a fantastic time! Let me know how it went!
I am planning to visit this year in September, I am super excited and thanks so much for the tips.
Amazing! Have fun!