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The cold, dreary winter days are upon us, and if you’re anything like us, you’re already scouring the internet for cheap flights to the sunny Caribbean before they become too expensive to book.
We’re not sure about you, but this year we’re looking for something different (don’t read Cancun or Punta Cana), where limited crowdsno stag or hen parties, and we can be close to nature without the constant background noise of a bustling city.
If you feel the same, maybe you should join us Grand Turk Island instead, it is currently the most popular destination for American vacationers, according to Skyscanner:
Beautiful beaches and colonial heritage
Turks and Caicos is a British-administered archipelago of more than 40 coral islands in the Caribbean, all southeast of the Bahamas, famous for its many paradisiacal beachesdiving and snorkeling spots and quiet holiday resorts.
Grand Turk is the largest island in the archipelago and covers an area of approximately 11.2 km². It concentrates some of the sights of the British Overseas Territory, starting with Cockburn Town, the compact, charming capital.
Famous for its colonial architecture, heritage museums – the National Museum sheds some light on the island’s rich history, from the Lucayan Indians to the British Empire to the present day – and relaxed restaurantsit is one of the most underrated cultural hotspots of the Caribbean.
Stroll along the scenic palm-lined waterfront, explore Duke Street and Front Street, lined with Bermuda-style homes, or enjoy fresh seafood at the historic Fishermen’s Wife restaurant: Grand Turk is worth a visit for Cockburn Town only.
What to see and do around Grand Turk Island
However, there are some all over the island salt ponds, windmills and plantations which have been converted into open-air museums and are now open for visits. Most noticeably, the Cheshire Hall Plantation, where tourists can learn about the slavery period.
Other attractions include the 19th-century Grand Turk Lighthouse, one of the best-preserved lighthouses of the period this side of the pond, the Conch Bar Caves, where you can admire unique stalactite formations and ancient native petroglyphs, and HM Prison, the ruins of a colonial prison.
For the water babies out there, the largest Margaritaville the entire Caribbean is here too, and there are countless beaches to choose from and the best part is that there’s none of the hustle and bustle of Cancun here: most swimming locations are virtually crowd-free!
Public-free white sand
With the exception perhaps of Cruise Center Beach, which, as the name implies, is located near the cruise port and hosts thousands of cruise guests every day, other secluded coves and coves around the island remain virtually unspoiled.
Consider Governor’s Beach, a favorite among locals, where you can bury your feet soft, pearly white sand while the calm waters caress the coastline, Pillory Beach, ideal for snorkeling, Gibbs Cay, where you can swim alongside friendly stingrays, and Molasses Reef:
The latter combines both coastal views and history and is home to the oldest European ship wreck excavated in America – the The Molasses Reef shipwreck––sunk off the coast of Grand Turk in the 16th century, that’s possible snorkel around for $75.25.
Yes, it is more expensive
––But it’s not that Americans are angry about it
This season there are 5-star hotels in Grand Turk from $185 per night (see Turks Head Ine), although nightly rates can go as high as $1,365 The Palms Turks and Caicos Islands––since there are a limited number of hotels on the island and less competition, the range is more on the pricier side.
According to Budget your tripTourists spend an average of $410 a night on hotels in the trendy British Overseas Territory, considerably more than the average in the Mexican Caribbean or the Dominican Republic, but there’s a reason they come here…
…and sometimes, even break the bank while doing this:
Price aside, Grand Turk feels much more exclusive and pristine than the overdeveloped Hotel Zone in Cancun, or resort-filled Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana, and some would say they should spend the money for a little privacy – and some rest and relaxation . quiet – is a good trade-off.
According to SkyscannerAccording to the latest Travel Trends 2025 report, Grand Turk is now the trendiest destination for American travelers, with a stunning 528% increase in searches over the previous one-year period.
It seems that lesser-known destinations are having an equally difficult time at the moment, as other tourist spots experiencing exponential growth include Quepos, a seaside resort in Costa Rica (462% increase), Northern Lights capital Tromsø in Norway (129%) and the cultural loaded Tucumán in Argentina (113%).
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
