Comparison Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica – It’s never the wrong time to plan a trip to the Caribbean, and today, we add to our Caribbean holiday planning series to help you choose your next trip (or your first trip) to the Caribbean.
Let’s see how Turks and Caicos and Jamaica compare with each other. With the vast blue seas surrounding the Caribbean, you’ll never go wrong if it’s just the beautiful waters you want to experience. However, you might want to look at your budget for the trip, how many days you have, who you will be traveling with (Caribbean with family, romantic Caribbean holiday, Caribbean party with friends, or a solo Caribbean holiday), and the type of Caribbean activities you want to do.
The Caribbean islands will always be one of the dreamiest travel destinations anyone could ever dream of visiting – Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica – it’s a hard choice for sure!
Let’s look at each of them:
Turks and Caicos is a British territory, and is in southeast of the Bahamas. Turks and Caicos is the popular island for Providenciales, known as Provo, where you’ll have Grace Bay Beach. Grace Bay is a popilar home to luxury resorts.
Turks and Caicos also has scuba-diving sites – a 14-mile barrier reef on Provo’s north shore and an 2,134m underwater wall on Grand Turk island.
Jamaica, is on the other hand is another Caribbean country, known for its mountains, reef-lined beaches and rainforests. Montego Bay, highly sought our for the British-colonial architecture apart from the beaches, is the area for high end resorts and all-inclusive hotels. Negril is the place to visit in Jamaica for activities like diving and going to snorkeling sites. Jamaica is also celebrated as the birth country of Reggae, with the Bob Marley Museum in Jamaica’s capital, Kingston.
READ MORE: Turks and Caicos vs Bahamas, Turks And Caicos Packing List And What To Wear in Turks And Caicos, 35 Turks And Caicos Travel Tips And Things To Know Before Visiting Turks And Caicos, Best Turks and Caicos Sim Card For Tourist
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Let’s look at Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica things to do and what to expect when visiting each country.
Things to do in Turks and Caicos – Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica
Turks and Caicos have a much more “natural” feel to the island. It isn’t exactly a tourist-focused destination, but you will still find plenty of places for the usual tourist fun, such as boat tours that will pick you up on the beach and snorkeling in crystal clear water.
If you’re into various island hops, a more natural vacation, enjoying local culture, and well, lots of blue beaches and lounging around, Turks and Caicos is the perfect Caribbean holiday for you.
Turks and Caicos have 8 inhabited islands of our 40, and you can easily visit one of them for relaxing. The country has some ruins and shipwrecks to be explored, even horse riding along the beach is even possible, and a good place if you’re looking for a country for family, friends, or a special someone!
Read here best restaurants in Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos travel tips, what to pack for Turks and Caicos and how to get from Providenciales airport to Grace Bay!
Beaches in Turks and Caicos – Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica
Below are some of Turks and Caicos top beaches for you to visit.
1. Grace Bay Beach
One of the longest, most popular beaches on the island, but for a reason. It was named the world’s best beach multiple times, has crystal clear water and runs along all of the resorts on the island.
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2. Long Bay Beach
This is the one where windsurfers from around the world travel to. The water is roughly 3 feet deep for hundreds of yards into the ocean, and there’s always enough wind there, making it the perfect place for windsurfers. Far out in the ocean is an abandoned and rusting container ship, which hit the reef decades ago and has been there ever since. You can take boat excursions out to it and jump off. At the beach, you can see multiple sting rays.
3. Sapodilla Bay Beach
Located on the other side of the island, this smaller beach has it all, from jet skis to beach chair rentals. It also has a shallow beach and sits right in a cove.
4. Taylor Bay Beach
Known only to a few and farther down than Sapodilla, this beach is an incredibly beautiful one and not to miss. The water is even more shallow than Long Bay, and just a bit larger than Sapodilla. Because it is tucked away and off the road, there is maybe a maximum of 10 people there every day. There are some local dogs that stop by every time you visit and you can spot crabs, large fish, and turtles while swimming here.
It is a tourist paradise, with a new activity anywhere you look.
Things to do in Jamaica – Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica
Now, let’s look at the things to do in Jamaica.
1. SEVEN MILE BEACH
Seven Mile Beach is one of the most beautiful places in Jamaica with its shimmering ocean and white gold sand. The Seven Mile Beach is located near Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril, a small hamlet with a population of slightly over 3,000 residents.
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2. DUNN’S RIVER FALLS
Dunn’s River Falls is a living legend of Jamaica. Dunn’s River Falls, and its famous shimmering waters draw a large number of tourists and photographers. As a result, ascend the waterfall with a tourist guide who will guarantee that you have enough time to shoot amazing images and footage!
3. RICK’S CAFE – JAMAICA VS TURKS AND CAICOS
Rick’s Cafe on the West End cliffs in Negril is one of the best places to watch a Jamaican sunset. Rick’s Cafe first opened in 1974, when Negril was still a small seafaring village, but it is now a major tourist destination visited by thousands of visitors every day.
4. HOLYWELL
Holywell is a pleasant respite from Kingston’s heat, nestled in the tropical mist forests of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. The aroma of pure mountain air and pine trees fills this 330-acre “park within a park,” and the cold temperature at 900 meters or 3,000 feet above sea level allows Holywell‘s environment to maintain a vast variety of ferns, flowers, and trees that are rarely seen in other parts of Jamaica.
5. BLUE HOLE – Jamaica vs Turks and Caicos
Blue Hole is situated into the hills just outside of Ocho Rios, is one of Jamaica’s wonderful hidden jewels. Guests can swim, cliff jump, and swing off ropes into the Blue Hole‘s turquoise waters!
6. COUPLE’S TOWER ISLE PRIVATE ISLAND – Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica
The breathtaking views Couples Tower Isle Private Island is located in the heart of the Caribbean, surrounded by dazzling turquoise waters. White crystal sand and breathtaking scenery characterize this image scenery.
7. BAMBOO AVENUE
Bamboo Avenue is located in the parish of St Elizabeth, between Middle Quarters and Lacovia, on the main South Coast Highway. The Bamboo Avenue was established with Bambusa Vulgaris, a bamboo species that was the first to be brought to Jamaica. Bamboo Avenue is around two and a half miles long, with the tall bamboo forming a canopy over it.
8. YS FALLS
After Dunn’s River Falls, YS Falls is Jamaica’s second most popular waterfall, and it’s simple to see why. The abundance of limestone rock on the island allows for the creation of numerous beautiful, perfectly-tiered waterfalls, and YS Falls is no exception.
9. FRENCHMAN’S COVE – Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica
Frenchman’s Cove is a secluded beach and estuary where you can swim in both fresh and salt water at the same time located in Port Antonio. Frenchman’s Cove beach earns a spot on the list thanks to its silky powder-white sand, crystal clear water and swings!
10. BLUE AND JOHN CROW MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Jamaica’s Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park is a protected area. The park is 495.2 km2 in size and comprises 4.5 percent of Jamaica’s land area. Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park biodiversity is well-known around the world. A perfect place for taking Jamaica photos.
11. BOB MARLEY MUSEUM
Bob Marley Museum is where the reggae legend used to live. Bob Marley’s home is brimming with fond memories and priceless keepsakes, all of which serve to commemorate the life and achievements of this great Jamaican singer.
12. REACH FALLS
Reach Falls are a succession of lovely falls down the Driver’s River. Reach Falls was first found centuries ago by runaway slaves seeking shelter in the John Crow Mountains from plantations in the neighboring parish of St. Thomas.
13. EMANCIPATION PARK
In Kingston, Jamaica, Emancipation Park is a public park. Emancipation Park, which is located in New Kingston, was inaugurated on July 31, 2002, the day before Emancipation Day. The Norman Manley International Airport is about a 30-minute drive from Emancipation Park.
14. MARTHA BRAE RIVER – Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica
Martha Brae River is located in Trelawny Parish on Jamaica’s north coast, snakes its way through the lush rainforest. Jamaica photography at Martha Brae River will be amazing with these clear blue waters.
15. NEGRIL
Negril is a city in Jamaica’s west coast. Negril is famous for miles of sandy beaches in small bays with calm, turquoise waters. If you like taking Jamaica photos Negril is one of the Jamaica tourist spots and people love it so much.
16. MONTEGO BAY – Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica
Montego Bay is the capital of Jamaica’s parish of St. James. By population, the Montego Bay is the fourth-largest in the country. Doctor’s Cave Beach and Walter Fletcher Beach, which has an amusement park, are two popular beaches. Montego Bay is amazing to have Jamaica photography if you love blue waters and beaches.
17. SOMERSET FALLS – Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica
Somerset Falls is a lovely cascade, but in comparison to Hidden Falls and the cave-like grotto it falls into, we’d argue that it’s more of a side attraction. A shelter with picnic tables was located above the lower cascades in the Somerset Falls region, immediately downstream of a wide and colorful pool into which the main waterfall poured.
18. REGAE FALLS
Reggae Falls, also known as Dam Head, is a hidden gem nestled in the steep rural town of Hillside, Saint Thomas. Reggae Falls isn’t fully natural because the Johnson River, which feeds it, was once used to power a hydroelectric power plant.
19. MAYFIELD FALLS
Mayfield Falls is just one of those falls where we had to keep our expectations in check. Mayfield Falls allows to take a shower at its foot or even get behind its water curtain.
20. ROSE HALL GREAT HOUSE
Rose Hall Great House is one the most famous houses in Jamaica. Rose Hall Great House was built in 1770 and provides the perfect backdrop for your Jamaican photography, as well as some interesting history.
21. HELLSHIRE BEACH
Hellshire Beach is the exquisite tropical getaway you’ve always imagined. In Hellshire Beach, the picnic facilities and seating places are excellent! Relaxing on the sand or picnic mats allows you to take in the splendor of tropical nature and the ocean. In Hellshire Beach, you’ll most likely take your most popular Jamaica photography!
22. WINNIFRED BEACH
In Portland, Jamaica, Winifred Beach is a popular local public beach. With local food vendors, donkey rides, and a lovely beach, Winifred Beach offers a completely unique Jamaican experience.
23. OCHO RIOS – Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica
Ocho Rios is a port city on Jamaica’s north coast. Ocho Rios is currently a resort with a cruise ship dock and a busy bay beach flanked with hotels, and it was formerly a fishing community. Ocho Rios can be a great place to take photos of Jamaica and at the same time relaxing in their luxury resorts.
24. PORT ANTONIO
Port Antonio is the municipality of Portland Parish and is located on Jamaica’s northeast coast. Port Antonio is noted for being a jumping off point for adjacent tropical jungles, mountains, and waterfalls!
25. SPANISH BRIDGE
Spanish bridge was erected in the 17th century and flanked by shaded trees and enormous bamboo, hangs over a languid bend in the river. If you’re feeling courageous, there’s a rope swing off the bridge that’s higher than it appears, or you can watch the local lads show off their tricks.
26. KINGSTON
Kingston is the capital of Jamaica, and it is located on the island’s southeast coast. Despite its many commercial opportunities, Kingston’s resort region is also noted for its cultural, educational, and leisure offerings. More museums, food and nightlife alternatives, and event opportunities are available here than everywhere else on the island.
27. TRIDENT CASTLE
Trident Castle is standing above the pure blue Caribbean Sea in front of the Blue Mountains, is a sight to behold. Trident Castle, which was erected for Baroness Elizabeth Siglindy Stephan von Thyssen, is now a costly vacation residence that world-class athletes, well-known politicians, and prominent movie stars rent for thousands of dollars.
28. FORT CHARLES
Fort Charles was built by Jamaicans in the mid-seventeenth century. For decades, Fort Charles guarded Jamaica’s coastal borders. Many kings, aristocrats, and rulers have passed through Fort Charles.
MORE FACTS ABOUT TURKS AND CAICOS VS JAMAICA
What is more expensive: Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica
The average stay in Turks and Caicos is more expensive than the average stay in Jamaica. The average Turks and Caicos getaway come in at 940 dollars a day for a family of four. That’s 6,584 dollars for a week.
TURKS AND CAICOS IS SO EXPENSIVE
Facts about Turks And Caicos if you are thinking Central America and South America are not so cheap for traveling you are right. Turks And Caicos aren’t as cheap as Bolivia and Ecuador. Turks And Caicos prices are more expensive than Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and even United States.
You will have to pay expensively for a dish in a local restaurant and buy food in a supermarket and expect to pay two times the price than in the United States. We will tell you below the accommodation, food budget and general entrance fees, and tour prices in Turks And Caicos.
TURKS AND CAICOS PEOPLE SPEAK ENGLISH
Yes, Turks and Caicos is an English Speaking Country!
Turks And Caicos people speak English so it will be easy to communicate with them. Since Turks And Caicos was British colony you will manage everywhere. Apart from English Turks and Caicos people speaks creole dialect.
ACCOMMODATION BUDGET TRAVEL IN TURKS AND CAICOS
Accommodation is really expensive in Turks and Caicos and you will find hotels starting from $150 USD. If you want the cheapest option. AirBnb are also available, mostly for about $80 USD a night.
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LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IN TURKS AND CAICOS – Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica
For local transportation in Turks And Caicos. You will not find public transportation and you will have to move around by taxi. Prices for a taxi are per person and for 10 minutes drive expect to pay $20 USD. If you are traveling with 2 people it will be worth it to rent a car around $50 USD per day. You will be able to explore on your own and saving money if you are visiting a few places in Turks And Caicos.
BEST TIME TO VISIT TURKS AND CAICOS – Turks and Caicos vs Jamaica
In Turks and Caicos their summer (December to April), there are fewer showers of rain than normal. In their winter (May to November), the rains are almost non-stop. For most tourists best time to visit Turks and Caicos is from December to April because of easier transport.
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Final Thoughts on Jamaica vs Turks and Caicos
If you’re looking for an all-around Caribbean vacation, Jamaica is the way to go. You’ll have plenty access to nature, a choice of hotels (from mid-budget to luxury), access to good food and restaurants, and amazing beaches. There are lots of activities as well. Jamaicans also speak English, and if you’re planning to interact with locals, or that’s really important to you, then you can go for this. A lot of parties and bustling night life for sure in Jamaica.
Turks and Caicos is definitely the option for a laid-back trip, with a more relaxing beach vacation and an optional island hoping, with diving and snorkelling activities. If this is important for you, you can choose Turks and Caicos.
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Happy Travels!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.