Turks and Caicos or Cayman
 

We're planning a trip to the Caribbeans and it's between Turks and Caicos or Cayman islands. Has anyone been to both of these destinations. We're in our early 60's. We're in great physical shape. We enjoy beautiful clear warm water, which I'm sure both destinations offer. We love to walk, cayak, hike or just relax on a beautiful beach.

We like happy hours, not to much into big expensive dinners. Which destination has more to offer?

Both are excellent choices.
For us:
Grand Cayman---1 time
Grace Bay, TCI---headed out shortly for the 5th time
I think you can see which one we prefer.

I think Gr. Cayman has more to offer in cauual stateside type restaurants along with gourmet. On Gr. Cayman the beach towards town is rocky so make sure you're out on the sandy part of 7 mile beach.

TCI is quieter but still has enough casual dining to offset the gourmet.

We used to visit Grand Cayman almost every year when our kids were young.

Now we prefer Turks and Caicos. The weather has been more consistent ( drier, sunny) than what we sometimes experienced in Grand Cayman. And the beach is more spectacular and less crowded, especially toward the west end of the beach, which is where we have stayed.

However, both islands are considered two of the most expensive in the Caribbean. You may have some sticker shock over pricing in the more popular restaurants and at the grocery store.

We've been to Grand Cayman twice and T & C once. I agree with the above posters. However, I did think the snorkleing was much better in GC. GC also has more things to see and do around the Island and has some shopping. 7 Mile Beach in GC is very nice, but Grace Bay in T & C is fabulous. T & C is all about the water and beach. We kinda got a bored as we are more active on vacation. A gorgeous beach didn't hold our attention for an entire week.

Our first visit to GC, we went AI and loved it. It saved us a ton of money on food and drinks. Unforntately, the AI options there have dwindled to 2 places; The Marriott on 7 Mile Beach and the Reef, which is on the other side of the Island.

Been to both more than once, I personally much prefer TCI.

Caymans has more to do, more nightlife, better shopping. But it also gets cruise ship crowds, bad traffic, etc.

Beaches are much nicer in TCI. Z(not bad in Caymans, just a little better in TCI)

I agree with blamona. We used to call Grand Cayman "the Miami of the Caribbean." It has lots of cruise ship traffic, almost as much as we saw in Aruba. I'd forgotten about that until Blamona mentioned it. However, there is much more nightlife than you'll find in Turks and Caicos, were things get pretty quiet after dinner. So if that's important to you and/or you are looking for any kind of sightseeing ( Grand Cayman has a beautiful botannical park, turtle farm, snorkeling with Sting Rays) you will prefer it to T&C.

Well, we're not night people, just like daytime activities but I know my husband is not going to want to sit at the beach for 7 days. We were looking at the Villas of the Galleon in the Cayman Islands for the end of April, it's on the 7 mile beach. I hope the beach is nice and the water warm and clear.

Yes, the beach is very nice and the water is crystal clear and warm. The Villas of the Galleon gets good reviews.

Just check the cruise ship schedule and either stay on the beach or go do an excursion when the ships are in. We really didn't find it to be that big of a deal. They are usually gone by 5 or 6 in the evening, and may not be there everyday. When are you going? In the summer months most ships head to Alaska, so not much traffic in the Caribbean.

Definetly, do the swim with the stingrays excursion, the botanicial gardens, the semi-sub and take an Island tour. Rent a car and spend the day at Paradise Point. Also, get the snorkeling map and do the walk in snorkel spots. Shop and look around Georgetown.

So funny. In another life- about ten years ago- we used to stay at Villas of the Galleon every year. It's on a beautiful stretch of beach, and also used to be across the street from a huge supermarket.

We're going April 25 for 8 nights. Should we be purchasing bottled water there or is the water safe to drink.

Is there a lot of restaurants right on the water, I'm assuming there is.

What is at Paradise Point?

There are many restaurants right on the water.

In general, water in the Caribbean is safe to drink (exceptions are the DR, where I wouldn't drink the water), and that holds true in the Cayman Islands. But some people just prefer to drink bottled water. That's a matter of taste. A lot of water in the Caribbean is desalinated and doesn't taste very good.

For a trip that long, you may want to rent a car for at least part of the time since taxis can be expensive, and you may want to go places you can't get to easily by public transit, especially at night.

I have stayed at Villas of the Galleon twice..great property and location. Check VRBO for better rates through the owners.

Both have great beaches and snorkleing though I think Cayman gets the nod for snorkleing (best I have seen the Caribbean) and T&C gets the nod for beaches.

"What is at Paradise Point?"

Oops. I mis-typed. Paradise Point is in St. Thomas. I meant to say Rum Point. It's a beach on the other side of the Island. Here's the description:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...Rum.Point.html

Well have 7 days since the first day we don't get in until 4pm and the last day we'll just relax until we taxi to the airport. We were going to rent a car for 2 days, is that enough time, I'm told the island is pretty small.

Also, I'm guessing you have to pay cash for the taxis, is that right? Does anyone know how much from the airport to the 7 mile beach, we're staying right by the Westin.

It's a very short ride from the airport to Villas of the Galleon. Yes, you do have to pay cash. I don't know how much it is these days, but it should not be that expensive.

I am on GC right now. This is our second time. This is the only Caribbean island I have been to. We stay up at Rum Point. It is very quiet up here. The beach can get crowded mid day, especially if a day trip boat shows up, but we always get set up long before it gets busy.

Restaurants are expensive and mostly not that great. We haven't ever made it over to 7-mile beach though, so it may be better over there.

The snorkeling is great.