I've been trying to do a lot of research on the Turks & Caicos. At first I thought the trip would be fairly affordable, being able to stay in places that are $250 a night for four..but generally, is this area affordable? Seems like getting around and getting to the different islands is difficult and expensive. Tours seem expensive. I want to be convinced otherwise. We have our own snorkeling gear and want to explore this beautiful area, but realistically, can one have a great experience for one week (airfare to provo and lodging aside) in the Turks & Caicos with $500 on food, activities & transportation?

i'll be honest. Do you mean a week? Provo the main island that 90% of tourists go to (doesn't include Grand Turk which is a cruise stop) is expensive, one of the most in Caribbean.

Do you mean $500 per person for the week?

Dinners on average are $80-$150, with maybe a beer or glass of wine (not multiple drinks)

Excursions for 1/2 day will set you out $89 per person-$189 full day.

Transportation, cheapest way is to rent a car-$39 daily, taxi ends up more ($39 for 4 to any given restaurant)

Can it be done on a budget, maybe, but you're stretching it. $250 a night is not very realistic for 4. Almost all the rooms have 1 Queen or 1 King size bed, none have 2 queens or fulls. Some have pull out couches, but usually the 1 bedroom units, which average twice your budget.

You can each get a room at Comfort Suites, the only thing that will be in that budget. Island Club has 2 bedrooms, usually about $1600 a week. You can buy rotersserie chicken at supermarket, but fyi a case of beer will set you out $45.

Hope these prices help you figure a little.

We're not staying at resorts or hotels. There were some really good options on HomeAway. We're going during low season and renting a condo. So cooking our own food sometimes is an option...

$80-$150 for dinner...is that how the locals eat too?

Even if you don't drink alcohol (I don't) $500pp barely covers food for the week, even if you eat at the most casual, inexpensive places for lunch/dinner. Groceries are more than what most ppl are used to (my half-gallon carton of Dole Pineapple juice was $6.59) so condo cooking costs are also relatively high.

I've read of people packing their own food to lower food costs - oatmeal, coffee (bring your own regardless), frozen bacon, crystal light, canned tuna, PB, microwave popcorn, snacks, etc. Here's one person's blog that I enjoyed reading:

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...le/1/tpod.html

But even if you somehow manage to lower your food/drink costs, as blamona states, you still have a car rental (for grocery shopping, getting to beaches and snorkeling areas, and driving to less expensive restaurants) and activities are also expensive although you could use the car to explore the island. (i hear that's not so great if you read the blog).

Maybe it could be done but you might end up feeling deprived and restricted, I'd choose another location like cozumel or playa....

Again, is $500 for extras per person? For the week?

$80 for dinner is per couple, so $160 for all 4, this in general includes maybe 2 beers, a couple of sodas, no wine, this would be at the cheaper end places. Even Thai take out will put you out $50-$60 for 2. Pizzas are around $40, and you'll need a car to go get them.

There are places you can get sandwiches for about $12-$15 per person, but these require a car, and shut down by 6. Most restaurants change over to dinner menu at 6, so you can't order lunch menu unless you eat before 6. 1 way to save is by eating before 6, but you're talking burgers, fish sticks and conch mainly.

No restaurant gives free refills on sodas, it's by the can.

Tiki Hut has $14 ribs on Wednesday nights, plus drinks (even sodas) and you need a car to get there, talking on average $65 for a cheap night.

Lunches, again watching what you eat (especially sharing) average $50-$65.

Saltmills Cafe has a terrific breakfast for about $14. By the time you add drinks, tax, etc, you're looking at $40 for 2. Again, if villa you'll need a car.

Keep in mind everything is imported in, and everything has an 11% tax added, add 15% tip, and everything is catered to an upscale destination. Add that because it's upscale, the "masses" don't go there to help keep costs down. Even All Inclusives will put you out $400 to $1600 a night (for 2)

Groceries are extremely expensive. When we stock up for the week, just basics put us out around $400 for 2. Like I said, case of beer is $45, it all adds up quickly. You can get deli sandwiches from IGA, but even then you're talking $9 a sandwich. Sodas run about $8 a 6 pack. It adds up.

Make sure your villa has A/C. Most places on Homeaway and VRBO charge extra for A/C. Traveling in off season you're going to need it. You also want to probably sleep with windows closed at night, keeps bugs and break-ins out. (Is there a problem with this? currently no, but something to consider.)

Gas is currently $4.80 a gallon.

You could consider staying over at Grand Turk, overall cheaper, but you still need airfare to get there, and the beach is no Grace Bay.

I'm trying to be realistic. T&C is an extremely expensive destination, on par with Anguilla, St. Barth.

Can it be done? Maybe, but it's going to take a lot of work.

For those prices, you truly get more out of Mexico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, etc.

oh, and getting to different islands:
North requires a $30 per person ferry, followed by a $80 rental car plus gas. From there you can explore North and Middle Caicos. Lunch that day will probably put you out $40 per person. This is if you do it on your own, excursions to them are $200 per person.

The cays require a boat, if conditions are calm, then you can rent a skiff for about $200 and do it yourself, if not the excursions are $89 for 1/2 day. Suncharters has an evening excursion for $25, which is very reasonable. Other islands- Parrot Cay and Pine Cay, forget about it, you're priced out. Salt Cay and Grand Turk require flights, $160 per person, not including excursions and food.

You can snorkel for free at Smiths Reef and Coral Gardens, again you'll need a car to get there. Staying in a villa, you might want to ask about beach chairs, or do without them, no one rents them. (You can buy $30 ones at Supermarket.) same with umbrellas.

I sound like I'm trying to discourage you. You wanted convincing, but in good conscious, can't really do it.

You guys have been very helpful. I'm am extremely grateful for all your insights. There is a lot to consider and I'll discuss it with the group.

not sure how you'll feel about this but when we go to provo we take a full-sized cooler packed with frozen food. (i have igloo on wheels with pull up handle just like a suitcase).
we take steaks/burger/chops/ribs, premarinated (ceasar) chix & plain - some to grill & usually a roaster for 1 meal & then sandwiches, bacon, some lunch meats, butter, frozen juice cans (way expensive on island), plenty of premade appetizers, raw shrimp for scampi? & some precooked for shrimp cocktail, premade choc chip cookie dough, lobster (we live in maine) for lobster salad sandwiches on the beach which imho outshines any $25/pp lunch on the island.
all meats need to retain their USDA label.
customs likes it if you make a list all cooler contents for them.
take roll of duct tape to airport. if they have scanner machine pretape. if someone looks in give them the tape to seal the cooler. keep it for the ride home - perfect place for last wet bathing suits a/or souveniers, conch shell.
in suitcase coffee/tea, cereal?, pb&j, tuna packs, goldfish, etc. and most especially seasonings. they run ridiculously high($8-15) & then you only use a tsp. vinegars are way high too but you really can't take that. you should take tons of small & large zip-locs. everything gets stale as soon as you open plus they help with bugs. we keep everything possible in the freezer - even crackers.
we still have to buy condiments, vegeys, fruits, dairy & ice cream!! but it does save real money.
also we grab as much booze as legal at duty free before we leave USA. this is a major savings!
hope this helps. provo is wonderful and grace bay beach is gorgeous.