Turks & Caicos or Bahamas?

We are looking to take a vacation with our kids this fall/winter. They will be age 2 yrs old and 8 months old at the time. DH was looking at Turks & Caicos and Atlantis but not sure which one is better for our kids' ages. Please help!

Turks & Caicos or Bahamas?

I've been to the Bahamas and I've been to Grand Turk in Turks & Caicos. To me, T&C wins hands down. I went to Atlantis for a day and I wasn't impressed at all. It was huge and they do have a lot of water rides but it just didn't seem worth the money. Of course I didn't stay there and I also don't have kids so I can't comment on that.

Re: Turks & Caicos or Bahamas?

atlantis has a lot of great baby pools and it was a very easy vacation - transfers directly from the airport, food that my DS would eat, great service, etc. we just got back and would recommend it.
The family friendly place in T&C that everyone recommends in Beaches. We were supposed to go there but they ended up closing the entire resort for almost 2 weeks because of the norovirus outbreak that hit there this spring -- they had to take drastic measures to clean and contain the spread. apparently the govt mandated that they close. they closed during our scheduled trip and it was a NIGHTMARE dealing with them, getting info on what was happening, getting info on what our options were (rescheduling etc)- and having to fight like hell (after being told NO) to get our money back! we ended up going to atlantis - literally booked and planned it in the 2 days before we left - they were terrific and had a great time.

Re: Turks & Caicos or Bahamas?

I have never been to the Atlantis, but went to Beaches Turks and Caicos a few years ago. It was definitly one of the nest trips ever. There is nothing negative I can say. Beautiful resort, everything was so clean, everyone was friendly, food and drinks were amazing, and it was very kid friendly. Would love to go back with my family in a heartbeat, but it has gotten really expensive!

Re: Turks & Caicos or Bahamas?

I have only been to T&C (Dec 2011) and we had an amazing time! I wanted to go again this year but we are doing Disney instead.

Re: Turks & Caicos or Bahamas?

If you're comparing Atlantis to Beaches T&C, they are really different.

Atlantis, to me, is a lot more busy. There's the aquarium, dolphin cay, water park, casino, shopping marketplace. Go Go Go. (Spend Spend Spend).

Beaches T&C is also a totally over the top amazing resort, and there is a lot to do. Lots of kids activities, water sports (included), mini water park, excursions you can try, but it's still more of a beach resort, and it's all inclusive, so most of the on-resort activities are included along with food and alcohol. However, there's no casino (there's one sort of nearby..not walkable), and if you want to have up close encounters with wildlife, you'll have to go out on an excursion.

I think of Atlantis as a more exciting vacation and Beaches as a more relaxing beach vacation, though you could really have either kind of trip at either resort.

Even though I am pretty obsessed with marine life, I'd learn toward beaches. I'm a real fan of the Sandals/Beaches brand, and I can still see lots of wildlife in its natural habitat on free snorkel and SCUBA (if you're certified) trips.

Turks & Caicos or Bahamas?

Turks and Caicos

Re: Turks & Caicos or Bahamas?

Turks & Caicos or Bahamas?

Beaches Turks & Caicos!

- Kimberly Hill
Mouse Tales® Travel
LIFamilies Vendor
Creating Magical Vacations for LIFamilies since 2008

Re: Turks & Caicos or Bahamas?

I have been to both (Atlantis and beaches in t&c) and hands down Beaches! Just got back from T&C.

MIL is a travel agent and we were just talking about these two hotels,(while at beaches t&c). She went to atlantis last year and said it is getting run down and crowded (people on the cruise ships can pay for admission to the pools and slides). There is a new section the cove , but it is for adults and she said its very wild.

Atlantis IMO is nice but not worth the $ and it doesn't have as much for kids. They have the slides and pools and the big fish tanks.

Beaches resort T&C has a lazy river, a water park with sprays and slides for the little ones (DS is 2 and had a blast) there is a restaurant bobby Dee's that has all kid food (burgers, grilled cheese, nuggets etc) and selve serve ice cream, desserts and drinks). The pools have Large wading pools attached so the kids can play. It also has sesame street characters activities, shows, and sometimes they walk around. We also did breakfast with the characters- and they do such a nice job ( dancing, photos, conga). They also have this adorable train that goes around the hotel. DS loved it and we rode it a few times. We really never had to worry about keeping DS occupied.


The only negative we said about beaches was the food wasnt WOW. It wasn't bad but nothing to write home about like many other places we have been (but it could be a sandals thing bc non of the sandals wowed me food wise)

Re: Turks & Caicos or Bahamas?

I have been to both. I would go to Bahamas because it is a shorter flight and more to do. However, personally I prefer Turks and Caicos.