I was invited to attend Beaches Social Media on the Sand which is an invitation-only social media conference hosted by Beaches All-Inclusive Family Resort. I rounded up my family which included my hubby, daughter’s, and my mom whom is 74 years old and we took the vacation of a lifetime to one of the Best All-Inclusive Resorts for families with teenagers.
I was a little hesitant about taking an all-inclusive family vacation because in my mind all of y’all bad kids will be jumping all over my head, screaming, throwing temper tantrums and I do not consider that a vacation.
As a parent with 2 teen girls that are both over 12 kids it is completely different traveling with them now vs. traveling with them when they were 7 and 8 years old. When they were younger everything exciting and just spending the night at a hotel was an epic experience but at 12 and 13 nothing is fun, nothing is right, they are bored or you can’t get them to look up from their electronics.
I’ve put together some of my best tips and tricks for vacationing with teens and making the most of your family vacation. Traveling with teens can be extremely tricky and these tips will help ensure your family will not only spend quality time together but make so many fun memories they will be making plans for the next family vacation before this vacation is even over.
From itinerary planning to packing, here are some of the things I’ve learned as a parent vacationing with teens.
Tips For Vacationing With Teens
1. Involve Your Teens In Planning The Family Vacation
Most kids will say whatever when it comes to planning a family vacation but I decided to include my daughters in every aspect of the trip planning. It was my daughter Madison’s 12th birthday and my mom’s 74th birthday so I wanted everyone to be involved in the planning process.
Just like adults, most teens want to be heard and valued. And if you involve your teens early in the planning stages they will be invested and engaged during the entire trip because they have spent time researching the destination and they are will be excited to see things first hand and they probably will not complain as much or yell every 5 minutes “I’m bored”.
With 5 of us going on a trip I took this opportunity to teach my daughters about compromise, finances, accountability, transportation, and if there is a language barrier it can be fun learning new phrases of a different language.
2. Teach Teens Accountability
When packing for a trip I suggest using our special vacation packing lists so they won’t forget their toothbrush, their underwear, iPad, swimming suits, or water shoes. If teens want to feel valued and be treated as a young adult then they must also show they are accountable.
The world will not end if you have to buy a new toothbrush or bathing suit but I call that the stupid tax and the funds you spend replacing items they should have packed should come out of their allowance because we know teens don’t care about your money but they sure care about theirs.
Packing is a great time to teach your teen the value of planning and generating lists. I sat down with my daughters and had them come up with a packing list and then compared it to my list and that way things will not be forgotten and I am not stressed and yelling at them.
Most people, in general, tend to overpack and I always suggest taking out 50% of whatever you have packed because chances are you will not wear half what you packed and there will not be room in your luggage for souvenirs. Remind your teens they are responsible for their own luggage which means they will be carrying it through the airport, lugging it to the car, and pulling it into the hotel.
Make sure your kids understand that bags need to be under a specific weight because most airlines charge hefty fees for luggage that is over the weight limit and they are responsible for those fees. We have a luggage scale at our home and everyone has to put their luggage on the scale prior to leaving for the airport so we will not incur additional fees.
3. Plan To Do Nothing
When traveling to a new place whether it’s with your spouse or your teen it is tempting to have a checklist of all of the activities, sights, and excursions you want to see and do but remember teens need downtime.
Most teenagers are cranky and need their space. You may want to spend time together, but your child will be happier with some time alone during the family vacation—or at least don’t have them on a minute by minute schedule.
If you are going to have them on an all-day excursion make sure to follow that up with a day for them to just chill. Sometimes the girls stayed in the hotel and relaxed or lounged at the pool while I was at my meetings with the conference. Beaches Turks and Caicos all-inclusive family resort have 21 restaurants that will allow them to eat and drink until their hearts are content at Bobby Dee’s.
4. Unplug From Technology
Family vacations are a great time to recharge and connect with your kids, but connecting can be tough if they’re plugged into their electronic devices day and night. We’ve all become enmeshed in media and technology in our real lives but vacations can be a time to unplug or at least limit the time you spend connected to your phones and tablets.
Discuss ahead of time that when the family is together eating or on excursions that everybody should be engaged. Realize your teens are never going to completely put their electronics down so that’s a fight not even worth your energy.
5. Teens Love Taking Photos
If your children are anything like my daughters they take 50 selfies every five minutes, but taking selfies is completely different from getting them to pose for family photos.
Set aside maybe two or three times you will ask them to pose for photos if you don’t want to hear grunts and the rolling of eyes. Make sure you get the photos you want in great locations the first time because the likelihood they will pose again will be slim to none.
6. Compromise with food
Most adults plan their vacations around the culinary scene of a destination and enjoy experiencing new cuisines. While in the Czech Republic I ate all kinda traditional Czech food from dumpling to sausages. however, my daughters are only interested in eating burgers, fries, and hot wings.
While watching my daughters eat hot wings and pizza day after day in Turks and Caicos was annoying but they are teens are we have to realize they don’t have the same taste buds as adults and they want what is familiar to them. Not worth the fight so let it go.
Turks and Caicos Reviews
We Picked Beaches Turks and Caicos
From the minute we arrived at Beaches Turks & Caicos, all of my preconceived notions of an all-inclusive resort and horrors about vacationing with teens were gone!
No wristband policy! No kids splashing water everywhere! No parents ignoring their bad kids!
If you want to relax on the beach but your teens want to hang out at the pool or arcade, maybe this is the year for you to consider one Beaches all-inclusive resorts.
How to get to Turks and Caicos
Don’t let the cold weather stop you from having a family vacation with the kiddos or allow this weather to give you the winter blues. Take a quick trip to Beaches All-Inclusive Family Resort In Turks and Caicos everyone in the family will have a little something for them.
This time of year it’s even easier to travel to Turks and Caicos with additional flights coming from a wide range of gateways.
All US citizens visiting the Caribbean must be in possession of a valid US passport so if you don’t have a passport click here for instructions on how to apply for a US Passport.
American Airlines has two daily flights from Miami and one a day from Dallas on Saturdays.
Delta offers Thursday, Friday and Saturday service from Atlanta, as well as Saturday only flights from Boston
Air Canada has direct flights from Toronto every day, except Tuesday and Thursday; and from Montreal on Sundays.
JetBlue has daily flights from New York and Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Saturday service from Boston.
United Airline offers service from Newark, NY every day except Tuesdays.
Westjet has service from Toronto on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and a flight from Montreal on Fridays.
British Airways provides service to London via Antigua on Sundays and Thursdays
The Turks and Caicos Islands currently have 2 full-service international airports on Providenciales and Grand Turk, and all other inhabited islands have domestic airports, some with limited international entry facilities.
Airport Transfers To Beaches Resort
One of the best things about staying at all inclusive is just that it’s all-inclusive. Airport transfers are included in a stay at Beaches Turks & Caicos. The airport (Providenciales) is about a 10 to 15-minute drive to the resort.
When making your flight reservations, I suggest departing as early as possible which means you will arrive in Turks and Caicos around 2 pm.
There are two departing flights;
- 9 am flight means a 6:30 am a shuttle to the airport from Beaches Resorts
- 2 pm and you will need a shuttle transfer to the airport at 12:30.
This will gives you plenty of time to get the kiddos and family breakfast and allow the family to enjoy the resort one last time before leaving paradise.
Family Friendly Guide To Turks and Caicos with Teens
The Turks and Caicos, especially the island of Providenciales, has an expensive reputation—and for good reason. Much of the food in the Turks and Caicos is directly imported from the US and specifically Florida, so many brands and items are American products but everything is extremely overpriced.
But if you’ve got your eye set on the stunning beaches of Provo you can either rent a condo on the beach which I Do Not suggest or stay at a Turks and Caicos all-inclusive family resort.
Visiting the Caribbean? Find Deals, Compare Rates, & Read Hotel Reviews on TripAdvisor
Renting A Condo On The Beach
We flew into Turks and Caicos on a Tuesday and decided to rent a condo for one night to understand the price difference between staying at an all-inclusive resort vs paying for everything ourselves.
After googling beach homes in Turks and Caicos I came across Oasis at Grace Bay on Trip Advisor.
I booked us a 2 bedroom/2 Bath beachfront villa for approximately $250.00 per night. They let us check in early which was great, the rooms were lovely and cool, and a great respite from the midday sun.
The pool area was really pretty, surrounded by beautiful palms and bougainvilleas. We had plenty of space to relax but make sure you bring bug spray because the mosquitos were relentless!
There is not a restaurant at the hotel but there is a bar by the pool which also had music playing in the afternoon. There is not a shortage of other restaurants within walking distance, but just know that a lot of the restaurants in town are very expensive.
When I say expensive you need to be prepared to take out a payday loan to buy groceries when you return home!
We all grabbed a bike and took the short ride to Danny Buoys Grill for both lunch and dinner. The food was amazing but here is the difference between staying in an all-inclusive family vacation vs. renting a beach house.
My husband and daughters had burgers which were $37.00 each! I had an order of hot wings which were $47.00 and my mom ordered fish n chips which were $42.00 and that is not including fries, desserts, sodas, and the cocktails my hubby and I consumed. We spent well over $500 on food for one night which is crazy!
I was so ready to leave the condo and head over to Beaches because I couldn’t afford to stay another night in the condo!
Pick the Right Resort: Beaches Is One of the Best Family Resorts in Turk and Caicos.
All resorts are not created equal. Sandals Resorts are designed for couples looking for a romantic getaway while Beaches Turks and Caicos are definitely designed with families in mind. Beaches Resort is a great spot for families with kiddos and multi-generational getaways.
Related Post: Traveling with your kids could be ruining your relationship
Beaches Turks & Caicos touts itself as ‘luxury included’ with no tipping, no bill-signing, and my favorite no wristbands because those wristbands are so annoying!
Beaches Resort is the best family resort in Turks and Caicos because of the quality of service from the cocktails, to the premium alcohol, delicious food and the high standard of hospitality. I was amazed at how the staff knew my family name and went out of their way to make us feel special.
The Rooms at Beaches Turks and Caicos
The most difficult decision you will have to make in planning your family vacation to Beaches Resort is deciding which room to book. You can choose from a one bedroom suite to a four bedroom suite depending on your needs.
The 758-room resort is a destination in itself, with several different villages — Caribbean, French, Key West and Italian — each village is designed to reflect the style of its region.
Once you decide how many bedrooms you need then you need to decide which level of luxury your family will need to make your vacation seamless.
There are three levels of service:
- Luxury
- Concierge
- Butler
Rates are based on the size of your room, the view, and the level of service. If you are looking to save money, choose one of the smaller room since even in the luxury level rooms you will have access to the same all-inclusive amenities of the resort.
Upgrade to concierge level and your room will be stocked with an open bar, beverages and it will be refreshed daily.
The Butler service takes luxury to the next level! You will be assigned your own personal butler who will work to grant any requests you have from the moment you check you in your room till the time you depart.
Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to have your own personal Genie? Ice cream at 2 am? Need help with excursions? Need a bath drawn? Your every need will be met!
Boom, Just like that.
French Village
We stayed in the French Village which has a European vibe, sidewalks with bistros, cafes and beautiful gardens, inspired by those in Versailles. One massive pool with zero-entry, a swim-up bar, and hot tub are the main focal point of the village. The room options are better suited to large families with one-, two- and three-bedroom suites accommodating up to 14 people available.
Give your teens a little space.
The French Village is also the most budget-friendly. My mom and two daughters stayed in the Standard room which has two double beds and a single sleep chair and my hubby and I stayed in the adjoining room which had one king bed along with one twin daybed with a trundle.
Many rooms in the French Village don’t have actual patios or balconies, but French balconettes which can be opened and you can see views of the pool, gardens or ocean but you cannot walk out onto them.
Fun Activities For Tweens and Teens at Beaches Turks and Caicos
Teens are notorious for being bored and disengaged as I stated earlier but Beaches has worked hard to make sure there’s something for every kid, no matter what their preferences.
Older kids will really be able to take advantage of and enjoy all the activities and amenities offered. Your child should be entertained the entire vacation and hopefully, discover some new things they love.
Beaches Turks and Caicos caters to all ages so here’s my guide to Beaches Turks and Caicos for Teens.
Parents Can Relax at Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos:
- Drop the kids off at Kids Camp
- Go to the Spa
- Grab a cocktail
- Go on a date
Pool and Water Fun
There are 10 swimming pools -three with swim-up bars – and four whirlpool hot tubs, including one stand-alone, adults-only hot tub with ocean views.
- Caribbean Village pool
- Cascade’s, Iguana’s
- Camp Sesame
- Pirate’s Island Waterpark (kiddos under 4)
- Riviera Pool
- French Village Pool
- Key West Village Pools (Adult Only Pool)
- Italian Village Pool
The Pirate’s Island Waterpark, a 45,000-square-foot aquatic playground with water slides, two kiddie pools, a 650-foot lazy river and Body Glove Waves surf simulator for simulated surf experiences, are absolutely amazing. The little ones under 4 can play in a beached pirate ship with water cannons, cranks, and sprays, along with a zero-entry pool.
On the beach, families can canoe, kayak, snorkel, windsurf, dive, sail and hydro-bike at no extra charge because you guess it Beaches Resort is all inclusive which means water activities are free as well.
Liquid Teen Nightclub
My daughter’s enjoyed endless pizza, ice cream, sodas and they were completely stoked to have their own “nightclub” where they met other kids their age and sang karaoke. Other activities included supervised water sports, pool games, tennis clinics, dancing, and talent shows.
Scratch DJ Academy
My girls took vinyl spinning lessons at Scratch DJ Academy, and they also learned how to mix and scratch songs. Each session lasts approximately one hour 60.
Where to eat at Beaches Turks and Caicos
There are 21 restaurants at Beaches Turks & Caicos so even the pickiest eater in your family will have an array of culinary choices from barefoot eating beachside, to gourmet themed-choices, to adult-only romantic dining. Try to eat at all 21 restaurants!
My mom turned 74 and at the BBQ Beach Party which is held on Friday nights, she decided to let her hair down and danced to the live music, ate BBQ and select dishes from all over the Caribbean.
It’s all-inclusive so why not right? We didn’t get to all 21 but below are a few of the highlights.
Arizona’s
Enjoy meals with Southwestern flair serving traditional favorites like Ceviche, Tortilla Soup, and Enchiladas, long with Mahi Mahi Gratin with Tequila, Grilled Ribeye Steak, and BBQ Baby Back Ribs. Not to be left out, the kids also have plenty of delicious options including BBQ Buffalo Wings, Chicken Tacos and Quesadillas.
If dining outside is your pleasure, a patio table is a great bet. The dress code for this restaurant is casual.
Lunch: 12 to 4 p.m.; Dinner: 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Barefoot by the Sea
Barefoot is one of the few restaurants where you can actually show up…barefoot, digging your toes into the sand while enjoying yummy seafood. The food here is just as enticing as the blue Caribbean waters offering distinctive seafood dishes such as Lobster Bisque with Sourdough Croutons, Herb-Crusted Mahi Mahi, and Coconut-Fried Tiger Shrimp are just a few of the tantalizing options that grace Barefoot’s palatable menu.
Breakfast: 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Lunch: 12:30 to 2:30 p.mx.; Dinner: 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Bella Napoli Pizzeria
Nothing says comfort food better than a warm slice of brick-oven pizza made fresh with mozzarella, homemade tomato sauce, and tasty toppings. Bella Napoli hits the spot any time of day or night with oven-baked bread and choice toppings including, Gorgonzola, pear, Brie, prosciutto, sausage, artichokes, seafood, and even ripe banana and dark chocolate toppings for the savory dessert pizza.-fired ovens make wonderful pizzas.
My personal favorite is the conk pizza and I should be ashamed to tell you I ate 3 whole pizzas at one time but this is a no diet and no judgment zone!
The dress code for this restaurant is casual, and it’s open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bobby Dee’s
Located within the Jolly Roger ship on Pirate’s Island. Bobby Dee’s was my mom’s favorite restaurant even though the restaurant is for the kiddos. The décor of this enchanting place is made to look like a pirate ship but also has the bubbly décor of a 1950s American diner with brightly colored tables and chairs, and checkered flooring. The onion rings are amazing!
It’s open from 11 a.m. to 6 a.m. (yes, 6 a.m. — the restaurant aims to provide kid-friendly food around the clock).
Bar (non-alcoholic): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Kimonos
Knives banging on the stove, shrimp flying through the air, and lots off-tune singing will surely make the kids smile inside this Teppanyaki-style eatery but it was a little much for my mom. Take the noise into consideration when dining here with your elderly parents.
Kimonos Restaurant is so popular that it’s the only onsite restaurant that requires reservations; book as soon as you get to the resort! The dress code for this dinner-only restaurant is resort casual.
Le Petit Chateau
Le Petit Chateau is encircled by tropical foliage and understated beauty. A popular meeting place to enjoy the Parisian-inspired cuisine, elegant décor, and excellent wines from around the world.
Le Petit Chateau is a favorite stop after an eventful day frolicking along the white sand beach and splashing in the refreshing Caribbean Sea. Modeled after the fascinating manor houses of the 19th century where nobles gathered and dined, this must–visit, the adult-only restaurant delivers in every aspect.
(It states adult only but my girls are 12 and they were allowed to dine there).
Unlimited Sodas For the Teens and Unlimited Cocktails for Me!
I can’t imagine having to pay for soda after soda or buying cocktails from the swim up bar for me and the hubs. The savings you have from the free sodas and cocktails alone is enough to stay at Beaches all-inclusive resort in Turks and Caicos.
kids/parents + unlimited sodas/cocktails = happy family. Both Madison and Camille loved being able to just grab a soda at their convenience because the sun in Turks and Caicos is nothing to play with and you need to stay hydrated.
My hubby and I laid out drinking cocktail after cocktail while my mom watched over the girls but I do want to mention that the drinking age is 18 in Turks and Caicos so if you are bringing an 18-year-old you might want to have another talk about drinking before you get here.
There are bars everywhere you look and we never had to wait for service. Plus the drinks are refilled twice a day in your room too!.
What’s Not Included At Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos
While the resort is all-inclusive, there are a few things that come at an additional price:
- Special character interactions
- Expeditions
- Craft Shed
- Hair Braiding
There’s so much included you certainly won’t feel deprived if you skip all those extras, but parents may feel compelled to say yes to their children if they see the ads for these things and want in.
Additional Things To Know About Turks and Caicos
LANGUAGE
Turks and Caicos has at least 60 different nationalities represented in their population, but the official language is English. The most common secondary languages spoken on the island are Spanish, French and Italian, but it is highly unusual to meet a local that does not speak English.
CURRENCY
Even though the island of Turks and Caicos is a British Territory their official currency is the United States Dollar. I would still suggest using your credit cards while traveling to collect points for future travel. Just make sure your credit card doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees. A credit card simply offers you more protection.
ADDITIONAL LINKS
- Turks & Caicos Tourism planning website – Link
- Turks & Caicos Tourism Board – Link
- Passports and Grub (Travel Guide) – Link
- Trip Advisor (Travel Guide & Reviews) Link
Overall Beaches Turks and Caicos is a great place for all of the family especially kids, and all ages are catered for.
The family friendliness and the beautiful location were the main reasons for choosing beaches, but there are so many other reasons which you don’t see until you are there.
Ready to plan your trip, grab my FREE Vacation Planner to help you plan your trip in the time it takes to watch your favorite TV show!
If you would like to create your own family memories, I have a special link for my readers that will give you the best possible deal that Beaches Turks & Caicos is currently running.
If you click my link, you will be taken to the booking site where you can price out your own dream vacation. Beaches Turks and Caicos are offering my followers a 65% off deal. Again…this place was absolutely AMAZING.
Thank you for reading my Turks and Caicos Review.
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Looks and sounds like you had a great trip with your family! That resort and Turks and Caicos is beautiful! I’d love to visit.
I used to avoid family resorts like the plague too for exactly the same reason! Now that I have a baby of my own and vacationed at a family resort, I have to say maybe they’re not that bad. I didn’t run into a single wild child. And 65 percent off is a great deal!
I dont like other folk bad kids. I was very apprehensive about a family resort
I have heard nothing but great things about Beaches. Turks and Caicos looks just as beautiful as ever. I love that you had all the generation on your family vacation. I’ve not tried all inclusive but I think about it since we are a family of four.
It was really amazing and it was my mom first time leaving tennessee! It sounds expensive on the front end but when you think about feeding 4 or 5 people with each meal, snacks, sodas, cocktails, and activities. we spend 585 for one night on food at the beach house.
Perfect summary of great family get away. you basically answered any question I would have about day time versus night time activities. This island is on my list!
Turks is super expensive so I do not suggest renting a beach house. burger was 37 bucks and that wasnt a combo.
I love Turks & Caicos. We stayed at Sands on Grace Bay. Beaches is very expensive but it is a nice resort. Great review and tips.
This looks like a beautiful destination. You can’t be sun and great food.
I wish I had opportunities like this as a teen to travel outside the country. This would be a teen dream and I bet it would be fun to mingle with other kids in the teen room!
I literally laughed when I read the title of your post – the struggle can so be real with teens. Thankfully I’ve found that they really enjoy being on vacation! Cheers to keeping our sanity.
I will be honest: I dont love the kids! especially other folk kids so I was really skeptical
OMG. The best thing about Beaches is checking out with a zero balance after eating all the best food and having all the best drinks. Kids full of ice cream and whatever else their little hearts desired. I loved that most. Having alcohol included didn’t hurt either! I went with the kids a couple of times, but the times I went solo? Whew. I mean….. LOL
This looks like an amazing trip and those Pina Colada’s looked amazing! We have been playing around with the idea of taking a trip to one of the Beaches resorts! This may have sealed the deal I’m going to share this post with my husband!