The Treasure of Turks and Caicos
I can never get tired of this view!
If you’re dreaming about turquoise water, white sand beaches and rum punch, Turks and Caicos Islands may just be your paradise. Turks and Caicos is a chain of islands in the Caribbean. About 100 named islands make up Turks and Caicos but only 9 are inhabited. The country is an overseas British territory and English is the official language. With a population of about 34,000 people spread throughout the nine inhabited islands, Providenciales is the most developed and populated island of Turks and Caicos. I’ve been to Providenciales three times and I just can’t get enough of it.
Turks and Caicos is a Caribbean paradise with a laidback island feel. When you approach Turks and Caicos by air, you are immediately struck by the turquoise water that surrounds the island. The color is so intense that even the clouds are turquoise from the reflection of the water. (Let me know in the comments if you notice this as well! )
GETTING THERE
Providenciales International Airport is the only airport in Turks and Caicos that has international flights arriving and departing. You can fly directly to Providenciales (better known as Provo by the locals) from Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Charlotte and a number of other cities throughout the USA and Canada. Flights from Miami are relatively cheap (on both trips I spent around $250 for a round trip ticket) and the flight takes about 90 minutes from Miami.
Arriving in Providenciales International airport is a hassle free experience. Going through customs, retrieving your bags at one of the two carousels and finding the rental car desks is all easy at this small airport. Two out of the three times leaving Providenciales there was a long line at the check-in counters so make sure to leave yourself plenty of time while traveling to and from Providenciales since it is international travel.
GETTING AROUND
Renting a car is a great option if you want to explore the island. I think it’s definitely worth it to venture out from your resort and visit the different beaches around Provo. Each beach has its own character and charm. Driving in Provo is relatively easy, as long as you’re comfortable driving on the left side of the street! There are NO traffic lights on the islands but there are many roundabouts. Remember to go clockwise at the roundabouts!
Many rental car companies service Providenciales. You may want to try booking with the local company Grace Bay Car Rentals. A jeep is a good idea since many of the roads are gravel with big potholes. However, we rented a small economy car both times and managed just fine. Small cars will also help you save on gas, which doesn’t come cheap. We spent $30 on 1/2 a tank of gas in our small Honda. But then again, we used the car for four days and only used 1/2 a tank of gas. If you plan on mostly staying at your resort, you can ride bikes to the shops and restaurants (some resorts have bikes for the guests to use).
COSTS
If you’ve already started researching your trip to Provo, you may have noticed it’s not cheap. The hotels and resorts can be rather costly and eating out is also expensive. We never did any excursions, but I don’t think they come cheap. The currency in TCI is the American Dollar so if you’re coming from the USA there is no need to exchange money, again making this an easy trip from the USA.
Many of the resorts are All Inclusive. Some offer specials during the summer (their low season) so you may find a good deal if you do some research.
BEST BEACHES
Grace Bay Beach
Most of the resorts and hotels are located along Grace Bay Beach at the Northeast end of the island. Grace Bay Beach is known for it’s clear, turquoise water and white powdery sand. It’s been voted the best beach in the world several times. All of the beaches in Provo are public but each resort sets up a section with lounge chairs and umbrellas for guests. You can spend your entire vacation on Grace Bay Beach and never regret one moment. If you’re up for an adrenaline rush you can rent jet skis, go parasailing or try paddle boarding on Grace Bay Beach.
Sapodilla Bay
Sapodilla Beach has clear, shallow water making it perfect for kids
As much as I love Grace Bay Beach, I also love exploring other parts of Provo. All the beaches on Provo are unique so it’s worth venturing out. Sapodilla Bay is a 900 foot sheltered beach. It’s a great spot for kids since the water is very shallow and calm. From the beach you can walk up Sapodilla Hill which is 50 feet high. It offers wonderful panoramic views of the ocean, villas and a freight port. Some of my favorite photos from Provo have been taken on this hill.
Bight Beach
Bight Beach is similar to Grace Bay Beach with its white sand and calm, turquoise water. The beach is slightly wider than most of the beaches on Provo. The best thing about Bight Beach is The Bight Reef (also known as Coral Gardens) which you can easily swim out to from shore. You will see a variety of fish and marine life at this reef. We snorkeled here on both trips since it’s easy to access and free (we brought our own snorkeling gear). It’s definitely an enjoyable morning or afternoon activity.
Long Bay Beach
We renamed this beach Conch Grave Beach since you will see mounds of conch shells piled up along the beach. Conch shells are even buried under the sand so watch where you step! However, the warm and calm water make it a beach worth visiting. If you’re up for trying a new sport, this beach is known for kiteboarding. You’ll see dozens of kite boarders in the air and you can even take kiteboarding lessons at this beach.
ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS
Chalk Sound
This national park is a natural lagoon on the south side of the island. It is made up of hundreds of small rocky islands all surrounding the most turquoise water you’ll ever see. Since it’s a national park, no boats are allowed in the water but you can kayak and paddle board. Many people enjoy the views while driving by in a car, but it’s worth getting out and exploring these tiny islands. Make sure you wear shoes as these islands are made up entirely of small, uneven rocks. This is a very rugged, yet scenic area of the island.
The Hole
We only discovered The Hole on our second trip to Provo. Not far from Grace Bay Beach, the hole is a short trip by car. It’s a naturally formed limestone sinkhole. It’s about 50 feet wide and 60 feet deep with water at the bottom. There are no railings and the soft limestone tends to crumble easily so be careful walking around the perimeter. It’s not known how this whole was formed but it’s thought that the hole was originally an enclosed cave system and eventually the ceiling caved in. There are many sinkholes throughout TCI but none are as large or as deep as The Hole. If you’re looking for things to do while in Provo, this will kill some time but it’s not the most interesting sight to see.
Boat Charters
Many companies offer full day snorkeling and scuba trips. There are also ferries that take you to other nearby islands. On our next trip to Provo, we’ll definitely take a ferry to some of the more secluded islands since I hear they’re amazing. If it’s in your budget, hiring a private boat is another popular option.
RESTAURANTS AND FOOD
Turks and Caicos is one of the few countries that does not have any fast food restaurants on any of the islands. That means no McDonalds, Burger King and not even your beloved Starbucks. I love this about TCI since it forces you to support local businesses.
Our two favorite restaurants on the island are Bugaloos and Da Conch Shack. Both are beachfront and have a casual Caribbean atmosphere. Live music, entertainment and views of the ocean are just part of the appeal. The food is also tasty and reasonably priced. Bugaloos prepares conch every way imaginable- conch fritters, conch salad and cracked conch to name a few. Da Conch Shack also has an extensive list of conch dishes as well as jerk chicken and ribs. Their Peppa Joy chicken wings are also great, if you like spicy! These restaurants are not located close to Grace Bay Beach so you’ll need a car (or taxi) to get here.
Cocos Bistro, within walking distance to the resorts on Grace Bay, Cocos Bistro offers fine dining in a tropical setting. This restaurant serves fresh, local cuisine with a bit of an Asian and European flare. The food is good and the setting is even better. The prices tend to be a little high, though.
Bella Luna has both an upscale Italian restaurant and a more causal pizzeria all on one premise. We walked upstairs to the restaurant first but were told that if you wanted pizza we had to go downstairs to the pizzeria. The owner comes from Italy and it seems like the entire staff, including the locals, speak Italian. The pizzeria menu offers either red pizzas or white pizzas plus a small selection of salads. The pizza is good (very cheesy if that’s your thing) and the restaurant is conveniently located close to the resorts on Grace Bay.
Peppa Joy is hot sauce made and sold only in TCI. The first ingredient is guava so it has a sweet overtone but still packs a punch. When I’m in Provo I put it on everything. Rum punch is also synonymous with Provo. You’re usually offered a rum punch when checking into your resort and all bars have their own version of this Caribbean cocktail. I’ve yet to try a bad rum punch while on the island.
Be prepared to dish out some cash when eating out. Two pizzas with no drinks will cost around $40. Going to the casual Caribbean restaurants (such as Bugaloos or Da Conch Shack) usually start at $80 for two people with food and one drink each. Prices just go up from there. We treated ourselves and went out for dessert which ended up costing $40 for a lava cake and a molten cake. Granted, they were memorable lava cakes, and not just because of the price but because they were delicious.
GROCERY STORES
Many of the resorts on Provo have kitchenettes in each room, allowing you to whip up your own meals if you please. Graceway Gourmet, the “upscale” grocery store, is located within walking distance from most of the resorts on Grace Bay. You can find all the brands you’re familiar with at double (or triple) the price. If you have a car you can drive to Graceway IGA which has a larger selection and a slightly cheaper price tag. Although prices at the grocery stores may seem more expensive than you're used to, eating lunch on the balcony of your room can definitely save you some money.
CLOTHING
Each time I’ve visited Provo I’ve overpacked. Keep it simple and remember this is a casual island so you can get away with wearing a swimsuit and sundress most, if not all, of the time. Sandals are the perfect accompaniment to any outfit. Provo can get windy so a light long-sleeved top or coverup is nice to have while sitting at a beachside bar or restaurant in the evening. Men can get away with shorts, t-shirts and swim shorts the entire trip. Don't forget to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and goggles.
FITNESS
It’s easy to stay fit on Provo. You can find many people running and walking early in the morning along the main street near the resorts. From my hotel I ran both east and west. Running east takes you past the golf course and into a residential community by the marina. Running west will take you through the shops and resorts of Grace Bay. I felt completely safe running alone early in the morning. The only thing I had to watch out for were the stray dogs that roam the island. They seem to mind their own business but I am always cautious when I see a stray dog.
If running isn’t your thing, there is a Crossfit gym across the street from Graceway Gourmet Supermarket. There is also a more traditional gym and a yoga center in the shopping plazas across the street from the resorts on Grace Bay. Or, you can always grab a towel and practice yoga on one of the many beaches of Provo. If you’re exercising outside, make sure to have plenty of water as it gets hot outside!
The perfect way to spend your afternoon
Whether you spend your time visiting the different beaches of Provo or simply lay out in front of your resort the whole time, there is no doubt you’ll love Turks and Caicos Islands. It would be a challenge to find a more beautiful beach than Grace Bay Beach. Your stress will melt away with each rum punch and you’ll soon be planning your next trip back to this tropical paradise.
Quick Facts
Population 34,000
Language: English
Currency: American Dollar
US Plugs used- 120V , 60 Hz
Drive on the left side of the road
Vaccinations: No vaccinations required
Visas: No visa needed for travelers coming from USA, Canada and UK. All other passport holders should check to see if they need a visa
Time: UTC 4:00. Same as New York during Daylight Savings Time
Phone: most mobile plans will work in Turks and Caicos