Welcome to your island paradise! Providenciales, or Provo, is the most developed and populated island in the Turks and Caicos island chain. Home to brilliant white-sand beaches, stunning luxury resorts, and some of the most spectacular coral reefs on earth, this island is one of the best-kept secrets in all of the Caribbean.
If you are considering taking a trip to Turks and Caicos, all I can say is go! Or, actually, don’t go. I should keep this a secret so I can keep going back without the hassle of huge crowds from overtourism!
All jokes aside, this picturesque island is far less touristy than some of its larger Caribbean neighbors, and that’s part of its charm. The People of Turks and Caicos are unbelievably friendly. Here’s everything you need to know to eat, sleep, and play during your vacation to Turks and Caicos. Before I break it all down, there are a few things you should know upfront.
It’s Not A Cheap Place To Visit
Everything is expensive here. The barrier reef makes it impossible for large ships to deliver supplies directly to the island. Therefore, everything must be taken off large cargo ships, then reloaded onto numerous, smaller boats, and then brought to the island to be unloaded again. This results in the cost of goods increasing sharply. Heavy import taxes are also in place, so things like alcohol come with astronomical prices.
For example, a case of Corona beer will set you back about $70 USD at the grocery store! So be prepared to spend some dough when you arrive.
*Pro Tip: To save some money on booze, and delve deeper into the local culture, be sure to try the local beers made by Turks Head Brewery. You’ll find the lowest prices on the island by going directly to the brewery for some delicious local beers.
You’ll notice soon after arrival that just about every establishment serves rum punch. And each place claims to make the best on the island. I suggest sampling a glass everywhere you go and deciding for yourself! Be sure to try the local rum, Bambarra.
The other thing that is served all over the island is conch. A conch is an animal that lives in the ocean in a large shell and is somewhat comparable to a muscle when eaten. The locals here serve it most commonly in a conch salad (similar to ceviche) and in conch fritters. If you didn’t eat conch at least once, did you really go to Turks and Caicos?
Where to Eat
Breakfast & Coffee
Lemon 2 Go
This little cafe with an attached gift shop nestled right in the heart of Grace Bay is the perfect way to start your day. Lemon 2 Go serves up delicious smoothies and specialty coffee drinks along with locally sourced baked goods. Don’t skip the samosas!
Caicos Bakery
Only a two-minute drive from Lemon 2 Go, Caicos Bakery is another fantastic breakfast option. Caicos Bakery is your go-to place on the island for an assortment of donuts, mouth-watering pastries, cakes, and breads. Tip: Don’t sleep in, or you might miss out on your favorite morning treats.
Shay Cafe
Located about 100 yards from Lemon 2 Go, in the opposite direction as Caicos Bakery, is Shay Cafe. This coffee shop and eatery has delicious and healthy dining options to go with their specialty coffee offerings. It’s also the perfect spot to enjoy some air conditioning and free wifi!
Casual Dining With Beach Vibes
Da Conch Shack
Da Conch shack is one of the most well-known restaurants on the island. Brightly colored tables sit in the sand as live music sets the mood. Enjoy a strong rum drink to wash down a delicious conch salad or conch fritters.
Somewhere Cafe & Lounge
Another beachfront hangout is the Somewhere Cafe & Lounge. This place has a hoppin’ happy hour and is the perfect place to enjoy a sunset cocktail. The DJ gets cranked up after the sun goes down, so get ready to party.
Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl
Located on the crystalline waters of Five Cays Beach, Bugaloo’s is a casual dining option offering Caribbean-inspired lunch and dinner options. By now, I’m sure you can guess – conch dishes and rum drinks are the specialties here too!
Cocovan Airstream Lounge
Craving a tasty food truck menu with an island twist? Look no further than Cocovan Airstream Lounge. This cozy outdoor oasis sits in an idyllic palm grove adjacent to the more upscale Coco Bistro. Pair the fish tacos with their signature Airstreamer cocktail for the perfect casual island lunch.
Feeling Fancy?
Infiniti Bar
Put on your finest beach attire and prepare yourself for an upscale date night of delectable seafood dishes and fine craft cocktails. This waterfront bar and restaurant is one of the most romantic settings on the island. If the lanterns swaying in the trees aren’t quite bright enough, don’t worry, the menus light up when you open them!
Coco Bistro
Delicious island-inspired entrees served under a grove of swaying palm trees create a memorable outdoor dining experience.
Coyaba
This open-air oasis by the beach is one of the most loved restaurants in Turks and Caicos. Indulge in a variety of enticing appetizers. Not only will your taste buds thank you, but you’ll get to enjoy this fantastic dining experience for just a little while longer.
Parallel 23
An extensive wine list and artfully plated dishes in an intimate, sophisticated setting. What more could you ask for on your special night out?
When You Want To Feed Yourself
My trip to Turks and Caicos was a family trip with a large group, which didn’t always make it easy to find reservations for dining out. A couple of nights, we opted to take advantage of our palatial villa and stay in for dinner. When it was time to load up for groceries, we found the perfect grocery store in the Grace Bay area.
Graceway Gourmet in Grace Bay offered everything we needed and more. Including a deli featuring pre-made meals as well as made-to-order sandwiches and light fare.
Where To Sleep
TC Villas
We rented a house that was more than big enough to accommodate all 12 of us that made the trip. Everyone at TC Villas was super friendly and accommodating. Nothing but positive things to say about our experience with them. We were located right on Babalua Beach, where we could swim, snorkel, kayak, and paddleboard right from the house!
If a resort is more suited to your needs, Turks and Caicos has plenty to offer. Check out the luxury options below for a resort experience you won’t soon forget.
Where To Play
Thursday Fish Fry
Every Thursday evening, the park at Bight Beach hosts an event described as ‘All things Turks & Caicos”. The weekly event has numerous local vendors serving food, drinks, cultural arts, and live music for entertainment.
*Covid-19 restrictions had shut down the Thursday evening party during my visit, so be sure to check for updates before making plans to attend.
Charter a boat
One of the best ways to experience the Turks and Caicos Islands is by boat. You get to visit so many fantastic locations in a single day, including breathtaking beaches that you can’t access by land. We charted a boat for a day with Okeanos Charters, and it was the best day of the entire trip! I visited Iguana island, a massive shipwreck, snorkeled the third-largest barrier reef on earth, and even swam with wild dolphins!
Snorkel or scuba dive the Turks and Caicos Barrier Reef
As I mentioned, the Turks and Caicos Islands are home to the third-largest barrier reef in the world. It ranks right behind the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and the Belize Barrier Reef. Dive in and experience a whole new world filled with a vast array of corals and marine life. I must have seen at least 50 sea turtles throughout my numerous snorkeling sessions.
Water Activities
Parasailing is another popular activity on the island. There is no shortage of boats waiting to take you out and hoist you into the air for some truly spectacular views!
In the mood for some exercise with your fun? Try your hand at paddleboarding or kayaking in any of the scenic bays around the islands. With crystal-clear waters, there is no telling what exciting marine life you might see!
Grace Bay Beach
Grace Bay Beach consistently ranks as one of the most beautiful beaches on earth. It boasts of brilliant azure waters and white sand beaches. Neighboring Leeward Beach and Bight Beach give visitors 7 miles of coastline to find the perfect spot to enjoy the day. On top of all of that, just a short distance out lies Princess Alexandra Marine Park. Here you will find unforgettable, world-class snorkeling.
Shopping
While you’re in Grace Bay, take advantage of the shopping options if that’s something that interests you. Turks and Caicos are not overly developed like many of its popular neighbors in the Caribbean. If you’re looking to pick up some new beachwear or a souvenir, though, this is the place to do it.
Potcake Place
One thing you’ll notice on the Turks and Caicos Islands is that there are stray dogs everywhere. The dogs are known as potcakes and are generally harmless. The name potcake comes from leftover food that would burn and “cake” on the bottom of stewpots. The caked leftovers were scraped from the pan and then fed to the dogs.
Sadly, the population of these dogs goes largely unchecked as they roam the islands in increasing numbers. The female potcakes get pregnant so often that they frequently abandon their puppies as the physical toll of raising them simply becomes too much.
Luckily, there is someone out there trying to make a difference. Potcake Place is a non-profit dog rescue shelter located in Grace Bay. Visiting Potcake Place has become an increasingly popular activity among the visitors of Turks and Caicos. Not only do people love to visit the shelter and learn more about these adorable little puppies, but you can actually take a dog with you for a few hours a day. You can take a puppy from the shelter to have as your new best friend for two hours during the afternoon. It an excellent activity for socializing the animals, and they love a good walk on the beach!
It’s not unusual for guests to fall in love with their furry little friend and adopt them to keep at home forever!
Explore The Island
Island Life Jeep
Before arriving on the island, I was explicitly warned not to rely on taxis to get around Turks and Caicos. Not only are they expensive (like most things on the island), but they are hard to come by. Additionally, to say they operate on “island time” is an understatement.
The solution – rent a car. Or even better, a Jeep. What’s more fun than driving around a tropical paradise in a jeep with the radio up and the top down?
We chose Island Life Jeeps to supply us with some awesome premium jeeps to cruise around the island. Owned by an amazing couple, Island Life Jeeps went above and beyond to make our trip as pleasurable as possible. When we arrived at the airport, Russ and his wife Rhonda were waiting for us in the parking lot. After a quick chat to go over the ins and outs of the jeeps and local regulations, they sent us on our way with a smile. The two were on-call throughout our trip in case we needed anything at all.
What’s more, they even kept open communications leading up to our arrival to offer helpful suggestions for places to eat and things to do on the island. Now that’s top-notch service! When our trip finally came to an end, all we had to do was gas up the tanks and head back to the airport. Russ and Rhonda were once again awaiting our arrival in the parking lot. We told them how much we all enjoyed our trip, handed over the keys, and were on our way. That’s it. No long lines or endless paperwork. They could not have made the process any easier, and I cannot recommend their services enough.
Drivers Beware!
If you are renting a car or jeep in Turks and Caicos, remember a few things. First, they drive on the left. Secondly, there are no traffic lights on the entire island! Many intersections use roundabouts instead. Remember to look to the right when entering one!
Driving on the left may intimidate those who aren’t used to it, and the same can hold true for using roundabouts. It’s not as hard as you might imagine, though. Plus, it’s all part of the fun! Side streets and coastal routes aside, the island has essentially one main road that runs from one end to the other. It’s super easy to navigate. Just follow the car in front of you, and you’ll be fine!
