This is the ultimate Turks & Caicos travel guide!
The island of Providenciales (“Provo”) is the most popular destination in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) given the convenience of the airport, plethora of resorts / villas, AND access to one of world’s best beaches. My husband and I enjoyed a few days here in January to escape the New York City winter temperatures, and I can guarantee we will be coming back. Actually, it seemed that most of the people on the island were regular visitors – keep reading and you’ll start to figure out why!
In this Turks & Caicos travel guide, I will share my tips for where to stay, what to eat and drink, and things to see and do in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos!
Table of Contents
STAY
The most convenient places to stay are Grace Bay and the Bight Settlement. You’ll be in walking or biking distance of the shopping and dining along Grace Bay Road and more dining options at neighboring hotels and resorts. As if having one of the world’s best beaches within footsteps wasn’t enough of a reason to stay in these areas!
HOTELS & RESORTS WITH PERKS
As a Fora travel advisor, I can hook you up with room upgrades, perks, resort credit, free breakfast, and more at the following hotels. The best part is there is no additional cost to you. Fill out the form on this page to get started!
Wymara Resort & Villas
The Palms
The Shore Club
Grace Bay Club
Beach Enclave
Amanyara
Rock House
COMO Parrot Cay
The Ritz-Carlton
HOTELS & RESORTS ON A BUDGET
It is worth noting in advance, that Turks & Caicos is on the expensive side. If you want to save on your accommodations, consider the below places which I have vetted are still clean, safe, and convenient.
Seascape
The Oasis at Grace Bay
Sibonné Beach Hotel
Ports of Call
The Sands
EAT AND DRINK
I think trying local bars and restaurants is an important part of experiencing any culture. In this case, it’s all about trying fresh seafood and Caribbean flavors! From fine dining to casual beachfront spots, these are the places that I tried and recommend:
LUNCH & DINNER
Da Conch Shack | I am obsessed with everything about this beach bar and restaurant. The menu is representative of all of the local flavors – from the rum punch to the conch and Peppa Joy hot sauce. The setting is magical with picnic tables in the sand under the string lights with sunset views. Come here on your first night of vacation to get into the island mood.
Tip: Make a reservation if you’re coming on a Wednesday for the Junkanoo beach party.
Coco Bistro | This fine dining restaurant is set among the largest palm grove on the island. It is perfect for celebrating a special occasion, but make sure to make a reservation well in advance.
Hemingway’s | Set right along Grace Bay Beach, this is a great spot for lunch, drinks, or dinner with an ocean view. It’s pretty casual, so you can come here straight from the beach.
Omar’s Beach Hut | A casual lunch spot with all the island vibes. Sit at a picnic table with your feet wading in the water and order the jerk fish wrap, fish tacos, lobster pasta, plantains, and more. Everything is fresh and delicious.
Mr. Grouper | Unsurprisingly, the grouper is the star of the menu here. Order it blackened, grilled, fried, or coconut crusted. There are plenty of other options, though, whether you are you looking for seafood, chicken, or vegan options.
Turk’s Kebab | To mix up the cuisine, this is an excellent spot for some Mediterranean flavors.
On my list for next time: Grace’s Cottage, Caicos Café, Indigo, Infiniti, and Coco Van.
DRINKS
The Terrace | While this spot is not set on the beach, it is located conveniently between the beach and the main strip of shopping and restaurants. The terrace is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink.
Somewhere Café and Lounge | Sit on the roof deck and order some rum punch! If you’re hungry, there is also an extensive Mexican food menu.
Danny Buoys | Because I planned our trip during the NFL playoffs, I had to find a sports bar for my husband, and this was THE SPOT. It seemed like everyone on the island was here when we came for a game, and there were plenty of TVs.
COFFEE & BREAKFAST
Lemon 2 Go | This is the best coffee shop on the island. The staff is super friendly, as well. It is connected to a flower shop and sandwich shop. We ended up coming here every day – don’t forget to get a punch card!
Shay Café | Another great spot for a coffee, but also for a filling breakfast before hitting the beach.
Follow me on Instagram for even more foodie content!
SEE AND DO
BEACH HOPPING
While Grace Bay Beach is absolutely perfect and you can could spend all of your time here, I recommend exploring more of the island. You will need to rent a car for this though!
- Wake up and drive to TAYLOR BAY BEACH (20 minutes from Grace Bay). You can park in the nearby neighborhood on Ocean Point Drive. The water is crystal clear and super shallow + the bay itself is so calm and serene. You’ll need to bring your own towels, chairs, drinks, snacks, etc.
- Hop back in the car and make your way to CHALK SOUND NATIONAL PARK (3 minutes away). You can park at Las Brisas restaurant (and grab lunch here if you’re hungry). This is technically not a beach – it’s a lagoon! You can rent kayaks or paddle boards to take out on this brilliant blue water.
- Last stop is SAPODILLA BAY BEACH (2 minutes away). A similar beach to Taylor Bay but a bit more lively – you can rent chairs and purchase food and drinks here. There are also several villas here if you do not rent a car and simply want to stay right on this glittering bay!
SAIL & SNORKEL
I love a relaxing day at the beach, but I highly recommend getting out on the water with OCEAN VIBES for sailing on a catamaran and snorkeling in the third largest barrier reef network in the world.
The excursion lasts four hours and includes lunch (assorted sandwiches and fruits) and drinks (rum punch, beer, water, and soft drinks). The crew will pick you up and drop you off right in front of your hotel if you’re staying on Grace Bay Beach. The sail includes stops a Leeward Reef for snorkeling and Half Moon Bay to explore the lagoon, sandbar, and spot iguanas.
Tip: Choose the afternoon departure so that you can watch the sunset on the way back to the shore AND look for Jojo, the island’s famous dolphin, playing in the wake of the boat.
water sports
If you’re still looking for some adventure, there are many water sports to enjoy throughout the island from kayaks and stand-up paddle boards to parasailing and kite surfing.
I hope you enjoyed this Turks & Caicos travel guide and are planning to visit soon!
TIPS
BEST TIME TO VISIT
It’s always a great time of year to travel to Turks & Caicos – January through May are the ideal months, though. Overall, expect more sunny days throughout the year than not. This trip is the perfect way to escape the colder months!
CURRENCY & LANGUAGE
USD are the local currency. The official language spoken in Turks & Caicos is English.
GETTING AROUND
To/From PLS Airport: Grace Bay is a 15 minute drive away from the airport. There is not a public transportation option.
Taxi: You can call a local taxi to take you around the town; however, the price is typically charged per person, so this can add up quickly.
Rental Car: It is helpful to rent a car unless you are planning to spend all of your time and meals at a resort or villa. Note that cars drive on the left side of the road, but don’t worry – there are a lot of speed bumps so that everyone drives slow. Parking is also easy and free (except for at the airport).
Walking: Grace Bay Area is walkable but not every road has a sidewalk. Stick to walking along the beach on Grace Bay Road.
Tip: Save locations to a list on Google Maps – your hotel, bars and restaurants, sights, etc. for planning your days efficiently. This will help you see which sights, bars, and restaurants are in the same areas.
PACKING
Some unique items that I recommend you pack are a waterproof camera bag, goggles, and bug spray.
My complete guide to how to pack for travel is saved HERE!
P.S. Don’t forget the Caribbean travel essentials like your passport, sunscreen, and swimsuits!
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