Ultimate Turks and Caicos Travel Guide!
Hey everyone! After sharing my Turks and Caicos Baecation Vlog (make sure to watch it- TRUST ME) and my highlights on Instagram, I got SO many questions about my trip! This blog post is honestly long overdue, so let’s get right into the deets!
Turks and Caicos islands are what dreams are made of! It is one of the few places I have been around the world, where I was at a loss for words. The beaches took my breath away and it felt like and is quite literally, paradise! I was surprised to find that Providenciales was not overly developed like how I expected it to be. In fact, I was pleased to discover that I could have some of the best beaches in the entire world — all to myself.
Before you go/ What are the entry requirements?
Welp, this is our new normal. So here it goes…
Travelers visiting Turks and Caicos are required to:
Be fully vaccinated (all visitors 16+ years old)
Provide a negative PCR test 3 days prior(anyone over 10 years old)
Get travel insurance that will cover medical costs & full hospitalization, doctor visits, Rx’s and air ambulance — before arriving (I simply got travel insurance while booking my flights and it was pretty easy. Besides, during these times, it’s probably better to have it than not.)
*Covid/entry requirements are always changing, so please double check TCI assured for any updates before you plan your trip.*
Once you’ve got all of these things, you will need to submit your documents and register with TCI assured. I got approval almost immediately after submitting my documents at the last minute, so I wouldn’t stress about that part. The process once you arrive is pretty quick and easy as well. No complaints here! Just be sure to print all of these documents to present on arrival.
Getting Covid tests to return (to the United States in my case ) :
Seven Stars Resort & Spa Covid—19 Testing CentreI got my Covid test done at Seven Stars Resort & Spa. It’s cost me $50 (free if you’re staying at the resort) and I did not spend more than 5 mins in there. Very quick and efficient service!
Currency/Electricity
USD accepted everywhere. Cash, credit and debit cards are all widely accepted.
US Sockets were available
When to go? How long & where to stay?
You will be able to find some great flight deals to travel to Turks (I sure did!) .. but Turks & Caicos is NOT a budget destination, so expect to spend a little (or a lot) more.
Anytime of year works, but I would keep in mind that hurricane season is June-November. I went in September and was dealing with Hurricane Sam which didn’t bother us much, but did delay a bit of our plans. Our trip was 4 days long, so weather delays had us a bit pressed for time. I think a 5-7 day trip is sufficient to get a lot done, with some down time too. It’s good to note that the high season is in December - April and although it’s a pretty expensive destination, traveling during the off season (August- November) may be the more affordable option.
Hurricane Sam finally making a right turn and leaving us alone, halfway through our trip lolAccommodations:
Turks and Caicos is suitable for solo travelers, baecations/honeymoons, friend groups and even family trips. The majority of accommodations are designed to meet the needs of a luxury traveler, however, that does not mean that you can’t get some luxury for less. I stayed at an Airbnb in Long bay that offered some luxury at a very affordable rate. If you don’t care about that, you can always book a private room on Airbnb; there were some decent options!
Grace Bay is the a great area to stay since the majority of the popular restaurants are located there. Long bay, and Taylor bay are great areas to search for accommodations as well. I went with Long Bay because it is a nice quiet residential neighborhood, but also nearby Grace Bay, where all the action is! Obviously choose the accommodation that best suits your needs. There are several villas/ resorts to choose from. Check out this link for accommodation options!
How to get around?
RENT A CAR! There is no public transportation system or Uber in Provo and taxis can be expensive — like very expensive, especially if you plan on exploring.
Our Sixt Car rental in ProvoRenting a car is a must. It was the most time and cost effective. We paid $150 for 4 days with Sixt Car Rentals. I actually found that to be much more affordable than some other parts of the world. Keep in mind that all cars drive on the left and also note that there are almost zero traffic lights haha— maybe a few near the airport. Traffic control on island is mainly roundabouts, which helps with traffic and are pretty easy to navigate.
Can we skip to the good part?! Things to do in TURKS & CAICOS!
Clear Kayaking with The Looking Glass TCIGo to the beach, of course!
TCI is well known for their beaches and they are all absolutely breathtaking! The beaches here are definitely some of the best I’ve ever seen and baby, I am a beach bum. With the sun reflecting off one of the largest and most sandy shallow banks ever, you are guaranteed crystal clear turquoise waters. The turquoise waters look even more intense, because you can literally walk for miles and still only be ankle-waist deep; waist deep if you’ve walked very far. On some beaches, I walked 100 feet in and I was still ankle deep lol super cool!
Sapodilla Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks and CaicosI fell in love with Sapodilla Bay! When I tell you that beach felt like a dream, listen to me, I was in awe. Be sure to also check out Grace Bay Beach, Long Beach, Leeward Beach & Taylor Bay Beach. To be honest… just go beach hopping! You won’t regret it!
Horse riding on the beach
I really wish I had more time to do this because I just know it is an amazing experience. The company I wanted to book with was Provo Ponies. Book through www.provoponies.com —I recommend booking in advance, because there were space limits when we tried at the last minute.
Horseback riding Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. Image via www.visittci.com/Parasailing, snorkeling, Jet Skiiing and other water activities
The majority of your itinerary visiting Turks and Caicos is likely going to revolve around water activities. There are so many to choose from! We went with parasailing and Jet Skiing. The jet ski adventure was totally worth it, especially because we made a stop at the La Famille Express Shipwreck. Even without it, the adventure was so much fun. I was a little reluctant to pay for the jet ski adventure because I’ve been jet skiing many times before, but this experience was next level! I definitely recommend adding that to your list of water activities!
Visit Captain Oak’s Tiki Bar!
One of the hottest attractions in Provo, Captain Oak’s Tiki Bar is a must visit! Located off the shores of Long Bay, Captain Oak’s Tiki Bar floats in the middle of the ocean offering cocktails, light foods, the best views and vibes! We had some drinks and burgers while we danced the day away. Remember how I said the water in Turks is so shallow? If the tide is low enough, you can actually walk to the bar—it’ll just be a long walk and a bit of a work out haha. If you’re up for the challenge, go for it! There are ferries to take you over, but most people drop by to join the fun via jet skis or small boats. Definitely don’t skip out on this one !
Captain Oak’s Tiki Bar
Boat tour / island tour
I would have definitely done this if I had more time because I can only imagine how incredible it would be to visit secluded beaches on uninhabited islands, only accessible by boat. There are sandbars in some areas, so I’d def ask the captain to take me when tide is low! BTW, I plan on going back to Turks & Caicos and trust me, I am making my mark on as many islands as possible— and you should too!
Private Boat/ Island tour Turks and Caicos. Image via www.visittci.com/Mangrove Cay Kayak Tour
This was not even part of my itinerary, but I’m so happy the universe took me there. First of all, Turks and Caicos is the perfect destination for kayaking and paddle boarding, but you can spice it up a bit by checking out Mangrove Cay. Easy and safe to navigate, Mangrove Cay is suitable for any paddler’s skill level. You can rent your own or go with a guided tour. We went with the latter and it was such a remarkable and educational experience.
Mangrove Cay Eco- TourWe booked our tour with The Looking Glass TCI. We got to see lots of the marine life and interesting birds as well! Some of my favorite marine life sightings were the turtles (omg love), small sharks and upside down jelly fish! There was honestly so much to see and learn about. 10/10 would recommend.
Try the local beer!
Turks Head Beer is the local beer and has gotten very popular! The local beer can be found almost anywhere, so whether you’re bar/ restaurant hopping or decide to do a tour with the Turks Head Brewery, I encourage you to try to local beer. Besides, the name of each type is pretty clever and it felt like an unofficial treasure hunt to try them all.
Jump off the La Famille Express Shipwreck!
The La Famille Express has definitely become a tourist attraction in Turks and Caicos and you def can’t skip it. As much as it’s an old, rusty ship (be careful and please wear shoes) it was such an exhilarating experience exploring and jumping off. The jump felt a little longer than expected, but it was such a cool experience. Even if you don’t explore/jump off, definitely consider stopping by!
Jumping off the La Famille Express Shipwreck!
What’s an ultimate travel guide without food recommendations?
Where we ate:
Coco Bistro
This restaurant was a different experience. It wasn’t on or near water, but it was located within a palm tree groove and was such a memorable experience. The customer service was excellent, food was delicious, and they had an extensive wine list and several cocktails! Totally worth trying.
Las Brisas Restaurant and Bar
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurant experiences in Provo. Las Brisas offers Tapas and Caribbean Mediterranean fusion cuisine. Located in Chalk Sound, this Restaurant offers dining on the deck, in the gazebo or in their open air dining room. There’s a poolside bar, and the most picturesque views. The food was delicious, I loved the curried snapper, and my partner raved about the conch bisque! I also heard great things about the tacos. Ask your bartender to get creative with the drinks; I loved my special drink!
Lemon 2 Go / Sandbox Turks and Caicos
It’s the aesthetics for me! These two spots are right next to each other and you are more than welcomed to order from both. Lemon 2 Go is a cafe/coffee shop perfect for breakfast, pastries and small bites. Sandbox Turks and Caicos takes it a step futher with some great sandwiches, smoothies and mimosas. They offer a lot more options, but we stuck with that part of the menu, since we only went for breakfast.
Shay Cafe
Honestly, this has to be the best breakfast/coffee shop on island! I’m so sad we only went there on our last day. I’m not too upset though, because if I had went there first, I don’t think I would’ve given anywhere else a chance haha. There were unlimited breakfast options, vibe A1 and the service was exceptional. What more could I ask for!? Have breakfast there at least once and you will be back. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Go Grocery Shopping!
Obviously, you’re on vacation and probably don’t want to bother with making your own breakfast/ lunch or snacks; but it is a great way to cut down on your dining-out bill. We went to $mart (located near the airport) and the locals told us it was the most affordable location under the main Graceway chain supermarket! Pro tip: We made breakfast some days and late night snacks, so we didn’t feel guilty splurging on a pricier dinner.
$mart Supermarket Image via www.gracewaysupermarkets.comConch Knockers
You cannot go to Turks and Caicos and not try the conch! We met some local friends and we went to this local bar/restaurant and had such a memorable experience. I was supposed to try out Da Conch Shack, which is a popular/more touristy alternative, but I’m so happy to have come across this spot. We stopped by for some Barracuda and Conch Salad of course! All very tasty!
Mango Reef Restaurant and Bar
Mango Reef was one of the first stops we made for food on island. It is located on The Marina in Turtle Cove, with plenty of outdoor seating. I was so hungry at the time and ordered more than I could even eat haha, so please note that their portions are large. It is definitely a good place to eat if you want a moderately priced meal.
Sweet T’s
Probably the cheapest place you can eat on island, Sweet T’s is known for their chicken and fries. If you are on the go and want a quick bite, this is a good option!
Sweet T’s Turks and Caicos. Image via www.visittci.com/Highlights from my trip
Favorite Beach —Sapodilla Bay
Favorite Activity— Mangrove Cay Kayak Tour / Jet Ski Shipwreck Adventure
Best Breakfast— Shay Cafe
Favorite Local Experience- Conch Knockers / Captain Oak’s Tiki bar
Favorite Restaurant- It’s really hard to choose between Las Brisas and Coco bistro; but I’ll say Coco Bistro!
Pro Tip- Bring a Go-Pro, waterproof camera and/or waterproof phone cases! Most of the things you do will involve water!
Check out my amazon storefront to shop my tech gear.
And for the final analysis:
The Turks and Caicos islands should definitely be on your bucket list! It is one of the most beautiful destinations I have ever visited. It’s perfect for the adventure seeker or someone simply looking for relaxation. I hope you decide to visit Turks and Caicos one day as I am certain you will fall in love just as I have!
Don’t forget to watch my Turks and Caicos Baecation vlog on Youtube! Here’s the link to the best travel vlog you’ve ever seen!
