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Are you seeking an island paradise that is convenient to get to and in a luxury setting? Look no further than the Caribbean island of Providenciales in Turks and Caicos. It’s the perfect stress-free tropical destination, as planning what to do in Turks and Caicos primarily revolves around picking the perfect beach spot.
My husband and I found ourselves vacationing in Turks and Caicos when I stumbled upon $300 plane tickets from Ohio. I often choose destinations this way: merely following the cheap flights wherever they are. It also helps if it’s a tropical island, especially when I was an accountant in need of an escape after tax season.
Though filled with resorts, a vacation to Turks and Caicos is a simple, yet dreamy getaway.
Very little thinking is required when planning this trip, making it the perfect option after a busy time. As for the little bit of thinking left to do, I’m handling that for you below. Here is everything you need to know to have an amazing trip to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos.
Note: This post was originally published in May 2020, and was last updated in December 2022.
What to Do During a Week in Turks & Caicos
What to Know About Turks & Caicos
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British territory under the Royal Monarchy. While residents do drive on the wrong (left) side of the road, the US dollar, rather than British pound, is the official currency. That being said, it may feel like you are spending British pounds, as prices in the islands tend to be high.
Though Providenciales is the most populated island and has its own airport, it is not the capital. Rather, that would be Cockburn Town located on Grand Turk. Grand Turk also has TCI’s only cruise port, which spares Providenciales from the pesky swells of daytime visitors that these cruise ships bring.
The terrain on Providenciales is very flat, and a little marshy. Also, the roads are generally straight and easy to navigate. We downloaded a map of the island on Google Maps for directions, and did not need to take our phones off airplane mode all week.
Weather in Turks and Caicos
The Turks and Caicos Islands are known to have one of the lowest annual rainfalls in the Caribbean. That means your chances of a rainy vacation are slim, and you should have plenty of great beach weather. I can vouch for having nothing but sun and heat during our late May trip.
Hurricane Season generally runs from June through November, with the nastiest weather coming through in September and October.
History Break
The name “Turks and Caicos” originated as a warning of pirates, as these islands were a hotspot for such activities in the 1600’s and 1700’s. The word Turk was used synonymously with pirate, while Caicos is derived from the Taino term Cayo Hico, which means “archipelago” or “island chain”. Early maps of the region combined these two terms as a caution to sailors.
How to Get There
One of the things that makes traveling to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos so great is the sheer convenience. With the islands being located about 575 miles southeast of Miami, and just below The Bahamas, they are a two to four hour flight from many U.S. cities.
You will fly into Providenciales International Airport, pick up your rental car, and then make a short drive to your hotel (most are within ten to twenty minutes). We flew American Airlines through Charlotte and arrived by early afternoon, but check your local airport to see what is available near you.
Travel Savvy Tip
Want to know how to pack everything you need into one carry-on? Check out my Caribbean Vacation Packing Guide. I can count on one hand the number of times my husband and I have checked a bag, as we’ve found that bringing less makes traveling so much simpler!
Where to Stay
There is no shortage of resorts to choose from along Grace Bay in Providenciales. They line the entire twelve mile expanse of the beach. Per my observation, it seems like the resorts get more dense as you head east along Grace Bay, which is one reason why I loved our resort on the quieter western end.
To get you started, here are three great options to choose from:
- Beaches Turks & Caicos: Sprawling family friendly all-inclusive resort, featuring five villages and ten pools.
- The Palms: Sophisticated luxury resort with a beautiful infinity pool and high-end restaurants on site.
- West Bay Club: Lovely resort with a boutique feel, located on the western side of Grace Bay. This is where my husband and I stayed.
Why I Loved the West Bay Club
The West Bay Club is situated towards the end of the major strip of resorts, so it feels a little bit more peaceful and secluded. We found the West Bay Club to be affordable, while still having the high end amenities that more expensive resorts offered. I am admittedly biased towards this resort, since I loved our stay.
While the West Bay Club is not all inclusive or adult only, we didn’t see many children. The price of our hotel room also included many great amenities:
- Outdoor beach bar with amazing cocktails
- Breakfast included
- Beach chairs and umbrella
- SUP and Kayak’s free to use right on the beach
- Beautiful pool area
My husband and I actually liked that the West Bay Club was not all inclusive, since we felt less obligated to stay on the resort all week. We loved feeling free to explore the island and eat wherever!
Travel Savvy Tip
If you rent a car, take care to only drive it on paved roads unless it has four wheel drive. We took our sedan down an extremely bumpy, unpaved road and accidentally broke a hub cap. We sadly had to pay for the repair.
Where to Eat
There are many beachy eateries to check out all over Turks and Caicos. Plan your restaurant visits based on these two factors: when the sun is setting and whether there will be live music. That way, while you’re eating on the water, you’ll get gorgeous sunset views during dinner, along with some fun island rhythms in the background.
Here are some great restaurants to visit in Providenciales:
- Da Conch Shack: (live music Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday) This island favorite is exactly what comes to mind when you think “beach bar”. This casual joint features tasty Caribbean eats and the opportunity to dine on the water with your toes on the sand.
- Somewhere… Café and Lounge: (live music Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) This was my favorite location, being right on Grace Bay, with stunning views over the sea. We enjoyed walking through the sand along the water to get there. While they specialize in Tex-Mex, I adored their french toast at brunch.
- Coco Bistro: Famous open air, high end restaurant with a unique dining room in the midst of a palm grove. The setting couldn’t be more romantic, although you do pay a pretty penny to eat here. Coco Bistro is very popular, so don’t count on getting seated unless you make a reservation before your trip.
Travel Savvy Tip
As prices in Turks and Caicos are high, dining out can add up fast. I recommend staying somewhere with a mini fridge, kitchenette, or full-on kitchen so you can buy a few groceries and save some money.
What to Do in Turks & Caicos
Go to the Beach
The beach is the biggest reason why you vacation in Turks in Caicos, so make it your priority every day. Obviously, the twelve miles of Grace Bay Beach is the star of the show, but don’t forget to check out the other gorgeous beaches on Providenciales, such as:
- Long Bay Beach
- Sapodilla Bay Beach
Of course, you’ll also want to bring the perfect beach tunes. Check out these 131 songs for your beach playlist to get started.
Water Sports
If you’ve always been nervous to stand-up paddle board for fear of falling off, Turks and Caicos is the perfect place to try. This is where I did it for the first time, since the super calm water had me feeling more confident. These fears proved to be unfounded when I didn’t fall once, but watched my husband fall on several occasions.
While paddle boarding, be sure to look down on occasion to see how clear the water is, even as you get farther from shore. Just be mindful of the current, and remember to paddle out against it first, and then let it take you back in. We watched a father and son almost get swept out to sea after not heeding this.
Weekly Fish Fry
Every Thursday evening from 5:30 to 9:30, the island hosts a fish fry at Bight Park, featuring several local restaurants, vendors and live music. This is especially a must-do if you stay at the West Bay Club or another nearby resort, as Bight Park is an easy five minute walk away.
If you drive to the fish fry, do note that parking costs $20; otherwise entry is free. Bring cash, as not all vendors accept credit card.
Parasail
While I am personally too chicken to do this, parasailing is huge on Providenciales. You’ll likely be approached by vendors walking up and down the beach selling these experiences, and there are constantly boats going by with passengers in the air. If you aren’t afraid of heights like myself, give it a try!
Take a Day Trip
Get out on the water for a little bit to see beyond Grace Bay. We booked a half day Snorkel and Conch Cruise with Caicos Dream Tours, and loved our experience. We met the island’s resident dolphin, “Jo Jo”, caught fresh conch, and had an amazing time drinking rum punch on Half Moon Bay.
The company also offers a full day excursion, featuring even more awesome stops. The boat will even pick you up at your resort if you’re staying on Grace Bay.
Do a Sunset Sail
Watching the sunset over the Caribbean is one of the most majestic experiences you can have while on vacation. With unobstructed horizon for miles, Turks and Caicos is the perfect destination for catching the sunset in the evening – just be sure to wear bug spray because the mosquitoes are rampant at night.
One of the most unique ways to watch the sunset in Turks and Caicos is on the water while consuming wine and hors d’oeuvres. Caicos Dream Tours offers a sunset sail, in addition to their day trips above. I’d book with them, as my husband and I tried a different Champagne Sunset Cruise, and it ended up getting cancelled on short notice to accommodate a larger group.
Drink from a Coconut
Our resort had many palm trees on its grounds that were bearing coconuts. If you ask nicely, one of the workers will grab one of these out of the tree for you and bring it to the beach bar. Then one of the bartenders will open it for you and give you a straw. Nothing like drinking coconut water straight from the source!
Go Shopping
If you need a break from the beach for the day, there are many shopping plazas along Grace Bay to check out. Beginning with Le Vele Plaza to Ocean Club West Plaza, there are a cluster of shopping centers all in a row that are easy to nagivate on foot.
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You absolutely cannot lose when choosing to have your beach vacation in Providenciales. Grace Bay Beach is everything you dream of for a Caribbean vacation – white and fluffy, with the calmest turquoise waters. Turks and Caicos is the perfect setting for a chill getaway in a slower pace and dreamy surroundings.
Have I forgotten anything? What are the must-do’s in Turks and Caicos?
Thank you for this information– it will help us as we will be first time visitors this Christmas. We are traveling as a multi generational family – we’ll have children with us so this info is helpful – looking forward to our visit!
Thank you for this comment and hope you have a fun trip! 🙂
I see they add a service charge, as a tip. Are you expected to leave additional tip? Tipping is very confusing outside the US.
Always check your receipt, since not all restaurants, etc. add the service charge. In instances where they do, it is usually around 10%. Any additional tipping is discretionary, but typically an additional 5-10%. If there is no service charge, a 15-20% tip is normal.