| VITAL INFORMATION | |
| Population | 26,288 |
| Language spoken | English |
| Currency | Unites States Dollars (USD) |
| Average temperature | Summer: 75°-95°F; Winter: 65°-85°F |
| High season | December to April |
If you want a true Caribbean vacation -- one that's quiet, relaxing and stress-free -- then the Turks & Caicos archipelago should be your first choice. Unlike the Bahamas to the north and the Dominican Republic to the south, this group of oddly shaped, cactus-covered islands remains largely unexploited. What Turks & Caicos lack in island beauty is made up for on the coast, which boasts miles and miles of beautiful beach.
Turks & Caicos are also famous for the long stretches of coral reefs that lie beneath their crystal clear waters, making these islands ideal for great diving excursions.
A dependent territory of the United Kingdom, this island group is barely even a spec on the map -- but when you're visiting, you won't feel you need anything outside this paradise. Take a look at what a stress-melting three days in Turks & Caicos can do
All amounts listed are in U.S. funds.
Day 1: Find your HQ
Here's a little fact to give you a sense of the relative isolation of Turks & Caicos: As recently as 1965, Cockburn Town -- the territory's capital -- had one jailer who did double duty as the city's lone telephone operator. You read right -- instead of a developed communications system across the island, the capital boasted only one hand-cranked telephone.Granted, things are much different in modern-day Turks & Caicos, as tourism has given the archipelago a major boost. Still, travelers looking for some serious quiet and seclusion on a beach won't find a much better spot than this.
Turks & Caicos' main retreat for vacationers is the island of Providenciales, on which you'll find a variety of hotels -- from the basic to the lavish. Other islands in the chain, including Grand Turk, may be "busy" by local standards but are notably less developed and unsuited for those wishing for a worry-free stay.
One recommended hotel on Providenciales (commonly called Provo by the locals) is the Sibonn Beach Hotel, a relatively inexpensive inn with a secluded, laid-back feel. On the higher end of the price scale is the Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa, one of a handful of Provo's resorts. This particular accommodation stands out thanks to posh bungalows where each room has a panoramic view of the ocean. You'll be paying more, but because Beaches is an all-inclusive line of hotels, you'll have all your bases covered.
An alternative for the wealthy traveler is to rent a villa, specifically one located on one of Turks & Caicos' small, secluded islands. A lavish villa, beach location and house staff on an island like Bajacu or Parrot Cay comes at a price; you'll be looking at spending from $600 to well over $1,000 a night for such unique accommodations.
Once you've settled on a hotel, booked, flown, arrived, and thrown your suitcase on your bed, it's finally time to get lazy, and I mean real lazy. You'll notice with delight that no matter where you've chosen to stay, you're likely to be right on the beach.
Unlike other Caribbean islands, where big hotels have overexploited what was once a great strip of sand, Turks & Caicos' main beach is still a beautiful one. The picture-perfect stretch of white sand known as Grace Bay Beach is consistently ranked among the best beaches in the world by Cond Nast Traveler magazine. Unfortunately, with real estate projects springing up all over the place, Grace Bay Beach may not be this relaxing forever.
In an effort to do absolutely nothing, as you so truly deserve, plunk yourself down on the beach with a towel, a book, some suntan lotion, and, hopefully, a beautiful lady by your side. If you've chosen to stay at a resort, you'll probably have the pleasure of laying out on a private section of the beach with a Mai Tai in hand. Of course, there are pools within most of the hotels, but who wants to swim in something artificial when the real deal is only a few feet away?
When lunch rolls around, you'll have the option of dining at one of your resort's many restaurants (Beaches, for instance, has nine restaurants and cafes to choose from) or you can explore the beach and eat outside of your hotel. If you choose the latter, Hemingway's Beachfront Restaurant is a great place. Located inside The Sands at Grace Bay resort, this beachfront spot is popular with tourists and locals thanks to a multitude of fresh, tropical salads and gourmet sandwiches. Prices range from $5.25 to $9.25.
A stroll along Grace Bay will help get rid of that full feeling in your stomach, and then you can return to your select spot of sand and continue to bask like a lizard. Hotels will frequently arrange for activities such as volleyball on the beach, so you can pencil in some physical activity, if you're interested. Of course, taking advantage of the hotel bar is a must.
As you relax and take a late-afternoon swim in the Atlantic, plan out your dinner. In recent years, some excellent restaurants have sprung up on Provo. Try to reserve a table at Aqua Restaurant, arguably the island's finest. Located in an enclosed outdoor terrace at the Turtle Cove Inn, the Caribbean and International menu here is changed on a weekly basis, but still always manages to feature the best in seafood. For a typical Turks & Caicos dish, try conch, a marine snail which, when cooked properly, has some tasty meat under its shell.
After dinner, a popular place to congregate and spend the night is at the American Casino on Grace Bay Beach. This casino has loads of slot machines and gaming tables and drinks are free for those who partake in the games, so gambling here is also a fun way to get a good tropical buzz on. Additionally, as the default place to go at night (and the island's only casino), you're bound to meet some interesting tourists here.
Day 2: Exploring the big blue
Yes, Turks & Caicos' beaches are ripe for sunbathing, but this is not the only reason the archipelago is swiftly becoming one of the Caribbean's busiest hotspots. It was the allure of the coastline that initially brought tourists here, as the 200-plus miles of barrier reef lured divers of all kinds to the islands. Today, diving companies in the Turks & Caicos are flourishing, as tourists look to take advantage of what is often rated as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world.There are many dive operators around Provo that offer both snorkel and scuba packages, as do many resorts. If you want to go with a private company, Big Blue is an excellent choice. This eco-tourism operator only works with small groups (a maximum of eight divers), and allows their clients to plan out their own dives and allot as much time as they want to the activity.
During your swim, you'll see schools of tropical fish, sharks, eagle rays, dolphins, and maybe even a humpback whale. Big Blue's guides are experienced and adventurous, and their catamaran vessels are comfortable and luxurious. Though you can opt for a half-day dive, a full day in the water is the right move, as this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Returning tired and severely tanned from the day's dive, you'll be sorely in need of a drink and some sustenance. During the day Big Blue will have provided you with lunch, but, to avoid filling you up before entering the water, it will not have been copious.
Washed and dressed for a fine dinner, it's suggested that you visit Anacona, an excellent spot to try Caribbean and Mediterranean food. Located in the Grace Bay Club Hotel, the three thatched roofs of the restaurant provide a great, lighthearted elegance, while the menu offers superb choices like simple grilled lobster or mango-flavored filet grouper. Main courses range between $26 and $36.
Provided you have the energy to spend a night out, BET Soundstage on Leeward Highway usually plays host to a great evening of music and dancing. Often featuring live steel bands and reggae stars, the house DJ here also spins the latest in reggae and soca. You'll find an easygoing, young crowd at this very busy, very funky nightclub.
Day 3: The sands and the greens
After a day below water, your third day will be all about exploring Turks & Caicos' finer above-ground points. For the sporting man, there's the Provo Golf Club and its beautiful 18-hole course, the one and only to be found in Turks & Caicos.Voted one of the 10 best Caribbean courses by Travel + Leisure magazine, Provo's is a par-72, 6,560-yard course replete with palm trees, forgiving greens, rocky outcroppings, and several sand traps. Green fees average $130 per person, which includes the mandatory rental of a golf cart. Though purists will shudder at the thought of using a cart, it's a necessary source of shade during your sun-filled 18-hole stay. If you want to leave your clubs at home, Provo Golf Club rents out great clubs from Tommy Armour and Callaway for $20 to $40 per round.
After the completion of a morning golf outing, you'll no doubt be in a need of refreshment and some fine West Indian nourishment. For both, head to Grace's Cottage, a quaint Caribbean restaurant in the Point Grace Hotel at Grace Bay. Here you'll be able to order an aperitif at the mahogany bar before sitting down for a meal of pumpkin-and-coconut soup, pan-fried jerk wahoo and a dessert of chargrilled peppered pineapple.
To complete your final day in paradise, consider visiting one of Turks & Caicos' secluded beaches. As a sparsely populated territory, there are many rarely used, beautiful shores for you to explore. Sapodilla Bay Beach is a quiet place where you'll find shallow waters as far as 100 feet out and fine, cool white sand to lay on. Located on Proggin's Bay, south of the airport, Sapodilla is best reached via chauffeur from your hotel. It's a bumpy ride from Grace Bay, but once you lay your eyes on the beach and ocean view, you'll never want to leave.
Your final dinner calls for a taste of Provo's best seafood, which most agree is to be found at Coyaba, a restaurant in the Coral Gardens Beach Resort. Here you'll discover fresh lobster, conch and assorted fish dishes, often accompanied by an exotic sauce or chutney. Don't forget to treat yourself to a cup of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee after dessert. Main courses run from $23 to $39.
After dinner, you'll have several options on how to spend the night. Club Med hosts a busy resort disco that is usually busy all night long. If you're looking for an Americanized atmosphere while on vacation, this is the spot. There is, however, something alluring and exotic about simply strolling along Grace Bay Beach and taking a late-night swim. Take the view, the beach and the sounds of the tropics all in as you say goodbye to Turks & Caicos.
Secluded, low-key and simply gorgeous, the Turks & Caicos islands are an ideal place to get some R&R and escape the stresses of a busy life back in civilization. Ideal for honeymooners and adventurers alike, Turks & Caicos will surely provide anything you could ever wish for on a Caribbean vacation.
tips for the trip
- In addition to scuba diving, Turks & Caicos are an excellent place to snorkel, parasail and fish, so take advantage of all the water-based sports possible.
- Though the currency is the U.S. dollar, Turks & Caicos are a British territory. So if you rent a car, remember to drive on the left.
- A gratuity of 15% is standard, but some restaurants automatically add a 10% tip to your bill, so check before leaving money for your waiter.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/caribbean/turks_and_caicos/
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/providenciales/
http://turks-caicos.caribbeanway.com/
http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com/tctb/islands/provo/
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=turks_caicos@160
http://www.provogolfclub.com/golfcourse/ratesandfees.html
Trekking In Turks & Caicos
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