HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Ambassadair Travel Club has created this useful information on the Internet to help you plan your trip. If you want to advance to one of the topics listed below, just use the mouse to click on the topic you want to read. Here is a list of all areas covered in the Web Site Destination Info for Turks & Caicos: overview, map, activities, geography, interesting facts, sightseeing attractions, best-kept secrets from Ambassadair staff, culture, accommodations, optional tours, dining, entertainment, shopping, currency, weather, time zone, getting around, packing suggestions, proof of citizenship, language, and health risks. If you have any suggestions or want to comment about Ambassadair’s new destination information, please email us at: journey@iflyata.com
If you have never heard of Turks & Caicos, you are not alone. A world survey once found that Turks & Caicos has the least name recognition of any nation on earth. Turks & Caicos is made up of more than 40 islands—of which only eight are inhabited. As early as 1964, the most populated island, Providenciales (Provo), did not have any vehicles. In 1990, the opening of the island’s first resort and casino sparked the first major boom in tourism. Prior to this development, accommodations were very simple and downright rustic. Provo remains the most developed island in Turks & Caicos. The main attraction is the outstanding diving with miles and miles of coral reefs close to the shore. The largest town sits in the center of the island with rugged hills, prickly pear cacti, and scrub unfolding down to the sea. The resorts are centered on 12-mile-long Grace Bay Beach with beautiful blue water and soft white sand. The entire north shore and offshore waters are government-protected within a national park. Sport fishermen and Scuba divers are drawn to this island paradise that boasts one of the longest coral reefs in the world. With watersports, a couple casinos, and dining, you will find Provo a laid-back place that inspires you to unwind, soak up the sun, catch up on your reading, and spend quality time with your travel companions. If you seek a quiet, isolated destination where you are able to escape civilization—Turks & Caicos is for you.
DIVING & SNORKELING
Several dive operators are available to take you out for a dive or snorkeling adventure. The shallow waters offer excellent close-to-shore snorkeling. The stunning 7,000-foot Turks Island Passage drop-off and the reefs that circle Grand Turk and the Caicos are simply outstanding for underwater activities. You will find undersea cathedrals, coral gardens, and countless tunnels. This destination is a favorite spot for Ambassadair staff for diving and snorkeling. Most dive operations will offer packages, certified instruction, and full equipment rental.
Water Sports Tips:
Water temperatures average 80 degrees (rings slip off easily).
BEST DIVE SITES
Amphitheater (a bowl-shaped undercut at 85 feet curves into the Caicos Passage, where whales, sharks, and manta rays pass by) Chimney (garden eels live in 10-foot-wide cut in plate coral) Coral Stairway (series of coral steps lead to a sand cellar that is home to schooling eagle rays) Dax Canyon (wall starts at 45 feet and drops to a shelf at 150 feet) Rock n’ Roll (huge coral mound renowned for eagle rays, sharks, moray eels, and sponges) Shark Hotel (reef and blacktip sharks, and a wall with a sponge-encrusted coral chimney that drops 130 feet) BEST SNORKELING SITES
Coral Gardens (a special, unspoiled area of Grace Bay with great access right off the beach) Smith’s Reef (Turtle Cove area, ranked one of 10 top snorkeling destinations by National Geographic, limestone entry and excellent marine life) White House Reef (beautifully preserved reef with easy access and entry from beach) BEACHES
The beaches in Turks & Caicos cover 230 miles and are complemented by crystal-clear waters. The islands are flat, with the terrain varying from sand dunes to scrub vegetation. Most of the beaches are untouched by human footprints for days at a time. All beaches in Turks & Caicos are considered public from the low tide line to the dune line.
Erebus Beach is at the mouth of Turtle Cove Pond on Provo. Just off the point is Smith’s Reef, an excellent spot to snorkel. This point also marks the beginning of a 7-mile-long stretch of beach that ends at Leeward.
Grace Bay Beach is busy as one of the most popular beach properties on Provo. The reef-protected beach stretches along Provo’s north shore for almost 12 miles. Numerous hotels and resorts now sit on this area that 30 years ago was a deserted place. The sand is fine and clean. Great for strolling, swimming, sunning, and snorkeling. The most crowded area on Grace Bay Beach is at Club Med.
Leeward Beach sits at the eastern end of Grace Bay and is accessible by various roads and paths in the Leeward community. It is secluded with white sand, cliffs, and stone jetties. You can beachcomb for small seashells.
Long Bay Beach is a southeastern beach that is 3 miles long and accessible by several paths from the Long Bay Hills Road on Provo. Beautiful and isolated, the beach is fanned by eastern breezes bringing beach treasures from as far away as South America.
Sapodilla Bay Beach, the southernmost shoreline on Provo, offers an unspoiled, secluded beach. To find, turn right off the road to South Dock. A quarter-mile-long white beach surrounded by crystal clear, shallow water, which makes Sapodilla Bay a favorite spot to sun and swim. Boats often anchor here.
Taylor Bay Beach, located west of Sapodilla, this beach on Provo is secluded. Taylor Bay is a shallow cove overlooking the Caicos Banks.
PARASAILING
A 15-minute flight over Grace Bay is available from various operators for about US $45. Participants take off and land on a tow-boat. You can request a dip in the water during your ride. Book at your hotel tour desk.FISHING
Turks & Caicos offers great fishing. Fishing rates vary from about US $100 per person for a half-day (minimum four people) up to about US $725 for a boat for a full day (maximum eight people). Deep-sea fishing catches include marlin, sailfish, sawfish, wahoo, dolphin, tuna, mackerel, and barracuda. The shallow waters off Caicos are notorious for some of the world’s best bonefishing—especially in the waters that wash the west-lying Caicos Banks. The bonefishing rate for two people is US $125 for a half-day and US $200 for a full day. Silver Deep is widely known by Ambassadair members for its fishing excursions. The tour operator offers light tackle blindcasting, sight-casting, flyfishing, bottomfishing, deep-sea fishing, light tackle trolling, and night fishing. 649-94-65612.
SAILING/WINDSURFING
Lessons cost US $30 per hour and rentals are US $20 per hour, US $45 per half-day, or US $65 all day.GOLF
Provo Golf Club, Across from Club Med Turquoise on Grace Bay. The only place to play golf in Turks & Caicos, this 18-hole course is a Karl Litton-designed championship course rated one of the 10 best golf courses in the Caribbean. The Provo Golf Club features rocky outcroppings, four sets of tees, water hazards, and plenty of palms and flowers lining the tight, lush fairways. The course has a driving range and a restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. Lessons are available for US $40. Club rental is US $15. A bucket of balls costs US $5. Greens fees for 18 holes are US $95 and greens fees for 9 holes are US $55. 649-94-65991.
The Turks & Caicos Islands are 575 miles southeast of Miami and 90 miles north of Haiti. Geographically, Turks & Caicos is very close to the Bahamas with only 30 miles separating the tiny archipelago called Caicos from Mayaguana in the Bahamas. The islands are a British Colony.
The area of Turks & Caicos is only 193 square miles. The islands are flat with sparse vegetation, including several varieties of cacti. Many of the islands once were forested, but salt rakers cleared the land in the 1700s. Ambassadair’s trips always stay on an island in the Caicos group known as Providenciales (Provo), which is shaped like a wedge, narrowing to the northeast. The north shore is lined with beaches while the south shore is indented by sounds and lakes. Provo is one of the largest islands with approximately 37 square miles.
JoJo the Dolphin. The biggest celebrity on Turks & Caicos is not a person at all, but a dolphin named JoJo. Robin Williams has paid his medical bills. Prince Charles wrote him a get-well note. He is a wild Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin who has lived alone in the water near Grace Bay Beach for 20 years. JoJo is so beloved that the government declared him a National Treasure and appointed a local environmentalist as his official caregiver. What makes him unusual is that he chooses to leave his pod and seek the company of people. JoJo cavorts with the children of the town of Bight, on the northern shore of Provo. Very few dolphins have ever adopted such a people-oriented lifestyle on their own.
Name that Island. The islands probably would have been named by Columbus had he known he was here. Legend states that Turks Islands were named by the early settlers who thought the scarlet blossoms on the local cactus resembled the Turkish fez.
Providenciales got this name in the mid-18th century when a French ship was wrecked. The survivors washed ashore and they gratefully christened Las Providentielle. Under the Spanish, the name was changed to Providenciales.
Glowworm Mating. The channel between Pine Cay and Fort George Cay is the site where millions of tiny glowworms mate 55 minutes after sundown, five days after each month’s full moon. Voyeurs may journey here by boat to witness this 15-minute performance. First the females light up, then the males light up—in an outburst of phosphorescent fireworks as the males chase the flowing white sacs enclosed within the ejected hindquarters of the females. But the males’ ecstatic neon-green display is their last gasp—the females devour the males after mating.
Little Water Cay or “Iguana Island.” A small Cay populated by thousands of iguanas who eagerly greet travelers as they step off boats and even seem to gather to send them off.
Caicos Conch Farm & Inland Sea Centre. Near the northeastern tip of Provo sits the world’s only conch (pronounced “conk”) farm. It strives to protect the Caribbean queen conch from extinction and raises mollusks in 28 months, from egg to adult. In the wild, only one in 500,000 conchs survive, but here on the farm, the survival rate is 80 percent. You can see the hatchery and metamorphosis facility, onshore nursery ponds, and sub-sea maturation pasture. One word of warning—the place is smelly. Open daily 9 am-5 pm. Tour costs US $6. 649-94-65330.
Rock Carvings. At the far eastern end of Sapodilla Bay peninsula on Provo is a rocky hilltop with carvings of slabs of rock appearing like God’s Ten Commandments. They date back only to 1844, but they look ancient. The slabs are intricately carved with Roman lettering that records the names of sailors shipwrecked here and the dates of their sojourns. The carvings are reached via a rocky trail that begins 200 yards west of the Mariner Hotel. The trail leads uphill to the summit, which offers a wonderful view over the island and Chalk Sound.
BEST-KEPT SECRETS FROM AMBASSADAIR STAFF
Ambassadair’s Journey editor-in-chief Betsy Sheldon recently made her first visit to Turks & Caicos. During her vacation she learned something about the native creatures. “If you love lizards, be sure to take a cruise that visits a small cay populated by thousands of iguanas. They wait shyly on the beach for visitors in hopes of snagging a few cheese puffs that the guides tend to carry,” Betsy said. However, as Betsy and her sister learned first-hand, the reptiles may be a little more curious than you’d like. Betsy explained, “If you try to pet one, they'll scurry away...unless you're wearing red toenail polish. Then beware! They may mistake your toes for berries and take a bite. As my sister ran from a pack of large iguanas, our guide told her not to worry--once the iguanas bite down and discover the toes are not food, they back off.
Ambassadair Tour Coordinator Jill Diaforli mentioned that you may want to reconsider phoning home. The phone calls to the United States from Turks & Caicos are extremely expensive. Jill suggests that you ask friends and family to call you—be sure to leave your hotel phone number with them so you can be reached. Ask your hotel for the procedures to connect to the United States with a calling card. Dial 115 for operator assistance.
The Arawaks first settled the Turks & Caicos Islands. After the Arawaks were forced off the islands to work the mines of Hispaniola, Turks & Caicos did not have permanent residents until 1678. At that time Bermuda established a salt-raking industry here until it was attacked by both Spain and France. Then the next chapter of Turks & Caicos history reveals this region as a base for pirates to hide as they waited to plunder Spanish galleons sailing out of Cuba and Haiti.
Most of the islands’ inhabitants are descended from African slaves brought by colonists who opened plantations that eventually failed. But immigrants from Canada, the United States, France, and the Bahamas also make up the population. This diverse heritage results in a friendly people. In Provo, the permanent population is about 7,500. In all of Turks & Caicos, the population is 15,000 citizens. Most of the people you encounter will likely be other tourists.
ALLEGRO RESORT TURKS AND CAICOS
Grace Bay, Providenciales
Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies
649-946-5555
This all-inclusive resort on beautiful Grace Bay's 12 miles of sandy beaches is proud of its English Caribbean ambiance. Beautiful landscaping surrounds a waterfall entrance in the hotel's tropical atrium. Choose to be as active as you like with a variety of land and water sports, golf nearby, or and the island's only casino on property. Then sit back, relax, and soak in the sun before dinner at the main restaurant or one of two specialty restaurants, followed up with nightly entertainment and a cocktail at the piano bar. Rooms feature air conditioning, irons and ironing boards, ceiling fans, private balconies or terraces, direct dial telephones, shower and full bath, cable television, hair dryers, and safe deposit boxes.
Allegro Resort Turks and Caicos offers the following amenities:
- Welcome cocktail and weekly manager's cocktail party
- Three full service restaurants and one snack bar
- Two bars
- Daily activities program
- Nightly entertainment with local talent and staff shows
- Water sports including snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing.
- Water skiing, parasailing and banana boat available at a charge
- Scuba clinics in pool, diving trips, certificates, renal equipment available through 5 Star Padi Center
- Lighted tennis courts, with lessons available
- Table tennis
- Swimming pool and hydro massage
- Fitness center
- Newsstand, gift shop, boutiques, massage, and one duty-free shop
- The island's only casino
- Car rental
- Baby sitting with advance reservations
- Tour desk
- Laundry service
BEACHES TURQUOISE RESORT & SPA
PO Box 186, Lower Bight Road, Providenciales
Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies
649-946-8000
http://www.beaches.com/main/tc/tc-home.cfmThis all-inclusive resort, that sits on 12 miles of shoreline will keep you plenty busy with an abundance of kids’ facilities and an equal amount of fun for adults. Beaches will take your culinary sense of adventure on a global odyssey for gourmets at five outstanding restaurants.The property is owned and operated by the Sandals chain, and has been voted “Top Caribbean Hotel Group” by the World Travel Awards. The resort has 212 rooms—all have a telephone, cable TV, and a clock radio. For more information check out
Beaches Turquoise Resort & Spa offers the following amenities:
- Two large freshwater swimming pools with waterfalls, and Jacuzzi, and two swim-up pool bars
- Pirates Island water theme park with waterslides, swim-up soda bar, huge pirates ship, and splashing waterfalls
- Water sports include scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaks, paddle boats, hobie cats, sea cycles, and aquatrikes
- Land sports include tennis, croquet, beach volleyball, lawn chess, shuffleboard, billiards, basketball, horseshoes, table tennis, and bocci ball
- 9 Restaurants including Italian, Japanese, formal with white glove service and 50s-style diner
- Restaurants have dress codes varying from casual (dress shorts only) to business casual (long pants/collared shirts)
- All meals, drinks, and snacks included in package
- Teen activities include Sega Dreamcast Centre, dances, boat cruises, tennis clinics, pool Olympics, and Karaoke
- Youngster activities include arts & crafts, face painting, parties, treasure hunts, sand castle building, movies
- Toddler play area with pool, playground, shell collecting, picture story time, face painting, blocks, and games
- Ultra Nannies staff Nursery where babies are fed, changed, and cradled in air-conditioned comfort
- One-on-one babysitting available
- Disco parlor and a piano bar
- Amphitheatre
- Nightly shows with live entertainment
- Theme nights such as lovers night, Reggae, fashion show, and Mardi Gras
- Fitness center with steam rooms and sauna
- Spa services include Swedish massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, body scrub, body wraps, mud masque, paraffin treatments, manicures, pedicures, and hydrotherapy
COMFORT SUITES
Grace Bay Road, Providenciales
Turks & Caicos, British West Indies
649-946-8888
www.comfortsuitesci.comThis hotel is located across the street, just a short walk, from Grace Bay Beach and 20 minutes from the airport. The 100-unit hotel was constructed in 1998, and is conveniently a few steps from Ports of Call, a bustling collection of restaurants, boutiques, beauty salon, bars, fitness center, and auto rental site. Suites are spacious, with either a king bed or two double beds, in-room safe, direct-dial phone with data port, refrigerator, and coffee maker. Suites are bright and cheery with rattan furniture. Some suites feature a balcony or terrace. Ground floor pool view suites open to the pool deck.
Comfort Suites offers the following amenities:
- Swimming pool
- Poolside Tiki bar
- Complimentary basic continental breakfast daily
- Tour desk arranges sightseeing tours, tennis, island-hopping, and fishing
- Concierge
- On-site Provo Turtle Divers’ tour and water sports desk
- Cable TV
- Air-conditioning and ceiling fan
- Adjacent to shopping and dining village
- One mile from Provo Golf Club
- Beach access is a 3-minute walk across the street and to the right
OCEAN CLUB AND OCEAN CLUB WEST
P.O. Box 240 Providenciales
Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies
649-946-5880
www.oceanclubresorts.comThese sister properties are both all-suite resorts located oceanfront on the powdery white sand of Grace Bay. Free shuttle service transports guests between the properties, just a mile apart. Guests are invited to enjoy the facilities at both resorts. Complimentary shuttle service is provided. Ocean Club is located at the end of the beach, adjacent to Provo Golf Club. Ocean Club West is next to the casino at the Allegro and a small shopping center. Both offer a quiet setting with the comforts of home. Ambassadair offers one-bedroom and two-bedroom deluxe suites with full kitchens, a living/dining area, and spacious screened-in porches. The kitchen includes a self-cleaning oven, microwave, refrigerator with ice-maker, and dishwasher. All suites have air-conditioning, but the heavenly combination of ceiling fans and the constant tradewinds make opening the windows a popular option. Conde Nast Traveler rated the Ocean Club as the top pick for self-catering properties in the Caribbean.
Ocean Club offers the following amenities:
- Two swimming pools
- Cabana Bar and Grille, breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Picnic lunches available
- Gecko Bar and Grille open Wed-Sun dinner only, live music Sundays
- Fitness center
- Spa Tropique, full-service spa with Swedish, sports, and deep-tissue massage; aromatherapy; reflexology; body wraps, and facials
- On-site dive operations by Provo Turtle Divers, full P.A.D.I certification courses, open water training, and equipment rental
- Water sports rentals include Kayak, windsurfing, fishing, sailing, and parasailing
- Lighted tennis court
- On-site shopping for convenience items, gifts, beach items, and jewelry
- Daily maid service
- Washer/dryer in each suite
- Adjacent to 18-hole championship golf course, Provo Golf Club
- Tropical Auto Rentals offers Jeeps, cars, scooters, and bikes
Ocean Club West offers the following amenities:
- Pool with a tropical island
- Two lighted tennis courts
- On-site water sports and dive shop operated by Provo Turtle Divers
- Fitness center with massage therapy
- Seaside Café for Caribbean fare with French accents
- Ports O'Call shopping center across the street
- Casino adjacent at the Allrgro Resort
- Daily maid service
- Washer/dryer in each one and two-bedroom unit
Ambassadair Travel Club offers two optional tours in Turks & Caicos. We advise you to book these before your trip by calling 800-225-9919. Ambassadair’s reservations staff will be able to inform you of the cost. A Travel Director will provide necessary information while you are on site in Turks & Caicos. Depending on the length of your trip, optional tours may vary.
Beach Cruise is a three-hour excursion offering an appreciation for this unspoiled chain of islands. The tour takes you to four different islands where you will cruise close to shore as the guide points out special aspects. After the tour, take a plunge in the turquoise waters and get a closer view as you snorkel this underwater landscape. The group will visit the famed iguanas on Little Water Cay. The last stop of the day is to visit a beautiful white sandy beach where you can collect sand dollars and seashells. The Beach Cruise includes snorkeling gear, drinks, and transfers. Gratuities are not included. Wear your swimsuit and bring you sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat.
Island Barbecue allows you to spend the morning snorkeling and shelling at several spots. The tour lasts about seven hours. If you are lucky, you will see baby sharks, rays, colorful fish, and coral formations. The captain will even pick out a lobster or the season’s fish from the ocean. You take to the sands of a deserted island where you enjoy a buffet lunch on a beautiful deserted island. The fresh fish is cooked on an open fire. This trip is great for sun lovers who are able to bask in the sun while the captain cooks. The Island Barbecue includes snorkeling gear, lunch, and transfers. Gratuities are not included. Wear your swimsuit and bring your sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat.
DINING AND FOOD IN TURKS & CAICOS
Travelers to Turks & Caicos can choose from dozens of restaurants. The fresh seafood is outstanding—with plenty of conch, calamari, and lobster. But if you want chicken or beef, then chances are the entrée was imported and may have been frozen. Provo is the only island where you will find dining opportunities away from the resorts. All restaurants listed here are on Provo.
Dining Tips:
Reservations are suggested, especially on weekends. Menu prices are in American dollars. Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants. TURKS & CAICOS RESTAURANTS
$$$=EXPENSIVE (US $40-$100)
$$= MODERATE (US $30-$40)
$ = INEXPENSIVE (under US $30)
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Grace Bay & East Provo Restaurants Anacaona Grace Bay Road Nouvelle 649-94-65050 $$$ Open lunch/dinner. Dress code. Elegant and romantic. Beachfront. Live music some nights. Reservations needed. No kids under 12.
Bachus Restaurant Across from Turquoise Reef Club International 649-94-65214 $$ Great local dishes.
Barefoot Cafe Ports of Call Shopping Center Continental 649-94-65282 $ Open daily 6:30 am-10 pm. Gourmet dinners on weekends. Sunday brunch. Specialty coffees.
Bella Luna Ristorante Opposite Allegro Resort, Grace Bay Road Italian 649-94-65214 $$ Open 6:30-9:30 pm. Tue-Sun. Closed Mondays. Both elegant and casual.
Bonnie’s Bistro Market Place Shopping Center Seafood 649-94-64660 $$ Open 7 am-midnight. Tropical soul food buffet Saturdays. Closed in September. Reservations recommended.
Buddy’s Beach Bar & Grill Turquoise Reef Resort & Casino Seafood/Steaks 649-94-65555 $$ Open daily noon-11 pm. Outdoor oyster bar. Features grilled lobster, steaks, and jerk chicken.
Caicos Café Across from Grace Bay Club Continental 649-94-65278 $$$ Open daily noon-midnight. Friday night live band until midnight. Outstanding ambiance with outdoor dining.
Calico Jack’s Ports of Call Shopping Center Seafood 649-94-65129 $$ Excellent food with outdoor dining. Nightly specials. Friday night live band until 1 am.
Caribbean Kitchen Ports of Call Shopping Center Caribbean/Seafood 649-94-65884 $ Open daily 6 am-midnight. (open Wed-Sat in summer). Fish and chips on Wed.
Coco Bistro Grace Bay Road Mediterranean 649-94-65369 $$$ Dine under a lush canopy of coconut trees.
China Restaurant Turquoise Road Chinese 649-94-65377 $ Open Mon-Sat 11 am-2 pm and daily 6-10 pm. More than 100 dishes on the menu.
Coral Terrace Turquoise Reef Resort Breakfast 649-94-65555 $ Open daily 7-10:30 am. Made-to-order omelets and eggs. Caribbean specialties and basic breakfast food.
Gecko Grille & Bar Ocean Club Plaza Seafood 649-94-65885 $$ Open 6-9:30 pm. Wed-Sun. Elegant. Recommended by Ambassadair members. Dining inside and out.
Gilley’s Cafe Leeward Marina Seafood 649-94-65094 $$ Open daily7 am-10 pm. Waterfront setting. Fresh local seafood.
Hemingways on the Beach The Sands Resort Seafood/Steaks 649-94-65199 $$ Open daily 8 am-10 pm. Oceanfront. Recommended by Ambassadair members and staff. Casual, romantic dinners.
Lattitudes Tavern & Grill Ports of Call Shopping Center Seafood 649-94-65832 $ Open 11:30 am-10 pm. Friendly atmosphere. Recommended by Ambassadair members. Sports bar. Good and reasonable food.
Lone Star Bar & Grill Ports of Call Shopping Center Tex-Mex 649-94-65832 $$ Sports bar with 3 large-screen TVs. Mondays and Thursdays are all-you-can-eat “Fajita Rita” nights. Friday is prime rib night.
Marco Polo Second Floor, Ports of Call Continental 649-94-65129 $ Dishes reflect Marco Polo’s travels with a range of items from borscht to curried salads.
Portofino Restaurant Turquoise Reef Resort Italian 649-94- 65555 $$ Open Mon-Sat 6-10 pm. Monday night pizza specials. Extensive wine list. Live entertainment Tuesdays and Fridays.
Star Dust and Ashes Leeward Highway Mediterranean 649-94-65900 $$ Dine overlooking Grace Bay. Reservations are recommended.
Downtown & Turtle Cove Restaurants Alfred’s Place Overlooks Turtle Cove Marina French/Caribbean 649-94-64679 $$$ Open Tue-Sun 11 am-midnight. Live music. Terrace overlooks Turtle Cove. Reservations recommended.
Banana Boat Bar & Grill Near Turtle Cove Marina Steaks/Seafood 649-94-15706 $$ Open daily11:30 am- 10 pm. Tuesday is seafood night. Great atmosphere and colorful decor. Happy hour 4-7 pm daily.
Dora’s Restaurant Leeward Highway near Turtle Cove Caribbean/Seafood 649-94-64558 $$$ Open 11 am-10 pm Sun-Thu and 11 am- 5 am Fri-Sat. Mon-Thu family-style seafood buffet for US $22 per person.
Fast Eddies Airport Road Continental 649-94-13176 $$ Open daily 7:30 am-11 pm. Wednesday night seafood buffet. Friday is prime rib night. Specializes in island dishes.
Hey Jose’s Caribbean Cantina Central Square Plaza on Leeward Highway Mexican 649-94-64812 $$ Open lunch Mon-Fri noon-3 pm and open dinner Mon-Sat 6-10 pm. Closed Sundays. Wed night barbecue.
Pizza Pizza Provo Plaza on Leeward Highway Italian 649-94-13577 $ Open Tue-Sun. New York-style pizza by the slice or by the pie.
Sharkbite Bar & Grill Admiral’s Club at Turtle Cove Seafood 649-94-15090 $$ Open daily 11-2 am. Happy hour 5-7 pm. Varied menu with island flair. Fresh local seafood.
Sharney’s Erebus Inn Seafood 649-94-64120 $$ Open daily. No credit card accepted. Terrace seating provides great sunset views. Dining room and bar are air-conditioned.
Tasty Temptations Butterfield Square Coffee/Pastries 649-94-64049 $ Open 6:30 am-3 pm weekdays and Saturdays in winter. Full deli. Voted best breakfast in Provo.
The Terrace Restaurant Turtle Cove Inn Seafood 649-94-64763 $$ Open Mon-Sat. 11:30 am-Midnight. Recommended by Ambassadair members. Creative conch dishes. Closed Sundays.
Tiki Hut Cabana Bar & Grill Turtle Cove Inn Continental 649-94-15341 $$ Open daily 7 am-9:30 pm. Recommended by Ambassadair members. Wednesdays chicken & ribs special US $10. Creative food.
Top ‘O the Cove Deli Leeward Highway Café 649-94-64694 $ Open Mon-Fri 6:30 am-5pm and Sat-Sun 8 am-3pm. New York-style deli. Eat-in, carry-out, and catering.
Turntable Downtown near Butterfield Square Caribbean 649-94-13673 $ Quaint Haitian-run eatery. Popular with locals.
Turks & Caicos is a quiet and laid-back destination with less nightlife than most Caribbean islands. Many resorts in Grace Bay offer live music and dancing, hotels usually staggering music nights to accommodate all tourists and avoid competing with each other. Some resorts will charge non-guests a fee to purchase a pass that includes bar tokens. Provo has one casino. For local color, you can find pubs and bars. If disco dancing, bar hopping, theater, or party hopping are your thing, then you will be disappointed. But if you enjoy gathering around the hotel bar for a relaxing nightcap, this is your island.
Alfred’s plays live music evenings in the Turtle Cove area. 649-94-64679 American Casino. Allegro Resort & Casino, on Grace Bay Beach offers Caribbean stud poker, roulette, blackjack, big fix, and more than 100 slot machines. Table limit is US $10. Dress is casual, but no beach clothing. Guests must be at least 18. While you play, drinks are free. Open 6 am-2 am. 649-94-65555. Banana Boat Bar & Grill plays live music on Tuesdays. 649-94-15706. Casablanca, next to Club Med at Grace Bay, offers Monte-Carlo-style nightclub with a fashionable crowd. 649-94-65449. Club Med on Grace Bay is geared to couples and the young crowd. Nightly entertainment and dance club. 649-94-65500. Erebus Inn Resort offers native, Reggae, and contemporary music. Turtle Cove. 649-94-64240. Le Deck on Grace Bay, offers entertainment nightly. 649-94-65547. Salt Raker Inn is known for entertainment on Tuesday and Sunday nights. Sharney’s offers late-night entertainment. Turntable Club Disco on Airport Road has one-armed bandits. The disco on Thursday nights is popular with the locals. Bingo is offered on Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday afternoons. The disco also has a cinema.
U.S. citizens are entitled to a US $400 duty-free exemption after being away for 48 hours. Your allowance may include one quart of liquor per adult. In addition to your exemption, you have the privilege of mailing gift parcels to friends and relatives limited to US $50 per day.The best local-made finds include delicate baskets woven from the island top grasses, small metal works, and conch-shell and coral jewelry. Business hours are Mon-Sat 8 am-6 pm. Many stores are closed on Sundays. Cruise ships are not permitted to dock at Turks & Caicos—which means that you will not have to fight the cruise crowd. But it also means that shopping is not a major attraction. Although new stores are opening here every month, you simply will not see the variety of goods compared to other islands in the Caribbean. One Ambassadair member told us this is the first destination his wife came back from with most of her spending money. Most stores are centered in five major shopping centers: Market Place, Central Square, and the Caribbean Place—all on the Leeward Highway; Turtle Cove Landing in Turtle Cove; and the newest one is Ports of Call in Grace Bay.
JEWELRY
Royal Jewels. Sells gold and jewelry, designer watches, and perfumes. On Leeward Highway. 649-94-64885. ART/ANTIQUES/COINS
Bamboo Gallery. Sells Caribbean art including vivid Haitian paintings and woodcarvings. Features local metal sculptures. In the Market Place. Open Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm. 649-94-64748. Greensleeves. This is the leading souvenir shop on the island. Paintings by local artists, island-made rag rugs, baskets, jewelry, and sisal mats and bags. In Central Square. Open Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm. 649-94-64147. Maison Creole. Unique Caribbean arts and crafts, painted mental sculptures, furniture, carved wood masks, canes, and bowls. Grace Bay at Ports of Call. No phone. Mama’s Gifts. Handwoven and embroidered straw baskets, handbags, shell and wood jewelry. In the Ports of Call. 649-94-13338. Paradise Gifts/Arts. On-site ceramic studio and T-shirts painted by local artists. In Central Square. 649-94-64637. CLOTHING
Pelican’s Pouch/Designer I. Resort wear, sandals, perfumes, gold jewelry, basketry, sculpture and watercolors. At Turtle Cove Landing. 649-94-64343. Tropical Fashions. A popular boutique that sells clothing, bathing suits, and sarongs.Open Mon-Sat 8:30am-3:45 pm. At Turtle Cove Landing. 649-94-64343.
The unit of currency is the U.S. dollar. Major credit cards are accepted at most locations. Banking hours are 8 am-noon and 1:30 pm-4 pm Mon-Fri. Few ATM machines are available.
Climate
Turks & Caicos has an average daily temperature in the 80s year round. The islands receive about 21 inches of rain annually. In the winter, the water temperature ranges from 72 to 80 degrees. A constant trade wind keeps the climate at a very comfortable level. Hurricane season is June to October—it is during this period that the temperatures can reach into the 90’s.
Time ZoneTurks & Caicos is on Atlantic Standard Time, and does observe Daylight Savings Time.
RENTAL CARS
Many of Provo’s best beaches are reached on unpaved roads, so 4WD vehicles are advised. Jeeps can be rented from the lobby in most hotels. Driving on the beaches is prohibited. Not only do you risk getting stuck, but you also risk the fine of US $500. Mandatory car insurance costs US $14. Many folks find a rental car useful because the island is large and the hotels and restaurants are scattered. Use a good map. Many roads are unmarked. The main road, Leeward Highway, runs east to west along a 100-foot ridge not far from the north shore. Most rental car companies offer free drop-off and pick-up. In the British tradition, cars throughout the island drive on the left, although most cars feature the driver’s seat on the left, as in American-made vehicles. Following are a few rental car agencies on the island:
BUSESAlthough Provo has a public bus that runs along Leeward Highway and southwest as far as South Dock and Sapodilla Bay (one-way fare is US $2), there are no buses that operate to and from the airport.
TAXIS
Taxis are available in Turks & Caicos, but rides are very expensive. From the airport to Grace Bay, a cab costs US $10 to US $15 for two people. An extra person costs an additional US $5. The taxi drivers are friendly and informative. The rides are usually fixed for standard routes, but it is always a good idea to decide upon a rate before you enter the cab. Most of the taxis used are minivans. Try Island’s Choice Taxi 649-94-10409 or Paradise Taxi 649-94-13555.
During the day, dress in lightweight sport and casual clothing. Turks & Caicos is extremely informal. Swimwear is seen in and around the resort areas, but people usually do not wear swimsuits away from the beach. Only a few restaurants require jackets for men and dresses for women. The island's only casino does not have dress requirements.
WOMEN. Women wear blouses, skirts, sundresses, shorts, and swimwear. Shorts are worn in town as well as on the beach. You will want to add a sweater or jacket if you are heading for a sunset cruise.
MEN. Men favor shorts, sport shirts, and swim trunks. Shorts are worn in town as well as on the beach.
We recommend that you bring insect repellent.
In Turks & Caicos, the electricity is the same as the United States at 110 volts AC, 60 cycles.
Entering the Country. Proof of citizenship and a photo ID are required for U.S. and Canadian visitors. You will need either a passport or driver's license and government issued birth certificate. Women also need to bring marriage licenses and/or divorce decrees to show name changes if traveling without a passport. You will also need to present a return ticket. If you do not have the proper proof of citizenship, you will be denied boarding.
The official language is English.
Use plenty of sunscreen. Skin cancer is a risk after overexposure to the sun. Protect yourself with bug repellent because the mosquitoes and no-see-ums can be vicious. If you plan on exploring the uninhabited island of West Caicos, be advised that the interior is overgrown with dense flora that includes the manchineel tree, which has a milky, poisonous sap that can cause painful, scarring blisters.
On some of the more remote islands in Turks & Caicos, you will notice signs asking for you to conserve water. Bottled water is readily available. There are no warnings against drinking tap water or using ice in resort areas. If you visit one of the more remote islands that has no water supply, rainwater is collected in cisterns and rainfall is limited. You may wish to bring along bottled water if you explore any deserted islands.
Copyright © 2005
Ambassadair Travel Club
