The Art of Relaxation in Turks and Caicos

Did you know that relaxation is an art? Neither did I until I went to Turks and Caicos; the Mona Lisa of relaxation! Soft white sand, warm turquoise water and a nice easy pace creates an atmosphere that can melt away stress.

Turks and Caicos is a group of 40 islands located just south of Florida. Although it is a British overseas territory, the official currency is the U.S. dollar. The climate is tropical with warm temperatures year-round. The summers are muggy, although the rainy season is quite mild compared to other Caribbean islands.

Beachy-keen views!

It has nearly 400 km of coastline but no lakes or rivers to break up the beach. With such a charming atmosphere, it is also a common honeymoon destination. Because Turks and Caicos doesn’t have a major harbour to import large shipments, prices are generally high for most goods like bug spray and personal items, so I recommend packing as many of your own must-have items as possible to save yourself hassle and money.

Here’s a Pro-Tip: The country has strict environmental protection laws in place, so remember to pack reef-friendly sunscreen and biodegradable cosmetics!

The Island of Providenciales, or “Provo”, is the most popular tourist island in the archipelago. Providenciales International Airport is where all international flights land, so if you are staying on one of the other islands, you will have to take a domestic flight or boat there.

There is no public transportation on the island, so bike, pedal bike or taxi are the best ways to explore. Taxi rides are generally priced per person and may be dear, so make sure to agree price before your journey.

Here’s a Pro-Tip: Because the charge is per person, you may find that your driver will stop and pick up other riders along the way. For me, this only happened from the airport.

Let me know if you find Nemo!

Eat, sleep, beach, repeat is the name of the game on these islands! Here are my favourite things to do while visiting:

• Beach Activities – Turks and Caicos is surrounded by about 547 km (340 miles) of barrier reef, so snorkelling and diving are super-cool activities, especially at Bight Beach. For Paddle-boarding, wake-boarding and kayaking, the peaceful Leeward Beach is ideal. On the island of Middle Caicos, Mudjin Harbour is where you can explore the ancient caves and cliffs.
• Grace Bay Beach – Located on the Northeast coast of Providenciales, this gorgeous landmark is frequently ranked as the best beach in the world. With consistently clean turquoise water and soft, white sand, it truly lives up to its reputation. Most of the country’s top resorts, bars and restaurants are located along this coast.

Here’s a Pro-Tip: Keep an eye out for JoJo, a very friendly wild Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin who enjoys playing with humans around Grace Bay!

• Grand Turk – This is the second largest island in the group and home to the country’s capital city of Cockburn Town. With more opportunities to snorkel and lounge on pristine beaches, Grand Turk is also the cultural centre of Turks and Caicos housing the National Museum. The only way to reach there is a 20-minute domestic flight from Provo.
• Salt Cay – The quaint little island of Salt Cay is home to only 80 inhabitants. With history from its days of the Bermudian Salt Industry and a deeply tranquil beach atmosphere, this is a spectacular place to whale or bird watch. Caicos Express is the only airline with flights to Salt Cay. The flight is about 35 minutes from Provo.

My favourite dish in the tunaverse!

The culinary scene in Turks and Caicos enjoys the freshest seafood, with the annual Caribbean Food and Wine Festival, held in November, bringing a lot of positive attention. Local delicacies include Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Rock Lobster (only available during lobster season; August to March) and the incredibly versatile and popular Conch (although it is endangered, so try to be mindful of your consumption). With African, French, British and Spanish influences, Turks and Caicos a fabulous food destination. Here are my favourite places to eat:

• Thursday Night Fish Fry – Every Thursday local restaurants and entertainers offer their best. Located by Bight Park, this is a great place for visitors and locals to enjoy each other’s company.

• Groupers – A local favourite and a great place to spend some time unwinding
• Coco Bistro – Fine dining in an outdoor setting. The menu offers an exciting blend of flavours. Recipes can be tailored to vegetarian and vegan diets.

A good time is always right around the corner in Turks and Caicos. Bambarra Rum and the locally brewed Turk’s Head Beer are staples and widely available. Most bars and pubs are located near Grace Bay Beach and eco-friendly beach bonfires are common at resorts. Here are my favourite places to enjoy a drink:

• Turk’s Head Brewery – Tour and taste the islands’ local beer. Plus, you can hang-out in their custom ballroom afterwards.
• Kalooki’s – Beachside, open-air seating, and weekly live music give Kalooki’s a fun and easy vibe!
• Dock – Located at Seven Stars resort, the vibe is romantic with lovely beach views and cocktails to match.
• Somewhere Café and Lounge – a fun, lively atmosphere offering fabulous rum-based drinks.

Sip, relax, repeat!

Here are my recommendations for Turks and Caicos hotels:

• Beach House Turks & Caicos – Located on Grace Bay, an all-inclusive resort for ease and comfort.
• Blue Haven Resort – This is the place to stay if you love adventure! It is located near the marina and ferry terminal, so you can move about the islands easily.
• Windsong Resort – Located on the Bight Settlement, with a private beach, excellent spa and in-house café.

For shore, an amazing place to stay!

In such a beautiful and serene location, every day is the perfect day to move your body. There are many Yoga and Pilates studios around the Grace Bay area, however my favourite is not a studio at all, but a teacher named David Bowen (who was once a backup dancer for Michael Jackson!). I enjoyed private classes with him during my stay, however you can also find Mr. Bowen at Retreat Yoga as well as the Grace Bay Club.

My stay in Turks and Caicos has reminded me that taking time to relax and unwind is important. I left feeling lighter, calmer and, of course, tanner!

Love,

Isabella