Tour Guide
Transcription
Tour Guide
TURKS &CAICOS SPRING & SUMMER GUIDE 2009 The best places to eat, sleep and play in Turks & Caicos this spring and summer With more than 20 million reviews and opinions, TripAdvisor makes travel planning a snap for the 31 million travelers visiting our site each month. Think before you print. And if you do print, print double-sided. INTRODUCTION TripAdvisor, the most trusted source for where to eat, sleep and play in thousands of destinations around the world, has collected the best insider tips from its 31 million monthly visitors to produce a unique series of travel guides. In addition to the best hotels, restaurants and attractions for every type of traveler, you’ll get great advice about what to pack, how to get around and where to find the best views. Be sure to check out the guides at www.tripadvisor.com. You’ll find reviews for more than 270,000 hotels, 78,000 attractions and 469,000 restaurants on TripAdvisor.com. Learn from other travelers what to expect before you make your plans. PACKING TIPS 1. “On arrival in the Turks and Caicos Islands, you must show a valid passport. You must also have a valid onward or return ticket.”— TripAdvisor Member, Toronto, Ontario 2. “Buy a couple of inexpensive plastic rafts and pack them. Leave them for someone else when you leave.”— TripAdvisor Member 3. “I highly recommend bringing your own snorkel gear—you know it fits well and you know who’s used it. Better safe than sorry!”—TripAdvisor Member, New York 4. “We always a pack a fairly extensive first-aid kit. Bug spray may be necessary. Another good thing to take is LOTS of small bills for tips.”— TripAdvisor Member Inside TURKS &CAICOS The beautiful islands of the Turks and Caicos are just east of the Bahamas and north of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Although its neighbors are in Caribbean waters, Turks and Caicos actually calls the Atlantic Ocean home. But, don’t worry, its islands offer the best of the Caribbean, like one of the longest coral reefs in the world, 230 miles of white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. With temperatures ranging between 80 and 95ºF throughout the seasons, Turks and Caicos is a year-round destination, although hurricane season (July to October) can bring severe weather. Turks and Caicos is comprised of eight major islands: Salt Cay, Grand Turk, South Caicos, East Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, West Caicos and Providenciales (nicknamed “Provo”). The islands are relatively flat but, depending on the island, the terrain varies from sand dunes to lush green vegetation. The people on the islands are known for their friendliness, although East Caicos and West Caicos are uninhabited. Whichever island you choose, you’ll be far from the madding crowd, amid tranquility instead of glitz. tripadvisor.com 2 Top VIEWS TURKS & CAICOS BEST VIEWS Take in the “truly remarkable” sights at West Harbor, “which really isn’t much of a harbor at all, but a small rock beach from which the best sunset in the world can be seen.”— TripAdvisor Member, New York, N.Y. West Harbor, Providenciales Where to “The south part of Providenciales faces the Caicos Bank, a shallow, pale turquoise sea and is partly composed of swamp and tidal flats, filled with an abundance of conch and lobster.”—TripAdvisor Member, New Jersey Caicos Bank, Providenciales PLAY Take in the view from below the water at French Cay: “The visibility was almost 100 feet at times. We saw nurse and reef sharks, turtles, spotted eagle rays, crabs, lobsters, big groupers and dolphins.”—TripAdvisor Member, Payson, Arizona French Cay TOP 10 Attractions 1. SNUBA Turks and Caicos, Windsong Resort, Stubbs Road (Grace Bay Beach), Providenciales, 649 241 7010 6. Dive Provo, Providenciales, 649 946 5029 2. Flamingo Divers, Venetian Road, Southside Marina, Providenciales, 649 946 4193 8. Caicos Dream Tours, Alexandra Resort and Spa, Grace Bay Drive, Providenciales, 649 231 7274 7. Grace Bay, Providenciales 3. The Beluga, Providenciales, 649 946 4396 4. Big Blue Unlimited, Providenciales, 649 946 5034 9. Ocean Vibes Scuba & Watersports, Providenciales, 649 331 1104 5. Grand Turk Diving, Duke and James streets, Grand Turk, 649 946 1559 10. Provo Ponies, Long Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5252 FAMILIES “I highly recommend SNUBA for both children and adults. We got to see gorgeous reefs, many different tropical fish, as well as sea turtles, a sting ray, squid... The child in our group had no problem adjusting and enjoying the dive.”—TripAdvisor Member, Massachussetts SNUBA Turks and Caicos, Windsong Resort, Stubbs Road, Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, 649 241 7010 “Our 7- and 3-year-old boys loved their visit to Little Water Cay (a.k.a. Iguana Island). Iguanas were on the beach to greet us when our boat arrived, and a stingray was in the water beside the boat. We took the short tour, walking on a raised wooden walkway to see the iguanas in trees, walking around, eating, etc. The guide called some of the iguanas by name and they came running. A fun stop for kids and adults alike.”—TripAdvisor Member, Toronto, Ontario Little Water Cay, Providenciales ROMANCE “We asked locals to point us towards the best adventure for our 29th anniversary. The Beluga was the only suggestion. We were not disappointed. We set sail around 9 A.M. and were immediately thrilled with our experience. The captain KNOWS the islands and the waters in that area of the Caribbean and has many a story to add to the folklore. I highly encourage anyone to take advantage of this charter.”—TripAdvisor Member, St. Louis, Mo. Sail around Chalk Sound, “the inland body of water that is the brightest shade of blue you have ever seen.”—TripAdvisor Member, Turks and Caicos Chalk Sound, Providenciales “This island has every single type of beach you could want. If you want super clear water, go to Coral Gardens. I saw stingrays, turtles, tons of fish and JoJo the dolphin. The turtles feed off to the left in the grassy area if you want to find them.”—TripAdvisor Member, New York Coral Gardens Reef, Grand Turk “...an excellent place to view sunsets.” With its shallow, calm waters, Sapodilla Bay “is an excellent place to view sunsets, paddle around in the sea and have a few cold ones.”— TripAdvisor Member, Tbilisi, Georgia Sapodilla Bay Beach, Providenciales “The Beluga was the only suggestion. We were not disappointed.” The Beluga, Providenciales, 649 946 4396 Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716 tripadvisor.com 3 Where to PLAY BUDGET “We LOVED Malcolm’s Beach. It was an adventure, as we drove to the middle of nowhere and made it out to this semisecluded beach. The snorkeling was great, and we brought some snacks with us.”— TripAdvisor Member, Greenville, N.C. Malcolm’s Beach, Northwest Point Beach, Providenciales Bight Reef is the “best … reef … ever! There are tons of fish—some were a really cool blue, others reminded us of bumblebees. There are little info tiles along the way. The water is so clear you can read them perfectly.”—TripAdvisor Member, Pasadena, Md. Bight Reef, Providenciales “…walk for miles and see only your own foot prints.” If you are looking for rest and revitalization, water activities, hiking, napping and beach combing, then come to Salt Cay. “The north beach is gorgeous and you can walk for miles and see only your own foot prints. The south beach is like a treasure hunt and we found lots of beach glass. This beach gets the stuff that comes off ships and such and rides the currents of the ocean.”— TripAdvisor Member, California Salt Cay ADVENTURE “Art Pickering’s Provo Turtle Divers rocks! The captains were all entertaining and very informative about the dive sites and had these wonderful maps before every dive. The fresh fruit and snacks were like having a feast! We saw sharks, eagle rays, turtles and one day we snorkeled with a pod of dolphins. There were also tons of small things like shrimps, conch, blennies and flamingo tongues everywhere.”— TripAdvisor Member, Virginia “We took off down the beach on the old Crossing Place Trail, which goes for miles along unpopulated beach. We were gone for three hours and never saw anyone else. It’s a great place for photography, bird watching and beachcombing.”—TripAdvisor Member Take your adventurous spirit to Gibbs Cay, an uninhabited island with beaches and exceptional diving. “The stingrays! I cannot say enough about the experience.”— TripAdvisor Member, Lino Lakes, Mo. Gibbs Cay, Grand Turk Crossing Place Trail, Middle Caicos TripAdvisor members have posted more than 1,380,000 photos on the site. The good, the bad and the very candid. It’s almost like being there! Art Pickering’s Provo Turtle Divers, Turtle Cove Marina, Providenciales, 649 946 4232 EDUCATIONAL/HISTORICAL “Learn the historical significance” of Turks and Caicos at the National Museum. “You’ll learn of the oldest known Caribbean shipwreck and see remnants of it at this museum. Definitely a good visit between sun bathing, diving and dining.”— TripAdvisor Member, Columbus, Ohio Turks & Caicos National Museum, Front Street, Guinep House, Grand Turk, 649 946 2160 “Caicos Conch Farm is a very sophisticated operation. The tour and guide were informative and friendly. We learned about the process from egg masses, feeding stations, outdoor tanks and open sea beds and also about the commercial aspects of their business. Our daughters (ages 2 and 5) loved it, especially the opportunity to touch the live conch at the end of the tour.”— TripAdvisor Member, Vienna, Va. Caicos Conch Farm, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, 649 946 5643 “I am in love with Dive Provo and everyone who works there. We have been there twice and had an awesome experience both times. A staff member was exceptionally passionate about the life below and went out of his way to find rare animals for us to see. He also knew how to crinkle a water bottle to attract sharks. We saw a great hammerhead!”—TripAdvisor Member, Knoxville, Ky. Dive Provo, Ports of Call Shopping Complex, Providenciales, 649 946 5029 RELAXATION Go whale-watching at Grace Bay. “It’s stunning; pictures don’t do it justice. The water in the summer months is lovely and warm.”—TripAdvisor Member, Haywards Heath, U.K. Grace Bay, Princess Alexandra National Park, Providenciales “The lakes and generally tight tee shots at Provo Golf Club make for a constant challenge. And the course always provides a cool and green respite from the beach.”— TripAdvisor Member, United Kingdom Northwest Point Beach is “a lovely, empty stretch of beach with good walking and certainly no hordes of other tourists.”— TripAdvisor Member, Texas Northwest Point Beach, Providenciales Provo Golf Club, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales, 649 946 5591 Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716 tripadvisor.com 4 What’s the TOUR How to Get Around “One of the highlights of our trip was a kayak eco-tour with Big Blue Unlimited. It was a great introduction to the islands. We received an excellent education on the island make-up and wildlife. It made the rest of the week so much more enjoyable as we understood more of what we were looking at. They definitely seemed like the most environmentally aware tour operator around and everything they did was in small groups.”—TripAdvisor Member “There are many methods of getting around the Turks and Caicos Islands. Rent a car; anyone with a license from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Caribbean countries may drive for up to three months. (Keep in mind that cars drive on the left side of the road.) Taxis are also available and generally charge around $2 per mile. Anyone over the age of 18 can rent a scooter and bicycles are available as well.”—TripAdvisor Member WHERE “To get between islands, use one of the ferry services or take a plane. Domestic air service from Sky King is available on a daily basis.”—TripAdvisor Member Want more information on Turks & Caicos? TripAdvisor.com offers free weekly e-mail updates filled with new deals, reviews and articles for Turks & Caicos or any other destination you choose. to eat FAMILIES With everything from Popcorn Chicken Nuggets to The Caribbeaner pizza, “The Tiki Hut Dockside Restaurant and Bar is an island institution. It’s very casual.”— TripAdvisor Member The Tiki Hut Dockside Restaurant and Bar, Dockside at Turtle Cove Marina, Providenciales, 649 941 5341 “After trying a few other restaurants on the island, I found myself returning often to Jimmy’s for the reasonable prices and large portions. The burrito was awesome! The shrimp fajitas were great, and the burger was huge.”—TripAdvisor Member, New York Jimmy’s Dive Bar, Ports of Call, 649 946 5282 “…an island institution.” “Mango Reef at The Royal West Indies has a huge range on their menu from burgers and wraps, to delicate soups, sushi and steak. It isn’t on the ocean but it always gets a nice breeze. They do some very good dinner specials here at certain times.”— TripAdvisor Member Mango Reef at The Royal West Indies, Royal West Indies Resort, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales, 649 946 8200 ROMANCE “Dinner at Simba is an entirely different and good experience. It’s buzzing at night and seemed to be a local favorite among the islanders. The chef even came out and greeted us one night.”—TripAdvisor Member, Westport, Conn. Simba, The Turks and Caicos Club, Lower Bight Road, Providenciales, 649 946 5588 “Overlooking Turtle Cove Marina, Magnolia is an upscale restaurant that’s casual and friendly, too. It’s owned and run by a couple that came here on their honeymoon about 15 years ago. Get there just before sunset and have a cocktail overlooking the whole bay.”—TripAdvisor Member Magnolia, Miramar Resort, Turtle Cove, Providenciales, 649 941 5108 Anacaona, a gourmet oceanfront restaurant with candlelit tables hidden in open-air palapas, serves up sophisticated Mediterranean-Caribbean cuisine. “As no children under 12 are admitted, it is the most romantic restaurant here without question.”—TripAdvisor Member Anacaona, Grace Bay Club, Providenciales, 649 946 5050 BUDGET Serving fresh and unique items for breakfast, lunch and dinner, “Hemingway’s is very good value for money and is right up by the ocean.”—TripAdvisor Member Hemingway’s, The Sands at Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5199 “Baci Ristorante is a very nice small Italian restaurant with great garlic toast and wonderful pasta! It’s very reasonably priced and it offers a nice dinner location, too.”— TripAdvisor Member Baci Ristorante, Harbour Town, Turtle Cove, Providenciales, 649 941 3044 Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716 Serving big bites, like Fresh Caicos Lobster and small bites, like Hammerhead Hot Dog Jr., “The Sharkbite Bar & Grill is a longtime casual favorite.”—TripAdvisor Member The Sharkbite Bar & Grill, Turtle Cove, Providenciales, 649 941 5090 tripadvisor.com 5 WHERE to eat HEALTH-CONSCIOUS “Top of The Cove Deli is a popular spot for breakfast as well as sandwiches for lunch.”— TripAdvisor Member Top of The Cove Deli, Next to Napa on Leeward Highway, Providenciales, 649 946 4694 Grace’s Cottage at Point Grace’s menu changes seasonally with an emphasis on fresh, full-flavored regional ingredients, including mangos, coconut, Kaffir lime and sweet yams. “Great upscale food in an oriental garden type setting.”—TripAdvisor Member “There is the new Chez Wou (formerly Hey Jose’s), where you can get Chinese cuisine with vegetable or tofu dishes.”—TripAdvisor Member, Grace Bay Chez Wou, Central Square, Leeward Highway, Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 941 7203 Grace’s Cottage at Point Grace, Point Grace, Providenciales, 649 946 5096 “Conch straight out of the ocean.” HIDDEN GEMS Go where the locals go: Da Conch Shack. Feast on “conch straight out of the ocean. Have the local fish of the day with peas and rice. Have a pitcher of our local beer, Turks Head, to go with it.”—TripAdvisor Member, Turks and Caicos “Three Queens is the oldest bar on the island and a favorite for dominoes playing. They also serve local food. With all respect to ‘Jimmy,’ this is a REAL island dive bar.”— TripAdvisor Member, Newnan, Ga. Three Queens, Blue Hills, 649 941 5984 Da Conch Shack, Blue Hills Road, 649 946 8877, Providenciales “Calico Jacks Restaurant & Bar is a casual eatery with live music to dance the night away under the stars every Friday night.”—TripAdvisor Member Calico Jacks Restaurant & Bar, Upstairs at Ports of Call, Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5129 SPECIAL EVENTS Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716 tripadvisor.com 6 Where to STAY FAMILIES “Our one-bedroom condo at Northwest Point Resort was very comfortable, cozy, quiet, clean and roomy, with a wonderful view of the sea. It was so nice and relaxing having breakfast on our balcony and just listening to the waves. I miss it already.”— TripAdvisor Member, Austria Northwest Point Resort, Northwest Point Beach, Providenciales, 649 941 8961 ROMANCE “Le Vele is exclusive, with only 22 rooms. Want a romantic getaway? This is it! Take the kids elsewhere! There’s nothing between your view of the ocean and your balcony. It’s MODERN design at its finest.”— TripAdvisor Member, New York, N.Y. Le Vele, Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, 649 941 8800 “Take the kids elsewhere!” “Our family of three thought Alexandra Resort & Spa was the perfect trip. One of the things we loved the most about the resort was that it’s located on the most beautiful stretch of Grace Bay beach and it was completely not crowded. The studio unit was great! My husband is an avid scuba diver and he was impressed with the dive sites and the marine life. My family’s only disappointment was that we had to return home.”—TripAdvisor Member, Chicago, Ill. Alexandra Resort & Spa, Princess Dr., Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5807 “The personal service at Harbour Club Villas & Marina began from the first call and did not end until they dropped us off at the airport for our return. Our villa was immaculate and met all of our expectations. Off the beaten track, Harbour Club Villas offers a beautiful setting. It helped make our honeymoon a trip we will never forget.”—TripAdvisor Member, Chicago, Ill. Harbour Club Villas & Marina, Venetian Way, Providenciales, 649 941 5748 Comfort Suites Turks & Caicos Island, Ports of Calls Grace Bay Road, Providenciales, 649 946 8888 “Although Sibonne Beach Hotel is not the most luxurious when compared to some of the others, it was absolutely everything we wanted and needed. It’s right on the beach, has a great restaurant on the premises and is in close walking distance to great snorkeling and other water sports. Excellent value for the money.”— TripAdvisor Member, Greensboro, N.C. Sibonne Beach Hotel, Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, 649 946 5547 LUXURY “When we arrived at Villa Renaissance, we were told to leave everything because, as of that moment, we were on holiday! Our guest cottage was set on the beautifully landscaped grounds mere footsteps from the most spectacular pool we have ever seen. And the staff members were some of the nicest people we have ever met.”— TripAdvisor Member, Montreal, Quebec Grace Bay Club, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales, 649 946 5050 “Point Grace Resort was a beautiful quiet place on Grace Bay Beach. I would highly recommend this place for a couple seeking an intimate small resort. Our oceanfront suite was incredibly stunning with amazing views from the porch. (The beach was just steps away!) The resort is on the best part of the beach with limited crowds. Service was very good with most of the staff keeping to themselves unless asked for something.”— TripAdvisor Member, Washington D.C. Point Grace Resort, Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5096 BUDGET Comfort Suites Turks & Caicos Island is “a great place to visit for a quiet, relaxing holiday. It was only a short walk to the beautiful, white sandy beach and clear turquoise sea. Also, only 50 yards to boutique shops and a choice of eating places.”—TripAdvisor Member, England “My family and I had a wonderful and peaceful time at Grace Bay Club. The property is absolutely beautiful. We had the two-bedroom suite with everything we needed for a home away from home. The view was breathtaking. White powdery sand, many shades of blue water and hardly any waves, just calm water. Everyone there was very nice, always smiling.”—TripAdvisor Member, Texas “Because Parrot Cay is a private island, you really do feel ‘part of the crowd’ as you pass the celebrity homes on the resort’s private boat transfer. There was a beautiful balcony, with sea views. Spending my morning with a coffee, on an antique day bed, was the start of a perfect day—everyday.”—TripAdvisor Member, London, England Parrot Cay, Providenciales, 649 946 7788 Villa Renaissance, Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 941 5300 Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716 “I felt instantly welcomed and like family at Manta House. The rooms are very relaxing, and beds are very comfortable. A simple weeklong dive vacation turned into a month-long adventure of a lifetime!”—Toronto, Ontario Manta House, Duke Street, Grand Turk, 649 946 1111 “Our biggest decision each day was deciding what frozen cocktail to order” “What can I say … Amanyara was over the top FABULOUS! As only two of maybe eight other guests, we were spoiled beyond belief. Our room was to die for. Our biggest decision each day was deciding what frozen cocktail to order and where we wanted to follow the sun. There was a pathway leading to our own private beach. We snorkeled right from the beach.”—TripAdvisor Member, Oklahoma Amanyara, Northwest Point, Providenciales, 649 941 8133 tripadvisor.com 7 Where to STAY HIDDEN GEMS “We spent 12 idyllic days at Turtlewatch guest house and it was perfect! If your idea of paradise is a quiet spot on a Caribbean island, a beautiful cottage with a perfectly appointed deck to watch spectacular sunrises and sunsets, a quiet stretch of white sand just three minutes walk away and four great restaurants within a 5-minute walk, then this is definitely the place for you! In short, this place is wonderful—I almost didn’t want to post a review to keep it our secret.”— TripAdvisor Member, London, England Turtlewatch, Coconut Road, Providenciales, 649 941 5458 About “Turks and Caicos Club is magnificently designed and sits on a quiet, secluded beach. Our Oceanfront Suite was very spacious and well appointed. The property grounds are beautifully kept and we had the pool area to ourselves whenever we used it. The beach was virtually empty. Service is low-key, but if you needed anything, they were happy to help. The quiet intimacy is the charm of this place. If you want a restorative, secluded getaway, this is it!”—TripAdvisor Member, Toronto, Ontario Turks and Caicos Club, West Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, 649 946 5800 “We stayed at the Royal West Indies Resort for a week and loved it! The beach is quiet, peaceful and just plain gorgeous. The staff were all super friendly and the grounds were beautiful. There were not many people there when we went, so it was very relaxing. It was a great value compared to other upscale hotels and we wouldn’t stay anywhere else in Provo. WE LOVED IT!”—TripAdvisor Member, New Jersey Royal West Indies Resort, Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5004 Have questions about Turks & Caicos? Get insider advice from local experts in our forums. The majority of questions are answered within 24 hours. TRIPADVISOR TripAdvisor is the largest travel community in the world with 31 million monthly visitors and featuring more than 20 million reviews and opinions of 348,000 hotels and attractions. TripAdvisor.com is the most trusted source for travel recommendations about where to go, where to stay and how to play for 61,000 destinations around the world. TripAdvisor.com also provides easy access to the major online travel sites to make booking your next vacation, your best vacation, easier than ever. Edited/compiled by Kristyn Lak Miller and Sheila Koenig This brochure and its contents are copyright © 2009, TripAdvisor, Inc., all rights reserved. TRIPADVISOR, the owl logo and all other marks displayed herein are registered and/or common law trademarks of TripAdvisor and/or third parties. Representations made in this brochure are current as of its publication date. This brochure contains reviews, comments, photographs and other content regarding destinations, accommodations, airlines and other travel products and services submitted by users of tripadvisor.com. Reviews and ratings represent the opinions of such users. TripAdvisor does not sponsor or endorse any user content and therefore is not liable for any statements, representations or other information contained in such user content. Further, reference to any products, services, processes or other information of any third party does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation of or affiliation with, such third party by TripAdvisor. Such third parties are owned and operated by independent retailers or service providers, and TripAdvisor cannot ensure that you will be satisfied with their products, services, business practices or provided information. TripAdvisor recommends that you pursue any and all investigation you feel necessary or appropriate before transacting with any third party. Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716 tripadvisor.com 8