Your Guide to Shopping in Provo
While you will not find a large shopping district or a multitude of souvenir shops on every corner, there is a growing number of small boutiques and local stands in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. We have highlighted a few of our favorite spots to find souvenirs or essentials that you forgot to pack.
How to Pay:
Turks and Caicos uses $US currency and most stores accept Visa and Mastercard. Some shops and restaurants do not accept American Express, but everyone accepts cash. Many of the best locally crafted paintings, jewelry, and other knick-knacks are offered at small stands and can only be purchased with cash.
Click here to read our favorite blog post!
Groceries:
If you happen to forget something, there is a large, American style IGA supermarket that will most likely have what you need. Groceries are higher than normal American prices because everything is imported and a tariff is paid on it (there are no corn or wheat fields on this island!). With the exception of beer, which is very expensive (so make sure you enjoy every drop), most groceries are about 1.5 times what we pay in the USA. You can also find sunscreen, snorkeling gear, pool floats, beach chairs, and sand castle equipment at Graceway Gourmet, the “high end” IGA located here. The regular IGA has slightly more reasonable prices and is located here.
Alcohol:
The Wine Cellar is a great place to buy wines, liquors, and beer. The Wine Cellar closes at 6:00 so be sure to get there early! Keep in mind beer is much more expensive on Providenciales due to shipping costs. The IGA and Graceway Gourmet also sell alcohol, including liquor.
Salt Mills Plaza: The main shopping hub is located just inland of the large hotel and resort district. The Salt Mills Plaza offers a handful of boutiques and souvenir shops, including Anna’s Art Gallery and Blue Surf Shop. If you’re looking for a locally crafted gift, Konk Apparel offers sunglasses, T-shirts, hats, and other apparel. Many of the “locally crafted” paintings and souvenirs are actually made on the neighboring island of Haiti. There are several restaurants in the area, including Danny Buoys, one of the only late-night bars on the island.
Craft Stands:
Restaurants, festivals, Thursday-night fish fries, or beach-side at resorts or hotels are a few places you can find craft stands selling trinkets and keepsakes. I enjoy the crafts at da Conch Shack. Many of these stands sell painted or polished Conch Shells, but you need a permit to take a conch shell off the island. Airport customs will take the conch shell if they find it, and there will be no refund given for the purchased shell. You can find information on how to obtain a conch permit here.
Featured Posts
Turks & Caicos Annual Kite Flying CompetitionThe Turks and Caicos Kite Flying Competition is an annual event held on Easter Monday on the beach at the Children’s Park in the Lower Bight Beach Park on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Scheduled for Monday, April 22nd, 2019 -this event is a fun time for children and adults to enjoy the Caribbean breeze!Read more
Top 10 Things To Do in Turks & CaicosWhen it comes to the ideal tropical vacation Turks & Caicos is second to none. These beautiful islands offer the perfect recipe: fun things to do, stunning beaches/landscapes and the luxury amenities for a top shelf tropical experience. In this blog post we’ll go over the Top 10 Things to do in TCI -so keepRead more
Aguaribay: Our Newest Gem on Long BayCompleted in May 2015, Aguaribay is a stunning 5 bedroom beachfront villa outfitted in modern elegance. With plenty of room for 12 people, Aguaribay offers a beautiful private pool, cinema room, and breathtaking views of the beautiful crystal waters of Long Bay. Long Bay is increasingly becoming a closeRead more
Is the Water in Turks & Caicos Really that Blue?The Turks and Caicos Islands are world famous for the white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, but are the photos really showcasing the correct colors of the water? Are photos depicting gorgeous turquoise hues of endless sea views accurately portraying what you’ll see on island? In a word, no. The photos you see onlineRead more
Top 4 Upcoming TCI Events for 2019The Turks & Caicos Islands host a few major events every year that might be worth your attention. You might say this is the cherry on top of the tropical paradise sundae. In this blog post, we’ll go over the top 4 upcoming events for the second half of 2019. 1- Caribbean Food & WineRead more
Things You Must Do in Turks and CaicosLooking for the best things to do in Turks and Caicos? We have put together some of our favorite things to try while visiting Turks and Caicos. Take in the view TCI will be one of the most beautiful places you have ever seen. Make sure you pause to take in the view. Really stopRead more
Da Conch Shack in Turks and Caicos – Interview with owner, John MacdonaldAn institution on Provo for many years, da Conch Shack is a brightly colored beach shack justifiably famous for its conch and seafood. As part of our Faces of Turks and Caicos series, we sat down for an interview with John Macdonald, owner of da Conch Shack, for a chance to get to know himRead more
How Business Leaders Take Time OffWe all know the benefits of taking vacation time, but it can be hard to prioritize time off when workplace demands have taken center stage. Research reported by the Wall Street Journal confirms that “long periods of work without vacation can lead to reduced productivity, diminished creativity, and strained relationships.” This is true not onlyRead more
New villas to the TC Villas family (2019): Shambhala and AlamandraWe are very excited to announce two stunning properties added to our villa repertoire. We have already welcomed many happy guests to these beautiful villas, and once you see the pictures, you’ll understand why they were so pleased! Positioned on two acres of prime real estate on Long Bay Beach, Beach Villa Shambhala’s open livingRead more
Why travel to the Caribbean for your next holiday?Many factors go into picking a destination for your next trip including the time of year (shall we go skiing or become temporary beach bums?), budget, and convenience of travel. One reason the Caribbean is such a popular choice is that it’s a year-round destination. Whether you’re looking to escape an icy Winter back homeRead more
7 Signs You’re a Workaholic that needs a VacationWorking hard is an admirable quality highly prized in modern society, but there is a dark side to an unchecked compulsive need to work. While we all like to describe ourselves as a “hard worker,” could this fall back phrase be overdue for a societal re-think? As workaholic tendencies are being linked to health issuesRead more
Senior Tips for Travel to the CaribbeanAs you enter your 50s, 60s and beyond, you might have some disposable income to spend on beautiful getaways. Tropical paradises might call to you. Senior travel is more popular today than ever before. If you’re looking for both adventure and relaxation, check out these senior travel tips that will help you along the way.Read more
6 Reasons to Choose a Villa Over a HotelThere’s no denying the fun in planning a family vacation, but sometimes the logistical side of things can be a daunting task. This is accentuated when traveling with large groups, as we need to factor in everyone’s needs. In this blog post we’ll go over some of the most important reasons to pick a villaRead more
Bay Bistro Restaurant – Clive Whent InterviewClive Whent is the British chef behind both Bay Bistro Restaurant and the Kissing Fish Catering Company. With 20 years of experience on Provo, Clive is able to meet the most discerning diner’s expectations. He specializes in freshly caught seafood and meets local fishermen on the beach in front of the restaurant to inspect theirRead more
Beach Spotlight: Grace Bay BeachBy now you’ve probably heard about Grace Bay Beach time and time and again -and there are very good reasons for that. It’s consistently ranked amongst the world’s best beaches, voted most romantic destination (among many other awards), and its turquoise blue waters & powder white sands are intrinsically jaw dropping. Read about the topRead more
Star Gazing in Turks & CaicosWhy You Should Try Stargazing in Providenciales (Provo), Turks and Caicos There is relatively little ambient light on the island of Provo, which helps provide conditions that are perfect for stargazing. Because of a lack of nighttime city lights, you’re likely to have your view of the sky unhindered. Another advantage is the far southernRead more
Your Guide to Shopping in ProvoWhile you will not find a large shopping district or a multitude of souvenir shops on every corner, there is a growing number of small boutiques and local stands in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. We have highlighted a few of our favorite spots to find souvenirs or essentials that you forgot to pack. How toRead more
Villa Spotlight: AguaribayPlanning your next group or family vacation? Look no further than Turks and Caicos! Villa Aguaribay is the villa you’ve been waiting for. Take it from us, as part of the TC villas team just stayed in this villa for a week, and we were blown away by the beauty of this architectural dream! Aguaribay,Read more
Leeward and Blue Haven MarinaLocated on the Northeastern tip of Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, Leeward is an exclusive gated neighborhood that offers stunning sunsets and breezy views of the nearby mangrove island just a short kayak trip away. Some of the island’s grandest villas are located in this private neighborhood which offers many residents and renters docks forRead more
Best Villas for a Romantic Getaway in ParadiseTraveling is one of the only things you can buy that immediately makes you richer, and arguably happier! And as if instinct motivated us to, we go out of our way to make this happen. Most of our guests are families or couples looking to experience the relaxing, tropical paradise of Turks & Caicos. InRead more
