Elite Traveler Spring 2020

EXPLORE TURKS AND CAICOS GUIDE TO TURKS AND CAICOS Blame it on the beaches — and the water. Though just a 90-minute flight from Miami, and about three hours from New York City, the coral island archipelago of Turks and Caicos managed to remain an under-the-radar Caribbean destination for years, staying relatively undeveloped on the tourism front while neighboring islands, like The Bahamas, boomed. But then word started getting out about its spectacular beaches (all 230 miles of them) and turquoise-hued waters (which are home to the second-largest barrier reef in the Atlantic) and, just in the last couple of decades, Turks and Caicos has been experiencing a boom of its own. It’s all being done thoughtfully, though, with the majority of the resorts, dining and shopping centered on the main island of Providenciales (aka Provo), where the highest-end options line the legendary 12-mile, crescent- shaped Grace Bay Beach. There’s also still plenty of charm and character to be found: No building can be taller than seven stories, which helps preserve a small-town feel; fast-food chains are not allowed, so there’s not a Starbucks or McDonald’s in sight; and, while US dollars are the main currency, reminders of the country’s British Overseas Territory status abound (including driving on the left side). See-and-be-seen places exist, but compared to other Caribbean hot spots, Turks and Caicos is primarily about relaxation — ideally, with your toes in that powdery white sand.

by Sandra Ramani

Photos Steve Passmore, Shutterstock, Agile LeVin/visittci.com