Blamona -- need advice please on May 2012 TCI visit
Apr 25th, 2011, 10:37 AM
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Blamona -- need advice please on May 2012 TCI visit
Hello!
My husband and I are 35 & 38 and thinking of going to the Turks & Caicos Islands for our 10th anniversary in latter May 2012. We found two places of interest on North Caicos and wondering your opinion?
http://www.hollywoodbeachsuites.com/homepage.html
http://www.datai-villa.com/index.php
We are curious as to why North Caicos seems so much less expensive? Is there something we should be aware of? We are looking for something very laid back, more private than crowded, non-family oriented, with an awesome view with a budget of $2100 for 7 days for lodging. We have our own snorkel gear and want to do that, as well as a charter fishing trip and other outdoor activities as we feel like it.
Any recommendations you can give would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!!!
My husband and I are 35 & 38 and thinking of going to the Turks & Caicos Islands for our 10th anniversary in latter May 2012. We found two places of interest on North Caicos and wondering your opinion?
http://www.hollywoodbeachsuites.com/homepage.html
http://www.datai-villa.com/index.php
We are curious as to why North Caicos seems so much less expensive? Is there something we should be aware of? We are looking for something very laid back, more private than crowded, non-family oriented, with an awesome view with a budget of $2100 for 7 days for lodging. We have our own snorkel gear and want to do that, as well as a charter fishing trip and other outdoor activities as we feel like it.
Any recommendations you can give would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!!!
Apr 25th, 2011, 11:14 AM
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North Caicos "seems so much less expensive" (when compared to resorts/hotels/villas) on Provo mainly because it is very sparsely populated (around 1,500 people) and there's not very much in the way of tourist amenities on the island. Go there if you truly want to "get away from it all".
Apr 25th, 2011, 12:07 PM
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The main tourist island is Providencials ( Provo) That is where you will find nice resorts, great restaurants, spas, shopping ( a little) well stocked grocery stores, liquor stores, tours etc. As RoamsAround said above -North is very laid back, not much there. We have been to North Caicos on day trips--love it for that but , only would stay on Provo -we just prefer it and the comforts!
Apr 25th, 2011, 03:47 PM
#4
I saw the other posts too.
Personally, for a first visit, I don't think North Caicos is a good choice for first visit to T&C. It's off the beaten path, long distances to everything, requires an $80 a day car (so add that to your budget) and the beaches are far superior on Provo. What North offers is quiet and solitude. Nothing wrong with it, but you're better off at Provo for a first visit, maybe day trip to North to get a feel for next time. Hotels are more rustic, no shopping, no nightlife, definitely good de-stressing.
What time of year for your budget? Can make a big difference.
You might also want to consider one of the other islands--Salt Cay or Grand Turk. While they require additional air, they are less expensive than Provo and easier to get around, yet still have awesome beaches.
Personally, the first time visit should be Provo--it's what attracts people to T&C in the first place.
Personally, for a first visit, I don't think North Caicos is a good choice for first visit to T&C. It's off the beaten path, long distances to everything, requires an $80 a day car (so add that to your budget) and the beaches are far superior on Provo. What North offers is quiet and solitude. Nothing wrong with it, but you're better off at Provo for a first visit, maybe day trip to North to get a feel for next time. Hotels are more rustic, no shopping, no nightlife, definitely good de-stressing.
What time of year for your budget? Can make a big difference.
You might also want to consider one of the other islands--Salt Cay or Grand Turk. While they require additional air, they are less expensive than Provo and easier to get around, yet still have awesome beaches.
Personally, the first time visit should be Provo--it's what attracts people to T&C in the first place.
Apr 26th, 2011, 04:32 AM
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Thank you! DH & I are very happy with quiet and solitude. We actually prefer that to a bunch of tourists or a highly tourist-y area. We are kind of looking for something off the beaten path to relax and veg out. DH works very long hours and wants to mainly relax and do water activities as we feel like it...chartered FISHING, snorkeling and maybe parasailing or other adventure activity, if available. We aren't looking to hang out at a bar for nightlife. (DH has MS and fatigues easily, so staying out late wouldn't probably happen for us anyway.)
Our anniversary is May 26, so we would go for about a week around that date.
We aren't looking to shop or hit the spa. I am not a big shopper and I'm a massage therapist, so I do those things to myself and DH. LOL I have taught him well to work on me.
The more DH looks at Hollywood Beach Suites on North Caicos, the more he likes it. We can walk to grocery & liqour stores, cook a lot of our own food (our preference) and have a beautiful view/be close to the beach (as it appears from the photos). We can walk down the beach to a couple of restaurants apparently, which is appealing. (We like the kids of places that don't appear the best visually, but have AWESOME food.)
I will look at Salt Cay and Grand Turk as well!
Our anniversary is May 26, so we would go for about a week around that date.
We aren't looking to shop or hit the spa. I am not a big shopper and I'm a massage therapist, so I do those things to myself and DH. LOL I have taught him well to work on me.
The more DH looks at Hollywood Beach Suites on North Caicos, the more he likes it. We can walk to grocery & liqour stores, cook a lot of our own food (our preference) and have a beautiful view/be close to the beach (as it appears from the photos). We can walk down the beach to a couple of restaurants apparently, which is appealing. (We like the kids of places that don't appear the best visually, but have AWESOME food.)
I will look at Salt Cay and Grand Turk as well!
Apr 26th, 2011, 06:26 AM
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I'm not saying you can't find something good to eat on North Caicos but finding "AWESOME food" may be a bit of a challenge. It's not the gourmet dining capital of the T&C. If memory serves me correct there's only a few local restaurants and a couple of hotels that have on site restaurants. Food service is OK but the island does't get enough tourists to justify the gourmet type restaurants you may be seeking. Of course, everyone's taste pallet is different so you may think basic island food may be "AWESOME". As for groceries you are going to have a limited selection of frozen meats and some fresh produce at the local store but don't expect the same variety you find at home.
Also, you won't find parasailing on the island so scratch that off your list of things to do.
As every has mentioned, North Caicos is very remote - it gets very few tourists (I'd be willing to be there's less than 100 hotel rooms on the entire island) and that means there's not going to be much in the way of tourist oriented amenities.
North Caicos is a place that is truly off the beaten path it also means there's not much to do contemplate nature.
I completely agree with Blamona - North Caicos is not a place I'd recommend for first time visitors to the T&C unless they were very experienced "island travelers" who have been to the more mainstream destinations and are seeking a very remote "see no one, hear no one" experience.
Also, you won't find parasailing on the island so scratch that off your list of things to do.
As every has mentioned, North Caicos is very remote - it gets very few tourists (I'd be willing to be there's less than 100 hotel rooms on the entire island) and that means there's not going to be much in the way of tourist oriented amenities.
North Caicos is a place that is truly off the beaten path it also means there's not much to do contemplate nature.
I completely agree with Blamona - North Caicos is not a place I'd recommend for first time visitors to the T&C unless they were very experienced "island travelers" who have been to the more mainstream destinations and are seeking a very remote "see no one, hear no one" experience.
Apr 26th, 2011, 06:49 AM
#7
Sorry, again I wrote on your other post.
You HAVE to have a car on North ($85 daily) you can walk to 1 restaurant on North Caicos. North is extremely remote with long distances to it. There are only a handful of restaurants in the stretch of 90 minutes anyway, and most have sporatic hours. (if open at all) Grocery and Liqour stores is a stretch in my opinion, most buy food at the supermarket in Provo and bring it with them. No activities at all, chances 6 people on the beach is crowded. No parasailing. You need a car or bike to snorkel, as Three Mary Cays is even more remote. For fishing you need a permit, and a car or excursion (and excursions can be costly)
What's my point? North is really long, and has large distances between things, it's extremely "remote." If you need peace and isolation, that's what you'll get. You won't find the other things you're looking for on North. Fishing charters there will put you out $800 for 1/2 day. (and you'll be the only ones going out.) The beaches are gorgeous, but in a more "natural" state, meaning boulders, rocks and seaweed--the strands aren't as nice as the other T&C islands.
I know I sound negative. I actually like North Caicos, but it's definitely not for people looking for parasailing, access to grocery stores and restaurants. It's truly a get a way from it all and have a beach to yourself. It's expensive to rent cars, go back and forth to Provo for the activities you want.
On the other hand, Provo has easy access to all of it, yet there are still some quiet areas where you have a beach all to yourself. You get the best of all the worlds there, and a better chance to parasail, explore, and excursions, definitely many choices of restaurants and a terrific supermarket. You can easy day trip to North and Middle to check out, where as backwards is a lot harder to do.
Again, I don't mean to sound negative, I just don't think you realize how remote North feels. There is nothing to do. Groceries are hard to come by. Excursions are hard to come by. Restaurants, same. It's such a long island, that the logistics are hard. Non-existent if you're not going to get a car (and think you can walk places.)
Grand Turk and Salt Cay are much easier to achieve what you're looking for, except for the parasailing. Tiny islands, where you can easily get around, yet still have great access to things. (Although still not as easy as Provo.) Plus Grand Turk and Salt Cay beaches are far superior too. (to North's) The restaurants on both sound more like what your looking for too, and terrific snorkeling, day trip excursions possible, and within your prices (albeit "rustic.")
I think you're attracted to North by the price tag. especially when compared to prices in Provo. While Provo is upscale and state of the art, in North you have to add $85 daily for the car, and that can go a long way to an easier more luxurious vacation on Provo, where you'll still have sections of secluded beach, but access to numerous restaurants and excursions if you want them.
You HAVE to have a car on North ($85 daily) you can walk to 1 restaurant on North Caicos. North is extremely remote with long distances to it. There are only a handful of restaurants in the stretch of 90 minutes anyway, and most have sporatic hours. (if open at all) Grocery and Liqour stores is a stretch in my opinion, most buy food at the supermarket in Provo and bring it with them. No activities at all, chances 6 people on the beach is crowded. No parasailing. You need a car or bike to snorkel, as Three Mary Cays is even more remote. For fishing you need a permit, and a car or excursion (and excursions can be costly)
What's my point? North is really long, and has large distances between things, it's extremely "remote." If you need peace and isolation, that's what you'll get. You won't find the other things you're looking for on North. Fishing charters there will put you out $800 for 1/2 day. (and you'll be the only ones going out.) The beaches are gorgeous, but in a more "natural" state, meaning boulders, rocks and seaweed--the strands aren't as nice as the other T&C islands.
I know I sound negative. I actually like North Caicos, but it's definitely not for people looking for parasailing, access to grocery stores and restaurants. It's truly a get a way from it all and have a beach to yourself. It's expensive to rent cars, go back and forth to Provo for the activities you want.
On the other hand, Provo has easy access to all of it, yet there are still some quiet areas where you have a beach all to yourself. You get the best of all the worlds there, and a better chance to parasail, explore, and excursions, definitely many choices of restaurants and a terrific supermarket. You can easy day trip to North and Middle to check out, where as backwards is a lot harder to do.
Again, I don't mean to sound negative, I just don't think you realize how remote North feels. There is nothing to do. Groceries are hard to come by. Excursions are hard to come by. Restaurants, same. It's such a long island, that the logistics are hard. Non-existent if you're not going to get a car (and think you can walk places.)
Grand Turk and Salt Cay are much easier to achieve what you're looking for, except for the parasailing. Tiny islands, where you can easily get around, yet still have great access to things. (Although still not as easy as Provo.) Plus Grand Turk and Salt Cay beaches are far superior too. (to North's) The restaurants on both sound more like what your looking for too, and terrific snorkeling, day trip excursions possible, and within your prices (albeit "rustic.")
I think you're attracted to North by the price tag. especially when compared to prices in Provo. While Provo is upscale and state of the art, in North you have to add $85 daily for the car, and that can go a long way to an easier more luxurious vacation on Provo, where you'll still have sections of secluded beach, but access to numerous restaurants and excursions if you want them.
Apr 26th, 2011, 10:50 AM
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Thanks everyone for your thoughts!!! They don't sound negative to me -- I'll take all the help I can get!
My husband is attracted to Hollywood Beach Suites on North Caicos after reading their website and seeing the photos, but I have been telling him it may be too remote (I was questioning why the price was a lot lower...rather, what they weren't saying on the site), so I am looking at other options. I started looking at Grand Turk and Salt Cay. Any recommendations there as well as Provo that would be (style)comparable to what we are looking for? (Great view/close to beach, less touristy/not a busy cruise ship drop off spot.)
**Thank you Blamona for all of your posts -- I am sorry I had a few posts out there, so thank you very much for the extra typing!!!
My husband is attracted to Hollywood Beach Suites on North Caicos after reading their website and seeing the photos, but I have been telling him it may be too remote (I was questioning why the price was a lot lower...rather, what they weren't saying on the site), so I am looking at other options. I started looking at Grand Turk and Salt Cay. Any recommendations there as well as Provo that would be (style)comparable to what we are looking for? (Great view/close to beach, less touristy/not a busy cruise ship drop off spot.)
**Thank you Blamona for all of your posts -- I am sorry I had a few posts out there, so thank you very much for the extra typing!!!
Apr 26th, 2011, 05:18 PM
#12
On the plus side, cruisers tend to stay at the port or ship excursions, Grand Turk really has stayed mostly it's sleepy charming self. I personally like Osprey Resort. White Sands is very nice too-but closer to the cruise port. On days there's a ship in, there are actually quite a few beach shacks open, so it's not neccessarily a negative.
Salt Cay is like another world. You rent bicycles or golf carts. You have to stop for donkeys. The beach is scrumptious. You can day trip with Salt Cay Divers to Great Sand Cay, which has a stunning beach to top all beaches. You'll get to met all the locals, that will become your friends. 3 terrific restaurants, only a tiny 3 SQ miles big!
Check out SC blog spot:
http://www.saltcaybwi.blogspot.com/
Keep in mind though, most places in Salt Cay don't have A/C, don't know how important that is to you.
From Grand Turk you can also day trip to Gibbs Cay, to swim with stingrays. Terrific snorkeling and nice beaches, without loosing it's charm and quantness.
Salt Cay is like another world. You rent bicycles or golf carts. You have to stop for donkeys. The beach is scrumptious. You can day trip with Salt Cay Divers to Great Sand Cay, which has a stunning beach to top all beaches. You'll get to met all the locals, that will become your friends. 3 terrific restaurants, only a tiny 3 SQ miles big!
Check out SC blog spot:
http://www.saltcaybwi.blogspot.com/
Keep in mind though, most places in Salt Cay don't have A/C, don't know how important that is to you.
From Grand Turk you can also day trip to Gibbs Cay, to swim with stingrays. Terrific snorkeling and nice beaches, without loosing it's charm and quantness.
Apr 28th, 2011, 12:49 PM
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I was just doing some research for my folks that enjoy a remote location and I came across Northwest Point on T & C. It is removed from the resorts on Grace Bay, but you can still drive to the restaurants if you desire. Their rates for this May include a car, so I am guessing they will have the same special in May 2012. Check out: http://www.turksandcaicosreservations.tc/ When I called and spoke to one of the reps, he also suggested Harbour Villas. If you decide to stay on Provo, I suggest you do a day trip to North and Middle Caicos.
Apr 30th, 2011, 05:41 AM
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Thanks Blamona and KerriS! I will look into your suggestions!
Blamona, A/C would be nice but certainly not a deal-breaker for us. Salt Cay sounds cool.
KerriS, We looked at Habour Villas and it looks like a good fit, but wondering if it is more family oriented, with lot of kids all around (which will just make us think of ours all the time, LOL).
We have decided either Provos, Salt Cay or Grand Turk at this point.
Blamona, A/C would be nice but certainly not a deal-breaker for us. Salt Cay sounds cool.
KerriS, We looked at Habour Villas and it looks like a good fit, but wondering if it is more family oriented, with lot of kids all around (which will just make us think of ours all the time, LOL).
We have decided either Provos, Salt Cay or Grand Turk at this point.
May 30th, 2011, 08:13 PM
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I wouldn't go to North Caicos as your first or twenty-first visit - we stayed a week in Whitby in early March, and about went crazy. If it wasn't for a whale trip that I purchased plane tickets for to another island, we would have flown home after 2 days there. When the others on this post tell you there is nothing there, believe us, THERE IS NOTHING THERE. No boating or water activities, no shopping, no arts, no historic tours, no activities - NOTHING.
If you are renting a villa, pretend you are camping in a really nice tent, bring everything you can from home in your bag - paper towels, napkins, tissues, dishwasher tabs, trash bags, Pringles, tuna, crackers, small mayo/mustard/ketchup, coffee, cereal, spices, sugar/sweetner, bug spray, whatever you can bring in your bag. Upon arrival have your taxi take you to the nearest grocery store to buy as much fresh food/produce/diary/meats that you think you'll need - taxi will wait for you - tell them at the store you are staying in North Caicos, they'll box your purchases for you. You will have sticker shock but buy it here, it's worse in North, if you can even find it there. Taxi driver and ferry persons will unload and load whatever you buy onto the ferry. And on the other side in North Caicos, someone will help you get to your car - remember to tip accordingly. Don't forget whatever liquor you prefer - we paid $72.00 for a case of Corona on North Caicos and $55.00 for a case of Bud Light in Provo. Again, buy it before going to North - a round trip ferry for one day will cost you $80.00 for the 2 of you.
If you want to do nothing, North Caicos is for you, and I mean nothing. If you are lucky, you'll find a dinner out here and there, with all serving exactly the same choices, however, you'll need to tell them by noon you are coming, and what you want. None of the choices are "awesome" to say the least. During the day you can drive for miles and miles and never see another car. Beaches are beautiful and deserted, however, good luck finding access to most, and really good luck finding Three Mary Cay - we found it solely by accident.
Your evenings will consist of watching TV inside, hopefully, where you book will have a satelite dish, as you will not be able to sit outside. If the wind is blowing, you'll need to "hang on" and if the wind isn't you'll need more bug spray than you can imagine. After the first night outside I had 16 bug bites on my right arm between my elbow and wrist. I quit counting!
Think long and hard if this is the place to go - I truly thought North Caicos would be perfect for me - small business owner who needed a break from it all. I was wrong, I needed something to do at least a couple of nights. I would have enjoyed a nice meal out with a full menu to chose from, I would have loved a brunch out at a beach front restaurant, I would have enjoyed an evening on the beach listening music while a beverage was brought to me. None of this is existent on North Caicos.
Bring lots of books.
Know that everyone from the taxi driver, the employees at the grocery store and the ferry company will help you. The people there go out of their way to make you feel at ease and comfortable.
If you are renting a villa, pretend you are camping in a really nice tent, bring everything you can from home in your bag - paper towels, napkins, tissues, dishwasher tabs, trash bags, Pringles, tuna, crackers, small mayo/mustard/ketchup, coffee, cereal, spices, sugar/sweetner, bug spray, whatever you can bring in your bag. Upon arrival have your taxi take you to the nearest grocery store to buy as much fresh food/produce/diary/meats that you think you'll need - taxi will wait for you - tell them at the store you are staying in North Caicos, they'll box your purchases for you. You will have sticker shock but buy it here, it's worse in North, if you can even find it there. Taxi driver and ferry persons will unload and load whatever you buy onto the ferry. And on the other side in North Caicos, someone will help you get to your car - remember to tip accordingly. Don't forget whatever liquor you prefer - we paid $72.00 for a case of Corona on North Caicos and $55.00 for a case of Bud Light in Provo. Again, buy it before going to North - a round trip ferry for one day will cost you $80.00 for the 2 of you.
If you want to do nothing, North Caicos is for you, and I mean nothing. If you are lucky, you'll find a dinner out here and there, with all serving exactly the same choices, however, you'll need to tell them by noon you are coming, and what you want. None of the choices are "awesome" to say the least. During the day you can drive for miles and miles and never see another car. Beaches are beautiful and deserted, however, good luck finding access to most, and really good luck finding Three Mary Cay - we found it solely by accident.
Your evenings will consist of watching TV inside, hopefully, where you book will have a satelite dish, as you will not be able to sit outside. If the wind is blowing, you'll need to "hang on" and if the wind isn't you'll need more bug spray than you can imagine. After the first night outside I had 16 bug bites on my right arm between my elbow and wrist. I quit counting!
Think long and hard if this is the place to go - I truly thought North Caicos would be perfect for me - small business owner who needed a break from it all. I was wrong, I needed something to do at least a couple of nights. I would have enjoyed a nice meal out with a full menu to chose from, I would have loved a brunch out at a beach front restaurant, I would have enjoyed an evening on the beach listening music while a beverage was brought to me. None of this is existent on North Caicos.
Bring lots of books.
Know that everyone from the taxi driver, the employees at the grocery store and the ferry company will help you. The people there go out of their way to make you feel at ease and comfortable.
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