North Caicos is a tiny, rugged island located in the Turks and Caicos archipelago. With a population of fewer than 1,400, this piece of paradise is isolated, quiet, and natural. Before you book your slice of heaven, be sure to check out the tips below.
Rather than book a hotel, we opted to rent out a private residence. The TCI hotels are EXPENSIVE. I’m talking upwards of $10k a night. You can find a breathtaking and private residence for a tenth of the cost. We spent a week at Jodo, a 7-acre estate located on Sandy Point. With six beds and five baths, this beachfront beauty is the destination of your dreams.
Let’s start off with the travel North Caicos requires. You can fly into Providenciales (Provo to the locals) from just about anywhere. Provo is TCI’s most populated island and is filled with famous hotels and countless activities. It is NOTHING like North Caicos. Although beautiful, Provo does not come with the tranquility and dream-like environment North offers. From Providenciales International Airport you’ll need to taxi about half an hour to the TCI Ferry. From here you’ll travel by speedboat to North – a half hour ride at a cost of $50 round trip. The cost is pricy, but the ride in itself is absolutely breathtaking, and there isn’t an alternative. Depending on where you’re flying in from, book your flight accordingly. The ferry’s last trip is at 5 PM SHARP – our flight from CT was delayed a couple of hours and we made the last ferry just in time. If you miss the 5 PM, you’ll have to stay on Provo for the night.
Once you arrive on North there are very few transportation options. A local by the name of Mac runs the well-known taxi service, M & M. Mac works directly with Jodo and is one of the only options to catch a ride. Keep in mind that gas on the island is extremely expensive, so the taxi services is pricy. The 1-mile ride from the ferry to Jodo is $20, and a trip to the closest grocery store and back cost us $40. I highly recommend renting a car for the duration of your stay, especially if you plan on exploring the island/the connecting Middle Island. One of our only regrets for this trip was not renting a car. This being said, it is relatively safe to hitchhike on North. The locals are extremely friendly and don’t mind picking up a tourist if they’re going in the same direction, however, there is NOT much traffic and you have to be pretty lucky to catch a ride. Do NOT try to hitchhike on Provo – totally different way of living there.
The Jodo Estate has absolutely everything you need. The fully equipped kitchen is large enough to simultaneously cook three Thanksgiving dinners, and the bathrooms and closets are stocked with towels. Be sure to bring your own shampoo/bath products (this isn’t a hotel!). Your food options consist of a few local “marts” and three or four restaurants. Again, realize you’ll be paying more at the grocery store than you’re used to, as it costs significantly more to transport food to this isolated island. If you’re looking for booze or a good time, ask a local to point you in the direct of Josh. He’s working on transforming his super unique location into a motel/restaurant and isn’t yet open (as of August 2018), but he’ll hook you up if you need something.
Jodo is also equipped with a few paddle-boards and “Nemo,” a mini electric car you can use on the property. The nearly 400-foot stretch of beachfront is filled with enormous conch shells dispersed against crisp, white sand and turquoise waters. I can absolutely say I have NEVER seen such clean, blue water. Depending on the weather and amount of sunlight, patches of the water shift from turquoise to the most beautiful crystalized emerald blues you’ve ever seen. About 30 yards off of the beachfront is a mini coral-reef system, home to the most beautiful (and venomous) lionfish we’ve ever laid eyes on. If you’re into snorkeling I highly suggest bringing a solid pair of goggles (Jodo also provides a few snorkel sets and fins).
Although Jodo’s property spans just 400 feet on the beachfront, you’ll feel as though you have the entire island to yourself. In the full week we spent at Jodo, we saw people pass by ONCE as they were searching the waterfront for property for sale. We walked three miles along the coast to the right of the house one afternoon and didn’t see a single person. The tranquility and peaceful atmosphere is unlike anything I’ve experienced. I cannot recommend Jodo enough – between the island and the estate itself, it is exactly what you image paradise to be. About a mile to the left of Jodo is an abandoned hotel– another amazing site that deserves recognition. It is quite common to see abandoned projects such as this on North, and it creates an even deeper sense of the magical island-vibe.
Words do not do Jodo justice – the most beautifully worded depiction of this land falls drastically short of describing its unparalleled beauty. I hope the imagery does a better job of conveying the movie-like atmosphere, however, you’ll have to visit for yourself to truly understand it’s magic.
Ready to book your stay at Jodo?
Main Villa: http://www.vrbo.com/656522
Guest Villa: http://www.vrbo.com/445791