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If you’ve traveled with kids before, you know that having a kitchen can be a lifesaver. Even if you don’t intend on doing much cooking on your trip, having a fridge for a few basics, and the ability to make a mac n’ cheese lunch or two, always comes in handy.
Often on vacation, you find yourself in a place when your kids need food right away! What a relief to have breakfast foods available when you want to linger over a coffee. Or lunch foods when the kids suddenly get starving at 11am after a morning at the pool.
Luckily, most of our recommended family hotels in Turks and Caicos have large suites with kitchens. And it’s quite easy to grocery shop in Provo. Here’s what you need to know.
Skip the guesswork. Our 7-Day Turks and Caicos Guide Hits All the Highlights
Turks and Caicos Grocery Stores Near Grace Bay Beach
Provo has four main grocery stores, plus delivery is a fifth option.
The first three supermarkets are all under the same ownership, Graceway Supermarkets. They are the easiest grocery stores in Turks and Caicos to get to, navigate, and find all the familiar items you need to keep your kids happy on vacation.
1. Graceway IGA Supermarket
Most families will end up grocery shopping at Graceway IGA Supermarket in Turks and Caicos. It’s the biggest of the Turks & Caicos grocery store options, located right on the Leeward Highway (the main road on Providenciales).
The IGA stocks a wide variety of items, from fresh produce to local seafood. They also have a deli and bakery, and sell beer, wine, and liquor, making it the perfect place to get all your groceries in one stop.
The IGA is open from 7am to 10pm and is a 5-10 minute drive from most of the main resorts on Grace Bay Beach.
2. Graceway Gourmet
Another Providenciales grocery store option is Graceyway Gourmet. Think of this as the Whole Foods of Provo. It’s a smaller, fancier grocery store that is known for its high-quality, gourmet products.
If you’re looking for something unusual, like gluten-free products or fancy cheese, or celebrating any special occasions while on vacation, Graceway Gourmet is your best bet.
Graceway Gourmet also has the convenience factor going for it. Graceway Gourmet is walking distance from a lot of the popular resorts; we suggest in our Turks and Caicos itinerary that guests stop there for basics while walking around town.
Most of the best resorts for families in Grace Bay also offer complimentary bikes for guests, making small grocery runs to Graceway Gourmet easy even without a car.
You can also find prepared foods at Graceway Gourmet, like sandwiches and salads, which can be ordered as takeout to return to your hotel.
3. Graceway Smart
If you want to stop at the grocery store as soon as you leave the airport, the closest option is Graceway Smart. This is one of the newer grocery stores in town so it’s sometimes omitted from lists of the best grocery stores in town. It’s also a little bit further away from the resorts than the IGA–but closer to the airport.
Like the IGA supermarket and the Graceway Gourmet, Graceway Smart has fresh produce, standard groceries, and prepared foods. It will be slightly more affordable than the other two choices. On the flip side, it will offer a smaller selection than IGA, and less high-end products than Graceway Gourmet.
4. Quality Food Centre
Quality Food Centre is a wholesale food market on Provo’s south end. Most tourists staying in Grace Bay won’t make it here. But, it’s a market where local people shop, and as such you may find some more interesting food choices. If you’re staying in a villa on the Chalk Sound side of Provo, this grocery store should be on your radar.
5. Grocery Delivery in Grace Bay
If you really want to settle into the vacation life, you can get your groceries delivered. Turks and Caicos delivery service offers same-day grocery delivery to your hotel. The website has an interface like Instacart; you can do your shopping right online. Delivery fees start at $36.00.
Things You Need To Know Before Grocery Shopping In Providenciales
As you can see from the list above, there are plenty of grocery store options in Turks & Caicos. Here’s what you should know before heading out grocery shopping.
- Credit cards are widely accepted
- You will see a lot of familiar items---my brother came home from the store with boxes of LaCroix, Pringles, Fruit Loops, Goldfish, mac n' cheese, and even some protein drinks. If your kids are picky eaters, you don't need to stuff your suitcase full of familiar snacks. You can find them here.
- People always ask: Is Turks and Caicos expensive? Yes, groceries are expensive because everything must be imported. The barrier reef makes it difficult for big ships to deliver supplies. This means that things have to come on smaller boats, which drives up the cost. Be prepared for that so you don't get sticker shock when you read the Turks and Caicos grocery prices. There is a 20% duty on all alcohol purchases, plus a 12% value-added tax (VAT) on all purchases.
- There is a 20% duty on all alcohol purchases, plus a 12% value-added tax (VAT) on all purchases.
- Stick to local items to control costs (plus, when in Rome...). Prices for imported items (like cereal and cheese) will be higher than what you're used to at home.
- Definitely buy local alcohol. We learned at checkout that a case of corona could run you $70+ (ouch). Local beer, wine, and spirits will be more affordable at the grocery stores.
- You'll do even better if you go straight to the source for your beer. Turks Head Brewery makes great beer, with awesome names: I-Ain-Ga-Lie Lager, Don-Ta-Nort Amber Ale, Down-Da-Road IPA, and my personal favorite for a light, beach beer, I-Soon-Reach Light Lager. The best prices are at the brewery itself.
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Another option is get your beer, wine, and liquor at The Wine Cellar, a discount liquor store just a few minutes down the road from the IGA. While you're there, don't forget to buy the local Bambarra Rum.
You’re ready for your grocery shopping adventure. Now all you need is a great hotel with a kitchen to stock!
