Providenciales

Introduction

Providenciales, also Provo for short, is the most developed island of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the largest by population. It is also the most popular island, with lots of great beaches, resorts and activities including snorkelling. The island, and in particular Grace Bay Beach, has been voted the best beach destination in the world in 2011.

Geography

The island has an area of 98 km2 and a 2012 Census population of 23,769. Providenciales is the largest island in population, the third largest in area, and is home to a large majority of the population of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Sights and Activities

Grace Bay Beach

Grace Bay Beach has been voted one of the best and most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean and even in on Earth! The beach stretches about 20 kilometres where you will find white sandy beaches which are absolutely stunning. Snorkeling Grace Bay is fabulous because of its crystal-clear waters and beautiful reef. The sunsets are one of a kind as well and although it is by far the most popular beach on the Turks and Caicos Islands, it's at least less developed than for example many of the Bahamas islands.

Chalk Sound National Park

Chalk Sound National Park is a fantastic and huntingly beautiful part of the Turks and Caicos Islands. This is the place to come if turquoise is your favorite colour. Because this is the exact colour of the waters of this 5 kilometers wide bay, which holds a vast number of green and lush islands and and mushroom-like tiny islets. A peninsula with some fantastic beaches only adds to the beauty. A bit of culture is even available at Sapodilla Bay where you can find carvings on rocks that name shipwrecked sailors dating back to 1844.

Turtle Cove

Turtle Cove is located along a harbor with the same name. It is a very nice grill bar where you can have pleasure the whole night eating, drinking, dancing and, if you like it, do some karaoke. There is a live reggae band every Friday night and for a night out is is probably one of the better places on the islands.

Other sights and activities

• Caicos Conch Farm

The Conch Farm has been closed for years.

Events and Festivals

Conch Festival

This food festival celebrates the islands’ most famous delicacy, the conch. The conch shell is also a historical icon for Turks and Caicos and one of its few exports. The main events include the sampling of delicious seafood dishes made with conch, and a traditional conch blowing competition among the local fishermen. It is held on the last weekend of November on the island of Providenciales.

Weather

Providenciales has a very pleasant and tropical climate with generally warm and humid weather. The seabreeze makes things relatively mild though and water is never far away. Temperatures generally average around 30 °C during the day yearround and 23 °C at night. December to May is the dry season, where July to October is the rainy season, but this generally means some showers at the end of the day instead of days of rain on end. Hurricanes are possible though from August to October.

Getting There

By Plane

Air Turks and Caicos is the main airline of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Main destinations include Kingston, Nassau, Puerto Plata and Santiago de los Caballeros and. Its base is at Providenciales International Airport (PLS). From there British Airways has flights to and from London and Nassau as well, while other destinations include Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa and Montreal, and several cities in the United States (Charlotte, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Newark, Atlanta, Miami and Dallas).

By Boat

TCI Ferry Service is a ferry service between Walkin Marina Leeward on Providenciales and Sandy Point Marina on North Caicos. with 4 departures each day in both directions. There are 5 daily departures in both directions from Monday to Saturday and 3 on Sundays and holidays. It's US$25 for a single trip and US$40 for a same day return ticket. Check current timetables online. There are also scheduled ferry services between Providenciales and Cockburn Harbour, South Caicos.

Getting Around

There are shuttles and public buses, but for families wishing to travel to dinner and other attractions, it is recommended to rent a car. Rental cars are available from several local companies. Many roads are not sealed. Driving is on the left and you will need a local temporary driving permit as well. You need to pay mandatory insurance and government tax as well.

Furthermore, many shops are within walking distance. If you are residing at resorts along the Grace Bay strip, a free shuttle will most likely be offered to take you to certain areas along Leeward Highway. Some of these places include: Yoshi's, Calico Jack's, Jimmy's Dive Bar, local boutiques, and the Graceway Supermarket.

Taxis can get expensive if you are traveling from the heart of Grace Bay to areas surrounding the Turtle Cove Marina. The charge is approximately $6-8 per person. If you are staying along the strip of resorts (Seven Stars, Club Med Turkoise, Grace Bay Club, Point Grace, etc.) you are in great walking distance to a handful of restaurants, pubs, boutiques, and island entertainment (i.e. scuba diving, sailing, wakeboarding).

Eat

• Anacaona at Grace Bay Club - A very quaint formal dining location that overlooks the ocean.
• Jimmy's Dive Bar & Grill - A great place to grab a drink and eat a very inexpensive, delicious meal. Jimmy’s has a great environment, a strong rum punch, but the service is usually slow. As the menu says, do not dine there if you are late for your flight.
• Coco Bistro: Outside seating surrounded by twinkling lights and canopy palm trees. The fish is freshly cooked, and the staff is very friendly.
• The Grill at Grace Bay Club - Unlike Anacaona, Grace Bay Club’s formal dining area, The Grill is a more informal, inexpensive eating area. With the ability to sit outside under umbrella’s overlooking the ocean, or sitting under a roof while still outside, the Grill offers a wide selection of food and a pleasant experience.
• Tiki Hut Cabana Bar and Grill - Casual and laid back dining is located at Turtle Cove Marina, just 10 minutes from the heart of Grace Bay. This grill has great food for a good price. Try the daily fish, while enjoying a Turks Head beer. Wednesday night they serve $12 chicken/ribs.
• Yoshis Japanese Restaurant - Yoshis has indoor and outdoor dining. The sushi is very fresh and the staff is very friendly. They have a wide selection on the menu. It is recommended to make a reservation.
• Calico Jack's - Fabulous home cooking, and live music on Friday nights. Calico Jack's is also open for lunch.
• Danny Bouy's Irish Pub and Restaurant - Happy Hour is M-F 4-7PM. Shoot a game on free pool on Thursday night and be sure to try the Shepherds Pie. This restaurant features imported beers.
• The Bagatelle at the Ganzevoort: Delicious fresh cooked food but pricey. Dress code is upscale.
• Bella Luna Ristorante - Italian aromas fill the air. One of the best Italian restaurants on the island. Indoor and outdoor terrace seating.
• Restaurant at Amanyara - Gourmet cuisine with an a la carte menu.
• Lemon Cafe Lemon Café serves fresh, flavorful upscale-casual Mediterranean dishes prepared using as much local produce as possible in their creation.
• Martha's Kitchen, Three Queens Bar (Blue Hills). Best authentic TCI food on Provo. Great location to chill out.

Drink

Try these tasty colorful alcoholic beverages:

• Flaming Provo - This flaming drink is served at the Infinity Bar at Grace Bay Club.
• Infinity Martini - Grace Bay Club's signature drink. Made with Hypnotic, Malibu, and pineapple juice.
• Rum Punch - An island favorite, made with Captain Morgan, Crème De Banana, Myers, Orange, and Pineapple Lime Juice.
• Turks Head Beer - Signature island beer.
• Flaming Bob Marley: Divide a tall shot glass into thirds, fill the lowest third with grenadine syrup, the middle third with creme de menthe, and float the 151 in the top third. Light the 151 on fire, and drink through a straw.
• Three Queen's Bar, Blue Hills. Dick's Bar on North Side Blue Hills, home of the Annual Conch Festival in November.

Sleep

There are dozens of hotels, resorts, private villas and some midrange options.

• Alexandra Resort & Spa, Grace Bay Beach, toll-free: +1 800-284-0699. This resort on Grace Bay Beach includes 145 studios and 1- and 2-bedroom suites.
• Caribbaway on Long Bay Beach. 3-bedroom ocean front vacation villa rental on the beach. Free optional use of 4x4 for guests. Ocean views. Sleeps up to 8.
• Club Med. All-inclusive property, open to singles and couples 18 and older. Snorkeling excursions, Hobie Cat sailboats, a circus trampoline and trapeze are some of the daily activities at Club Med. Nightly shows are provided.
• Grace Bay Club, ☎ +1 649-946-5757, toll-free: +1-800-946-5757. Perched on 11 acres of beachfront. 3 outdoor swimming pools. Two speciality pools are for adults only and estate guests. The Infinity bar and lounge is a place where you can sip on a cocktail overlooking the beach and have a small meal. There is a speciality restaurant which has a dress code and is high in price, but serves outstanding meals. Standard rooms include iPod docking stations and air conditioning. Bathrooms include double sinks, separate bathtubs and showers, and bathrobes.
• Grace Bay Place, 81 Grace Bay Rd., ☎ +1 649 232-9663. Check-in: weekly, check-out: weekly. 1- and 2-bedroom housekeeping units. Pool. 5 min. to Grace Bay Beach. On main road 2-minute walk to Saltmills. $975-1800/wk.
• Gansevoort Turks and Caicos, Grace Bay Beach, toll-free: +1 888-844-5986. Hotel with 91 rooms overlooking Grace Bay Beach. This hotel provides complimentary Wi-Fi.
• Northwest Point Resort, 1 Davie Bight Road, ☎ +1 649-941-5133, e-mail: [email protected]. Secluded resort in the northwest part of Providenciales, featuring fully furnished condos and pristine beaches.
• The Palms. A beautiful island resort featuring 72 suites on the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Point Grace, Grace Bay Road, ☎ +1 649-941-7743, e-mail: [email protected]. Point Grace on Grace Bay is a unique boutique hotel with 28 one, two-, three- and four-bedroom suites and penthouses.

• The Regent Grand (On Grace Bay), ☎ +1 649-941-7770, toll-free: +1 877-537-3314. Recently constructed 54-suite resort.
• The Regent Palms at Grace Bay (Grace Bay beach). 166 rooms and suites in a five-story building. Some rooms have a view of the ocean and white powder beaches. Complimentary water bottles are delivered to your room daily as well as a turn down service.
• Roi Soleil, Turtle Tail, toll-free: +1 800 516-4318. Gorgeous 3-bedroom vacation rental on the beach with great views. Rental includes use of two kayaks, paddle boat, and midweek maid service. Start at $6000/week.
• Royal West Indies Resort. This resort offers 120 spacious studios and suites (all nonsmoking) in eight three-story buildings without elevators. Suites include fully equipped kitchens. All units include TVs with U.S. cable channels, DVD players (complimentary DVDs available), and CD players. All units include a washer/dryers.
• Sands at Grace Bay, ☎ +1 649-946-5199, toll-free: +1-877-77, fax: +1 649-946-5198.
• Sapphire Sunsets Beach Villa, Providenciales, ☎ +1 781-263-7227. Vacation villa right on Sapodilla Bay Beach. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, private pool, kayaks, stunning views, faces west for amazing sunsets. Sleeps 8-13. Rates start at $6000/week.
• Seven Stars on Grace Bay. This four-star property caters mostly to families. There are 115 rooms, some of which have kitchenettes that include refrigerators, stovetops, and microwaves. Guests are offered a complimentary breakfast. Additional amenities include pool tables, poolside bar, fitness center, and a children's club.
• Sunset Point Oceanfront Villa, ☎ +1 661-290-2629, toll-free: +1 800 730-9589. Four-bedroom vacation villa available for rental year-round. Features ocean views from every room, private pool, gated entry, game room. Located on the shore in a quiet neighborhood of oceanfront estates. Rates start at $3600/week..
• Three Dolphins Sandy Beachfront Tennis Villa, Long Bay (follow Leeward highway north to Long Bay road, turn right and follow the paved road to the ocean and turn left onto Long Bay Beach road), ☎ +1 519 631-7340, e-mail: [email protected]. This 9-bedroom villa is situated on 217 feet of beautiful sandy beach on Long Bay. There is complimentary Wi-Fi, a private lit tennis court, 42-foot pool, large play set, outdoor chess set, pool table, hot tub, BBQ, kayaks, roped off swim area, 165-foot portico (outdoor living under a covered roof overlooking the ocean), TV-DVD in every room, large grand dining room and living room but also separate living rooms and kitchens for personal privacy within the group. Mid-week cleaning is complimentary and there is 24/7 villa manager. Wheelchair accessible. low season 12100/week 4 bedrooms.
• The Tuscany on Grace Bay,, ☎ +1 649-946-4667.
• Villa Oasis. 7-bedroom villa on Grace Bay.
• Villa Renaissance (On Grace Bay), ☎ +1 649-941-5300, toll-free: +1 877-285-8764. 36-suite resort.
• Windsong Resort, Stubbs Rd, Grace Bay, toll-free: +1 800 946-3766. A resort on Grace Bay Beach that features 50 one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums.

External Links

• Official Governmental Website
• Providenciales - Visit Turks and Caicos Islands