The DL: Providenciales or Provo is the main big island of Turks and Caicos. Grand turk is where the capitol is and where the cruise ships port, south, middle and north caicos are smaller remote islands home to a few resorts on each.
Providenciales is most likely what you think of or see pictures of when people say Turks and Caicos. It is the most developed out of the other islands.
Customs + Security
My biggest tip – DO NOT fly in on a Fri – Sun if you can avoid it during peak season. You will spend about an hour on your plane on the tarmac and then 1.5 hours or so in line at customs. We flew in on a Wednesday during peak season and went through in about 40 minutes. They do have a fast-track line if you want to pay for expedited option. We traveled in March of 2022 and the following was required, passport, PCR negative test, TCI authorization form, vaccine cards (actual cards), and then the customs documents they give you on the plan when you are flying in. This airport is extremely small, around 6 gates. Your baggage if checked will be available after the first customs line. Make sure to check Turks and Caicos website for the most up to date travel info.
Getting around in Providenciales
My second biggest tip – if you plan to go off your resort more then a few times, especially at night, rent a car. Just the taxi to and from the airport can be upwards of $40-50 if your resort does not shuttle.
- Private charter: You can also reserve a private charter which I would recommend doing over waiting in the taxi line outside.
- Rental Car: The rental car situation is pretty bad (they are limited on car inventory) but depending on time you fly in and day you arrive will determine your experiences. To note, many of the rental car places close at 5pm so make sure to check when booking. We used a rental car, it and came in handy as we did exploring, and hopped around resorts. Really it was most important when we checked out at 11 and didn’t fly out until 6. To note, gas is California pricing and you do drive on the left side of the road.
- Conch Cab/Taxi: If there is no need for a rental car, there is conch cab which is like an uber you can book online but you need cash to pay or the taxi which charges per person.
Where to stay in Providenciales:
There are so many places to stay and many will cost top dollar. Finding an affordable option in Provo can be really hard unless doing an air bnb, but that means you will need a car. My opinion on which resorts are worth it:
Higher end:
- Seven Stars
- Wyamara
- Blue Haven
- Grace Bay Club
- If traveling with a large group check out Beach Enclave
*Wasn’t super impressed with the Ritz compared to some of the other high end spots
Middle end:
- Ocean Club
- Windsong
- The Palms
Affordable
- Air bnb – find one with a pool or view (look at the yacht club they have great option)
Where to eat in Providenciales:
My favorite spot the entire trip was Infiniti Raw Bar at the Grace Bay club. The overall vibe is super dreamy, go at sunset. Lots of celebrities tend to eat here. The staples to order include their kale salad, sushi, wood grilled lobster, and key lime pie.
Food is pretty costly to buy in the grocery stores and most dinners range $30-50 per entree.
Breakfast – we honestly just ate a the resort and didn’t go offsite
Lunch in Providenciales:
- Bugaloos – popular spot on the water/beach – sketchy dirt road to get there
- Coraeli – Ritz Carlton Mediterranean lunch spot with ocean view, service was slow but everything was good
- Mango reef – low key local feel and marina water view – will need a car
- Hemingways – get a spot on the deck with views of the water
- Somewhere café
- Da conch shack is a touristy spot, not really worth the drive
- Mango reef – low key local feel and water view
Dinner in Providenciales:
- Coco bistro – I would say go, it was good but a bit overhyped. The atmosphere is pretty as you sit under palm trees but has gotten a bit touristy. Get a reservation by calling or emailing weeks in advance.
- Mango reef – low key local feel and water view
- Bugaloos (sunset time)
- Mudjin bar and grill (need a car)
- Amanyara’s restaurant (need a car and to check with
- Bay bistro – sunset
- Infiniti Raw Bar
Drinks in Providenciales:
- Rickys/Flamingos – cheap drinks
- All the hotel bars are fun to check out
- Bay Bistro
- Bugaloos
- Infiniti Bar
- Pink Bar
- Somewhere cafe
- Magnolia
What to do in Providenciales in Turks and Caicos:
- Beach of course, make sure to check out grace bay if you are not staying on it. It is ranked the #1 beach in the world for many years for a reason!
- Rent a boat or do a boat excursion with someone like Wake 2 Wake
- Shop down the main strip
- Hang in the pool
- Night life is not a big thing, casino is really the only night time entertainment besides restaurants and bars, and whatever your resort has to offer.
Getting back home:
At the time we traveled a negative test was required to get back to the US. There is a list of sites here: $50 a test or if staying on property its free. You can find some that are slightly cheaper $35.
Other details:
- You can drink the water but it has a sulfer taste so most restaurnts recommend getting bottled water
- They take US dollars and speak english
- The island outside of the main grace bay area is very underdeveloped there is not much to do or see. We did a full tour of the island and found our favorite parts to be: Leeward settlement, Grace Bay, The Bight settlement.
- Turks website know before you go
- Also there is no pre check obviously so bring socks for the airport, its all the smallest most unorganized airport
For a more remote experience, check out my guide to South Caicos.
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