I’ve been working so hard over the last few months that I was in need of a little R&R so you know what that means, right?!? . . . Providenciales, The Turks & Caicos Islands here we come!!
We initially planned to go to Hawaii however I had to change our destination at the very last minute. I’ve always wanted to go to Turks & Caicos. After doing a little research I quickly realized that The Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) was the perfect destination for us. My hubby had to work so it was Haley & I on this trip.
There are a few things that I wish I knew prior to our visit . . . I’m gonna give you 10 very useful tips that you need to know should you consider visiting Providenciales, The Turks & Caicos Islands.
Currency
The official currency in The Turks and Caicos Islands is the US dollar. I highly recommend that you keep cash on you. While most places will accept credit cards, some of the smaller businesses may not.
Can you believe that I traveled there without any cash on me???♀️ –not intentionally. I was so rushed the day of that I forgot to go to the ATM.? I intended to go to the bank while I was there but didn’t find the time to. We were only there for a couple of days and I used my credit card the entire time but I really don’t recommend doing this.
Transportation
You will want to consider all of your transportation options however usually the most affordable option is to rent a car than to take a shuttle or taxi. If for some reason you decide to take a taxi, keep in mind that they charge per person – not per ride! There’s no official public transportation however there is the jitney.
We’re supported by moms. . .This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended – at no extra cost to you, of course. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my disclosure here.
I rented a car for the 2 days while we were there and paid a total of $55. . . It was definitely much cheaper to rent a car than any other transportation option available.
I decided to go with one of the smaller car rental companies this time around. My experience of renting a car on this trip started a little strange. Be sure to take a look at the video below to know just what happened – it’s too funny!??
Things to keep in mind should you decide to rent a car in Providenciales
- The rental car insurance is optional but you will want to verify that with the company you choose to go with.
- Most car rental companies require a $500 or $750 deposit. They usually will accept debit and credit cards.
- While in Providenciales, you must remember to drive on the left side of the road.
- Stay on the main road and don’t go off-road!! Your rental car could get damaged, you could get lost, and/or get stuck. The back roads are very rocky and I don’t recommend taking an off-road route – especially at night!
- When renting a car while traveling you need to know the Dos and Donts. . . Be sure to read the post below before you decide to rent a car! ??
Related: Car Rental: 5 Things You Need to Know Before You Travel
Which side of Providenciales should you stay on?
The Leeward side of Providenciales is the Northeast coast. Known for one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – Grace Bay Beach! There are lots of hotels/resorts on this side. The water is very calm on the Leeward side.
The Windward side is the West side of the island. This is the side that consists of more residential homes than hotels/resorts so it’s much more laid back and there are not as many tourists as the other side. We stayed on Chalk Sound Dr. and loved it!! It was so relaxing and peaceful. Be sure to check it out in the video below! ??
AirBnB or Hotel?
I’m usually a resort/hotel type of gal. This trip I decided to try Airbnb. This was the very first time that I actually booked accommodations through Airbnb. It was a really great experience! Be sure to take a look a the video below.??
Our Airbnb (Beautiful Sunset Villa with Infiniti Pool) was just what I needed! Our host Rachel was amazing!! She was so accommodating and friendly!
So I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I arrived (since I’ve never booked accommodations through Airbnb before) however I had a really good 1st experience with Airbnb.
The accommodations in Turks & Caicos are really expensive so Airbnb is a great way to obtain great value for a fraction of the cost. I’m all for finding a good deal!! ? Regardless of either option, you will definitely want to consider booking a place that has a kitchen. Mainly because you may find it’s better for you and your family if you cook some of your meals – instead of eating out all day every day.
Things to do with Kids
My little one and I pretty much just hung out at the pool and the beach the entire time we were in Providenciales. My focus was to unwind (as much as I could while traveling with a toddler) and relax . . . and that’s just what we did! If you have older kids and/or looking to get into a little more than just that there are lots to do with your kiddos:
- Explore the many beaches the island has to offer (listed below)
- Snorkelling
- Excursions and Cruises
- A Guided Tour of the Island
- Horse backing riding on the beach
- Water Sports
- Playland TCI
Is Turks & Caicos safe?
Absolutely! My 2-year old and I traveled to Providenciales alone and had an amazing time! We were out and about all over the island (and at night) and felt completely safe. The locals are very friendly and welcoming!
What should I pack?
It gets pretty hot and humid in Providenciales so you want to pack light and cool clothing. The less clothing the better! Since we mainly hung out at the pool and the beach so we were in our swimsuits most of the time. I recommend packing dresses, skirts, shorts (which I don’t wear?) and swimsuits! . . . Basically, anything that keeps you cool!
Food
Most accommodations (which are not all-inclusive options) offer have a kitchen. This comes in handy when you are looking to cook some of your meals – instead of spending a lot more $ by eating out for every meal.
I’m so mad that I didn’t really get any other pictures of the food that we had but I was usually starving by the time I was able to eat.??♀️ So much so that I completely forgot to snap a few pics of the cranked conch, coconut shrimp, and such.??
I’m kinda already used to the type of foods that are offered in The Turks & Caicos Islands. Providenciales is actually similar to The Bahamas. My hubby is from the Bahamas and we live in South Florida so we eat Caribbean/Bahamian-style food all the time! Making sure I ate a lot of local dishes while I was here wasn’t as much as a priority for me.
Beaches
The Turks and Caicos Islands is known for there beautiful turquoise crystal clear beaches and there so many to choose from while you’re there. I didn’t get to explore all the different beaches as much as I would have loved to during my short visit.
Beaches on Providenciales:
- Grace Bay Beach
- Leeward Beach
- Blue Hills Beach
- Long Bay Beach
- Malcolm’s Beach
- Sapodilla Bay
- Taylor Bay
- Half Moon Bay
- Mudjin Bay
Is it expensive in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos?
Is travel to Providenciales expensive?. . . ABSOLUTELY!! I didn’t realize how expensive it really is until returning back from our trip. I definitely recommend having somewhat of a budget that fits into how you want to spend your time in Providenciales.
I’m so glad that I finally got a chance to visit Providenciales and I can’t wait to go back!!
Did you enjoy this post? Be sure to leave your email address below so that you can stay in the loop to inspiration, travel tips, and giveaways!??Are you on Pinterest? . . . 📌 Save this for later!
2 thoughts on “Providenciales, Turks & Caicos: 10 Useful Things You Need to Know”
Visiting here would be a dream for me! I love all the information you give here for my future visit.
These are some great tips! If we visit we would likely rent a car and airbnb too. Oh and all the pics are beautiful!