Providenciales Review
Jul 6th, 2015, 07:03 AM
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Providenciales Review
Hi Everyone!
I'd like to share my experiences with the Fodor's forum about my recent week trip to Provo (TCI). My feelings are currently mixed.
The beach is amazing, the sand and water is beautiful and refreshing cool on a hot (average) day. However a lot of people working on commission walk on the beaches trying to sell you boat rides, etc. This gets kinda annoying as I was approached about 4 times a day by these people, and if you buy a ride with someone, the other commission agents, if they had approached you previously, will be annoyed. I personally paid them what they would have earned via commission ($10/20) just so I didn't feel bad.
Throughout the island, you will find flies, ants and bugs everywhere... Hotels, bars, food places. They bite. However, if you are a smoker, this is paradise since it's $45 a carton and you can smoke essentially anywhere.
Food: Since I am a vegetarian who doesn't eat fish, the food was terrible throughout the island. No American-chain places, so you will be disappointed if you like fast food or vegetarian stuff. Jimmy's Dive Bar is dirty but has character and is open 24/7. Danny Buoys is alright, the slot machines didn't work and a bottle of Budwiser is $8. Pizza is amazing. Big Al's does the best (if only) vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food. Personally, I would do anything for a nice iHop.
Airport: It's a third-world airport with a few electronic check-in machines. It's dirty and the sewage plant can be smelt when boarding the aircraft on the tarmac. The Customs/Immigration Service are WORSE THAN TSA/DHS. I was escorted into a small room with five big black men, a British Security Services guy and a dog while they searched by luggage for "drugs or terrorism related" stuff. I have never been so disgusted in my life. I've experienced DHS/TSA as well as British customs (which are kinda similar to TSA/DHS) and this experience has to be the worst one so far. They waived the most obvious looking drug dealer through while I get searched. If you are young (18-24) and earn good money, they treat you like a criminal.
Most stores only work on a cash-basis and charge 5% if you use your VISA/MC/AMEX, so I recommend taking cash and not $100 bills as most stores don't have the change. Food is somewhat expensive, similiar to Manhattan or Central London. Graceway Gourmet is alright, but I'd prefer a Whole Foods and a CVS/Walgreens to their Flamingo Pharmacy.
The Airport experience has kinda tainted my vacation, I think I'd only come back if I fly charter to another airport or boat inwards from Florida or Bahamas.
I'd like to share my experiences with the Fodor's forum about my recent week trip to Provo (TCI). My feelings are currently mixed.
The beach is amazing, the sand and water is beautiful and refreshing cool on a hot (average) day. However a lot of people working on commission walk on the beaches trying to sell you boat rides, etc. This gets kinda annoying as I was approached about 4 times a day by these people, and if you buy a ride with someone, the other commission agents, if they had approached you previously, will be annoyed. I personally paid them what they would have earned via commission ($10/20) just so I didn't feel bad.
Throughout the island, you will find flies, ants and bugs everywhere... Hotels, bars, food places. They bite. However, if you are a smoker, this is paradise since it's $45 a carton and you can smoke essentially anywhere.
Food: Since I am a vegetarian who doesn't eat fish, the food was terrible throughout the island. No American-chain places, so you will be disappointed if you like fast food or vegetarian stuff. Jimmy's Dive Bar is dirty but has character and is open 24/7. Danny Buoys is alright, the slot machines didn't work and a bottle of Budwiser is $8. Pizza is amazing. Big Al's does the best (if only) vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food. Personally, I would do anything for a nice iHop.
Airport: It's a third-world airport with a few electronic check-in machines. It's dirty and the sewage plant can be smelt when boarding the aircraft on the tarmac. The Customs/Immigration Service are WORSE THAN TSA/DHS. I was escorted into a small room with five big black men, a British Security Services guy and a dog while they searched by luggage for "drugs or terrorism related" stuff. I have never been so disgusted in my life. I've experienced DHS/TSA as well as British customs (which are kinda similar to TSA/DHS) and this experience has to be the worst one so far. They waived the most obvious looking drug dealer through while I get searched. If you are young (18-24) and earn good money, they treat you like a criminal.
Most stores only work on a cash-basis and charge 5% if you use your VISA/MC/AMEX, so I recommend taking cash and not $100 bills as most stores don't have the change. Food is somewhat expensive, similiar to Manhattan or Central London. Graceway Gourmet is alright, but I'd prefer a Whole Foods and a CVS/Walgreens to their Flamingo Pharmacy.
The Airport experience has kinda tainted my vacation, I think I'd only come back if I fly charter to another airport or boat inwards from Florida or Bahamas.
Jul 6th, 2015, 09:45 AM
#3
LOL Caribzack ....As I was reading this review I too wondered if KL101 did any research at all. Imagine, an island with bugs!! Really!? Not knowing that most credit card companies charge a foreign exchange fee??????
Jul 6th, 2015, 02:52 PM
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My research was limited to realtors and a few friends. I am not talking about the credit card international surcharge, I am talking about the stores adding an extra 5% for any card payments (excluding the bank fees)
Jul 6th, 2015, 06:04 PM
#8
Budget of $75,000 and you ate at Jimmys dive bar which is a dive (and a burger joint)
You're vegetarian and ate at Danny Bouys (bar again) and Big ALS? (burgers again)?
$1000 at 21 needing a vacation because you hadn't have one in 5 years? Wow since 16?
At 21 youve made all this money but don't know how to travel, and you go to an island that even without chains chefs are some of the best in the world and 85% of restaurants make vegetarian and vegan options?
When you land and at supermarkets you didn't see piles of free magazines, where when how and dining guide?
There's a sewage plant next to the airport? Funny how in 40 plus visits I've never smelled it? You must be 1 unlucky person.
Pizza is not gluten free!
Population of tci is 40,000, population of my town is 45,000. Provo has an international airport, world class restaurants. My town has no airport (and it's in top 10 destinations of US) and way too many McDonald s to count--
Were you expecting Caribbean people to be white, or just the ones with jobs?
Whole foods on an 18 square mile? The closest one to my town is 70 miles, yet I live off 95 with most traffic. Whole foods says not enough persons live in the area (with surrounding counties we have 200,000 plus)
Where did you get the 5% surcharge charged at? Please do tell, I always pay the prices on the menu, on items I buy, never seen 5% more? PS. Most business don't take AmEx at all-- the case of most islands so wrong about Amex being 5%)
Bugs in the tropics? My town has more, and you should see the flies lately!
Boat from Bahamas? You could try an illegal sloop from Cuba or Haiti next time (travel in style for your budget). And why return if you didn't like it?
Vendors on the beach? Wait until you try Jamaica, Aruba, Antigua, DR, Mexico, I'm sure you saw it in Bahamas, definitely all day. PS there are many sections of Grace Bay that don't have vendors at all, all you had to do is walk a short distance in either direction.
If I was a big black man living there I'd think you're a drug dealer too! (traveling alone young with 75,000 budget)
PSSS. I wrote Fodor's!
I do want to thank you for a different perspective though!
You're vegetarian and ate at Danny Bouys (bar again) and Big ALS? (burgers again)?
$1000 at 21 needing a vacation because you hadn't have one in 5 years? Wow since 16?
At 21 youve made all this money but don't know how to travel, and you go to an island that even without chains chefs are some of the best in the world and 85% of restaurants make vegetarian and vegan options?
When you land and at supermarkets you didn't see piles of free magazines, where when how and dining guide?
There's a sewage plant next to the airport? Funny how in 40 plus visits I've never smelled it? You must be 1 unlucky person.
Pizza is not gluten free!
Population of tci is 40,000, population of my town is 45,000. Provo has an international airport, world class restaurants. My town has no airport (and it's in top 10 destinations of US) and way too many McDonald s to count--
Were you expecting Caribbean people to be white, or just the ones with jobs?
Whole foods on an 18 square mile? The closest one to my town is 70 miles, yet I live off 95 with most traffic. Whole foods says not enough persons live in the area (with surrounding counties we have 200,000 plus)
Where did you get the 5% surcharge charged at? Please do tell, I always pay the prices on the menu, on items I buy, never seen 5% more? PS. Most business don't take AmEx at all-- the case of most islands so wrong about Amex being 5%)
Bugs in the tropics? My town has more, and you should see the flies lately!
Boat from Bahamas? You could try an illegal sloop from Cuba or Haiti next time (travel in style for your budget). And why return if you didn't like it?
Vendors on the beach? Wait until you try Jamaica, Aruba, Antigua, DR, Mexico, I'm sure you saw it in Bahamas, definitely all day. PS there are many sections of Grace Bay that don't have vendors at all, all you had to do is walk a short distance in either direction.
If I was a big black man living there I'd think you're a drug dealer too! (traveling alone young with 75,000 budget)
PSSS. I wrote Fodor's!
I do want to thank you for a different perspective though!
Jul 7th, 2015, 06:15 PM
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"Budget of $75,000 and you ate at Jimmys dive bar which is a dive (and a burger joint)"
That budget was for a longer period and a different plan. The budget was $10,000 for 7 Days in Provo, which is the same budget and time allocation for my upcoming visit to Grand Cayman, Basseterre (St. Kitts), and Antigua.
"You're vegetarian and ate at Danny Bouys (bar again) and Big ALS? (burgers again)?"
First food place you see outside of Seven Stars. Long flight and hunger. I also tried Caicos Cafe, Carnivor, Pizza Pizza, Blue Iguana and the Italian place at the Ports of Call plaza.
"When you land and at supermarkets you didn't see piles of free magazines, where when how and dining guide?"
I did, we had them at the resort as well. The Staff said it would be kinda difficult to get vegetarian food and recommended a few places.
"There's a sewage plant next to the airport? Funny how in 40 plus visits I've never smelled it? You must be 1 unlucky person."
At the Airport Gates, if your plane is on the right side of the building, you will walk across the tarmac and where the sign which says "No Cell Phones - No Smoking - No Cameras" is where the smell is. The InterCarribbean staff said that they smell that everyday.
"Population of tci is 40,000, population of my town is 45,000. Provo has an international airport, world class restaurants. My town has no airport (and it's in top 10 destinations of US) and way too many McDonald s to count--"
I don't want to see multiple chains, what I am saying is it would be nice to have an official Starbucks in Regent Village or preferably the Airport.
"Were you expecting Caribbean people to be white, or just the ones with jobs?"
Are you implying I am racist?
"Where did you get the 5% surcharge charged at? Please do tell, I always pay the prices on the menu, on items I buy, never seen 5% more? PS. Most business don't take AmEx at all-- the case of most islands so wrong about Amex being 5%)"
I was paying with VISA, all of the diners and tourist shops I went to had a sign saying "5% Surcharge for ALL Credit Cards" - You cannot not notice this. Also is it normal to be charged 60c for a 50c stamp?
"And why return if you didn't like it?"
I found the ocean, views, sands, were all equally amazing and the best I have ever seen in my life. Air quality was good and the drivers were pollite and would stop if you were crossing the road.
"Vendors on the beach? Wait until you try Jamaica, Aruba, Antigua, DR, Mexico, I'm sure you saw it in Bahamas, definitely all day. PS there are many sections of Grace Bay that don't have vendors at all, all you had to do is walk a short distance in either direction."
The Area of Grace Bay Beach where the JW Marriott was being built had no vendors.
"If I was a big black man living there I'd think you're a drug dealer too! (traveling alone young with 75,000 budget)"
I wasn't marked as SSSS, nor was it the big black men who decided to search me, it was the white guy from the Home Office in London who was temporarily based in Provo. I am not racist but I could clearly see that using 5 big black men w/ a drug sniffing dog in a small closed room could be intimidating, which is why two of them were asked to leave by the Home Office guy.
That budget was for a longer period and a different plan. The budget was $10,000 for 7 Days in Provo, which is the same budget and time allocation for my upcoming visit to Grand Cayman, Basseterre (St. Kitts), and Antigua.
"You're vegetarian and ate at Danny Bouys (bar again) and Big ALS? (burgers again)?"
First food place you see outside of Seven Stars. Long flight and hunger. I also tried Caicos Cafe, Carnivor, Pizza Pizza, Blue Iguana and the Italian place at the Ports of Call plaza.
"When you land and at supermarkets you didn't see piles of free magazines, where when how and dining guide?"
I did, we had them at the resort as well. The Staff said it would be kinda difficult to get vegetarian food and recommended a few places.
"There's a sewage plant next to the airport? Funny how in 40 plus visits I've never smelled it? You must be 1 unlucky person."
At the Airport Gates, if your plane is on the right side of the building, you will walk across the tarmac and where the sign which says "No Cell Phones - No Smoking - No Cameras" is where the smell is. The InterCarribbean staff said that they smell that everyday.
"Population of tci is 40,000, population of my town is 45,000. Provo has an international airport, world class restaurants. My town has no airport (and it's in top 10 destinations of US) and way too many McDonald s to count--"
I don't want to see multiple chains, what I am saying is it would be nice to have an official Starbucks in Regent Village or preferably the Airport.
"Were you expecting Caribbean people to be white, or just the ones with jobs?"
Are you implying I am racist?
"Where did you get the 5% surcharge charged at? Please do tell, I always pay the prices on the menu, on items I buy, never seen 5% more? PS. Most business don't take AmEx at all-- the case of most islands so wrong about Amex being 5%)"
I was paying with VISA, all of the diners and tourist shops I went to had a sign saying "5% Surcharge for ALL Credit Cards" - You cannot not notice this. Also is it normal to be charged 60c for a 50c stamp?
"And why return if you didn't like it?"
I found the ocean, views, sands, were all equally amazing and the best I have ever seen in my life. Air quality was good and the drivers were pollite and would stop if you were crossing the road.
"Vendors on the beach? Wait until you try Jamaica, Aruba, Antigua, DR, Mexico, I'm sure you saw it in Bahamas, definitely all day. PS there are many sections of Grace Bay that don't have vendors at all, all you had to do is walk a short distance in either direction."
The Area of Grace Bay Beach where the JW Marriott was being built had no vendors.
"If I was a big black man living there I'd think you're a drug dealer too! (traveling alone young with 75,000 budget)"
I wasn't marked as SSSS, nor was it the big black men who decided to search me, it was the white guy from the Home Office in London who was temporarily based in Provo. I am not racist but I could clearly see that using 5 big black men w/ a drug sniffing dog in a small closed room could be intimidating, which is why two of them were asked to leave by the Home Office guy.
Jul 10th, 2015, 10:39 AM
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Sorry you had such a bad time in Provo, TCI. We were there in July and LOVED IT! In fact, my husband and I are going back again next year. I found that eating there as a vegetarian, as opposed to a vegan (as I am) would be easier. I'm not sure if you did your research beforehand, but we brought bug spray and were completely bite-free. We were aware how much food cost, so we brought boxed pasta, seasonings, sauces, packaged oatmeal, etc…. We also shopped at the IGA, and we found it to be very friendly with lots of produce, and yes, it was more expensive. We enjoyed cooking in our room (we had a full kitchen), but were able to eat on the island. I had a black bean burger (sorry, I can't remember the place) as well as nachos (leave off the cheese). We had a really nice dinner where I was able to get roasted portobello with jasmine rice and a salad. We also had sorbet (non-milk) for dessert. I have noticed that some menus have a vegetarian option.
As far as the airpot goes, they were renovating it when we were there, but we never felt scared or smelled sewage.
As far as the airpot goes, they were renovating it when we were there, but we never felt scared or smelled sewage.
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