FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. ACTIVITIES – Beaches, diving, sightseeing, and snorkeling are a given on Provo, but almost any water and land sports activity are available. On the water you can boat (kayak, motor, paddle, and sail), fish, jet ski, kite board, paddleboard, parasail, windsurf, go on excursions or fun rides. Long Bay is considered to be one of the best kite boarding beaches in the Caribbean. On land, you can bike, work out at the Fitness Center, go horseback riding, play golf and tennis, ride motor scooters, take guided tours and go on long walks. There are also casinos and spas. An extensive list of activities and contact information is in the “Johnson Guide to Provo.”
2. BEACHES– There are beaches all over Provo with designated access points where you can park a car and walk down to the beach. They are on Long Bay (where we are located), Grace Bay, in Chalk Sound, in Blue Hills and near Northwest Point. Grace Bay Beach on the north side is 12 miles long and Long Bay Beach on the south side is 3-1/2 miles long. Long Bay Beach is natural and has few tourists. Grace Bay Beach, where the resorts are located, is manicured and touristy. There are also spectacular beaches in Middle Caicos, which can be reached via the nearby ferry and renting a car. Directions to the best beaches are in the “Johnson Guide to Provo”, and we provide portable chairs and umbrella. Most of our guests enjoy visiting different beaches.
3. CAR RENTAL – No matter where you stay on Provo unless you want an all-inclusive resort, we recommend renting a least expensive car, which, with our discount, will cost under $300 per week. There is no reliable public transportation, and taxis are unreliable and very expensive. You will find that a car pays for itself in no time and enables you to get around and enjoy everything Provo has to offer. Moreover, the car will be waiting for you at the airport, and you can drop it off there, which is convenient and economical. Bike and motor scooter rentals are available if you are adept at riding, but not recommended. Information on how to rent vehicles is provided.
4. CREDIT CARDS – Almost all businesses accept Master Card and Visa. American Express may be accepted by some car rental companies, supermarkets, and restaurants. There are a few local establishments that only take cash. Check with your credit card company’s insurance policy on car rental liability to save money. You may also need to notify them of your destination and dates before departing.
5. DIVING – Check out diving.tc/index.htm. We recommend Big Blue (bigblueunlimited.com) and Flamingo Divers (flamingodivers.com). Both do small groups, provide personal attention and are conscious of the environment. Big Blue is best if you are a novice or want to get certified.
6. MOSQUITOS – Usually not a problem on our side of the island, which has a steady breeze, but it is a good idea to pack bug spray for evenings out and open-air restaurants.
7. POOL – Our saltwater pool is located in a corner of the property overlooking the Caribbean as far as you can see and Long Bay to your right. It is for the exclusive use of our guests and is not shared. The depth is 4-1/2 feet, and it is suitable for swimming short laps. There are pool accessories such as floats, kickboards, and noodles in the deck box in the courtyard. There are lounge chairs at the pool and a pergola behind the pool for shade.
8. RESTAURANTS – There are restaurants all over Provo serving high-quality food. Prices vary from reasonable to very high. The dress is always casual. Reservations are recommended at the high end and most popular restaurants, especially during peak season. Some restaurants close in September to mid-October, but the number closing is less each year. Information on many restaurants, including menus and phone numbers, is in the “Johnson Guide to Provo.” We offer our suggestions based on “Good Value” and “Upscale”.
9. SECURITY – Crime is not a serious problem in our area. That said, you must take normal precautions like not leaving valuables in the car, and car rental companies ask you to leave the car unlocked. There is a security system in the guesthouse, which you must use, as it is required by the government and insurance. We are also at the end of a cul de sac, which limits traffic.
10. SHADE – Provo is very sunny. You must come prepared with suntan lotion and protective clothing. On the property, you will find shade under the pergola behind the pool. When you visit other beaches, you may find natural shade provided by trees and overhanging ledges. Some beach access points have manmade shade, the best being the Lower Bight Park on Grace Bay. You can rent a large umbrella and chairs for $15 per day from the Ports of Call Resort in Ports of Call. There are also portable chairs and umbrella to take with you to other beaches.
11. SHOPPING – There is a large, first-rate supermarket called Graceway Gourmet 3 miles from the Apartment. Prices vary by brand, country of origin and variety so it is best to comparison shop. Clothing, duty-free, gifts, necessities and sundries are available in Caicos Plaza, Ports of Call, Salt Mills, Regent Village and other locations around the island. Lists of the many shops and what they sell are in the “Johnson Guide to Provo.”
12. SNORKELING – We provide complimentary snorkeling equipment. You can snorkel offshore on the small reef to the left of our property or the mangrove area to the right. You can also snorkel off Coral Gardens in Lower Bight, Smiths Reef in Turtle Cove, and Malcolm Roads Beach near Northwest Point. However, the best snorkeling is on the outer reef, which is only accessible by boat. Several companies offer snorkeling trips of varying intensity, and there are even glass bottom and snuba adventures for the curious.
13. SWIMMING – You can swim right in front of our property or in the pool. A very short natural path starting at the pool brings you down to the water’s edge in a minute. You will need rubber flip-flops for the walk. The depth of the water is waist high for miles, so even if you don’t swim, you can play around in the water or walk a distance with ease. We recommend water shoes for extensive walking, fins and noodles for playing around, and fins, snorkels, and kickboards for swimmers.
14. VIEW – From the guesthouse. you can see the Caribbean on the balcony and in the living room, Long Bay in the bedroom, and the back bay waters of Long Bay in the kitchen. Our property is considered to have one of the best views on Provo.