A Week in Turks and Caicos

Booking the Trip

Turks and Caicos has always been on our bucket list because of the pristine beaches and beautiful snorkeling and diving. We knew any time of year was going to be great in Turks as temps are around 80’s year round with minimal rain. We were alerted by Scott’s Cheap Flights that round trip from Kansas City was only $273. So we booked! We chose to fly Southwest there and Delta home with points. The cheaper the flight the less points we have to use. We are always looking to get out of the winter cold so we booked for the end of January and it was perfect.

https://scottscheapflights.com/

Where to stay

I typically always want to stay on the beach. My favorite thing to do is wake up and have my coffee or mimosa on the balcony. Everything was so expensive close to Grace Bay. We chose to stay in a condo on the opposite side of the island and rent a car. Renting a car I think is a must in Turks as cabs are very expensive. We decided to stay at Northwest Point Resort that we booked through Airbnb.

While I did enjoy this spot, the 2 mile non graded road was somewhat of a challenge and well as having to drive 20 min. They have a restaurant/bar on the property but it was only open once when we needed it. We did like having the hot tub at night. When we return, we will be sure to find an Airbnb closer to Grace Bay.

What to Pack

We stayed 6 nights. It will be warm enough all year round to wear shorts/dresses. We packed a jacket for the cooler evening. If you stay in an Airbnb, you may want to pack a soft cooler. There is a very nice grocery store in Grace Bay as well as a liquor store. If you want US beer, be prepared to pay. We went to Turks Head Brewery for our beer as it was the cheapest, half the price, on the island and a fun place to hang out. We also recommend purchasing your alcohol in the airport duty free store before leaving the states. Two bottles per person without being taxed. BTW, everything is so expensive on the island because they have to import everything. A case of Bud or Coors will set you back $55. Sunscreen, bug spray, and medicine are essential. No need to exchange currency FYI.

Rent A Car!

All inclusive’s are a great way to have a stress free trip, but if you really want to explore the island and get off the beaten path and visit some great restaurants and beaches, rent a car. We just booked through Expedia but also be sure to get recommendations from whoever you book your Airbnb from. Cabs are expensive! Be aware that they drive on the left side of the road.

Occasional car break-ins happen and we were advised by our rental company to not leave any valuables in the car. We were told to keep windows rolled down and doors unlocked so that no one busts out a window to get in. Insurance usually won’t cover it.

Conch Cab=super expensive. They charge per person.

Where to Eat?

Out of all the trips we have made, I must say that Turks has had the best food. It also has the only conch farm in the world. Everywhere we went was great. A few of our favorites were The Conch Shack, Sharkbite, and even in Sapodilla Bay beachside vendors. It’s customary to tip same as US.

She was the best! Vendor on Sapodilla Bay.

Breakfast in Grace Bay had the best views. This was Solana Restaurant.

Things to do

We did a lot of exploring. We had one cloudy day and went bar hopping. The other days we visited all the beaches around the island and also had a day catamaran excursion. We also took one morning to go scuba diving.

Grace Bay Beach

Loved this beach. Most beautiful white sand and crystal clear water. We rented chairs for the day. We parked right by Grace Bay Club on the street for free and walked through hotel. We packed our own cooler but also purchased drinks from the beachside bar.

Lunch at Skull Rock Cantina, it was good Mexican food. Portions are huge!

Look for this area by Sharkies. They had the best beach bartenders. Should’ve gotten their names!

There is so much to do at Grace Bay Beach. Great Shopping all around and so many good places to eat.

Sapodilla Bay Beach

If you rented a car then Sapodilla Bay Beach is a must. It was our favorite beach. It is located in an area called Chalk Sound. You can rent chairs, jet skis, and get lunch from beach vendors.

Catamaran Tour

Island Vibes Catamaran https://islandvibestours.com/

The famous La Famille Express **shipwreck** in the **Turks** and Caicos. The La Famille Express is a grounded **shipwreck** and popular landmark near the island of Providenciales in the **Turks** and Caicos. It’s located about two miles (3.2km) off of Long Bay Beach on the southeast side of the island.

People were jumping off of the shipwreck. Our tour did not stop here but was cool to see.

Island Vibes was great. We didn’t get to do much snorkeling because the water was too rough but we did go to a secluded beach. They served us lunch and drinks. Highly recommend.

Taylor Bay Beach

Taylor Bay Beach was beautiful! It is located right next to Sapodilla Bay. There are no vendors or chairs on this beach but it is a must see. You can walk out forever. This would be a great spot for kids!

Scuba Diving

I have heard that Turk’s is a great place to dive. While we loved our dive shop, we didn’t have great conditions for diving. The visibility wasn’t great but we don’t ever regret getting a few dives in on the drip. Dive Provo is located in Grace Bay and they were the best!

Thursday Night Fish Fry

The Fish Fry but it is a must! It is stacked with vendors and it’s a chance for tourists to mingle with the locals. The food was again amazing and it was so much fun listening and dancing with the bands. It is located in an area called “The Bight.” It was so much fun!

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