A Quick Guide to Turks & Caicos

Every winter, my mom and I like to escape to somewhere warm and tropical. This year, we finally made our way to Turks and Caicos! We were there for a refreshing week, and have tons of recos to share 😎

Top 3 Things to Know // TL;DR:

1. Pay for Fast Track when entering TCI

2. Check a bag with snacks, drinks, and sunscreen

3. Must visit restaurants: Embers for the food, Da Conch Shack for the views/vibes

Lodging

We were looking for a hotel that was beachside, safe, clean, and affordable. The Sibonne Hotel met all of these expectations and was the cheapest place we were able to find on the oceanfront! They also had a pool, which we didn’t really use because we were right on the beach. There were plenty of chairs and umbrellas on the beach that were reserved for hotel guests, so we never had an issue getting a spot on the beach. The wifi was spotty/unreliable, so plan accordingly if wifi is important for you or if you’re working.

We stayed in Room 115 (the closest room to the bar 😏) and had a little microwave, mini fridge, and coffee maker. The bathroom was small but functional and the bed was pretty comfy! We also had a small patio, where the resident hotel kitty came to visit.

Note: first floor rooms have a covered patio, second floor rooms receive full sun.

If you’re looking to splurge, some amazing hotels we recommend include:

Restaurants

Drinks and conch fritters at Danny Buoys

Bella Luna – Yummy, upscale Italian food! The pizza was amazing.
Embers – Great craft cocktails and delicious asian/mediterranean fusion food. Top level service.
Bun’s Burger Bar – We were lazy and got delivery via Swift Eats (basically, TCI’s Uber Eats) one night and it was so delish!
Danny Buoys – We stopped in for drinks and conch fritters. Overpriced (like most things on the island) and seemed pretty cheesy.
Omar’s Beach Hut – Pretty! Very good tacos. Wouldn’t recommend the corn on the cob (was chewy).
Somewhere Cafe & Lounge – Yummy tacos and spicy margs! Tricky to find but very cool beach vibe.
Thursday Night Fish Fry – Locals and tourists gather weekly for this fun event that features food and beverage trucks, music, dancing, and lots of local artisans.
Da Conch Shack Restaurant & Rum Bar – Cold beers and the most delicious jerk chicken wings. HUGE spread of conch right there in the ocean! Wednesday night is the time to go for their big dance party.

Misc

Car rental from Ace / Rent-a-Buggy was super easy and worth it as there are not many taxis on the island.
Fast Track is 100% worth it ($75pp) if you’re arriving on a weekend. Saved us an hour+ in immigration lines.
Lots of easy flights from the US on most major airlines. We booked our flights with miles through a great Delta deal so it only cost us $100pp in taxes.
A boat excursion is a must do—snorkeling, exploring, partying, etc. We had to cancel because it was too windy (rare for this time of year!) but we still had a great time.
The beaches are beautiful and perfect for just lounging with a book and a fruity drink!
There are several shopping areas on the island. Grace Bay Road has some cute shops and restaurants.
Easy travel for Americans as they use the US dollar and same voltage, so no converters are needed!
Because the island is in the British West Indies, they drive on the left side of the road. Remember to KEEP LEFT!
Depending on your phone plan, you can get daily data for cheap! But absolutely download the local map on the maps.me app or offline Google maps to navigate without service.
We felt very safe on the island but, as always be vigilant. We always locked our room and didn’t walk in dark areas at night. Stay where the people are and you’ll be fine!

Packing List

The temperature doesn’t fluctuate too much (at least, in January it doesn’t!) — so you shouldn’t need much in terms of a variety of clothes. We’d recommend bringing the below to start:

Swimsuits
Flip flops
Cute dresses, tops, shorts (obvi)
1-2 sweaters (for flight and windy nights)
Cute bag (I forgot mine and it was devastating)
Hat & sunnies
A good book (or 2, or 3)
Bug spray & sunscreen (if you have room for travel size ones)
Portable charger (this one is our fave!)
Inflatable water floaty (optional, but a great addition 🌊)

Although Turks and Caicos may be cheap to get to, the island itself is quite expensive. Be prepared to spend a good chunk of change while you’re there—from groceries to gas to souvenirs, most goods are imported which drives up the price of everyday items.

Until next time fam 😛