If sunshine, soft sandy beaches, and stunning blue waters sound like bliss to you, it might just be worth booking your next trip to Turks and Caicos. There are plenty of islands in the Carribbean that are worth visiting, but there’s something particularly special about T&C. We recently did a Turks and Caicos babymoon, and it was total BLISS!
I had actually booked tickets to Turks and Caicos as a gift to Jon on our first wedding anniversary. I did a lot of research on islands and wanted somewhere with a direct flight where we were guaranteed to have stellar beaches. After seeing photos of Grace Bay Beach, I knew T&C was the perfect destination for a February trip. The bonus? Direct flights from Newark were under 4 hours and reasonably priced.
Before I get into the full breakdown of our trip, I do want to call out a few quick pros and cons for a Turks and Caicos babymoon (or really any vacation). There are some things I wish I had known before our trip!
Pros:
- Gorgeous beaches with some of the softest sand ever
- Family-friendly (now a priority for us!)
- Super easy to get around, and most hotels provide bikes
- Felt a little more authentic than other islands like Aruba (few big chain restaurants)
Cons:
- Not much to do if the weather is bad (happened to us one day)
- Customs is a nightmare (BUT you can book a fast pass to cut the line)
- Food and drinks are very expensive
- Limited hotels (book early!)
Ok. Let’s get into it! And if you’re interested in other travel guides, click here.
Xx, Kelsey
TURKS AND CAICOS BABYMOON
WHEN WE WENT
We planned our Turks and Caicos babymoon for February, mostly because we always want to get a little sunshine after a long east coast winter. November to May is the dry season in Turks and Caicos, however we still got rain for half our trip! These months are also peak tourist season, but we never felt anything was crowded (expect for the tiny airport).
WHERE WE STAYED
My number one tip when booking a Turks and Caicos vacation is to book your hotel early. We waited until a month or so before the trip, and everything was booked. Accommodations are definitely limited. We stayed at The Oasis, which was a lovely boutique hotel. Located right off Grace Bay Beach, it’s very central and right by the most popular (and stunning) beach on the island. While it’s not directly on the beach, it has a golf cart service that shuttles you to and from (a 3 min drive). It also has private reserved beach space, so you don’t have to worry about towels, chairs, etc. We loved that they had two pools and neither ever felt crowded. The food at the restaurant was so good, and you can order directly to the beach.
WHERE WE ATE
My biggest PSA for visiting Turks and Caicos is to understand food prices. We were not fully aware of how expensive meals are there. They don’t grow anything locally, so it’s all imported from the US. Prices were very comparable to eating out in NYC. Maybe even a bit more expensive. A good example is that a smoothie in the morning was $16. Most of our dinner ran about $200, and I’m not even drinking right now. Most of the hotels and accommodations have full kitchens, and now I understand why. If we went back (especially after baby is born), I would plan to cook most meals and go out to eat only once or twice.
Trattoria Isolana – This is the restaurant in The Oasis, and it was so lovely. We had breakfast here each morning, and ordered pizza directly to the beach. A few days we also had lunch here – highly recommend the fish tacos. Dinner is Italian, and I will say the pasta is mediocre.
Coco Bistro – Our taxi driver said this was the best restaurant on the island, and I have to agree that it was our favorite meal. The setting is among a grove of palm trees. Unfortunately for us, it was raining when we went, so we had to tuck away on a patio, but I’m sure the ambiance is so nice on a beautiful night! The mahi mahi was wonderful, and the service was great. Definitely book a reservation way in advance. They book up fast.
Infiniti Restaurant – This spot wins for vibes for sure. It’s located right by the beach with entirely outdoor seating. Perfect for watching sunset! However, when we went service was really lacking. We waited 20 minutes for our drinks at the bar, and the food service was slow too. Food wasn’t as good as other meals we had on the island. Still a nice spot based on the location and decor along. Just know what to expect when it comes to service and food.
Crest & Berry – We biked into town on our rainy day and stopped at this place for acai bowls. They were delicious and perfect for my smoothie craving.
Lemon 2 Go – This cute coffee spot is right next to Crest & Berry. Jon really enjoyed the coffee here (I unfortunately had already reached my caffeine quota for the day). They do have a very cute boutique interior with all sorts of gifts that is worth checking out.
Casa Nonna – The restaurant we wanted to go to (Embers) was closed Sunday night, so we ended up at Casa Nonna at the Ritz. It was our priciest dinner, and the food was nothing special. Typical Italian fare. I would skip.
Devon House I Scream – We stopped here for a scoop of ice cream one night, and I can confirm the coconut was to DIE for!
WHAT WE DID
In all honesty, our Turks and Caicos babymoon was all about relaxation. I usually love to build a ton of activities into our trips, but we didn’t make any day plans before we arrived. I was just happy to hang out on the beach! Below are the few things we did.
Visited “downtown” – The downtown area of Providenciales is really just a few blocks of the main street. We walked here from our hotel on the day it rained. It was cute to stroll down the street and check out the little boutiques and cafes.
Snorkeling – I’m adding this one even though we didn’t end up getting to go because the waves were too rough. We booked this snorkel catamaran cruise and were honestly so bummed when the trip got canceled. Turks and Caicos is known for their reefs and diving. I definitely want to make this happen if we ever go back.
Beach days – This is literally why we booked a Turks and Caicos babymoon. I wanted to prop myself on the beach with a mocktail and my book. Which is exactly what we did. Grace Bay Beach is 100% worth spending most of your days. The water is super calm and shallow. And the sand is some of the softest I’ve ever experienced. We enjoyed it for these reasons, but I also thought it would be perfect for young children!
WAS IT WORTH IT FOR A BABYMOON
Honestly, I highly recommend a Turks and Caicos babymoon! It was the right amount of relaxation, low stress, and we didn’t have to travel too far. If your goals are to hang on the beach, and you’re not too concerned about seeing a million things, this just might be the trip for you!
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