Turks + Caicos
Getting there:
Easy 3 hour direct flight from NYC. Definitely recommend getting a car unless you’re staying at a big hotel or resort. Food is very expensive in Turks + Caicos. We picked up some breakfast stuff at the grocery store so we could eat at our AiBnB.
Anything with a *, I highly recommend.
Where we stayed:
AirBnB on Cherokee Rd.* - Great! We loved the location as it was in a more residential area away from all the big hotels (five minute drive). 5 minute walk to a beach that was basically private with some incredible snorkeling. Like turtles right off the beach. It was incredible.
Where we ate:
Mango Reef - Lunch spot in a marina. Blackened fish tacos, mango chicken tacos, local beer. Solid.
Somewhere Café and Lounge - Tex Mex restaurant within a resort. Pretty good! Ground beef tacos, pulled pork tacos, añejo old fashioned.
Bugaloo’s* - This place came recommended to us from several people and it did not disappoint. It’s kind of away from everything and sits right on the beach. The food was great, the service was amazing (shout out to Maria) and there was a band and a fire dancer the night we were there. Blackened snapper*, blackened shrimp, plenty of wine.
Shay Café* - We came for breakfast and it was delicious! Avocado benedict, smoked salmon benedict, coffee.
Sharkbite Bar & Grill - We came for lunch. Nice location, solid food. Goombay grouper sandwich, turkey club, local beer, rum punch.
Giggles Ice Cream - Cute ice cream shop near shops, etc. Coffee and salted caramel - both were great.
Da Conch Shack* - If you go to Turks + Caicos, you have to come here for a meal. Iconic, kinda touristy but still great. Right on the beach so the setting is great. Conch fritters, Pirate pot (seafood medley stew), rum punch.
Coco Bistro* - Cool setting among palm tress. I’d definitely make a reservation, although we got there pretty early and snagged two seats at the bar. Beet salad, pepper crusted rare tuna, Caicos conch salad, palomas.
Cocovan Airstream Lounge* - Located right next to Coco Bistro to basically handle the overflow. Much more casual. The kitchen is in an Airsteam Camper and the food is delicious. We’d come by earlier in the trip for an afternoon drink post kayaking. Everything was great. Buffalo cauliflower, spicy falafel tacos, several drinks.
Chinson’s - We came for lunch. Solid food and definitely a bit more local. Pulled chicken sandwich and pulled pork sandwich.
Where we drank:
Hemmingway’s - Restaurant on the beach within a resort. Stopped in a for a drink. Right on the beach. Good vibe.
What we saw/did:
Big Blue Collective* - Rented kayaks for the day and it was amazing. Picked up some sandwiches + drinks at a spot nearby. Explored the mangroves and then did a big paddle to Half Moon Bay which was spectacular. The water is SO clear and the sand is soft and white.
Dive Provo* - Dive shop that rents snorkel/scuba gear for as long as you need it.
Smith Reef* - Great snorkeling. Best spot is Central.
Babalua Beach* - This was right down the road from our AirBnB and the snorkeling here was incredible. Literally no one on the beach. We didn’t have to swim that far out at all and we saw a bunch of fish and a tons of sea turtles. It was amazing.
Chalk Sound/Sapadillo Beach* - Beautiful beach spot for some swimming and beers.
Potcake Place K9 Rescue* - We did not do this because we ran out of time, but this rescue facility takes in stray street dogs and they’ll give you one for the morning to take to the beach for walk and some playtime to help them socialize.