Packing Tips For Your Trip To Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands

Packing Tips For Your Trip To Grand Turk

Wear layers while you travel.  

That way you will have the warmth you need leaving home, the light weight sweater and light jacket may come in handy on a Grand Turk winter evening.  You rarely need more than a light weight jacket, sweatshirt or cotton sweater in the evening.  Sometimes a long sleeve shirt will be enough in winter.  Spring, Summer and Fall a short sleeve shirt or tank will be enough.

I wear a tank top with a light sweater over it, a light jacket over the sweater (maybe a jean jacket) and then a scarf and a pair of slacks or jeans onto the plane.  As we go further south I shed the layers.  These are items you won’t need to pack and therefore you will save room in your suitcase.  

Share your suitcase.  

If you are traveling as a couple and plan to ship your bags, split your clothes between the 2 suitcases.  That way, on the off chance one bag gets lost, you both still have clothes.  I found this out the hard way. If you are shipping your bag be sure to put a change of light weight clothes in the bag you carry on the plane.  I pack a carry-on with a bathing suit, a lightweight skirt, a t-shirt that I can use to sleep in or wear, a change of underwear and a pair of flip-flops.  

Pack light to travel light. 

If you can manage with a carry-on, do it.  The wait time for the bags in the Provo airport can be a little long, you will zip right through on to your next flight with a carry-on.  (This is especially important if you have less than 1 hour to get to your next flight, though we recommend having at least 1 1/2 hour between flights to go through customs, collect your bag and get checked in on your next flight)  Dress is very casual on Grand Turk and you will probably find you won’t wear much of what your bring.  Shorts are acceptable attire at every restaurant.  Try taking half of the what you think you need and twice the money.  On Grand Turk, “Cash is King”,  some restaurants and grocery stores take credit cards but not all.

Make the most of your suitcase space.  

Roll your clothes.  If you have packed shoes, use the space inside the shoes to store accessories or sunscreen.  Leave no space unused.

Personal Bag.  Most airlines allow you 1 carry-on and 1 personal bag.  My husband and I usually bring a carry-on bag with our clothing each.  I also bring a tote bag.  In my tote bag I pack a smaller wallet like purse with a over the shoulder strap, books, passports, glasses, sunglasses, small makeup bag and pen (needed for the immigration paperwork).  The tote is big enough to accommodate the extra layers I have worn as I shed them.  My husband unusually carries the computer as his personal bag.  

Items you may want to bring:

Cell phone - Crabtree Apartment has Wifi service so apps like Viber allow you to phone home for free using the internet.  Some cell phone companies have their own App.  Comcast has a great app that allows you to use your home phone, if you have a Comcast hard line, through the internet, allowing you to call the States free.  This app allows  access to your voicemail and email as well. If you plan on using your cell phone, check with your cell phone carrier to see if it would be worth adding an international plan for the time you will be there.  Cell service is expensive in the Turks and Caicos.

Laptop computer - A lot of our guest bring their laptop to watch movies on Netflix and other online viewing sites.  Crabtree Apartments has a number of DVDs in each of the units along with Cable TV, if you prefer to leave your laptop at home.

Specialty foods - If you have a special diet bring the special food items you need.  All food is shipped to the Turks and Caicos, grocery stores on Grand Turk are small.  You can usually find most ordinary items you need by stopping at several grocery stores but you may have a limited selection.  If you need something like non-dairy milk, I have seen it in the grocery stores on Grand Turk but I would not count on it being there. Those kind of items come and go.

Don’t forget:

Your hotel reservation number, address and contact info or if you are a Crabtree Apartment’s guest; bring The Crabtree Apartments Apartment and Island Information Letter with the lock box code and Wifi code and contact phone numbers.  We suggest you leave this information with someone at home too.

Bring plenty of Cash - “Cash is King”  There are a few restaurants and grocery stores that take cash but some do not.  There is a ATM machine at the Scotiabank and the First Caribbean Bank.

Passport - You will need it for access into the Turks and Caicios Islands.  Be sure to leave a photo copy of your passport at home every time you travel.  It will be helpful in the event you loose your passport.

Insurance card - Just in case.  There is a hospital on the island and you most likely will not need it’s services but in case you do, you may need your insurance information.  There is usually a fee of $150 or so for services.

Connecting flight confirmation number or info.

Phone Charger

Sunscreen - There is sunscreen available on the island but you may want to bring some with you. You will want to go out and enjoy the beach right away.  The sun is strong so you will want to protect your skin.

10 Reasons To Stay With Us At Crabtree Apartments, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands

     Ok, so you are looking at places to stay on Grand Turk or in the Caribbean.  The task is daunting I know.  Choosing a vacation rental just about anyplace these days is an overwhelming task.  It used to be that there were only a handful of rentals to choose from and it was easy to narrow it down to one.  And it's no wonder vacation rentals have become so popular,  it's cheaper than staying at a hotel, if you are a family you save on booking multiple rooms and you aren't packed in like sardines, you can save on eating out and you have the whole space to you and your family.

     Today the vacation rental business is booming.  There are more vacation rentals than ever to choose from.  When we started out with our vacation rental we were one of a couple rentals on Grand Turk but today there are over a dozen.  When someone is searching for a vacation rental on Grand Turk it takes a little investigative work to find the one that is perfect for you.  But how can you be sure if you have never traveled to Grand Turk?  How can you know what beach is best or how close you are to everything or who your neighbors are?  It's doable using google earth,  google searches and scanning through pictures, but it's a lot of work.  I thought I would make it a little easier and share a little about us at Crabtree Apartments, so I put together the top 10 reasons to stay with us:

1.  We are located directly on the beach - We are on the beach not across the street.  The beach is right outside your door.  I mean literally right outside.  Not only are we directly on the beach but locals  and our guests tell us that our beach is one of the best - Why one of the best?  Nice firm sandy bottom,  not too shallow, not too deep, both coral areas and sandy areas for great snorkeling and great swimming, without the tons of sea weed (occasionally we too get sea weed just not the quantities others beaches do.  There is no need to watch out for sea urchins (It hurts to step on one of them!) there may be an
occasional sea urchin (though I haven't seen one) but for the most part they are at other beaches around the island and not ours.  We are on the leeward side of the island, which means the water is calmer.   The breeze can be a bit much at times when it is off the water of the windward side of the island.  Our breeze comes across the land - perfect!

2.  We are located within a 10 minute easy walk to 4 of the most popular restaurants on the island.  The Bird Cage (Osprey Hotel),  Secret Garden (Salt Raker Inn) The Sand Bar and the newest addition; The Turks Head Inne Restaurant and Bar, all located on Duke St.   Taking a stroll down historical Duke Street is a must, you will feel transported in time.  Most of the other restaurants are spread out over the island; there are a couple at or near the cruise ship terminal (these are closed except when the ship is in) and if the vacation rental you are looking at is located near the cruise ship terminal it means a taxi ride to any of the other popular restaurants.  Being close to the Bohio (a great restaurant) means you would be about 1/2 hour  to 40 minute (or better) walk to the 4 popular restaurants mention above.   It's worth asking how far of a walk you would be to any of the above mentioned restaurants.

3.  Each unit has a large and comfortably furnished veranda that overlooks the sea.  It's the place you will spend most of your time, dining and lounging - the view is amazing!!!  Wicker furniture to sit and read and a dining table to enjoy your meals or sip cocktails and watch the sun set.

4.  We have been in business for over 12 years.  We are serious about our business.  We have an excellent reputation, wonderful reviews online and stacks of guest books with messages from our guests to prove it.  One of these days I am going to transcribe these wonderful notes from our guest to share online.   You can read the more current notes in the guest books that are located in each unit.

5.  We have a great team.  Our staff really cares about our guests.  Jessalyn, my daughter does the booking for us.  She will answer any questions you may have and if she isn't available to answer it for you, she will get back to you very quickly.  It makes a difference when you are speaking directly to the owners not a service.   Jessalyn knows the apartments, the beach, the area and the island personally.  If there is a question she can't answer she will call me or Arelys and get the answer.  Arelys is a friend of ours and looks after Crabtree Apartments for us.  She would be the one to call if you had any questions or needs while on Grand Turk.  Irsa is our maid.  She has been with us for 7-8 years.  She cleans everything squeaky clean and lets us know if anything needs repair or replacing.  She even cares about the decor, asking for matching rugs or pillows to make everything come together.  She wants it all to be perfect for the guest coming in.  We have hired a garden business to rake and clean up the property every few days, they water the plants and look after the bicycles too.

6.  Only 3 units on the property, all ours - We own the entire building that consists of 3 units side-by-side.  We have done our best to make each unit feel private.  Each unit has it's own set of stairs to the beach, it's own area to sunbath or sit in the shade, it's own private veranda and it's own front and back entrances.

7.  Residential neighborhood.  We are located on quiet residential street there is a Salina on one side of the street and private homes along the ocean side.  There is not a restaurant, cruise ship, beach cabana or bar etc next door or in the immediate proximity.  Just peace and quiet, though the action is only a easy walk or bike ride away when you want it.   There is a grocery store close by (walking distance) that is open 7 days a week.

8.  Great sunsets!  We are located on the west shore so you can catch a beautiful sunset almost every night.  You might even catch a glimpse of the "Green Flash".

9.  We can accommodate larger groups.  We have 3 - 2 bedroom units so we can accommodate groups up to 12 people.  2 of the 3 units have connecting doors between the units so a family or party of 8 can book both units and have the ability to feel like they are all together.  We often have groups come and stay with us.  They have so much fun they come year after year.

10.  You won't want to leave!  Over and over again our guest say; "I wish we booked for longer".  Most of our guests aren't ready to leave when it's time to go and who would when you have the most amazing view to look at all day, a comfortable place to relax and unwind, a constant gentle tropical breeze,  the lapping of the waves to lull you to sleep at night, sun every day, the sand beneath your feet and the warm sea to swim everyday.

     I think you will love Crabtree Apartments, we have comfortable units with 2  air-conditioned bedrooms with a full bath between the bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, dining/living room with access to the large veranda from both the living room and the oceanside bedroom.  The second bedroom has a view of the salinas and the wild life they attract.   There are wonderful views from nearly every room in the apartments.

Crabtree Apartment Website:  http://www.grandturkvacationrental.com
E-mail us at:  CrabtreeApartment@gmail.com
Reservations with Jessalyn:  (978) 270-1698