Beaches T&C surrounding area

[AnnMarie]

I was just wondering, what kind of stores are available around the resort? For example, can I buy stuff for my OOT bags once I get there instead of filling up luggage? Or is it way too expensive? What kind of stores if any? Also, is traveling outside the resort safe?

[KimberlyAnne]

AnnMarie,

              The resort stores were a bit on the expensive side.  It would be cheaper to just buy them here and take it with you.  It was safe off the resort.  We are going back next October!  Can't wait!  Congratulations on your wedding

[AnnMarie]

Thank you!!

[kelly1214]

Stuff is expensive in T&C in general because everything has to be shipped in.  My husband and I went to Grace Bay which is their main shopping area.  There are a couple gift shops in Grace Bay but prices aren't any cheaper than the resorts and you can get the same kinds of things.  Buy your OOT stuff in the states if you want to save a couple bucks. 

[hockeymom97]

I have a friend who goes to T&C each Nov (stays along Grace Bay...at the Sands I think) and has said the same as others have posted...the whole island is fairly expensive. So I would def buy OOT items in the states and bring them down with you.

[*Meagan*]

I would defintiely say the Beaches resort gift shops are VERY pricey along with the rest of the island! We were married there and LOVED IT.. but I believe 1 can of sunscreen was $20 something! I would just pack it all. We did. and We never got charged for any of our bags! Which I thought was AWESOME!!!!

 

[AnnMarie]

No charge for the bags?!?! That is awesome! Off track a bit, but for any of the Beaches T&C brides that have responded (and thank you for doing so)...I was wondering on how the process goes for wanting to have the wedding dinner in one of their restaurants instead of paying for the MS dinner...I thought it wasn't an option? My wedding is in 6mo!

Feel free to PM me if you can assist

[hockeymom97]

From what I've been told, if your group is small enough the WC should be able to assist in getting you reservations at the restaurant. The issue is if you have a larger group...then they can't really accomodate dinner reservations. BUT...just because that's what they told me, doesn't mean it's right, lol. It seems like every time you talk to a different person (TA, WC, resort, past bride, etc) you get a different answer

[kelly1214]

The only restaurant at Beaches Turks and Caicos you can make reservations for is the Japanese restaurant.  I can't remember the name of it right now... but everything else is first come first serve.  Don't worry though- you'll never wait more than 10 minutes to be seated.  We went when they were 95% booked and there was never a long wait for a table.  I think we figured out Beaches can hold 1500 guests. There are 16 resturants.  The larger restaurants can hold 150+ guests. So even if everyone went at exactly the same time to eat, there would still be enough room at one of the resturants for you...

 

We had 17 people with us and did the wedding dinner at Barefoot by the Sea.  As the 30 minute reception was wrapping up, my mom and dad went over to Barefoot and let them know a party of 17 would be coming soon.  They took about 5 minutes to move some tables around and we were good to go.  My mom and dad were seated and had drinks by the time everyone else arrived.  It was really nice, they put us off to the side a little bit so we had some privacy too.

 

We also ate at Schooners the night everyone arrived.  They accomodated us pretty quickly too.  We had to wait maybe 10 minutes for them to get tables together.

 

Based on what I experienced, I would say anything smaller than 20 people shouldn't be too hard to get seated at a resturant together.  You might have to wait a couple minutes but if you're looking to save a couple hundred bucks and think that paying for a dinner at an all inclusive resort is dumb... go with a dinner at one of the restaurants instead of the private dinner.

[Tropical Imaging]

As someone who lives here, I would definitely bring as much on island for your OOT that you can.  Import duty for goods here is 30% plus the cost of shipping so figure everything you want to purchase here to be at least 40% higher priced than where you are from.   Personally, other than groceries and the occasional purchase of something needed, I buy EVERYTHING off island and pack it and bring it in suitcases or ship it in.  Bring the items in your suitcase, do NOT try to mail it/fed ex it/UPS it on island, or you will be charged import duty as well.  If you need more suitcase space, enlist friends coming down to pack it for you. 

 

It is extremely safe on the island, although normal rules of safety apply here as everywhere (don't go walking unknown places off resort alone at night, don't leave valuables out and about, if you rent a car, don't leave expensive items in plain view).   Up until a few years ago most residents didn't lock there homes or cars.  Please go and check out some of the outside shops and restaurants on island and see the actual country; we love having tourists!   I love the shops at the Salt Mills Plaza, the Regent shops and Ports of Call (all are in the same area!)  There are little restaurants, art galleries, etc to find some unique items from local artists, jewelry makers etc that you won't find in Beaches!

 

Krys