Planning a girls’ trip is a labor of love—equal parts logistics, personality dynamics, and indulgent daydreaming. From coordinating calendars to selecting the perfect backdrop, there’s an art to curating a getaway that feels both luxurious and effortless. For my 40th birthday, I set my sights on one destination that had always been on my travel vision board: Turks and Caicos.
By: Alexandria Greene-Jones
Planning a girls’ trip is a labor of love—equal parts logistics, personality dynamics, and indulgent daydreaming. From coordinating calendars to selecting the perfect backdrop, there’s an art to curating a getaway that feels both luxurious and effortless. For my 40th birthday, I set my sights on one destination that had always been on my travel vision board: Turks and Caicos.
I initially juggled three potential locations—Turks, Cabo San Lucas, and St. Thomas—but the moment I found an unbelievable flight deal to Providenciales, I knew it was a sign. Turks was happening. The rest would fall into place.
Step 1: Set Your Budget—Then Choose Your Crew
Before sending out invites, I crunched the numbers. My goal was to enjoy a luxury experience without financial stress. I accounted for everything: accommodations, transportation, excursions, and a private chef. Setting a firm budget helped shape every decision that followed, including the size and vibe of the group.
I’ve heard plenty of cautionary tales about girls’ trips gone wrong, so I took my time selecting the right mix of personalities—women who were positive, adaptable, and above all, drama-free. Some people curate their guest list around who can party the hardest. I chose people who could match energy and maintain good vibes.
Step 2: Be a Thoughtful Host
As the birthday girl and organizer, I felt responsible for ensuring the experience was as stress-free for my guests as possible. That included researching flight costs from each traveler’s home city and covering a majority of the shared expenses. While everyone’s budget may vary, I believe the host should bear the brunt of the cost when inviting others to celebrate your occasion.
Step 3: Find the Perfect Home Base
Turks and Caicos isn’t cheap—and that’s part of its charm. While hotel options abound, luxury accommodations can easily run $700 a night and up. For my group, a private villa offered the best of all worlds: privacy, space, and five-star amenities. I booked a gorgeous Airbnb overlooking the serene Mike’s Canal, complete with a private pool and separate bedrooms and bathrooms for each guest. It was the centerpiece of the trip—and worth every penny.
Step 4: Bring the Vibes—On a Budget
To elevate the experience, I added personal touches like personalized gift bags and cups as well as balloon decor and marquee letters for photo ops. Vendors quoted high prices for balloon arches, so I got creative. I pre-ordered helium balloons from a local party store called Business Solutions—think Staples meets Party City. Though we later discovered our villa came with a surprise welcome balloon arch setup, the extra flair made for fun photos and festive energy.
Pro tip: groceries in Turks are very expensive. A dozen eggs can run you $18. We spent over $500 on essentials for just four days—so plan accordingly.
Step 5: Skip the Taxi, Book a Driver
Transportation can be surprisingly pricey, with short taxi rides costing between $70 to $140. We opted for a private driver for the entire trip, which ran around $700 total. Be sure to read reviews and avoid paying everything upfront. And if you’ve heard about the popular “conch cab”? It’s no longer in service.
Step 6: Splurge on Food—Or Hire a Chef
The island’s food scene is phenomenal, especially for seafood lovers. If you want a more tailored (and budget-friendly) dining experience, book a private chef. For our Friday night dinner, we hired a chef who prepared multiple dishes that lasted two days—total cost: $1,350. Bonus: She even made a coffee and fruit run for us the next morning.
Step 7: Plan Memorable Excursions
To thank my guests for celebrating with me, I treated them to all excursions, including a “jet car” experience and a yacht charter to Noah’s Ark—the hotspot on Sundays. The jet car was $250 per person and the yacht was $1,800, but group-friendly and shared boating options are available for less.
Where We Ate
We dined at only two restaurants, thanks to the chef:
Final Thoughts
Turks and Caicos is not a bargain destination—it’s a splurge, and rightfully so. But if you’re dreaming of powder-white sand, breathtaking turquoise water, and a luxury experience with your closest friends, this Caribbean gem delivers on every front.
So gather your girls, plan ahead, and treat yourselves. This is the kind of trip you’ll be reminiscing about for years to come.
