Inside Look: Traveling with Coconut + Concrete

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Interested in traveling with Coconut + Concrete but not quite sure what to expect? Here’s an inside look at what this luxurious semi-solo experience has to offer. Come solo, bring a friend or even your momma!


You’re booked. Now what?

If your trip has not been paid in full you can begin making payments at any time. You will also receive timely reminders to keep you on track with your payments.

During the months leading up to our trip you’ll also be receiving several emails (countdown timer included!) from Coconut + Concrete (make sure your to add us to your contacts so it doesn’t go to your junk folder). You’ll want to read these emails because they will include itinerary details, possible excursion offerings, and other little goodies. Always, always, always be sure to read these emails!


Traveling alone but don’t want to feel completely alone?

You’ll have the option to join our travel group’s location specific GroupMe chat. In this chat group you can introduce yourself to the group and start making acquaintances. Before departure, you’ll also receive a final email with details about which other ladies may be on your flight. So no need to feel nervous about coming solo! Socialize as much (or as less) as you choose.

Catamaran group excursion at Pearn’s Point in Antigua, August 2019

Catamaran group excursion at Pearn’s Point in Antigua, August 2019

Coconut + Concrete getaways are typically 5 days/4 nights. During this time:

  • Day 2: C+C will coordinate a meet and greet reception on the day after arrival. Here is where you’ll get to meet all of the ladies and just have a good ol’ time!

  • Day 3: C+C also coordinates one whole group activity. This activity will be included in your reservation unless otherwise stated. During this excursion is where you’ll really get to know one another and to be totally and completely honest, you’re probably going to build some everlasting memories. Again, feel free to mingle as much (or as little) as you please. As an introvert myself, I can almost guarantee you’ll come out of that shell :-)

  • Day 4: This final day is yours to do as you please! Go to the spa, book your own excursions, hit up the group chat and coordinate with others. Heading to breakfast and don’t want to go it alone? Hit up the group chat!

  • Day 5: Departures. Arrival and departure transfers are always included in your reservation. No reason to worry about getting to and from the airport!



Meet & greet dinner reception at Planet Hollywood, Costa Rica in July 2019

Meet & greet dinner reception at Planet Hollywood, Costa Rica in July 2019

So now what’s holding you back girl? Here’s a look at what past (and repeat) guests have had to say from the post-trip anonymous surveys:

  • “One of my best trips ever! My favorite part of the trip was the socialization, Nicaragua day trip, and catamaran trip. If we do a reunion count me in! Thanks again, your such a beautiful person inside & out!!”

  • “I want to reiterate what an outstanding group of women came to Costa Rica. I loved that the trip came together seamlessly and although I didn’t have any specific excursions planned when I arrived except the catamaran, I left with more passport stamps than expected and plenty of fun experiences from Costa Rica. So much fun!”

  • “It was awesome! From the very beginning it was obvious the amount of time, thought, and care that went into making this trip the very best experience it could be. I am so grateful and so blessed to have been a part of it. Thank you Wes for all of the love you poured into this trip and into our lives! Can’t wait for the next one!”

  • “I really enjoyed the trip! It was obvious it was very well planned.”

  • “I’ve been on solo/but not so solo” trips before, but this one far exceeded my previous experiences. I’d be completely open to a longer trip, or even a multi-city excursion down the line.”

Hope to see YOU on the next trip! TAP/CLICK HERE TO BE NOTIFIED OF ALL UPCOMING TRIPS FIRST!

Group island tour at the Sulfur Springs in Soufriere, St. Lucia, August 2018.

Group island tour at the Sulfur Springs in Soufriere, St. Lucia, August 2018.

Beach Beauty: Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Let me start by saying I LOVE the beach. I’ve been to so many beaches that I have learned to appreciate the many different types of sands, from fine grade to rocky, the colors, from golden to powdery white. The same applies to the water. I never realized that there are so many different shades of blue. Each island has their own variant shade. Some areas are more turquoise than others. Some islands in volcanic areas often share a deep blue hue.

This beach beauty segment focuses on the stunning island of Turks & Caicos. In Providenciales you’ll find one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (Trip Advisor called it!) on Grace Bay. Grace Bay Beach boasts fine white sand so powdery and soft that I had to bag some and take it back home with me.

The sea. The color of the water in Turks & Caicos alone is mesmerizing. Upon landing if you take a glance out of the window you’ll see some of the most milkiest turquoise blue water you’ve ever seen. I’ve actually never seen anything like it.

Grace Bay Beach definitely gets my vote and if you’re looking for a place to stay on the island I highly recommend The Sands at Grace Bay (make sure you order the fish and chips at Hemingway’s Restaurant on the resort too)!

A Secret in St. Maarten: Get to Anguilla via Fast Ferry

If you love island hopping and getting two passport stamps on one trip this is for you. Plan on visiting St. Maarten this summer? You can easily hop a 30-minute ferry over to the neighboring island of Anguilla. My husband and I did this a few years ago and let me just warn you; the ferry ride is a little choppy on the way over to Anguilla but it’s very quick. Make sure you sit inside (unless you don’t mind getting soaked!).

A roundtrip fare will run you about $90 for a day trip (ferries leave about every half hour starting at 9:00am with the last ferry leaving Anguilla at 4:30pm). If you’re able I’d recommend spending a night on the island or you can simply just spend the day on Shoal Bay (one the best beaches in the Caribbean).

The day I went it rained off and on so I’m in definite need of a do over! If you go, please come back and tell me all about it.

Tap or click here for more ferry information or to book your ferry trip!

Protective Styles for the Summer

Summer is here and to make sure you enjoy every second of it we have a list of protective styles to keep your hair healthy and growing while also giving you more time to enjoy the sun.

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Box Braids: There’s nothing better than feeling like a goddess with some long box braids flowing down your back. Box braids have and will always be a go to protective style for many of us and the best part is that they come in any size or style.

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Cornrows: Cornrows have come a long way and the styles are becoming more and more creative. Whether you like it braided all the way back or some crazy design, cornrows will always be a classic look for the summer.

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Faux Locs: If you really want to feel the Caribbean vibes you must try faux locs for your next protective style. Whether you go with regular locs or goddess locs, you are bound to fit in during your next trip to the islands.

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Twists: Senegalese twists, Marley twists, Havana twists - it’s hard to decide but it’s a no-brainer that twists are a great protective style. They take less time than box braids to install and are ten times easier to take out.

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Braided Bob: Long box braids can make us feel hot and heavy in the sun so going for a shorter look just might be the trick. A quick and easy braided look that gives us 90’s vibes is the perfect choice this summer.

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Colorful Braids: Summer is the best time to bust out those beautiful bright colors you’ve stored away during the colder months. Summer is truly the season to embrace the skin you're in and be the care-free unapologetic black girl you are.

(Written by Obono Mba-Madja)