The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), known as Belongers and descendents of early Bermudan, Loyalist and slave settlers, truly represent a blend of laid-back island culture and friendliness. TCI, a small archipelago of eight major islands and many uninhabited tropical keys, is governed as a British Overseas Territory. Just 600 miles (and an easy 75?90 minutes) southeast of Miami, 39 miles southeast of the Bahamas, and covering 193 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean, TCI has some of the best tropical beaches to be found, with the third largest coral reef system in the world creating a watersports Mecca. With tourism as a leading industry, TCI presents a premier destination for windsurfing, kitesurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, bonefishing, sailing excursions, and beachcombing?not to mention romance and escape! Conde Nast rated TCI with “Best Tropical Beaches in the World.”
The main tourist destination is the island of Providenciales, also known as Provo. With nearly-constant easterly trade winds, a comfortable average year-round temperature of 83” F, and an annual rainfall of about 35”, visitors are nearly assured of ideal watersports conditions. After a day on the water, tourists may enjoy island music, boutique shopping, fine dining, and casinos.
Several scheduled and charter carriers serve passengers flying into Turks and Caicos through the main airport on the island of Providenciales at Providenciales International Airport (PLS). For more information see Provo Airport.
Departure Tax
US$35.00 departure tax for all persons over two years old.
Temperatures range between 85°F and 90°F (29°C°32°C) from June to October, sometimes reaching the mid 90’s in the late summer. Temperatures range from 80°F to 84°F between November and May. Steady trade winds keep things very comfortable. Turks and Caicos see around 350 days of sunshine per year. Hurricane season is approximately June to October.
International access code: +649. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). You?ll find worldwide phone access, fax, telex, cellular phone service, and Internet connectivity. Public phones require debit phone cards or credit cards. The Islands enjoy direct worldwide telephone access. Available telecommunications include fax machine, telexes, cellular phones, and Internet connections. Mobile phones may be rented, however some visitors from the USA with a cellular service that has a Caribbean roaming agreement may be able to use their phones with international roaming. Local and international service is provided by Cable & Wireless.
Currency: US Dollar. Traveler’s checks are widely accepted at local banks, most hotels, restaurants, and taxi services. Credit cards are also accepted at many places. Banks offer ATMs and will process cash advances on credit cards.
Meals
- Low-end: US$5-10
- Middle: US$10-15
- High: US$15-20
- Gourmet: US$20+
Lodging
- Low-end: US$50-100
- Middle: US$100-200
- High: US$200-400
- Deluxe: US$400+
Passport
US and Canadian citizens do not require a passport, but must have an original or notarized copy of a birth certificate plus a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license. Nationals from other countries require passports.
Visa
Most visitors do not require visas, except citizens from the former Eastern Bloc nations who should contact the nearest British Consulate Office for information. All visitors must have a round trip ticket and may stay for 30 days, renewable once.
Turks & Caicos operates on a 110v/60Hz cycle electric current.
Grand Turk offers a small hospital. Providenciales has an emergency clinic and several private general practitioners. The other islands have only community clinics. Turks and Caicos also offers emergency room service, dental, chiropractic, physiotherapy, optometry, pharmacy, X-ray, ultrasound, recompression chamber and an air ambulance service.
Water
Fresh water is scarce, with supplies depending on rainfall or desalination. Visitors are asked to conserve water.
Immunizations
- Typhoid: Not recommended for most visitors, unless plans include an extended stay in rural areas with possible exposure to contaminated food.
- Yellow Fever: Not recommended or required, except for all travelers over six months of age arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas.
- Hepatitis A: Recommended for all visitors.
- Hepatitis B: Recommended for those who may make intimate contact with local residents, especially for stays longer than 6 months.
- Routine Immunizations: All visitors should have up-to-date tetanus-diphtheria, measles-mumps-rubella, polio, and varicella immunizations.
- Rabies: Recommended for those who may directly handle animals and may not have access to medical care.
Official language: English
Turks and Caicos islands have one of the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean. But common sense must be used?don?t leave valuables unattended, or doors or windows unlocked. Hotel safes are usually available to store valuables. Take basic precautions to safeguard cash, jewelry, and identification. Problems and car accidents should be s reported immediately to the police.
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -5 hours Daylight saving time: +1 hour
15% tips are traditionally paid to waiters, taxi drivers, maids, and porters.
