10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING TURKS AND CAICOS

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Over the years, these islands have become a tourist hotspot. In fact, Grace Bay Beach was voted the world’s best beach two years in a row by TripAdvisor travelers. TCI (short for the Turks and Caicos Islands) is a destination unlike any other. About a week before Christmas, I decided to take a short trip to Providenciales (an island of the TCI) and discover this paradise for myself. I had an amazing time, but there are many things I wish I knew beforehand. If you are planning a trip to Turks and Caicos, I suggest you read the following 10 points.

1- Weather and Climate

TCI has excellent weather all year round. May to October are considered the hot months while November to April are the cool months. The temperature varies between 24 and 35 Celsius (75 to 95 Fahrenheit) from the hot months to the cool months. There is also very little rain throughout the year. The locals say there are 350 days of sunshine during the year (and it is very true)! The rain usually falls during hurricane season (June to November). The islands get approximately one to two torrential downpours annually. Tourists usually like to visit the TCI during the cool months.

The water temperature ranges from 26 to 29 degrees Celsius (79 to 84 Fahrenheit) from hot season to cool season. Some more shallow beaches even have water that is several degrees warmer. It is an amazing place to swim and spend hours in the water!

2- Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can be a big problem on the Turks and Caicos Islands. After heavy rain, mosquitoes are usually attracted to the islands. Some islands have more problems than others. For example, Providenciales does not have a mosquito problem for most of the year. However, islands like North Caicos, Middle Caicos, Parrot Cay, and Pine Cay tend to have a serious insect problem. Be sure to bring long sleeves and a lot of insect repellent on your trip to avoid getting bit. Also, be mindful of doors and windows and try to keep them shut so the mosquitoes don’t come inside.

3- The language

When traveling, language barriers can sometimes be a little intimidating. In TCI, English is the sole official language which makes it extremely tourist-friendly. You might also hear some Spanish and Haitian Creole since most of the immigrants are from the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

4- Currency

Turks and Caicos use U.S. dollars! The islands do not accept any other type of currency so be sure to exchange money before you arrive (Providenciales International Airport does not have a currency exchange center). You can also exchange money at local banks but they charge extremely expensive rates. If you run out of money, most restaurants and stores accept major credit cards.

Also keep in mind that the islands have three major banks: Scotiabank, Royal Bank of Canada, and First Caribbean.

5- Costs

Everything is expensive!! It is definitely the most expensive island I’ve been to. Although it is expected on a luxury island, drinks, food, hotels, tours, taxis, etc. are all very pricey. If you are planning a trip to TCI, make sure your budget is big enough (we paid an average of 80$-90$ USD per dinner for 2 people). That being said, there are a few ways to save money:

– Stay in an Airbnb instead of a luxury resort or hotel.

– Rent a car and drive yourself around the island instead of taking taxis.

– Go grocery shopping and cook most of your meals yourself.

6- Transportation

There is no public transport in Turks and Caicos (no buses, no trains, no Uber, etc.). Most hotels do have airport shuttle service for their customers.

Taxis are easily found all over the islands. However, they are extremely expensive. They charge per person instead of charging per time or mileage. It is advised to negotiate your rate and reach an agreement with the driver before entering a taxi (so you don’t have a bad surprise when you arrive at your destination).

The cheapest and most efficient way to get around is definitely to rent a car (which brings us to point #7: Driving).

7- Driving

Renting a car and driving is definitely the best way to get around in TCI. You need to have a valid driver’s license and most car rental places require a minimum age of 23 years old.

It is important to know that, like in the UK, people drive on the left side of the road. Many cars have the steering wheel on the left but some rental cars have it on the right. It takes a little bit of time to get used to driving on the wrong side so take your time and leave plenty of space between you and the car ahead.

Also, the islands don’t have many traffic lights. Instead, they have roundabouts at the majority of the intersections, so make sure you know how to safely drive in roundabouts.

8- Beaches

Turks and Caicos have beautiful, spectacular beaches. The sand is soft and white and the water is a beautiful turquoise. Like I mentioned earlier, Grace Bay Beach was voted best beach in the world two years in a row by TripAdvisor travelers. If you are a beach lover, TCI is going to steal your heart.

On top of having some of the best beaches in the world, Turks and Caicos is home to the third-largest coral system.

9- Attractions

There are many attractions for tourists on the Turks and Caicos Islands. The most popular attraction is definitely snorkeling. Other water sports such as kayaking, kitesurfing, sailing, parasailing, and horseback riding are also very popular.

TCI is home to the world’s only conch farm! The farm is a very unique attraction and it offers daily tours.

Turks and Caicos has activities for everyone. You can go island hopping, or swim with stingrays, or visit a cotton plantation, or see the site where Christopher Columbus first landed in 1492.

If you are visiting Providenciales, don’t forget to check out the Fish Fry every Thursday night.

10- Other fun facts

Here are a few other facts that will help you plan your trip:

– Plugs are the same as North American plugs (120V, 60Hz) so you will only need a converter or an adapter if you are not from North America and/or are using 220V.

– No vaccinations are required or recommended before visiting TCI.

– Turks and Caicos Islands are in the same time zone as New York (UTC-4:00).

– PLS (Providenciales International Airport) is the main airport for TCI.

I hope that this list will help you plan the perfect trip to TCI. Everyone should visit these islands at least once in their lives. If you do, make sure you plan the appropriate budget! Go explore some of the best beaches in the world, snorkel in the third largest coral reef and visit the one and only conch farm. Oh, and take A LOT of pictures!!

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