Health, Doctors & Medical Information
There are a handful of private walk-in clinics, special care facilities, and pharmacies in the country should you require healthcare.
Travel Info
Providenciales
Planning Your Trip
Country Information
Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory of approximately 48,000 people. English is the official language, and the US dollar is the official currency. While the capital of Turks and Caicos is on the island of Grand Turk, the island of Providenciales is the most popular island to visit and the center of activity in the country.
There are many reasons why travelers around the world choose to visit the Turks and Caicos Islands, though the archipelago's main draw is its world-class beaches and pristine marine environment.
About the Turks and CaicosIslands of the
Turks & Caicos
Turks & Caicos
All scheduled international flights to Turks and Caicos land at the Providenciales International Airport (PLS), with the exception of a Miami—South Caicos (XSC) American Airlines flight. To fly on to one of the smaller islands, you’ll have to take a domestic flight.
Find your Flight
Location, Flights & Entry
The Turks and Caicos is located in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast of Florida and the Bahamas and north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. While a British Territory, the archipelago is largely Americanized due to its proximity to the United States.
There are 8 main islands and more than 40 small cays in the country. Travel between the main tourism islands is straightforward, and in many cases less than a 30-minute ferry or flight.
Where is Turks and Caicos?
Getting to Paradise
Entry Requirements
A valid passport is required to travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands. For US, UK, and Canadian passport holders, your passport must be valid for the duration of stay. Passports for all other nationalities must be valid for at least six months from your intended departure date.
Many countries can travel to Turks and Caicos visa-free, and US, Canada, UK, and EU passport holders do not need a visa to visit. See Passports and Visas for a list of visa-exempt countries.
Flights to Turks and Caicos
Direct flights to Turks and Caicos are offered from more than a dozen major US cities (including Miami, New York, Charlotte, and Boston) as well as Toronto and Montreal. There is only one transatlantic flight from Europe via London.
Airport immigration lines can be 1–2 hours long during peak travel times. The fast track service offered at the Providenciales International Airport can speed up the process for a fee.
Domestic Flights and Ferries
Providenciales and South Caicos are the only islands that accommodate regular commercial flights. If you're staying on Grand Turk, North Caicos, or Middle Caicos, you will need to take a ferry or domestic flight to reach your final destination.
Inter-island travel is relatively simple in Turks and Caicos. Flights or ferries are offered daily to North Caicos (connected to Middle Caicos by road) and to Grand Turk. A few private islands in Turks and Caicos have private runways that accommodate private aircraft.
Turks and Caicos Weather
While daily temperatures and the conditions for some activities do vary by season, Turks and Caicos is generally beautiful throughout the year. The average temperature in Turks and Caicos is 80° F (27° C), and the water temperature ranges from a low of 78° F (26° C) during winter to a warm high of 85° F (29° C) in summer.
The Turks and Caicos hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. Hurricanes are rare, as most storms tend to pass to north of the archipelago. The majority of the country's rainfall—among the lowest in the Caribbean—occurs during this season.
Turks and Caicos Weather
Hurricanes
Best Times to Go
The Turks and Caicos Islands has a high tourism season from December to April and a low tourism season from late August to late November. The tourism high season typically offers the best weather, but the highest accommodation and airfare prices.
Most activities can be done year-round. The exception is whale watching, which takes place during the humpback migration season from December to April.
Things to Know Before Visiting
It's important to be aware of visa requirements, import rules, and general vacation costs before visiting, as well as what the different tourism islands offer. Providenciales has the largest selection of resorts, restaurants, and boat charters and tours, and is the only island with a nightlife scene. The atmosphere is far quieter and more relaxing on Grand Turk, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and South Caicos, so you'll want to research your destination ahead of time to see if it suits your liking.
Things to Know Before Visiting
Turks and Caicos Travel FAQs
Prices and Tipping
Turks and Caicos is expensive, and prices are comparable to those in major cities like New York and London. It's common to pay 22% or more in mandatory tax on hotel stays and dining, and 12% or more on water sports and tours. Tips of 10–25% are generally expected for service.
Credit cards are generally accepted, though some businesses deal only in cash. ATMs exist in the country but are often offline (and on certain islands, non-existent). It's recommended to bring cash with you.
Health and Medical Information
There are two hospitals in Turks and Caicos—one on Providenciales and one on Grand Turk—and numerous private medical clinics. The risk of foodborne or waterborne illness is relatively low compared to similar destinations, and the water is generally safe to drink. Due to the intense sun, sunburn and dehydration are common, but preventable.
There are no vaccine requirements for visiting Turks and Caicos. As of April 1, 2023, all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. At times, the country can have significant numbers of mosquitoes. While very rare, cases of zika, chikungunya, and dengue have been reported in past decades.
Health Information
Disabeled Traveler Accessibility
The Turks and Caicos is not a particularly accessible destination. Read about service dogs, wheelchair accessibility, parking, and more.
Dangerous Plants, Insects & Animals
There are no poisonous snakes in the country, but there are several toxic plants and venomous fish to avoid.
Getting Around
Driving and Transportation
There is no public bus or train transport on any island in the Turks and Caicos. It's generally recommended that most visitors rent a vehicle for at least part of their stay.
Traffic in Turks and Caicos drives on the left, and there are no traffic lights in the country (roundabouts are used in place). It's important to know that there are many poor drivers in the Turks and Caicos, and drivers should exercise caution on the roads.
Driving in Turks and Caicos
Rental Requirements
Renting a Vehicle
While the main islands of the Turks and Caicos are relatively small, a vehicle is typically necessary for seeing all that they have to offer. Vehicle options include economy-class cars, SUVs, and Jeeps and other 4x4s. Most major roads are paved, but some scenic remote locations require a 4x4 to visit.
The minimum age for renting a car in Turks and Caicos is typically 25, with a handful of businesses accepting younger renters. If your driver's license is written in a non-Roman alphabet, you may need to obtain an International Driver's Permit (IDP) before visiting.
Taxis
Both shared and private taxis operate in the Turks and Caicos. Taxis are generally expensive, and a single fare can cost more than renting a car for the day. If you plan to use taxis, only use a licensed taxi provider. Avoid illegal jitneys, which are unmarked private cars that drive dangerously on roads.
Prices for shared taxis from the Providenciales International Airport (PLS) are set by the Government—see Turks and Caicos taxis for a list of set rates.
What to Bring
Swimwear, light breathable clothing, and sun protection are the main items to remember to pack for your trip. The availability of over-the-counter medications, sunscreens, basic water sports gear, and other common necessities, for example, is fairly good on Providenciales. It can be difficult, or not possible, to find these common items on other islands in the country.
Numerous items, including firearms, ammunitions, and controlled substances (such as cannabis) are strictly prohibited. Posession of these items can result in significant jail time and large fines.
What to Bring & Packing List
Import Information
Customs Allowances
Turks and Caicos has specific rules on the value and type of goods that can be imported or exported duty-free from the country.
Traveling With Pets
Travelers must obtain an import permit to bring pets, including service dogs, to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Bringing Food
Certain animal and plant products are prohibited. Read our list of restricted food products versus permitted items.
Useful Information
The Turks and Caicos Islands follows Eastern Standard Time (EST, or UTC−05:00), and observes daylight saving time (DST). Travelers coming from the UK and Europe will need to purchase a Type A/B travel adapter, as US-style power plugs are ubiquitous in the country.
Crime exists in the Turks and Caicos, and certain areas are safer than others. As with other destinations, it's recommended to avoid walking in unlit areas at night, visiting banks or ATMs after dark, and wearing expensive jewelery.
Visiting by Cruise
All cruises to Turks and Caicos land at Grand Turk. There are no cruises to Providenciales, and it's not possible to visit other islands during the typical cruise stop, which is 5 to 8 hours.
Grand Turk is much quieter than the typical cruise destination. The island has a population of approximately 5,000 people, and is only 6.9 square miles (18 km²). Most of the island's shopping is located at the Grand Turk Cruise Center.
Cruise Visitor Travel Information