Turks And Caicos Visitors Guide
Daniel Mode
Daniel Mode
Laura Schulthies
Laura SchulthiesWelcome to Turks and Caicos, an archipelago of 40 islands and cays in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. With stunning turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and a laid-back island vibe, it’s the perfect destination for a tropical getaway. Our guide will take you through some of the top things to do in Turks and Caicos, from snorkeling and diving to sunbathing and exploring local culture. We will also give you tips on when to visit Turks and Caicos, the weather to expect, and how to stay safe during your travels. So pack your bags and get ready to discover the best of what Turks and Caicos has to offer.
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Contents
A Bit Of History
Turks and Caicos has a long history that goes back hundreds of years with its native people the Lucayans inhabiting the islands. Later, the Spanish would discover the islands and many of the Lucayan people started rapidly disappearing either from Spanish slavery or from diseases that were brought to the island.
The islands remained inhabited until about the 1600s when pirates started to frequent the islands to hideout from passing ships. Since then, the islands have been controlled by many different European countries, eventually being colonized by Great Britain.
Turks and Caicos Today
Today, Turks and Caicos has transformed into a huge tourist destination. Visitors can easily escape to the islands from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, and luxurious resorts have people flocking to the islands for a relaxing vacation. With exciting nightlife, casinos, water sports, fantastic restaurants and performing arts, Turks and Caicos has something for everyone in the family.
Are Turks and Caicos Safe?
Turks and Caicos is one of the safest countries in this region of the Caribbean. The few violent crimes and robberies that do occur happen primarily on the island of Providenciales. Most other small islands see little to no crimes, especially against tourists.
To ensure the highest level of safety in Turks and Caicos, it is advisable to avoid traveling to isolated places, walking around after dark, and renting villas, as break-ins are the most common type of crime.
Where Are Turks and Caicos?
click map to enlarge
Turks and Caicos is a British territory that lies just southeast of the Bahamas and northeast of Cuba. The country consists of the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands, and includes eight large keys and many smaller keys consisting of reefs, rocks and banks. The most popular islands are South Caicos, Providenciales (also called Provo), and Grand Turk.
Turks And Caicos Map
When Is Turks and Caicos Hurricane Season?
Turks and Caicos hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, with the peak being late August through late September. This coincides with the island’s rainy season, but you can still find great weather during hurricane season, and most people visit without any problems. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take precautions. Make sure to check the weather reports before your trip, and we always recommend getting travel insurance during these months just in case of inclement weather.
How to Get to Turks and Caicos & Around
The two main ways to get to Turks and Caicos are by air and cruise. However, once on the island, there are a few options to get around.
Arrival by Air
All international flights to Turks and Caicos land at Providenciales International Airport (PLS). Most major carriers fly into Providenciales making it a breeze to get to the islands from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the U.K.
You will need a passport and a return flight booked, and once at the airport you will go through customs. You’ll find a taxi lineup right outside the doors if you haven’t already booked transportation to your hotel or resort.
The other airport in the Turks and Caicos is located on Grand Turk (GDT) where you can take domestic flights to and from the other islands. Turks and Caicos is known as one of the easiest and fastest islands to reach in the Caribbean.
Search for great deals on flights here.
Arrival by Cruise
Cruising to Turks and Caicos is a great way to experience the Caribbean at it’s best. All cruises arrive in Grand Turk at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. There are no cruises to Providenciales or any other island.
Most of the cruises that stop in Grand Turk are 5-10 night cruises with several Caribbean destinations from the U.S. East Coast. There are many different cruise companies that offer stops in Turks and Caicos, such as Carnival, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise.
Search for great deals on cruises here.
Turks and Caicos by Shuttle
Shuttles or private transport can be pre-arranged to pick you up and take you from the airport to your accommodations. You can easily book ground transportation from the airport to your hotel here.
Rental Cars in Turks and Caicos
Renting a car is another great way to get around the island. Vehicles of all types are available for rent, with pick up typically taking place outside the Cruise Center gates or at the airport. Cost for an intermediate car is typically around $62 per day and $144 for a standard SUV.
You can also rent scooters in the Turks and Caicos, the only downside to a scooter is the lack of protection from the intense Turks and Caicos sun. The current rate is around $69 per day or $59 a day for 5 days or more. You will need a valid driver’s license, and you will need to be 25 to rent a car and 21 to rent a scooter.
Be mindful that only two of the islands are connected by a road: North Caicos and Middle Caicos. If you plan to go to other islands, you will have to find another means of transportation.
Search for great deals on rental cars here.
Taxis in Turks and Caicos
Once on the island, you can easily get around by taxi. Conch Cab is like Uber or Lyft, and can easily be hailed by an app. However, they are currently unable to transport from the airport.
A private car service is a luxurious way to get around and some have more upscale vehicles. Larger groups may benefit from private airport transfer services, which usually are paid for by car instead of by person.
Finally, there are normal taxis, which charge by the person. Most of the time these are large passenger vans and can cost anywhere from $16 to $86 a person.
Boat Transfers in Turks and Caicos
With Turks and Caicos being a chain of islands, there are a huge variety of boat tours and charters that can take you to various islands and reefs. This is a fun and fantastic way to explore.
Things to Do in Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos's Top Highlights
There are activities for everyone in Turks and Caicos! From cultural events to water adventures, it’s easy to make each day in Turks and Caicos a special experience. Here are just a few of the activities you can enjoy!
Hit the Beach!
There are a number of world class Turks and Caicos beaches. Grace Bay in Providenciales (Provo) is the most famous and widely considered one of the top beaches in the world. Nearby Taylor Bay is great for families with knee high water and glistening sand. Down on Grand Turk, Governors Beach is light on the amenities and heavy on the natural beauty, while Pillory Beach is excellent for swimming and snorkeling.
Check out our guide to the Best Beaches in Turks and Caicos.
Take a Day Cruise
If you want more of a relaxing seafaring adventure, book a day cruise or a sunset sail while in Turks & Caicos! Catamaran day trips from Grace bay are a hugely popular choice and typically include snorkeling equipment, a small lunch, beer and cocktails, and beachfront pickup and drop-off. Sunset cruises are also hugely popular and a wonderful (and romantic) way to experience the natural beauty of the islands.
Check out a number of excellent day cruises and sunset cruises here.
ISLAND LIFE TRAVEL TIP : GET TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel Insurance is a must in our opinion. Standard health insurance likely doesn’t cover you while outside of the country so travel insurance will cover any emergency medical needs as well as trip cancellation, lost or stolen luggage (it happens), flight delays, missed connections and more. You can easily compare the top-rated travel insurance plans here.
Visit Iguana Island
Little Water Cay has affectionately been nicknamed “Iguana Island” as it is a natural preserve for the dwindling populations of rock iguanas. The protected habitat is reached from Providenciales via boat tour and is a “wild” way to spend a day checking out some native fauna. Stroll around the island on the planked walkways or explore the mangroves on a kayak or stand up paddleboard. Iguana Island is definitely worth a visit.
Explore boat tours that visit Little Water Cay aka Iguana Island here!
Go Snorkeling
Turks and Caicos has a number of great boat snorkeling experiences and plenty of nice shore snorkeling as well. Bight Reef (Coral Gardens) in Provo is probably the most popular shore snorkeling spot. Visitors have been known to spot stingrays, sea turtles, parrotfish, barracudas, trumpet fish, nurse sharks and more.
Other top shore snorkeling spots include Malcolm’s Road Beach in Provo, Boaby Rock Point in Grand Turk and Smiths Reef in Provo. If you feel like taking a boat excursion out to some more impressive and remote locations, check out Dove Cay or Long Cay. January to March is Humpback Whale season and Salt Cay is the top destination for snorkeling with them. Give yourself a few days on the island to try and see them.
Take a look at top rated boat snorkeling tours here.
Eat To Your Heart's Content
Seafood is the name of the game in Turks and Caicos and there’s no shortage of outstanding options. There are an incredible variety of great restaurants and snack shops where you can sample local favorites like crab and rice, jerk chicken, conch fritters, hominy grits with shrimp and more. Feel like going deeper into the local cuisine?
Check out this Taste of Turks and Caicos 3 Hour Food Tour where guests visit five local restaurants and sample seafood and other delicious local dishes while learning about the indigenous islanders and local life. Tourists will also enjoy the breathtaking views of the beautiful Chalk Sound National Park while they travel from stop to stop.
Loosen your belt for this wonderful Evening Taste Of Turks and Caicos Food Tour.
Where to Stay in Turks & Caicos
There are all types of accommodations in Turks and Caicos. From all-inclusive resorts to boutique hotels to hostels and more. Location and amenities are the two top things to look for. For great hotel info and recommendations, check out our Turks and Caicos Hotel Guide or our Turks and Caicos All Inclusive Resort Guide.
For hotel recommendations for every budget, check out our Turks and Caicos Hotel Guide
What to Eat in Turks and Caicos
You can find a wide range of wonderful bites to eat in Turks and Caicos. If you’re looking for a culinary adventure, check out our Turks and Caicos Restaurant Guide.
For great restaurant recommendations, check out our Turks and Caicos Restaurant Guide
What To Pack For Your Trip!
The Caribbean is an enchanting wonderland of relaxation and adventure, one can easily have the trip of a lifetime here. Packing for such a vacation shouldn’t be hard, so we’ve put together a checklist to help you pack and included some of our favorites as well. Check out our What To Pack For Your Trip Guide.
Check out our guide for what to bring on your Caribbean vacation!
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