Guide:

• Turks and Caicos Islands Travel Guide
• The Basics
• Health
• Contacts
• Airports
• Climate
• Currency
• Visa & Passport
• Photos

Regions & Cities:

• Grand Turk
• Providenciales

Ports of Call

• Grand Turk

Activities

• Diving

Directory

• Tour Operators
• Hostels

The Basics

Time: Local time is GMT -5 (GMT 4 between April and October).

Electricity: Electricity is the same as in the US: 120/240 volts, 60 Hz.

Language: The national language is English, but some words are pronounced in a way unique to the islands.

Getting around: It is easy to get around the islands on one of the many forms of hire vehicles available, from cars to scooters. Taxis are freely available and can be hired by the day for excursions. Agree on price before the journey. Requirements for hiring a car are a full, valid driving licence from your country of origin. Drivers must be at least 23-25 years old, depending on the hire company.

Travel Health: There is no risk of disease on the islands and no vaccinations are required for entry. Medical facilities are limited. Serious cases are usually evacuated to Miami or Nassau. There is a small hospital on Grand Turk and some private general practitioners on Providenciales. Adequate insurance to cover air ambulance charges is highly recommended.

Tipping: Tips of around 15% of the bill are the norm for waiters, taxi drivers and bar tenders. Hotels usually include a service charge of 10-15%.

Safety Information: Visits to the Turks and Caicos Islands are usually trouble-free. The crime rate is low, but on the favourite tourist island of Providenciales there have been incidents of burglary and theft, so visitors should take precautions with valuables. Robberies have occurred on Grace Bay Beach. Hurricane season generally runs from June to November.

Business: The Turks and Caicos Islands are subject to English Common Law and business is conducted in a similar manner to the United Kingdom, however suits are only necessary for the most formal of occasions. Business hours are generally 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Communications: Cable & Wireless Ltd. provides the island, and most of the Caribbean, with a digital network of telecommunications, including GSM cellular coverage and Internet connections. The country direct dialling code is +1 followed by 649. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). Public phones operate with phone cards.

Duty Free: Travellers may enter the Turks and Caicos Islands with the following goods without paying customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 125g of tobacco products; and 1 litre spirits or 2 litres wine. Spearguns are strictly prohibited.