It’s vacation season again and everyone has picked their dream location once again. If you picked Turks and Caicos as your traveling destination… enjoy every minute!!!
What’s not to love about this magic place, one of the Caribbean’s most well-liked vacation spots? It has exquisite beaches for which the Caribbean is renowned. An ideal middle ground for anyone seeking to enjoy some luxury together with the natural beauty of the Caribbean.
There are 40 separate islands and cays that makeup Turks and Caicos. The British overseas territory of these coral islands is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Bahamas. Of the islands, only 9 are inhabited.
Definitely a fantastic location and boasts great venues, like Grace Bay Beach, the best beach in the world, and stunning turquoise ocean water in a pristine marine environment. I am in love with the place, so let’s see 16 things you need to know before traveling to Turks and Caicos.
They speak English
They are a British colony, and English is the official language. The residents of Turks and Caicos refer to themselves as “belongers” rather than natives and originated from Africa. Don’t ask someone whether they are from Jamaica even if their accent resembles a Jamaican one quite a bit. They’ll be incredibly offended.
The US dollar is their currency
They use US currency and speak English. This makes traveling for Americans so simple, right? The dollar currency attracts a large number of US visitors. Approximately 80% of them are from the US, 10% are from Canada, and the remaining 10% are from other countries.
Watch what you pack!
Reduce the amount of clothing you bring, increase the amount of sunscreen (coral reef safe, preferably! ), a collapsible cooler, a second pair of polarized sunglasses, insect repellant, and money. Experiencing the islands is a wonderful adventure because of their diversity.
Avoid traveling on the weekends if you can
The amount of flights that come on the weekends is too many for the airport, which also has insufficient staffing. At certain times, the lines are frequently oppressive.
Access to every beach in Turks & Caicos is free
In the Turks & Caicos Islands, there are no private beaches. Up until the high tide mark, all of the beaches are open to the public for free. However, you never have to pay to enjoy the sand, the clear water, and the sun. This does not guarantee access or parking on private property.
Easy to travel to Turks and Caicos
From a number of significant US airports and cities, including Miami, New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia, there are direct flights to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Additionally, there are direct flights from Canada, like Toronto and Montreal.
Passport holders and legal residents of the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada do not require a visa passport holders and legal residents of the USA and Canada are exempt from visa requirements to enter Turks & Caicos. Similar to other nationalities, visitors from countries other than the United States, the United Kingdom, or Canada do not require a visa to enter Turks and Caicos.
Everything is pricey
Groceries and restaurant food are at least twice as expensive as in the United States. Turks & Caicos is well recognized as a posh vacation spot for the affluent, but tourism has been working to make it more accessible to regular tourists.
Mid-Dec to mid-April is when they are most active. Their busiest month is December. Although it differs from hotel to hotel, the off-season normally lasts from mid-April until mid-November. Given how aggressively TCI has been promoting tourism, this may all be changing.
We paid $16.50 for each person to travel from the airport to Grace Bay. However, they charged $14 per person for the return trip. These prices are typical, according to the resorts.
No public transport
It is best to know that there is no form of public transport in Turks and Caicos. The Shore Club provides airport greeters for its guests even if they don’t offer airport shuttle services. On all of the islands, taxis are widely available. They are, nevertheless, very pricey. Instead of charging by the hour or the distance, they charge by the person. Before getting into a taxi, it is recommended to negotiate your fare and come to an arrangement with the driver.
Taxis charge per person not per milage
Taxis can be pricey and are slightly more expensive than what is typical in the USA. Additionally, prices are frequently per person rather than per journey. We urge the majority of visitors to rent a car during their trip because this might add up rapidly.
The greatest beaches, attractions, and restaurants are easily accessible with rental cars, which start at about $40 per day. As mentioned above The Turks & Caicos Islands lack public transportation. All around the Turks and Caicos Islands, parking is free, with the exception of the Providenciales International Airport.
Rent a car
Renting a car is undoubtedly the most economical and effective method to travel around. It’s cost-effective and convenient. Driving is done with right-side automobiles occasionally and on the left side of the road. It’s such a strange sensation to ride in one of those!
Bring a water filter
The tap water tastes and smells like sulfur, yet it is harmless. Water in bottles is pricey and still has a slight taste of plastic. Probably from leaving for too long in the sun.
Conch, Lobster, and Nassau grouper season
The Turks and Caicos offer seasons when it is possible to fish for two well-liked and locally caught seafood species, the Caribbean spiny lobster and Nassau grouper. Make sure to travel between August 15 and April 1st if you want to eat lobster. You won’t find lobster in any restaurants if it isn’t lobster season because it is unlawful to catch them then.
Turks & Caicos are well recognized for their profusion of conch. They own the world’s first and only commercial conch farm. A conch salad will be served on many outings. Conch are likewise in danger of extinction, yet there are no restrictions on fishing them from the government
Mid-October to mid-July is the conch season, mid-August to mid-April is the lobster season, and March to November is the Nassau grouper season.
Snorkeling and diving
The third-largest barrier reef and top diving locations in the world are found in Turks and Caicos. Before going on this vacation, get your scuba certification if you’ve ever thought about it. Bring your own gear if you have it! There are many places where you may go snorkeling that you can get from the shore. They give you equipment for excursions, although the quality can differ.
Taking souvenirs
Most areas advise against taking anything in order to protect the environment from exploitation. However, they advise you to gather whatever you wish to take home with you even on the brochures. The government seems to have no restrictions even if it’s ruining the ecosystem, so it’s up to you.
Use your bike or vehicle
You can use the bikes provided by many resorts to navigate around the city. The first person who arrives gets them. Few individuals actually walk. For wanting to walk a mile to get to our next adventure, everyone thought we were nuts. Midway through, we also recognized how absurd it was. It was very warm. Knowledge gained! Whenever possible, ride your bike! Evenings weren’t too horrible for strolling the half-mile into town.
Weather and Climate
The climate at Turks and Caicos is very pleasant all year round. The hot months are May through October, while the cool months are November through April. Between the hot and cool months, the temperature ranges between 75 and 95 Fahrenheit. Additionally, there is hardly any rain throughout the year.
There are a lot of activities to do in Turks and Caicos and this can be your best vacation if you need to relax and renew your energy. If you are looking among the most popular tourist destinations near US borders you just found a great place. Caribbean islands are known for their beautiful shores, so Turks and Caicos are a perfect choice for those in search of comfort without losing access to the Caribbean’s breathtaking scenery.
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