Prices in the Turks & Caicos Islands
In general, this is an expensive destination, which makes sense, considering that Turks & Caicos produces most of its electricity via diesel generators with almost no solar, creates its water by reverse osmosis with no significant freshwater sources, does not produce much food, and has no major deep-water port for the import of cargo. All these affect the prices of the goods and services provided across the islands that make up Turks & Caicos. You can make this trip more cost-effective by doing things like signing up for flight alerts so you get flight discounts, book accommodation early in advance (for example, during the low season), rent a car to get around (the taxis are quite costly), buy gallons of waters rather than bottles, and check in some food when you fly down.
The Weather is Excellent Year-Round
Unlike other popular destinations that provide a certain time window when it is best to travel, Turks & Caicos Islands welcomes tourists with warm weather throughout the year. The average ambient temperature is around 29oC (85oF) and the same applies to the water temperature in the early autumn, with a drop by a few degrees in winter (around 24oF or 75oF).
The only months that should better be avoided are September and October as they are the peak of the hurricane season for Turks & Caicos, although the chance of a hurricane or tropical storm hitting the nation is slim.
Currency and Credit Cards
Although the official currency of the Caribbean region (Turks and Caicos are considered a Caribbean nation despite it being located in the Atlantic Ocean) is the East Caribbean Dollar (ECD), Turks & Caicos has the US dollar as its official currency. However, kindly note that there is no Bureau de Changes (Foreign Exchanges) anywhere on the islands (including the airport), so you should make sure you exchange currency (if coming from outside the USA) before arriving in Turks & Caicos Islands.
As for credit cards, most establishments in Providenciales and Grand Turk islands accept credit cards, especially tour operators, accommodation, and vehicle rental agencies. However, you will need to carry some cash with you if going to smaller shops or restaurants as they only accept cash. As for the islands of Salt Cay, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, and North Caicos, you can use a credit card only to pay for accommodation and nothing else beyond that. So, again, having cash comes in handy.
Note: The local ATMs often go out of service. When they do, chances are they will remain broken for the duration of your visit. So, please come prepared.
Electricity
The nation’s standard voltage is 120 V at 60 Hz, which is the same as in the USA and Canada. As for the sockets and power plugs, you will find both Type A (two prongs) and Type B (three prongs). So travellers not coming from Central America, North America, Japan, and China, should bring or purchase a travel adapter. You may also need to get a voltage converter if the standard voltage in your country is within the 220-240V range, as is the case with Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the UK.
Wi-Fi & Internet Connection
Expect great-working internet in big cities and a good 4G internet connection with no major issues, except for more isolated, rural areas. As for free Wi-Fi, the majority of hotels and accommodations in Turks & Caicos, as well as many restaurants, offer free Wi-Fi.
Local Transportation
You don’t have many options in this respect as there are no public transportation means to use while in Turks & Caicos Islands. To move around, you could consider using a taxi service, which is rather expensive, especially if travelling with a larger group of friends or family members. This is because a taxi charges around $20 per person for a 10-minute drive (always at the time of this writing). With almost double that amount (around $50), you could rent a car for an entire day and get around easily and more cost-effectively.
Official Language
The official language in Turks & Caicos is English, which makes sense, taking into account that it used to be a British colony. However, the locals also speak a local English-based Creole dialect, which is similar to other Creole languages spoken in other Caribbean nations and is actually an interesting mix of African grammar with English vocabulary.
Nightlife
Although not as vibrant as other Caribbean destinations, the nightlife in Turks & Caicos does not disappoint. Feel free to join one of the many beach parties that start at sunset or head to the local bars and clubs that enchant with their lively vibes and abundant flow of rum.
Health Considerations
Please be warned that the UV Index scale is quite high across Turks & Caicos (between 7 and 12, with April through August having the highest UV Index scale). This means that there are particularly high chances of getting severe sunburn if exposed to the sun without sun protection. So, please ensure you bring your sunblock (SPF 50+) at all times during the day and apply it often, especially when going to the beach. And, don’t be misled by the cool breeze or the wind that tends to lower the perceived temperatures. The sun is hot, in any case.
As for the after-evening hours, it would be wise to have mosquito repellent around due to the large numbers of mosquitoes on the islands that appear after sunset.
Driving
Driving here is on the left-hand side of the road and has been that way ever since the Turks & Caicos Islands was a British colony.
Getting Used to Island Time
The phrase “island time” refers to a more laid-back way of living that characterises the Turks & Caicos Islands, as well as the rest of the Caribbean destinations. This means that you should not expect locals to be on time at appointments, which can be frustrating at first unless you decide to just go with the flow and allow yourself to immerse into a more relaxed and chilled lifestyle overall, where very few things actually matter!
Prices in the Turks & Caicos Islands
In general, this is an expensive destination, which makes sense, considering that Turks & Caicos produces most of its electricity via diesel generators with almost no solar, creates its water by reverse osmosis with no significant freshwater sources, does not produce much food, and has no major deep-water port for the import of cargo. All these affect the prices of the goods and services provided across the islands that make up Turks & Caicos. You can make this trip more cost-effective by doing things like signing up for flight alerts so you get flight discounts, book accommodation early in advance (for example, during the low season), rent a car to get around (the taxis are quite costly), buy gallons of waters rather than bottles, and check in some food when you fly down.
The Weather is Excellent Year-Round
Unlike other popular destinations that provide a certain time window when it is best to travel, Turks & Caicos Islands welcomes tourists with warm weather throughout the year. The average ambient temperature is around 29oC (85oF) and the same applies to the water temperature in the early autumn, with a drop by a few degrees in winter (around 24oF or 75oF).
The only months that should better be avoided are September and October as they are the peak of the hurricane season for Turks & Caicos, although the chance of a hurricane or tropical storm hitting the nation is slim.
Currency and Credit Cards
Although the official currency of the Caribbean region (Turks and Caicos are considered a Caribbean nation despite it being located in the Atlantic Ocean) is the East Caribbean Dollar (ECD), Turks & Caicos has the US dollar as its official currency. However, kindly note that there is no Bureau de Changes (Foreign Exchanges) anywhere on the islands (including the airport), so you should make sure you exchange currency (if coming from outside the USA) before arriving in Turks & Caicos Islands.
As for credit cards, most establishments in Providenciales and Grand Turk islands accept credit cards, especially tour operators, accommodation, and vehicle rental agencies. However, you will need to carry some cash with you if going to smaller shops or restaurants as they only accept cash. As for the islands of Salt Cay, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, and North Caicos, you can use a credit card only to pay for accommodation and nothing else beyond that. So, again, having cash comes in handy.
Note: The local ATMs often go out of service. When they do, chances are they will remain broken for the duration of your visit. So, please come prepared.
Electricity
The nation’s standard voltage is 120 V at 60 Hz, which is the same as in the USA and Canada. As for the sockets and power plugs, you will find both Type A (two prongs) and Type B (three prongs). So travellers not coming from Central America, North America, Japan, and China, should bring or purchase a travel adapter. You may also need to get a voltage converter if the standard voltage in your country is within the 220-240V range, as is the case with Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the UK.
Wi-Fi & Internet Connection
Expect great-working internet in big cities and a good 4G internet connection with no major issues, except for more isolated, rural areas. As for free Wi-Fi, the majority of hotels and accommodations in Turks & Caicos, as well as many restaurants, offer free Wi-Fi.
Local Transportation
You don’t have many options in this respect as there are no public transportation means to use while in Turks & Caicos Islands. To move around, you could consider using a taxi service, which is rather expensive, especially if travelling with a larger group of friends or family members. This is because a taxi charges around $20 per person for a 10-minute drive (always at the time of this writing). With almost double that amount (around $50), you could rent a car for an entire day and get around easily and more cost-effectively.
Official Language
The official language in Turks & Caicos is English, which makes sense, taking into account that it used to be a British colony. However, the locals also speak a local English-based Creole dialect, which is similar to other Creole languages spoken in other Caribbean nations and is actually an interesting mix of African grammar with English vocabulary.
Nightlife
Although not as vibrant as other Caribbean destinations, the nightlife in Turks & Caicos does not disappoint. Feel free to join one of the many beach parties that start at sunset or head to the local bars and clubs that enchant with their lively vibes and abundant flow of rum.
Health Considerations
Please be warned that the UV Index scale is quite high across Turks & Caicos (between 7 and 12, with April through August having the highest UV Index scale). This means that there are particularly high chances of getting severe sunburn if exposed to the sun without sun protection. So, please ensure you bring your sunblock (SPF 50+) at all times during the day and apply it often, especially when going to the beach. And, don’t be misled by the cool breeze or the wind that tends to lower the perceived temperatures. The sun is hot, in any case.
As for the after-evening hours, it would be wise to have mosquito repellent around due to the large numbers of mosquitoes on the islands that appear after sunset.
Driving
Driving here is on the left-hand side of the road and has been that way ever since the Turks & Caicos Islands was a British colony.
Getting Used to Island Time
The phrase “island time” refers to a more laid-back way of living that characterises the Turks & Caicos Islands, as well as the rest of the Caribbean destinations. This means that you should not expect locals to be on time at appointments, which can be frustrating at first unless you decide to just go with the flow and allow yourself to immerse into a more relaxed and chilled lifestyle overall, where very few things actually matter!