Info & Facts

Where we are

The Turks & Caicos Islands lie some 575 miles southeast of Miami – approximately 1 1/2 hours flying time – with the Bahamas about 30 miles to the northwest and the Dominican Republic some 100 miles to the southeast.

The country consists of two island groups separated by the 22 mile wide Columbus Passage. To the west are the Caicos Islands: West Caicos, Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, East Caicos and South Caicos. To the east are the Turks Islands:  Grand Turk and Salt Cay.

The Turks & Caicos total 166 square miles of land area on eight islands and 40 small cays. The country’s population is approximately 35,000.

Getting here

At this time, all of the major international carriers arrive and depart from Providenciales International Airport. American Airlines flies three times daily from Miami, daily from New York/JFK and on Saturday from Dallas. U.S. Airways offers daily service from Charlotte with two flights on Saturday, along with flights from Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday. Delta Airlines travels from Atlanta daily.

JetBlue Airways now offers daily service from New York/JFK and Saturday service from Boston, while Continental Airlines offers daily non-stop service from Newark.

Air Transat/West Jet travels from Toronto on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, while Air Canada hosts flights on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, along with a flight from Montreal on Thursday and Ottawa on Monday. British Airways travels on Sunday from London/Heathrow via Nassau.

Bahamasair flies to Nassau on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; while Air Turks & Caicos travels on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Air Turks & Caicos travels to the Dominican Republic and Haiti daily and to Jamaica on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Tortug Air flies to Cap Haiten daily. (Schedules are current as of February 2011 and subject to change.)

Inter-island service is provided by Air Turks & Caicos and Global Airways. Sea and air freight services operate from Florida.

Language

English.

Time zone

Eastern Standard Time/Daylight Savings Time observed

Currency

The United States dollar. The Treasury also issues a Turks & Caicos crown and quarter. Travellers cheques in U.S. dollars are widely accepted and other currency can be changed at local banks. American Express, VISA and MasterCard are welcomed at many locations.

Climate

The average year-round temperature is 83ºF (28ºC). The hottest months are September and October, when the temperature can reach 90 to 95ºF (33 to 35ºC). However, the almost-constant easterly trade winds temper the heat and keep life comfortable.

Casual resort and leisure wear is accepted attire for daytime; light sweaters or jackets may be necessary on some breezy evenings. It’s wise to wear protective clothing and a sunhat and use waterproof sunscreen when out in the tropical sun.

Entry requirements

Passport. A valid onward or return ticket is also required. Check your airline for luggage restrictions.

Customs formalities

Visitors may bring in duty free for their own use one carton of cigarettes or cigars, one bottle of liquor or wine and some perfume. The importation of all firearms, including those charged with compressed air, without prior approval in writing from the Commissioner of Police, is strictly forbidden. Spear guns, Hawaiian slings, controlled drugs and pornography are also illegal.

Returning residents may bring in $400 worth of merchandise per person duty free. A duty of 10% to 60% is charged on most imported goods and forms the major source of government revenue.

Transportation

A valid driver’s license from home is suitable when renting vehicles. A government tax of US $15 is levied on all rental contracts. (Insurance is extra.) Driving is on the left-hand side of the road, with traffic flow controlled by round-abouts at major junctions. Please don’t drink and drive! Taxis are abundant throughout the Islands and many resorts offer shuttle service between popular visitor areas. Scooter, buggy, ATV and bicycle rentals are also available.

Telecommunications

Lime Ltd. operates state-of-the-art domestic and international telecommunications services on a totally digital network. Worldwide direct dialling, telex, facsimile, toll-free 1-800, cellular and Internet services are available. Digicel and IslandCom also operate mobile networks. (IslandCom is 3G.)

Electricity

120/240 volts, 60 Hz, suitable for all U.S. appliances.

Departure tax

US $60, for all persons two years and older, payable in cash or traveller’s cheques. It is typically built into the cost of your ticket.

Courier service

Delivery service is provided by FedEx, with offices on Providenciales and Grand Turk, DHL and UPS.

Postal service

The Post Office and Philatelic Bureau in Providenciales is located downtown at the corner of Airport Road. In Grand Turk, the Post Office and Philatelic Bureau are on Front Street. The Islands are known for their varied and colorful stamp issues.

Media

Multi-channel satellite television is received from the U.S. and Canada and transmitted via cable. Local station WIV-TV broadcasts news, talk shows and local events on Channel 4 . People’s Television Channel 8 now offers country-wide 75 digitally transmitted television stations, along with local news and talk shows. There are also a number of  local radio stations, magazines and three newspapers.

Medical services

There are no endemic tropical diseases in TCI. In April 2010, large, modern hospitals opened on Grand Turk and Providenciales. In tandem, a National Health Insurance Plan has been instituted to cover citizens, residents and foreign workers. Both hospitals offer a range of services including: 24/7 emergency room, operating theaters, diagnostic imaging, maternity suites, dialysis suites, blood bank, physiotherapy and dentistry.

In addition, several general practictioners operate in the country, and there is a recompression chamber, along with a number of private pharmacies.

Immigration

A resident’s permit is required to live in the Islands. A work permit and business license are also required to work and/or establish a business. These are generally granted to those offering skills, experience and qualifications not widely available on the Islands. Priority is given to enterprises that will provide employment and training for T&C Islanders.

Government/Legal system

TCI is a British Crown colony. In August, 2009, the Queen-appointed Governor, HE Gordon Wetherell, put into force an Order in Council suspending Ministerial government and the House of Assembly for a period of two years, during with time he will be responsible for the TCI Government. He is assisted by Chief Executive Mark Capes and an appointed Advisory Council and Consultative Forum, both composed entirely of Belongers. The majority of government offices are located on Grand Turk.

The legal system is based upon English Common Law and is administered by a resident Chief Justice, Chief Magistrate and three Deputy Magistrates. Judges of the Court of Appeal visit the Islands twice a year and there is a final Right of Appeal to Her Majesty’s Privy Council sitting in London, U.K.

Taxes

There are currently no direct taxes on either income or capital for individuals or companies. There are no exchange controls. Indirect taxation comprises customs duties, stamp duty on certain transactions and vehicle, gasoline and departure taxes.

Economy

Historically, TCI’s economy relied on the export of salt. Currently, tourism, the offshore finance industry and fishing generate the most private sector income. The Islands’ main exports are lobster and conch, with the world’s first and only commercial conch farm operating on Providenciales. Practically all consumer goods and most foodstuffs are imported.

The Turks & Caicos Islands are recognised as an important offshore financial centre, offering services such as company formation, offshore insurance, banking, trusts, limited partnerships and limited life companies. The Financial Services Commission regulates the industry and spearheads the development of offshore legislation.

People

Citizens of the Turks & Caicos Islands are termed “Belongers” and are primarily descendants of African slaves who were brought to the Islands to work on the salt ponds and cotton plantations. The country’s large expatriate population includes Canadians, Americans, Brits and Europeans, along with Haitians, Jamaicans, Dominicans, Bahamians, and most recently, Chinese, Filipinos, Mexicans and South Americans.

Churches

Churches are the center of community life and there are many faiths represented in the Islands, including: Adventist, Anglican, Assembly of God, Baha’i, Baptist, Catholic, Church of God of Prophecy, Episcopal, Faith Tabernacle Church of God, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Methodist and Pentecostal. Visitors are always welcome.

Pets

There is no quarantine period for incoming pets. However, you will need to present an import permit, current signed veterinary certificate stating that the animal is in good health, free of infectious disease and vaccinated against rabies and distemper to the Public Health Inspector upon arrival.

National Symbols

The National Bird is the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). The National Plant is Island Heather, (Limonium bahamense) found nowhere else in the world. The National Tree is the Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis). The National Costume consists of white cotton dresses tied at the waist for women and simple shirts and loose pants for men, with straw hats. Colors representing the various islands are displayed on the sleeves and bases of the dresses. Scarfs, sashes and hat bands correspond to the color representing the wearer’s island home. The National Song is “This Land of Ours,” by Rev. E.C. Howell, PhD. Peas and Hominy (Grits) with Dry Conch is revered as symbolic island fare.

Recreation

Sporting activities are centered around the water. Visitors can choose from deep-sea, reef or bonefishing, sailing, glass-bottom boat and semi-sub excursions, windsurfing, waterskiing, parasailing, sea kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving, helmet diving and beachcombing. Pristine reefs, abundant marine life and excellent visibility make TCI a world-class diving destination.

Tennis and golf – there is an 18 hole championship course on Providenciales, as well as a miniature golf course – are also popular. Recently opened is Fun World, with Grand Prix go-cart racing and a rock-climbing wall.

The Islands are an ecotourist’s paradise. Visitors can enjoy unspoilt wilderness and native flora and fauna in 33 areas set aside as national parks, nature reserves, sanctuaries and areas of historical interest. The National Trust provides trail guides to several hiking trails throughout the Islands, as well as guided tours of major historical sites. There is an excellent national museum on Grand Turk.

Other land-based activities include bicycling, horseback riding and football (soccer). Personal trainers are available to motivate you, working out of several fitness centres. You will also find a variety of spa and body treatment services.

Nightlife includes local bands playing traditional island music at bars and restaurants and some nightclubs. There is a casino on Providenciales. Stargazing is extraordinary!

Shoppers will find Caribbean paintings, T-shirts, sports and beachwear, shells and locally made handicrafts. Duty free outlets sell liquor, jewellery, watches, perfume, leather goods, crystal, cameras, electronics and Cuban cigars.