Important Travel Information
for Turks & Caicos Vacations
Passports & Immigration
WIMCO recommends that U.S. citizens ALWAYS travel with a valid passport whenever traveling outside of the continental US. While many of our destinations may only require a birth certificate and a valid driver's license at this time, immigration requirements may change without any notice. For ALL other non-US citizens, please check with the embassy of the country/island to which you are traveling (French, British, Italian) to see if you need a special visa. (Note: If one of a honeymooning couple is a US Citizen and the other is not, a visa is still required by the non-US citizen). When bringing a nanny or babysitter, please be sure that they too have appropriate documentation.
- All visitors must hold a round trip ticket.
- Visitors are allowed to stay for 30 days; this is renewable one time only.
- Departure Tax: $23 is levied on all persons over the age of 2.
Getting There
The Turks and Caicos is only 75 minutes from Miami, less than 3 hours from Charlotte, North Carolina, 3 hours from New York and 3 and a half hours from Boston and can easily be reached with direct flights from the US, the UK, Canada, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The Turks and Caicos is well served by the biggest world airlines with weekly flights with British Airways direct from London Heathrow and daily flights from Miami with American Airlines and weekly flights from New York and Boston.
Currency
The US dollar is the official currency of Turks and Caicos. Most hotels, restaurants and taxi services accept traveler's cheques, which can be cashed at local banks. Most credit cards are accepted and banks offer ATM's as well as cash advances on credit cards.
Tipping is normally paid to waiters, taxi drivers, maids and porters at 15%.
Electricity
Electricity follows the U.S. standard: 120/240 Volts/60 Cycles.
Climate
The average temperature ranges between 85 and 90 degrees (29-32 degrees centigrade) from June to October, sometimes reaching the mid 90's (35 degrees centigrade), especially in the late summer months. From November to May the average temperature is 80 to 84 degrees (27-29 degrees centigrade). Water temperature in the summer is 82 to 84 degrees (28-29 degrees centigrade) and in winter about 74 to 78 degrees (23-26 degrees centigrade). A constant trade wind keeps the climate at a very comfortable level. In an average year the Turks and Caicos has 350 days of sunshine.
Clothing
Shorts are worn in town as well as the beach during the day; it is advisable to also wear sunhats and sunscreen. In the evenings, light sweaters and jackets may be occasionally needed in the winter. Dinner is not formal; most restaurants accept dress shorts while others require pants and collard shirt for gentlemen and dress slacks or dresses for the ladies. Public Nudity is illegal throughout the islands.
Geography
Turks and Caicos are located 575 miles southeast of Miami Florida. We are 30 miles south of the Bahamas and 90 miles north of the Dominican Republic. The main islands consist of two groups separated by the Columbus Island Passage: The Turks Group, which includes Grand Turk and Salt Cay, and the Caicos Group, which includes West Caicos, Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, East Caicos, and South Caicos. The total land area of the main islands is 193 square miles.
Phone and Telecommunication
Country code is 649. Network is through Cable and Wireless. Pay phones, calling cards, facsimile, Internet, cell phones for rent at various locations.
If you have cell service in the USA please bring your phone with you because if you have International Roaming service with a cellular carrier that has a roaming agreement in the Caribbean then your phone will be able to make or receive calls while in the Turks and Caicos.