Destinations / Caribbean / Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos Travel Guide
Grace Bay is one of the best beaches anywhere, and the reef keeps the water calm and clear. Come for the beach and the snorkeling, not nightlife. Rent a car if you want to explore, and check your bags for stray ammunition before you fly.
Turks and Caicos
Where I'm sending people now
Grace Bay for first-timers and restaurants, Long Bay for calm shallow water and kiteboarding, Northwest Point (Amanyara) or Parrot Cay for total privacy.
December to April. September is cheapest but in peak hurricane season.
Grace Bay Club and similar resorts run about $800 to $2,000+ a night; Amanyara starts around $2,500 and COMO Parrot Cay around $1,650. A 12% tax applies to hotels, meals and tours.
A single bullet in your bag is a crime here, with a 12-year minimum sentence still on the books. Check every bag. You drive on the left, and taxis aren't metered, so agree on the fare first.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Know before you go
Getting there
Fly into Providenciales (PLS), with nonstops from many US cities, Toronto and London. Grace Bay resorts are only 15-20 minutes from the airport.
Getting around
They drive on the left in mostly left-hand-drive cars, so stay alert. Taxis are priced per person and there's no Uber, so a rental car for a few days pays off if you want to explore. Boats are how you see the other cays.
Money and tipping
The US dollar is the currency. Hotels must add a 12% tourism tax and a 10% service charge, and some add a facility fee on top; locals suggest adding about 5% more to tip well.
How I'd spend 5 days
Day 1 Arrive, settle in at Grace Bay, sunset walk
Day 2 Boat trip to Iguana Island, conch diving and sandbars
Day 3 Snorkel Smith's Reef and Bight Reef, beach afternoon
Day 4 Day trip by ferry or flight to North and Middle Caicos caves and beaches
Day 5 Taylor Bay or Sapodilla Bay, beach dinner
Hotels I'd book in Turks and Caicos
Things to do in Turks and Caicos
Where to eat in Turks and Caicos
Coco Bistro
Grace's Cottage
Infiniti
Da Conch Shack
Mango Reef
Bugaloo's Conch Crawl
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Turks and Caicos FAQ
Do I need a passport?
Yes, valid for your whole stay, plus a return ticket. Use the paper arrival form your airline hands out; printed copies aren't accepted.
What currency do they use?
The US dollar.
What about the ammunition law?
Having even one bullet is a crime. Since 2024 judges can fine instead of jail in exceptional cases, but the 12-year minimum is still on the books, and US travelers have been held for weeks. Check every bag.
Is Turks and Caicos safe?
The US rates it Level 2, "exercise increased caution," mostly for crime on Providenciales. Normal precautions at night are enough for most visitors.
Should I rent a car?
Yes if you're staying outside Grace Bay or want to explore. You drive on the left. Taxis aren't metered, so agree on the fare first.
What taxes are added?
A 12% tax applies to hotels, restaurant meals, drinks and tours.
When are the whales there?
Humpbacks pass Salt Cay and Grand Turk from about January to April.
Can I see North and Middle Caicos in a day?
Yes. Take the 30-minute ferry from Providenciales and rent a car, or book a guided tour to the caves and Mudjin Harbour.