Everything You Need To Know Before Your Visit To Turks & Caicos

I’m a traveler and my addiction?   I’m always planning that next vacation.  Although I adore exploring islands and cities I’ve never been, there is one island that keeps calling me back again and again.  The Turks and Caicos has stolen a piece of my heart.  It’s the one place I just can’t seem to get enough of.  So as I prepare to jet off again this month for a trip that’s part conference, part play, I bring to you Everything You Need To Know Before You Visit The Turks & Caicos:

Tips:

1. Engish is the official language of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
2. The US Dollar is the accepted currency, and outlets are US-style style electrical plugs No adapters or converters are needed for Canadian or American visitors.
3. The flight time is approximately is 4 hours from Toronto Ontario.
4. When you fly into Turks & Caicos your airport option is Providenciales, Turks & Caicos (PLS-Providenciales Intl.)  Simply put PLS into all those search engines.
5. Turks & Caicos is made up of several islands including West Caicos, Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, East Caicos, and South Caicos.
6. If you are renting a car – keep in mind that driving is done on the left-hand side of the road!
7. Cabs are easily secured but fees are per passenger – not just per ride.  For example, our family of 4 was charged $18.00 US per person to get from the Hotel to the Airport.  Negotiate your fare before you get in your cab.
8. The Turks and Caicos Islands has one of the lowest rates of crime in the Caribbean, but it is not recommended that you go traveling down deserted roads or walking outside of tourist areas late at night. Use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.
9. The drinking age in Turks & Caicos is 18.
10. Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales is frequently ranked the best beach in the world.

Must Do’s

1. Spend a day drinking in all that is Grace Bay Beach – this is reason enough to go to Turks & Caicos.
2. Go snorkeling.  There may be no better place to learn.  The turquoise water is warm, clear and calm and the bay offers a remarkable array of colourful sea life.
3. Scuba Dive.  Turks and Caicos has the third largest barrier reef in the world.
4. Horseback Riding at Long Bay.  Provo Ponies offers rides on well cared for ponies – even for beginners!
5. Relax on a Sunset Cruise.  See Turks & Caicos from a different perspective as you cruise along the bay, and snapping some incredible photos for the album back home.
6. Take a tour of the Conch Farm.  It is the only farm of it’s kind in the entire world!
7. Make a trip to Iguana Island at Little Water Cay.  Jump on one of the many chartered trips available and enjoy the cruise over and then marvel at the astounding number of Iguana that calls this wee island home.
8. Dine at Da Conch Shack.  The trip to the Conch Shack may be worth it for the ambiance and view alone, then you add in the fresh seafood and this is a dining experience you will never forget.
9. Hit the local Fish Fry.  Held every Thursday night – this is a popular event for locals and tourists alike. Located next to Kids’ Bight Part (right next to the Gansevoort hotel) the Island Fish Fry is so much more than fish.  Go for the food as well as drinks, the crafts, the souvenirs, and the music.
10. Paddle Board or Kayak at Chalk Sound National Park.  The untouched beauty of this lagoon at the southernmost tip of Providenciales guaranteed to take your breath away.  PS Don’t forget the camera because as you float along you just might see some starfish, lemon sharks or stingrays in their natural habitat.

Happy Travels!