- Turks and Caicos consists of more than forty small islands
- ten are inhabited by a small full-time population of 30,000 residents.
- English is the spoken language
- The US dollar is the official currency
- There are plenty of ATMs in different locations around the islands (the inhabited parts at least!)
- Travelers checks are accepted at restaurants, hotels and resorts.
- It’s considered common courtesy to tip hotel and restaurant staff 15%.
- The Turks and Caicos are located in the Eastern time zone, and Daylight Savings in effect from the middle of March to the end of September.
- Electric outlets are suitable for any North American appliance, including laptop and cellphone charges.
- There is an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius from June to October
- Temperatures in the mid-30’s are not uncommon in August.
- Water temperature ranges in the high 20’s in summer, but cools down to an average temperature of 24 degrees in winter
- Winter temperatures dip to 25 degrees Celsius on average.
- The trade winds also work as a natural air conditioning system (that doubles as a way to propel kite boarders, windsurfers, and recreational sailors!).
- There are more than 350 days of sunshine each year in the Turks and Caicos
- The islands experience about 30 centimeters of precipitation
- Rain falls mostly during hurricane season from June to the beginning of December.
- If you decide to rent a car, be sure to bring a driver’s license.
- Visitors from North America and Commonwealth countries just need a driver’s license from their home country.
- US arrivals are required to display a passport, as do visitors from other countries.
- No visas are needed, but if you have any questions, be sure to contact your local British Consulate Office – British consular services serve as Turks and Caicos diplomatic missions around the world (as they do for all other Commonwealth countries).
– Charles Edwards blogs about Turks and Caicos villa opportunities.
