Social ConventionsShaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Hospitality is important and, when visiting someone’s home, normal social courtesies should be observed - if possible, a return invitation should be made. A souvenir from home is well received. Informal dress is accepted for most events, but beachwear should be confined to the beach.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe main airline is
Air Turks & Caicos (QW) (tel: 941 5481; website:
www.airturksandcaicos.com).
Departure TaxUS$23. Children
under two are exempt.
Main AirportsGrand Turk (GDT) is 3.2km (2 miles) south of Cockburn Town.
To/from the airport: There is a taxi service from Grand Turk to hotels (journey time - around 5 minutes).
Facilities: Left luggage, first aid, bars and restaurants.
There are international airstrips on
Providenciales (PLS) and
South Caicos (XSC).
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Cockburn Harbour (South Caicos), Grand Turk, Providenciales and
Salt Cay.
The archipelago is generally off the beaten track for most major
cruise lines.
Boats can be chartered to sail to islands in the Bahamas or Haiti.
OverviewThe following items may be imported into the Turks & Caicos Islands without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 125g tobacco;
1l of spirits or 2l of wine or perfume for personal use.
Spearguns and Hawaiian slings. Firearms require a police permit.
Drugs and pornography.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirIn addition to the international airports on
Grand Turk,
Providenciales and
South Caicos, there are landing strips on Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Parrot Cay, Pine Cay and Salt Cay.
Turks & Caicos Airways runs a regular air-taxi service to all the inhabited islands, as well as flights to Cap Haïtien, Nassau and Puerto Plata. Charter flights are also available.
Getting Around by WaterLimited coast-hopping and inter-island services. Boats may be chartered at most of the inhabited islands.
Getting Around by RoadThere are over 120km (75 miles) of roads on the islands, of which about one-fifth are sealed. Traffic drives on the left. Speed limits are 20 mph (32 kph) in town and 40 mph (64 kph) elsewhere. If possible, driving at night in Providenciales should be avoided.
Taxi: Available at most airports, but the supply may be limited and sharing is often necessary. Negotiate on the fare beforehand.
Car hire: Available from some local firms on Grand Turk, Providenciales, and North and South Caicos.
Regulations: Seatbelts must be worn at all times. Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal.
Documentation: Local license available for a fee if holding a national driving license or an International Driving Permit. A tax of US$10 is levied on all rentals.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from
Grand Turk to other major cities/towns on the islands:
| Air |
| Salt Cay | 0.05 |
| Middle Caicos | 0.20 |
| North Caicos | 0.25 |
| Providenciales | 0.30 |
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