A Guide to Travelling to Turks and Caicos This Winter
The Turks and Caicos Island are a British Overseas Territory located in Lucayan Archipelago of the northern West Indies. The islands are a popular Caribbean destination due to their powdery white sands and crystal blue waters. The crown jewel of the Providenciales in Turks and Caicos is Grace Bay beach which is consistently voted as one of world’s best beaches.
Here is a basic guide to visiting Turks and Caicos.
When is the best time of year to visit Turks and Caicos?
The good news is that the island enjoys warm weather year-round with temperatures averaging in the 80s. The island’s rainy season occurs during the spring. Hotter temps occur during the summer months and the coolest during the winter months.
The peak period for travel is between December and March. Planning in advance is required as rooms and flights book up quickly. Activity and Accommodation rates are the lowest between the months of June and November. If you don’t mind an occasional rainy day, considering visiting the island between April and May.
How Can I Get to Turks and Caicos by Plane?
Depending on where you live there are several non-stop flight options to Turks and Caicos. Southwest Airlines offers two low-cost nonstop flights from Baltimore and Fort Lauderdale. American Airlines offers nonstop direct flights from Dallas, Miami, Charlotte, Boston and seasonal service from Chicago.
United Airlines offers nonstop flights to the island from Newark, Chicago, and New York City. Finally, Jet Blue offers nonstop service between New York City, Fort Lauderdale and Boston.
Is a Visa required for traveling to Turks and Caicos?
If you are a citizen of the United States, United Kingdom or Canada you are not required to hold a visa when traveling to Turks and Caicos. If you hold a valid visa for the three aforementioned countries you are also not required to apply for a separate travel visa.
All visitors must hold a round trip ticket and a passport for entry. For more information on which countries require a travel visa as well as application requirements please visit the Ministry of Border Control and Labour website.
What is the island’s currency?
The island’s currency is the U.S. Dollar. ATMs can be found all throughout the islands. Most stores and places of business accept credit cards. Be sure to check with your bank about any possible foreign ATM or currency conversion fees.
What are the island's best beaches?
The island has a few wonderful beaches to soak up the sun on. The most popular is Grace Bay beach. The beach is unaffected by trade winds due to its location. The Bight and Coral Gardens are located east of the beach and is a popular snorkeling spot.
Leeward is located on the western end of Providenciales and is also unaffected by trade winds. It is also home to the island’s protective mangrove ecosystem. Long Bay Beach located in the northwest is perfect for families looking for more privacy and kitesurfing fanatics.
What kind of dishes can I eat on Turks and Caicos?
Turks and Caicos cuisine is a delicious marriage of land and sea. Because of its location seafood is a big part of the island’s cuisine. Popular dishes include jerk chicken, blackened grouper, snapper and lobster in season.
But conch is the most popular dish on the island. The tropical marine mollusk is very versatile popular dishes include conch salad, curried conch and fried conch fritters. The dish is so beloved that there is an annual festival devoted to it!
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