With a beautiful mix of luxury resorts, world-class hotels and restaurants, tranquil spas, uncrowded beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and some of the friendliest, most hospitable people in the world, the Turks and Caicos Islands are one of the most popular travel destinations in the Caribbean. On land or in the water, you can relax in the unique serenity and natural beauty of these idyllic Islands.
Turks and Caicos is probably most known for its beaches, considered some of the best in the Caribbean and the entire world. One of TCI’s most famous beaches, Grace Bay Beach, has been ranked as one of the “best tropical beaches in the world” by Conde Nast Traveler. Another accolade comes from TripAdvisor, which has named Grace Bay Beach as the “Best Beach in the World” for 2016. Grace Bay Beach stretches for over 12 miles on Providenciales’ north shore, and is famous for its sugary-white sand and pristine turquoise waters.
General Information about the Turks and Caicos Islands
Language – English
Currency – U.S. Dollar (USD)
Time Zone – TCI is on Atlantic Standard Time (the equivalent of Eastern Daylight Time) all year long. Clocks are not turned back an hour in the fall, allowing residents and tourists to enjoy later sunsets and an extra hour of sunshine during evenings over the winter season.
Population – The total population of Turks and Caicos is about 31,500 people. The two largest cities are Providenciales with a population of 24,000, and Grand Turk, with around 5,000 permanent residents.
Geography – The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of 40 islands and cays, eight of which are inhabited. The islands are located about 600 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, 110 miles south of the Bahamas chain and approximately 100 miles north of the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti.) Technically, the Turks and Caicos are located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea.
Climate – The average temperature in the Turks and Caicos Islands is 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (26 to 32 degrees Celsius) from June to October, although occasionally temperatures reach the mid 90s in the late summer months. From November to May the average temperature is 80 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit (26 to 29 degrees Celsius).
Geography – The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of 40 islands and cays, eight of which are inhabited. The islands are located about 600 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, 110 miles south of the Bahamas chain and approximately 100 miles north of the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti.) Technically, the Turks and Caicos are located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea.
Economy – The economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands relies on the tourism industry, real estate development, importation of goods and the exportation of seafood. The Turks and Caicos Islands offers a wide variety of financial services, including establishment of offshore companies, offshore insurance, banking, trusts, limited partnerships and limited life companies. TCI’s Financial Services Commission regulates, develops and promotes the industry in major world markets.
Government – The Turks and Caicos Islands government operates under British Law as a British Crown Colony. A governor is appointed by the Queen and presides over an executive council formed by an elected local self-government. Government offices are located in Grand Turk, with branches on other Islands as needed. The legal system is based on English Common Law.
Crime – These Turks and Caicos Islands boast one of the lowest crime rates and highest crime-solved rates in the Caribbean.
Property Market – The real estate market in Turks and Caicos is very strong, with a steady supply of high net worth buyers. This is a far cry from 2009, when TCI real estate transactions were at all-time lows and home prices were falling by about 18 percent. The following year, the market quickly bounced back, and each year since home prices have continued to move upwards and demand for real estate continues to surge. During the first three quarters of 2015, the number of real estate transactions in TCI increased by 27.6 percent compared to the same period the previous year. During this period the average value of property sales was up by almost 50 percent, at US$210 million. But despite all the growth, Turks and Caicos is still under-priced compared to other top Caribbean islands, and offers tremendous value to foreign investors.
Providenciales is by far the most developed of the Turks and Caicos Islands. With tremendous advances in infrastructure and services, and the real estate market has changed from a speculative market to more of a lifestyle purchase.
Useful Turks and Caicos Links
Turks and Caicos Tourism Board –http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com/
Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association –http://www.turksandcaicoshta.com/
After Five Concierge – http://www.islandconciergetc.com/
Turks and Caicos Mall – http://www.tcimall.tc/
Where When and How –http://www.wherewhenhow.com/turks-caicos-islands/history/
Discover Turks and Caicos Islands –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knbjMK4ospg
Turks and Caicos Law firm – http://tciattorneys.com/
Where to stay in the Turks and Caicos Islands –http://www.wheretostay.com/turks_and_caicos-villas
Turks and Caicos Islands Maps –http://www.wherewhenhow.com/turks-caicos-islands-maps.html
Turks and Caicos Islands Car Rentals –http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com/rental-cars.html
Turks and Caicos Islands Restaurant Guide –http://www.wherewhenhow.com/turks-caicos-islands-dining-restaurants.html
Turks and Caicos Islands Shopping Guide –https://turksandcaicostourism.com/shopping-turks-and-caicos/
Why Invest in Turks and Caicos Real Estate?
The Turks and Caicos Islands are emerging as one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the Caribbean region. Here’s why TCI real estate is in big demand, and why you should be investing in it:
- Turks and Caicos is a tax haven. There are no annual property taxes, no income taxes on revenue generated from property, and no capital gains taxes during the transfer of real estate.
- There are no restrictions to purchase and hold property. Unlike many other Caribbean nations, undeveloped land can be held indefinitely in Turks and Caicos.
- Turks and Caicos has a British Dependent Territory status, which ensures an accountable political and judicial system based on English Common Law, and creates a pro-business investment climate.
- No restrictions to purchase and hold property
- Land registration and title can be held personally, or in a TCI corporation or trust, and it is protected by the local government.
- The Turks and Caicos Islands have experienced a steady appreciation in property values during the past decade. In the third quarter of 2015, the average real estate price in Turks and Caicos was up by 17.2 percent, compared to the same period the previous year. Real estate values are expected to continue their upward climb in the years ahead.
- Land Registration and Title can be held personally, or in a TCI Corporation or Trust and is protected by the local Government
- The tourism industry in TCI is experiencing a tremendous growth, and the islands are continually ranked as a top vacation destination by travel magazines and websites. Rental villas and other tourist housing are increasingly in demand.
- TCI’s economy as a whole is also growing. Turks and Caicos reported a 4 percent rate of economic growth in 2105, making it one of the strongest performers in the Caribbean region. TCI has been given a BBB+ rating by global ratings agency, Standard and Poor’s, in 2014 and again in 2016, indicating a stable economic outlook.
- Turks and Caicos has one of the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean—making it a safe place to visit and to invest.
- Traveling to TCI is quick and easy: Direct flights to Turks and Caicos are available from Toronto, Montreal and many U.S. cities, most of them only a 2 to 3 hour duration. Direct flights are also available from London (U.K.) to Providenciales, and these flights take about 9 hours.
Islands of Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos consists of 40 islands and cays, only eight of which are inhabited. The archipelago is almost as diverse as its people. From the main tourist center of Providenciales to the quiet and tranquil islands of North and Middle Caicos and the historic capital island of Grand Turk, each island offers a different experience and a unique character. All of them offer spectacular year-round great climate, incredible beaches, and world-class water sports and activities.
When traveling to the Turks and Caicos Islands, you should try to visit each major island in the chain so you can have the “total TCI experience.” Your main options when it comes to island hopping is going by either airplane or boat. Most of the islands can be reached by taking a 10 to 25 minute flight from Provo. Or, you can travel by charter boat, either on a structured tour or custom excursion. There are also regular ferries between North, Middle and South Caicos.
Providenciales is the most well known of the Turks and Caicos Islands and is the center of the tourism industry with a wide range of hotels, restaurants, attractions and facilities. Grand Turk and Salt Cay offer a glimpse into Caribbean history with great Bermudian architecture and a rustic charm as well as some of the best diving and probably the most “relaxing” time you will ever have. Grand Turk is also home to a brand new cruise ship center.
Middle Caicos and North Caicos represent the best of the environment, with lush green woodlands, the biggest cave network in the Caribbean on Middle Caicos, cottage pond and flamingo pond in North Caicos, and a vast range of plant life and birdlife. North Caicos is also an up-and-coming resort destination with several new projects under development.
South Caicos is the center for fishing, with lobster and conch exported from the islands, the historic Cockburn Harbor and the natural phenomenon of the boiling hole. This small, yet friendly island offers many secluded beaches with awe-inspiring views of the turquoise waters and surrounding islands.
Parrot Cay and Pine Cay are privately-owned islands and are home to two exclusive resorts: Parrot Cay Resort and Spa, and The Meridian Club.
Flights to the Turks and Caicos Islands
American Airlines offers daily flights from Miami and seasonal direct flights from New York, Boston and Fort Worth Texas.
Delta Airline offers 6-times a week service from Atlanta (no Tuesday flight), plus a second flight on Saturdays.
US Airways offers daily flights from Charlotte to the Turks and Caicos Islands, and will add a second daily flight from that city in February. Direct flights are also available from Boston and Philadelphia on Saturdays and Sundays.
Air Canada has direct flights from Toronto t to the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, from Montreal on Thursdays and Ottawa on Mondays.
British Airways offers one direct flight from Heathrow International.
West Jet is now flying to Providenciales direct from Toronto Canada.
Jet Blue is also offering direct fights to Providenciales from New York.
The Turks and Caicos Islands currently have 2 full service international airports, Providenciales and Grand Turk, and limited entry facilities in North and South Caicos. All other islands have domestic airports except for East and West Caicos, which are uninhabited (an airstrip is currently under construction on West Caicos to serve the Ritz Carlton resort being developed there).
Most visitors fly into Providenciales upon entry to the Turks and Caicos Islands and then can easily take a commuter flight to the other Caribbean Islands. It is a modern, full service facility that welcomes dozens of international flights every week from North America, Europe and other Caribbean Islands. It is also the gateway to the rest of the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Visitors from the US are reminded that effective January 8, 2007, all US citizens visiting the Caribbean must be in possession of a valid US passport.
All visitors arriving via international flights and connecting to any of our other islands through Providenciales must first clear immigration and customs and claim baggage at PLS before making the connection through the domestic departure area at the Provo Airport.
Provo Airport Turks and Caicos Islands:
- Airport Code: PLS
- Latitude: N 21°15′ .6
- Longitude: W 72°46′.7
- (17° MBPV PLS N21 46.4 WO7216.0 F-4, Jet A-1. 1100 – 2300)
Direct flying times from major cities to the Turks and Caicos Islands:
- Atlanta 2 hours – Delta Airlines
- Charlotte, NC 2:15 – US Airways
- Philadelphia 2:45 – US Airways
- New York 3 hours – American Airlines
- Boston 3:15 – American Airlines
- Toronto 3:30 – Air Canada and West Jet
- Montreal 3:30 – West Jet
- London 8 hours – British Airways