About Turks & Caicos.
Weather & climate.
MAY TO OCTOBER
These months are considered the hot months in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). The temperature ranges from 24 to 35 degrees Celcius (75 to 95 Fahrenheit). There is no "rainy-season" in TCI and if it does rain, it will be over in 20 minutes. The locals say that there are 350 days of sunshine a year and it is very true.
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NOVEMBER TO APRIL
These months are considered the "cold" months in the TCI. The temperature ranges from 24 to 35 degrees Celcius (75 to 95 Fahrenheit). During the cold months, you might want to consider bringing a cardigan to dinner. Nothing compared to Canada.
This is typically high-season for tourists to visit the TCI.
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JUNE TO NOVEMBER (HURRICANE SEASON)
​Now if it were to ever rain, it would fall during. hurricane season. The islands get approximately one to two torrential downpours annually.
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WATER TEMPERATURE​
The water temperature ranges from 26 to 29 degrees Celsius (79 to 84 Fahrenheit) from hot season to cool season. Some more shallow beaches even have water that is several degrees warmer. It is an amazing place to swim and spend hours in the water.
Currency & costs.
U.S DOLLAR
The only currency accepted in the Turks & Caicos Islands is the US dollar. Be sure to exchange your money before you arrive as Providenciales International Airport does not have a currency exchange center. You can also exchange money at local banks but they charge extremely expensive rates. If you run out of money, most restaurants and stores accept major credit cards. The three major banks on the island include Scotiabank, Royal Bank of Canada, and First Caribbean.
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EXPENSIVE IMPORTS
A fun fact about the TCI is that it is one great big rock so there are very few things that grow locally on the islands. Therefore, almost everything is imported from Miami. This makes things on the island more expensive than others. Although it is expected on a luxury island, drinks; food; hotels; tours; taxis; etc. are all very pricey. If you are planning a trip to TCI, make sure your budget is big enough. For example, an average dinner for 2 people is about $80 to $90 USD.
Driving & transportation.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
There is no public transport in TCI except for taxies. On the islands, hotels are not allowed to have airport shuttle services, but they can have an airport greeter for their customers. Taxis are quite difficult to come by and are expensive. They charge per person instead of charging per time or mileage. It is advised to negotiate your rate and reach an agreement with the driver before entering a taxi. We encourage you to call a taxi through the concierge as well as through the restaurant you are. The less expensive and most efficient way to get around is definitely to rent a car. We recommend this option.
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RENTING A CAR
Renting a car and driving is definitely the best way to get around in TCI. All you need to have is a valid driver's license and most car rental places require a minimum age of 23 years old. It is important to know that, like in the UK, people drive on the left side of the road. Many cars have the steering wheel on the left but some rental cars have it on the right. Also, the islands don’t have many traffic lights. Instead, they have roundabouts at the majority of intersections.
Local affairs.
LANGUAGE
In TCI, English is the sole official language which makes it extremely tourist-friendly. You might also hear some Spanish and Haitian Creole since most of the immigrants are from the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
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GROCERY STORE
There are a few grocery stores on the island, these include Graceway Gourmet and Graceway IGA. You can purchase fresh produce, meats, baked goods, and other necessities for your villa.
Other fun facts.
OTHER TRAVELING INFO
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Plugs are the same as North American plugs (120V, 60Hz).
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No vaccinations are required or recommended.
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Turks and Caicos Islands are in the same time zone as New York (UTC-4:00).
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PLS (Providenciales International Airport) is the main airport for TCI.
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Stray dogs are known as Potcakes and you can take one out for the day and possibly adopt it later.
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Every Thursday from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Bight (Children’s) Park, over a dozen local food vendors, entertainers, and cultural acts come together for Island Fish Fry to create an evening of “all things TCI.”
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Lobster season is strictly enforced in the TCI. It runs from August 1st to March 31st. So basically any Turks and Caicos lobster that is served here from April 1 until July 31 has been frozen.
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Conch is available all-year-round. Tourists may take up to 3 legal size shells home in checked-in baggage. The best way to get them ready is by cleaning off the shell and bleaching them so they do not smell and are a great decoration piece.