The Turks and Caicos is well served by the biggest world airlines with weekly flights with British Airways direct from London Heathrow and daily flights from Miami with American Airlines and weekly flights from New York and Boston. US Airways has direct daily flights from Charlotte and weekly flights from Philadelphia. In addition Bahamas Air fly from Nassau direct to Provo 3 times a week and Air Jamaica Express come to the Turks and Caicos 4 times a week direct from Montego Bay. Sky King also run international flights from Puerto Plata and Cap Haitien.

Whilst all of these airlines fly into Providenciales, Sky King and Air Turks and Caicos can cater for your international and domestic travel needs with regular scheduled flights to the capital island of Grand Turk, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay.

Aircraft charters are also easily available from the Turks and Caicos Islands with Sky King, Air Turks and Caicos and Global Airways.

Climate
The average temperature ranges between 85 and 90 degrees (29-32 degrees celsius) from June to October, sometimes reaching the mid 90's (35 degrees celsius), especially in the late summer months. From November to May the average temperature is 80 to 84 degrees (27-29 degrees celsius). Water temperature in the summer is 82 to 84 degrees (28-29 degrees celsius) and in winter about 74 to 78 degrees (23-26 degrees celsius). A constant trade wind keeps the climate at a very comfortable level.

There is an annual rainfall of 21 inches on Grand Turk and South Caicos, but as you go further west the average rainfall could increase to 40 inches. In an average year the Turks and Caicos has 350 days of sunshine.

Hurricane season can vary but usually runs from June to October

Clothing
Shorts are worn in town as well as the beach during the day, it is advisable to also wear sunhats and sunscreen. In the evenings, light sweaters and jackets may be occasionally needed in the winter. Dinner is usually not formal, most restaraunts accept dress shorts while others require pants with a collared shirt for gentlemen and dress slacks or dresses for the ladies.

Public Nudity is illegal throughout the islands

Currency
The US dollar is the official currency of Turks and Caicos. Most hotels, restaurants and taxi services accept traveler’s cheques, which can be cashed at local banks. Most credit cards are accepted and banks offer ATM's as well as cash advances on credit cards.

Tipping is normally paid to waiters, taxi drivers, maids and porters at 15%.

Customs
Duty free goods that may be brought in to the Islands include: 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 1.136 liters of spirits or wine and perfume for personal use.

There are no restrictions for travellers on the import of cameras, film or sports equipment, except spear guns and Hawaiian slings.

To bring in firearms of any type (including spear guns and Hawaiian slings), you must have written approval from the Commissioner of Police. Controlled drugs and pornography are illegal.

Pets
Domestic Pets - there are no restrictions on bringing domestic pets into the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, all pets should be up to date with vaccinations and pet owners should ensure that they have completed the standard documents required for their pet's international travel.

Electricity
Electricity follows the U.S. standard: 120/240 Volts/60 Cycles.

Entry & Departure
Visitors from U.S.A. and Canada may enter without a passport, if they have an original birth certificate (or, a notarized copy) and a photo id (e.g.. Driver's License). Visitors from other countries do require passports, but no visas are necessary except from countries of the former Eastern Bloc. They are advised to contact the nearest British Consulate Office.

• All visitors must hold a round trip ticket.
• Visitors are allowed to stay for 30 days; this is renewable one time only.
• DEPARTURE TAX: $35 is levied on all persons over the age of 2.
• For luggage restriction, individual airlines should be consulted.

Geography
Turks and Caicos are located 575 miles southeast of Miami Florida. We are 30 miles south of the Bahamas and 90 miles north of the Dominican Republic. The main islands consist of two groups separated by the Columbus Island Passage: The Turks Group, which includes Grand Turk and Salt Cay, and the Caicos Group, which includes West Caicos, Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, East Caicos, and South Caicos.

The total land area of the main islands is 193 square miles

Health
There is a small hospital on Grand Turk, and a number of private general practitioners on Providenciales as well as an emergency care facility. All of the other islands have commuinty clinics.

Other health services available include: emergency room, dental, chiropractic, physiotherapy, optometry, pharmacy, X-ray, ultrasound, recompression chamber and air ambulance service.

Phones
The Islands enjoy direct worldwide telephone access. Available telecommunications devices include fax machine, telexes, cellular phones, and Internet connections. Public phones operate by phone cards.

Country code is 649. Network is through Cable and Wireless. Pay phones, calling cards, facsimile, Internet, cell phones for rent at various locations.

If you have cell service in the USA please bring your phone with you because if you have International Roaming service with a cellular carrier that has a roaming agreement in the Caribbean then your phone will be able to make a receive calls whilst in the Turks and Caicos. If you do not have roaming then you will be able to make calls using the credit card platform.

Time Zone
Turks and Caicos is on EST and Daylight Savings Time is observed from April to October.

Links & Sources:

• Frommers
• Turks & Caicos Tourist Board