Travel Tips | Turks & Caicos (Eng.)

TURKS & CAICOS

TRAVEL TIPS

VISÃO GERAL ATRAÇÕESTRANSPORTE COMPRAS ONDE FICAR ONDE COMEROVERVIEW ATTRACTIONSTRANSPORTATION SHOPPINGWHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT

OVERVIEW

The Turks and Caicos Islands are located in the Caribbean, south-east of Miami, close to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The archipelago is made up of forty islands with heavenly beaches, of which only eight are inhabited: Providenciales, Grand Turk, Salt Cay, West Caicos, South Caicos, East Caicos, Middle Caicos and North Caicos.

Discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus, the Turks and Caicos Islands gained independence from the United Kingdom in the 1980s but continue to be a British Overseas Territory.

These delightful islands are sun drenched all year round and boast one of the largest coral reefs in the world, 370 kilometers of beautiful, white sandy beaches and clear blue water.

Providenciales, the best known of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the centre of the tourism industry, offers a wide variety of hotels and restaurants.

Located on Grand Turk, Cockburn Town is the capital and financial centre of the Turks and Caicos Islands. As you walk around the town, you can observe the incredible architecture of the Victorian style buildings on Duke Street and Front Street.

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPSTURKS & CAICOS

350 days of sunshine each year and average temperatures between 18°C and 25°C.

The risk of hurricanes occurring in the Caribbean from June to October is lower in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

A golf and fishing tournament is held in the Providenciales area in March, and The Conch Festival, a cultural and gastronomic event, takes place each year in Blue Hills, also in Providenciales. Several local suppliers take part in this festival and showcase all types of conch from the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event takes place in November.

Enjoy the charm of the Turks and Caicos Islands, a destination with outstanding natural beauty, history, water sports, a pleasant climate, high quality services and unforgettable experiences.

Grand Turk and Salt Cay islands boast a unique charm and are two of the best places for diving. This is an ideal place to relax. Grand Turk is also a stop-off point for cruise ships.

The climate in the Turks and Caicos Islands is dry, with the sun shining practically every day of the year. The predominant season is spring, and average temperatures are between 18° C and 25° C. The sea temperature is around 22° C in the summer and 19°C in winter.

The temperature in the winter ranges from 22° C to 26° C in the daytime and, at night, it is cool and pleasant.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a year-round holiday resort that can be visited in any season. They enjoy a warm climate, with

TRANSPORT

You can travel around the Turks and Caicos Islands by land, air or sea. The best option for island-hopping is by sea. Various types and sizes of ships and boats are available at a range of prices. Some of the islands are connected by bridges, making it possible to cross by car.

All the islands’ airports and sea ports offer a taxi service. Many local people also work as tour guides who drive tourists to the lesser known sights on the islands.

You can travel around the islands by bike or car. Cars, jeeps and scooters can be rented on Providenciales and Grand Turk.

Although people drive on the left on the Turks and Caicos Islands, care should be taken when renting a car because both left-hand drive and right-hand drive models are available. A valid driver’s license is required.

The international airport, which is located in Providenciales, has direct flights to and from many cities in the United States and Europe. The island is an 80-minute flight from Miami.


ATTRACTIONS

Get ready to discover the range of attractions the Turks and Caicos Islands offer visitors.

Enjoy the islands’ wonderful climate, relax and take part in water sports, go for walks, visit a conch farm, explore a variety of natural landscapes, join in at typical festivals, take a stroll around historic places or savour a delicious meal at one of the charming beach-side restaurants.

Whichever island they choose, visitors can enjoy the splendor of the beaches, ecological reserves, coral reefs and natural caves.

The main attraction in the Turks and Caicos Islands is diving in its beautiful, crystal-clear water.

You can find most water sports and activities on the islands, including diving, snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddling, surfing and kite surfing.

PROVIDENCIALES

Known as Provo, the island of Providenciales is the most populated and developed of the Turks and Caicos islands, a British Overseas Territory, 90 minutes by airplane from Miami.

It is one of the most popular tropical destinations and delights visitors with beautiful beaches and attractions such as: diving in its clear waters, visiting the conch farm and the Cheshire Hall ruins, taking boat trips and other activities.

Providenciales offers a bustling nightlife, with various bar and restaurant options in the Turtle Cove region.

The main beaches are Grace Bay and Blue Hills. These beaches offer a high quality service, with various restaurants by the sea.

Most international flights arrive at Providenciales International Airport. You can find the best known hotels and all-inclusive resorts and play on the country’s only 18-hole golf course.


Turtle Cove: Located in Provo, Turtle Cove boasts a variety of restaurants and bars. This is the liveliest nightlife area. There is also a popular casino at Allegro Resorts.

Cheshire Hall: This is one of the historical attractions in Providenciales. The Cheshire Hall site consists of the preserved ruins of a cotton plantation that create stunning scenery. The area provides a spectacular view of the island.

Caicos Conch Farm: This is the world’s only conch farm, where the Caribbean Queen conch is raised until adulthood. A 30-minute tour begins with an explanation of the technological methods used at the Conch Farm since 1984. Visitors may look around the post-larval facilities, see the pearl cultivation process and touch the sea snails that grow in the farm’s ponds. Explore the curious life cycle of the Caribbean conch.

GRAND TURK

Founded by salt collectors from Bermuda in 1681, Grand Turk still retains this heritage through its colonial style architecture. The island is full of beautiful beaches and is home to the country’s only lighthouse, built in 1852 and providing a wonderful view of Borth Reef.


Grand Turk offers a variety of attractions. The National Museum is an unmissable attraction. Here, visitors can learn of the islands’ history and observe the remains of the famous shipwreck that occurred in the area. Another option is to visit the famous Cruise Center, one of the best places in the world to observe marine life and practice diving. This is a perfect experience for visitors wishing to see whales, fish, turtles and sharks. Grand Turk is also a stop-off point for cruise liners.

SALT CAYClassified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Salt Cay is the smallest of the Turks and Caicos islands. Home to only 80 inhabitants, this small island presents a rich history on salt production, which was the area’s main economy for years. Its clear water beaches and coral reefs are the perfect spot for diving and whale watching.

WEST CAICOSKnown as Belle Island, West Caicos is the last island to the west of Turks and Caicos archipelago and the second largest uninhabited island in the country. The island boasts a long coast of beautiful cliffs on one side and, on the other, five kilometers of unspoiled beach.

Lake Catherine, in the centre of West Caicos, is the island’s main feature. This is a protected area teeming with bird and aquatic wildlife. Divers taking part in a project explored the caves on the island but were unable to reach the tunnel that provides access to the ocean.

LITTLE WATER CAY NATURE RESERVEKnown as iguana island, the Little Water Cay Nature Reserve is an incredible place for


watching iguanas at close range. To get to this island from Providenciales, you have to take a trip by boat or kayak.

SOUTH CAICOSSouth Caicos island stands out for being virtually untouched by the tourism industry. Regarded as the fishing capital, several companies here offer a range of fishing trips. Visitors can explore its beautiful, isolated beaches, its abandoned U.S. LORAN coast guard station, the historic Boiling Hole and Salt City.

EAST CAICOSEast Caicos is the largest uninhabited island in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Several attempts were made over the last two centuries to introduce agriculture to the island. East Caicos also boasts various stunning caves and, on its

north and east coasts, several beaches. The island can only be reached by boat and just one company operates crossings. Due to low demand, trips can be expensive. It is best to go with an experienced guide since navigating around the island can be difficult.

MIDDLE AND NORTH CAICOSMiddle and North Caicos are the two largest islands in the country and the only ones connected by a bridge. North Caicos features a large, preserved area consisting of the Wade’s Green Plantation ruins, and Middle Caicos is home to the Conch Bar Caves, the largest cave system in the entire archipelago. There are various attractions to choose from, as well as excellent beaches and a wide range of sports.

Middle Caicos Caves: Located on Middle Caicos island, the stunning limestone cave systems are considered the best in the Caribbean. With breathtaking, steep cliffs, the Mudjin Beach caves are a must-see attraction when visiting the east of the country. After visiting these natural wonders, you can stop off for lunch and round off the day with some snorkeling.


WHERE TO STAY

The Turks and Caicos Islands offer a wide range of resorts, hotels and houses for seasonal rental on all the islands. There are several accommodation options for visitors looking to enjoy some special days on one of the paradise islands of the Turks and Caicos archipelago.

The main resorts and hotels are on the island of Providenciales. Some resorts do not allow children as guests.

Club Med Turkoise is a fun-filled, luxury resort with a wide range of facilities and attractions.

Amanyara luxury resort is the main resort in the area and is favoured by many famous artists. It offers villas surrounded by lush vegetation, glass bungalows, infinity pools and a variety of other quality features. It is ideal for visitors looking for high luxury accommodation.

The best options for visitors who prefer cheaper accommodation are to rent a house for the season or to stay at an all-inclusive resort.

DINING OUT

Food in the Turks and Caicos Islands features a wide range of seafood.


One of the most famous local dishes is sea snail meat but you can also find high quality international restaurants if you prefer something else. There are also various types of wine, imported beer and local

Turk’s Head, the local beer, is produced from sea water that has been desalinated.

Conch fritters are a typical appetizer in the country. These are balls of fried conch meat served with a delicious sauce. Conch salad is another popular dish on the islands.

Located on Providenciales island, Coco Bistro restaurant offers the best of local cuisine, including a variety of fish, seafood and spices. This is a pleasant, elegant place to enjoy delicious Caribbean food.

On Grand Turk, The Sand Bar restaurant presents a delicious menu with a variety of cuisine for all tastes in a charming ambiance. Conch fritters and fish bites are the most popular dishes.

SHOPPING

Although people who come to the Turks and Caicos Islands normally think about enjoying the country’s natural beauty rather than shopping, they should not miss the chance to take a souvenir home with them.

The best option is to take a stroll around the Grace Bay shopping centre where most of the stores selling handicrafts, clothes and jewellery

can be found. There is another shopping centre behind the Seven Stars hotel with first-rate stores selling sunglasses and watches.

The souvenirs most sought after by visitors are the painted metal sculptures in the shape of a lizard, the typical creature in the region.

Handicrafts made from conch are charming too. However, you need authorization from the Department of Environment and Economic Affairs to export these items. Buying souvenirs made from local conch is not therefore recommended, unless permission has been granted to take them to your country of origin.

The Art Provo art gallery, in Grace Bay, offers a wide variety of fine and contemporary art produced by local artists. A range of ceramics, handmade jewellery and glass artwork is also on display.

CURRENCYThe currency in the Turks and Caicos Islands is the U.S. dollar (USD). The most common banknotes are the 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar bills. The coins are 25 cents (quarter), 10 (dime), 5 (nickel) and 1 (penny). 50 cent and 1 dollar coins are hard to find.

All credit cards are accepted, as long as they are connected to an international banking system.


331 HOSPITALS AND EMERGENCIES

POLICE

112(649) 941-5891

FIRE DEPARTMENT

231-0866

GRACE BAY MEDICAL CENTER

231-0525

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Travel Tips | Turks & Caicos (Eng.)

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