Turks and Caicos Islands travel advice

Risk level

Safety and security

Crime

Crime occurs throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands but is most prevalent on Providenciales, the most populous island.

Petty crime

Petty crime occurs, such as:

• pickpocketing
• bag snatching
• muggings
• theft from homes, vehicles, and on beaches

During your trip:

• keep your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, in a secure place
• never leave personal belongings unattended, especially on beaches and in vehicles
• do not carry large sums of cash or valuables unnecessarily
• be extra cautious when withdrawing cash from ATMs, particularly at night
• use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business

Lost or stolen belongings abroad

Violent crime

Violent crime occurs, including:

• armed robberies
• armed home invasions
• murders
• sexual assaults

Avoid using unmarked, illegal taxis called “jitneys,” as drivers have committed sexual assaults.

Gang-related gun violence occurs in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Tourists are not usually targeted, but you could be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

During your stay:

• always be aware of your surroundings
• pay attention to people walking behind you
• avoid deserted streets at night and isolated areas
• avoid walking alone after dark
• do not resist an attack
• stay in accommodations with adequate security measures
• keep doors and windows locked at all times

Crime tends to increase during the holiday season from December to January.

Police response could be long when calling to report a crime. You may need to go to a local police station to accelerate the process. Reporting a crime can be complex and time-consuming.

Fraud

Cybercrime

Cybercrime, malware attacks and online extortion occur.

Criminals can compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal personal data or credit information.

• Be cautious when posting information or photos on social media
• Use your own USB adaptor or carry an extra battery pack
• Use secure public Wi-Fi networks

Useful links

• Overseas fraud
• Cyber security while travelling

Spiked food, drinks and other items

Never leave your food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Avoid accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as these items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations may occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from British authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules. 

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: not required
Business visa: required
Work permit: required
Student visa: required

Length of stay

As a tourist, you may be granted a stay of up to 90 days. You can extend your stay by visiting an office of the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services and paying for an extension.

Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Immigration and Border Services

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section). 

Health

Routine vaccines

Make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel, no matter where you’re going.

These may include vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, varicella (chickenpox), meningococcal disease, seasonal flu, and others.

Provincial and Territorial Immunization Information

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

When travelling in this destination, you might be at risk for diseases that can be prevented with vaccines or medications. Talk to a travel health care provider about which ones are right for you based on your travel plans.

The highlights below will also tell you if your destination may require that vaccine for entering or exiting.

Safe food and water precautions

Eating or drinking unsafe food or water, or swimming in contaminated water can make you sick while travelling. Take precautions by following these tips:

• Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it (only eat food that is prepared safely)
• Avoid, if possible, getting water in your eyes, mouth, or nose when swimming in freshwater (like streams, lakes, or canals), especially after heavy rain or flooding - the water might look clean but can still be contaminated 
• Don’t swallow water when bathing, showering, swimming in pools, or using hot tubs 

Eat and drink safely abroad

Tick and insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by bites from infected ticks and insects like mosquitoes, fleas, or flies. Before you travel, find out what types of ticks or insects are in the area, when they’re most active, and what diseases they can spread.

To protect yourself from bites:

• use an approved bug spray (insect repellent) on exposed skin
• wear light-coloured, loose clothing made of tightly woven materials like nylon or polyester
• wear socks and closed-toe shoes
• sleep under mosquito netting if you’re outdoors or staying in places that aren’t fully enclosed
• do a full body tick check on yourself, your children, your gear, and any pets you’re travelling with when you return from outdoor activities

Insect bite and pest prevention
Personal insect repellents

Animal precautions

Some infections can spread directly from animals to people, like rabies or bird flu (avian influenza). Others don’t spread directly from animals but can infect people who visit areas animals have contaminated with their droppings or body fluids.

Certain activities can increase your chances of coming into contact with animals, their droppings, or their body fluids, like:

• travelling in rural or forested areas
• camping, hiking, or visiting caves
• visiting places where live animals are sold or killed for food, like wet markets

To reduce your risk of getting sick:

• avoid contact with animals like stray dogs, livestock (such as pigs and cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats.
• stay away from places where animal waste can build up, such as caves
• avoid eating undercooked meat

Make sure to closely watch children; they are more likely to try to touch animals.

Person-to-person infections

When travelling, you can reduce your risk of getting or spreading respiratory infections, like the flu or COVID-19, by:

• staying at your accommodation and limiting contact with others if you’re sick
• wearing a well-fitting mask, especially: 
  
  • if you’re sick and need to be around others 
  • when you’re at large indoor events or in crowded settings, like sporting events, concerts, and airports
• cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
• covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)
Clean your hands to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases
Respiratory infectious diseases: How to reduce the spread with personal protective measures

To lower your risk of getting sexually transmissible infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox, you can:

• get vaccinated against mpox if you’re eligible
• practise safer sex methods
  • use barrier protection during sexual activity, like condoms and dental dams.

Mpox vaccines
Sexual health and travel
HIV and AIDS: Travel health advice

Medical services and facilities

Good health care is only available in and around major tourist areas.

There are two public hospitals in the Turks and Caicos Islands, which are located on Providenciales and Grand Turk. They can handle non-life-threatening situations and emergencies.

Providenciales has several private clinics. All the other islands have public clinics.

Public facilities may be overwhelmed and lack medical supplies and equipment.

Emergency and ambulance services are very limited and response times are slow, especially outside of tourist areas.

Private practitioners and medical facilities usually require immediate cash or credit card payment for medical treatment.

Medical evacuation can be very expensive and you will likely need it in case of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Medication

Some prescription medications may not be available in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

If you take prescription medications, you’re responsible for determining their legality in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

• Bring enough medication for your stay
• Always keep your medication in the original container and carry a copy of your prescriptions
• Pack your medication in your carry-on luggage

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

• Pack your own luggage and monitor it closely at all times
• Never transport other people’s packages, bags or suitcases

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of the Turks and Caicos Islands, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in the Turks and Caicos Islands by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in the Turks and Caicos Islands to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

Useful links

• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Children and travel
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Imports

Importing firearms, ammunition, and Hawaiian slings, which are spearfishing equipment, is strictly prohibited unless you obtain prior permission from the Commissioner of Police. Declaring weapons or ammunition with an airline carrier does not grant permission to import these items into the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Penalties include a minimum 12-year prison sentence.

Useful links

• Turks and Caicos Islands Customs Department
• Firearms Ordinance – Turks and Caicos Islands

Driving

Traffic drives on the left.

You must be at least 17 years old to drive a car in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

You can drive using a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 30 days. Beyond that, you must obtain a visitor’s driving permit, which is valid for 3 months.

Third-party insurance is mandatory. Otherwise, you could face a $1,000 USD fine and/or a 3-month imprisonment.

The speed limits are 20 mph in towns and on side roads and 40 mph on the highway.

Turks and Caicos Islands Department of Motor Vehicles

Investments

Disputes related to property acquisition or other investments are costly and take time to resolve.

If you plan to buy property or make other investments in the Turks and Caicos Islands:

• seek legal advice in Canada and in the Turks and Caicos Islands before making commitments
• choose your own lawyer
• avoid hiring a lawyer recommended by a seller

Money

The currency of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the U.S. dollar (USD).

Most ATMs are located on Providenciales. Other islands may have very few or no ATMs.

Natural disasters and climate

Climate change

Climate change is affecting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Extreme and unusual weather events are becoming more frequent and may affect your travel plans. Monitor local media for the latest information.

Hurricane season

Hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.

These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services. You could face serious safety risks during a hurricane.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season:

• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities

Useful links

• Severe storms outside Canada
• Large-scale emergencies outside Canada
• Active storm tracking and hurricane watches and warnings – U.S. National Hurricane Center