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Turks and Caicos Islands

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General Information On the Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands is a small country located at the tail end of The Bahamian archipelago just outside the Caribbean. As it has become a popular tourist destination, the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) has chosen to protect its beauty and peaceful atmosphere.

Rather than forgetting this country's natural beauty and catering exclusively to tourists with huge resorts and activities, and completely commercializing the islands. the islanders here are doing everything they can to protect their laid-back, Caribbean lifestyle. It seems as though these efforts have been quite successful as sun-loving tourists continue to flock to the islands for vacations and holiday. For more information on the Turks and Caicos Islands visit the official Turks and Caicos Islands tourism website, or check out the CIA World Factbook for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The People of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Passports, Visas and Entry Information
Health and Safety
Climate And Weather
Geography
Currency
Electricity

The People of the Turks and Caicos Islands
The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands speak English. However, don't be surprised if it is difficult to understand them as it has a Caribbean lilt that may make it difficult for traditional English speakers to understand. Certain phrasing and expressions may seem odd at first, but context usually helps visitors to understand meaning. The main eight islands are home to most of the English speakers, while the native people who make up the remainder of the population are descendants of African slaves who were originally brought to the island to grow cotton. It is on some of these islands where you will probably have the most difficulty in understanding the islanders. These people, nicknamed “Belongers,” are kind-natured, friendly, and very religious. The population of the islands is a community of people who have moved here from all over the world, including the Americas, the U.K., Scandinavia, and various Caribbean islands. This variety gives the islands an international flavor and culture and makes for a vacation location that has a nice relaxed attitude.

Passports, Visas and Entry Information
U.S.* and Canadian citizens can enter the Turks and Caicos Islands with an original birth certificate (with raised seal) and a valid government-issued photo ID, but a valid passport is still preferable. Citizens of all other nations, including those of the Caribbean, will need a current passport.

Health and Safety
Although the water is filtered, you may prefer to stick with bottled water as changes even in clean water can upset the stomach of many Western travelers. The Turks and Caicos have qualified medical practitioners and nursing staff. Anyone that has a critical illness is normally evacuated to Nassau or Miami by an on-call airlift.

Petty theft is a slight problem, but no more so than in any other city. If you leave your belongings unattended, they are liable to be snatched up. As always, follow basic safety precautions.

Climate And Weather
Unlike many of the other islands of the Caribbean, the Turks and Caicos are rather dry, experiencing only about 24 inches of rain annually. Temperature vary a bit more here by season than in some Caribbean locations. January averages range from 73 to 80; July averages range from 80 to 87.

Geography
Although not technically a part of the Caribbean (They are located at the tail end of The Bahamian archipelago.), the Turks and Caicos Islands border the Caribbean Sea. They are actually in the Atlantic Ocean. The group consists of many islands with eight of them being inhabited. The major islands are  Providenciales and Grand Turk, where the capital city is located. Providenciales is the main island for tourism. The islands are located directly north of Haiti and 575 miles southeast of Miami. Additionally, the islands have 225 miles of gorgeous shoreline for bathing and swimming. Surrounded by 500 miles of coral reef and largely untouched by development and pollution, the islands also offer great diving.

Currency
The official currency is the U.S. Dollar (USD).

Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare.  Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! 

Electricity
The islands use the same 110 volt system as the U.S. Mainland, so most North American visitors will not need adapters. Visitors from other countries should plan accordingly.

Getting To and Around the Turks and Caicos Islands
Most visitors will arrive at Providenciales International Airport. Direct flights are usually available from the U.S. mainland and Canada, but some flights connect through Montego Bay in Jamaica. The airport hosts major carriers, including, but not limited to, Air Jamaica, Air Transit, American Airlines, Bahamasair, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Interisland Airways, Lynx, Miami Air, North American, Signature Vacation, Sky King, and Sky Services.

Taxis are government regulated and unmetered, with rates posted in the car. Cabs are always waiting at the airport, and fares run about $15(USD) to most hotels on Providenciales.

For Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises, Vacations, Tours and Travel Deals, Click on Global Travel International. If the link does not work properly, type www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com in the address line of your browser.

Accommodations In the Turks and Caicos Islands

The all-inclusive Club Med Turkoise Resort is located in Turks and Caicos, on the northeast of the island of Providenciales, in the Caribbean Sea. This adult-only (18 years and older) resort is perfect for vacations with friends or even alone. It is one of the best destinations for water sports, and Scuba Diving. The beach, with its beautiful pearl colored sand, lines the entire length of the Resort over 12 miles. This is a public beach. The sea is calm, clear and turquoise. Marked swimming area. The beach is equipped with beach loungers (two-seater couches with curtains), sunshades, loungers, showers and a beach bar. Gardens consisting mainly of flamboyants, laurel and cactus, not to mention some magnificent palms. The 290 rooms are divided between several buildings. the buildings have no elevators but there are not many steps. The A,B and C buildings are in the "Marina" area and buildings D, E and F are in the "Florina" area. Enjoy a functional Club room offering a simple, genuine level of comfort, located on the 1st and 2nd floors, or let yourself be tempted by a comfortable and elegant Deluxe room and enjoy the upscale amenities provided. Ideal for friends or couples. The Grace Bay is very colorful restaurant invites you to share international dishes served in buffet form with your friends. In the centre of the Village, this restaurant also welcomes you for late breakfasts if the night was long. A tasty and creative cuisine, associated to an "art of the table". Our chefs rivalize to keep inventing and surprising you at every meal. The specialty restaurant can be closed at certain periods. Only the terrace of this restaurant is a smoking area. In this Club Med Resort, the focus is on sports, novices and experts can try out exciting new sports and sensations. Under the supervision of qualified instructors, enjoy the highest standards of equipment. Discover our new Golf programs at the Provo Golf Club. One of the Top 10 courses in the Caribbean. For the adventurous ones, discover Big Blue Unlimited activities: the most comprehensive and innovative adventure program in the Turks & Caicos Islands. For additional information, or to make a reservation, click on Club Med Information and Reservations

For accommodations in the Turks and Caicos Islands, click on Search by city for hotels and other accommodations in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Things To See And Do In the Turks and Caicos Islands

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Dining in the Turks and Caicos Islands
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Favorite Places And Things To Do In the Turks and Caicos Islands
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Links
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2007 Travel Alert - Passports Needed for Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Caribbean. Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. Click here for the State Department Summary.  And, if you need a passport in a hurry, because you forgot to apply months ago when you should have and your trip is almost upon you, click on Passports In A Hurry, or on Passport Visa Express!