Passports, Visas and Consideration for Minors
Passports, Visas and Consideration for Minors
All visitors must have a passport to enter Turks & Caicos. All visitors must hold a round-trip ticket. Visitors are permitted 30 days, renewable one time only.
Visas are necessary for visitors from non-Commonwealth countries of the former Eastern Bloc. Please contact a British Consulate Office for visa applications. Check with your travel agent or airline for more details.
In the case of minors, when traveling with your children, but without your spouse or partner, please have a notarized letter from the non-present parent authorizing the child’s travel. If not, the child may be held at security and unable to travel.
Please be advised, American Express is not accepted on the island due to the extremely high merchant account fees.
General Weather Conditions
The Turks & Caicos Islands climate can best be described as eternal summer, with almost continuous ocean breezes from the trade winds and with constant sunshine. The temperature rarely drops below 25°C (77°F) or rises above 28°C (83°F). The cool breezes make for comfortable sleeping without air conditioning. The islands receive approximately 21 inches of rainfall annually. As part of the fall, which is the rainy season, hurricanes occasionally sweep through the Caribbean. Check the news daily and keep abreast of brewing tropical storms. The rainy season consists mostly of brief showers interspersed with sunshine.
Annual Average Temperatures
Annual Average High: 82; Annual Average Low: 68
Elevation
The Turks & Caicos are relatively flat and vary from 15 to 20 feet above sea level down to sea level.
Currency
The United States Dollar plus the Turks & Caicos Crown and Quarter are legal tender, while the official currency is the US Dollar. Major credit cards are accepted as well as travelers checks. Banks offer ATM’s and cash advances on credit cards. Banks typically close at 3:00 p.m.
Time Zone
The islands are in the Eastern Time Zone and observe Daylight Saving Time.
Voltage
The electric current on the islands is 120/240 volts, 60 cycles, AC (same as is in the United States). Your apartment has similar outlets to the United States.
Lost and Found
If you find an item in the home you believe a previous Member left, please return it to your Destination Coordinator. The Club’s standard return policy is that all collected items are shipped back once a week. In this case, the Club will pass on the actual cost of packaging and shipping the items to the Member. A Member can request an expedited return service if needed and any additional costs that the Destination Coordinator may incur to make that happen will also be passed on to the Member. Please keep in mind there are higher fees associated with international destinations because of customs and other costs.
Tipping Guide
- Taxi Drivers: $1 to $2
- Baggage Porters: $1 to $5, or more if the service was particularly friendly and helpful
- Cloakroom Attendants in Nightclubs, et al: $1 to $2
- Restaurants: 20 percent, or gratuity may be included in your final bill
- Bars and Lounges: $1 to $2 per drink
- Spa Treatments: 20 percent, or gratuity may be included in your final bill
- Tours and Tour Guides: 15 to 20 percent, at your discretion, based upon your experience
- Golf Club Cleaning: $3 to $5 per bag
- Fishing Guide: $60 to $100 for a full day
- In Home Chef: 20 percent, or gratuity may be included in your final bill
- Housekeeping: Your housekeeping team may be tipped at your discretion, based upon your experience. A general guideline is $5 or more per night based upon your travel party size and in-residence activities.
- Destination Coordinator: Your Destination Coordinator may be tipped at your discretion, based upon the amount of travel planning you required and your overall experience.
Traveling with Prescription Medicine
If you are traveling with prescription medicines, carry them in their original containers and bring a copy of your prescription. If you buy medications abroad, be aware that they may not be FDA-approved or allowed into the United States. For more information on customs rules and regulations, please contact 202.354.1000 or visit www.cbp.gov.
