Please do your research before you decide to come to TCI.
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Introduction
If there is one thing, we cannot deny is the fact that we depend totally on tourism for survival in the Turks and Caicos. This was evident during the pandemic. Whether we like it or not and we talk about diversifying the economy, tourism will continue to be our mainstay and we must ensure that we protect this industry, including dealing with the crime. However, at the same time, I encourage our tourists to do their research before they come to the Turks and Caicos.
Laws
The Turks and Caicos has been in the news recently for tourists being in possession of ammunition. Our law is the law, and it is not just for residents but everyone, and so no one should be in possession of ammunition and guns and if they are, they can get a fine up to 12 years imprisonment. Our laws are not designed to discriminate. The customer officer found ammunition and must report it and then the police take it from there and then the court decides the next steps forward. I know 12 years seem harsh, but our country is serious about fighting crime. To provide you with some comfort, not one tourist has yet to get 12 years imprisonment for the possession of ammunition or firearms. However, the law was amended this year where the judge needs to set a minimum sentence. The judge also has discretion and if the individual can prove it was not intentional, the individual will not get 12 years. However, everyone who violates the law whether intentional or not must face the judicial process.
Hopefully something good will come out of this in that tourists will now check their bags to ensure that there is no ammunition or firearms.
Our country wants to make sure that crime is minimum and so we have laws and laws supposed to be impartial. Any tourist coming here wants to know about the crime rate and this law is one way to reduce the crime rate.
Multiple islands
Providenciales in not just Turks and Caicos. Grand Turk is not just Turks and Caicos. The Turks and Caicos consist of multiple islands comprising of more than 40 islands and cays. Quite frankly, each island is unique. There is only one cruise port in the Turks and Caicos which is in Grand Turk, the capital of the islands. However, when you arrive in Grand Turk via cruise ship, that is not just Turks and Caicos. I ran into several people in the past and they said they visited Turks and Caicos and they came by cruise and they make an assumption about the islands based soley on their visit to Grand Turk.
Likewise, the only island that has international flights is Providenciales. Providenciales is not just Turks and Caicos. It is part of the Turks and Caicos.
I encourage you when you come, take the ferry and visit North Caicos and Middle Caicos. My favourite spot in the Turks and Caicos is Mudjin Harbour on the island of Middle Caicos. Take a day and go to Salt cay, Grand Turk or South Caicos. Experience the entire Turks and Caicos.
Quiet life
If you are coming to the Turks and Caicos and expects to have a lot of land-based activities and night life, this is not the place for you. The Turks and Caicos is pretty much quiet, there is limited night life and activities. If you want a quiet life and be on unspoiled beaches, then Turks and Caicos is the place for you. There are some hotels that offer activities and local music, find out what days they offer them and check them out. There are also some other land-based activities such as horseback riding. There are no malls, movie theaters or parks. However, Beaches Resort has waterparks and lots of activities.
Water sport activities.
Most activities on the islands are water sport activities. This is a growing industry. If you are water sports person and you want to snorkel, jet ski and dive and explore some of the best marine life, then Turks and Caicos is the place for you.
High price
The Turks and Caicos is a very expensive destination. If you are looking for a place for less than $200 an night, the Turks and Caicos is not the place for you. Please bear in mind that we have to import virtually everything, then the Government charges duties on most items and then the merchants have overhead costs and have to make a profit.
The Government does not charge its citizens income tax, but it makes it money from duties on imported items, and the 12% tax that you pay at the hotel and restaurants.
There are some basic items that the Government has waived duties on but the prices are still high because the vendors claimed that their suppliers in USA and UK are also high.
Also, when you are leaving your room, please do not leave the ac on as the cost of electricity is 27.5 cents per kilowatt plus the cost of fuel factor.
Airports
I know that the experience at the airport, especially on a Saturday, can be unpleasant for anyone. Our airport is too small to accommodate all of the flights but there is a huge demand, so flights are allowed to come, and the major issue is Saturday. If you can avoid a Saturday flight then try to avoid it but if you cannot avoid it, be prepared to stand in line for a while.
While I admit is it is unacceptable for someone to be in line for a very long time and sometimes ac is not working well, as a citizen of the Turks and Caicos, I also experience the same thing at some of the airports in America. During my last trip to America, my wife and I spent more than two hours in line at the airport in Charlotte North Carolina and there is only one agent dealing with non-citizens.
Anyway, the good news is, a new airport is coming but the bad news is it may not be until the next three years.
There are no fast-food restaurants but try the local restaurants.
We do not have any food restaurants such as KFC, McDonald’s but we have some very reasonable local restaurants on the island of Providenciales such as Homeys, SnackSpot, Kayjos, K&T Food Court and of course Sweet Ts. Try them and there are others just ask the locals where they eat. Their prices are reasonable.
Taxis
In the Turks and Caicos, the taxi fare is per person and many times you have to share a taxi with other passengers you do not know.
Flat land
The Turk and Caicos are basically flat. We do not have mountains or waterfalls.
Hotel rooms
On Providenciales most of our accommodations at the hotels are condo-style type where there are rooms, a kitchen, a living room, and dining room. Very few accommodations have the standard hotel type room. The rates may be higher too because the revenue is shared between the owner and the property manager.
There is a growing number of villas and private homes that you can rent and share the cost with your friends and family.
Crime
Yes, we have crimes just like other countries have crime and due to the population of our country, we may be very high in terms of per capita. However, most of the crimes committed are among gangs. However, you must continue to exercise caution and vigilance.
The people
The Turks and Caicos is unique in that most people in the country are not from TCI. You may compare the personality of our people to that of other Caribbean islands, but we are not the same. The people serving you are from different countries. English is our main language but due to the make-up of our population you will hear many different languages being spoken and you may think English is not the main language.
The British influence
We are still an overseas British Territory, and we drive on the left like the British. You will be fine with driving but not only look for yourself but look out for the other driver too. Be very careful on the roundabouts in Provo, put on your indicator to let the person behind you know where you are going and once you are at the roundabout, you do not have to stop.
Despite the British influence, our only currency is US dollars.
Conclusion
I love my country and it is my most favourite place in the world. Do your research and know what you are looking for before you choose the TCI. Once you arrive, I believe you will enjoy yourself but honestly, the Turks and Caicos is not for everyone.