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Turks and Caicos where. Luxury holidays in the Turks and Caicos. How to get to Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos is a British territory consisting of 40 islands of the Bahamas archipelago, 144 km from Haiti. The main population lives on 6 islands. About what constitutes a vacation in the Turks and Caicos, what are the local attractions and prices, we will tell in this article.

The islands were discovered in 1512 by the Spaniards, and the British began to master them. They brought in blacks who worked on local plantations. Turks and Caicos at different times were an independent state, were part of Jamaica. In 1962, Great Britain gives independence to Jamaica, and the Turks and Caicos Islands remain a colony.

The most interesting thing is that the islands gained independence in 1979, and in 1982 they decided to refuse and ask for the status of a British overseas territory. The capital of Cockburn Town is located on Grand Turk Island.

About currency, visa

The local population believes that the UK has forgotten about them. The main currency is the US dollar. There are no taxes on the islands for legal entities and individuals. Organizations pay an annual tax fee, while individuals pay an insurance fee and taxes related to tourism activities.

You don't need a visa to visit the islands. But you will have to fly through the UK, so an English visa is required. If you have a US or Canadian visa, then no other document is needed. At the airport, when leaving the Russians, a fee of $ 35 is taken. Bank cards can only be used on the large islands of Providenciales and Grand Turk.

How is the climate?

The weather on the islands is dry and sunny. In summer the temperature rises to +32, in winter +29. The water in the ocean is +29 and +26, respectively. Trade winds soften the heat throughout the year. Especially strong winds are possible in August-September. Hurricanes are possible from June to October. Therefore, the best time to relax are mid-December to May.

Islands on the map:

On the islands, any tourist can feel safe. On public beaches, it is forbidden to appear partially or completely naked. You can swim only in a strictly designated area. The zone between the shore and the reef is considered safe, on the outside of which a sharp slope is possible, and dangerous marine life is also found.

Compulsory vaccinations and optional tips

Strong currents are possible near the reefs, so you can’t swim in a beautiful but forbidden place. On the islands, it is recommended to drink only bottled water, as the local water has an unpleasant taste and is polluted. In hotels it is not customary to give tips, and in restaurants they are 15%, usually included in the bill.

Holidays in the Turks and Caicos are wonderful and unforgettable. Thirty islands, of which only seven are permanently inhabited. This is a paradise for tourists. Endless beaches, silky sand, various attractions, unique cuisine.

Caution in eating

Meat and fish should be well fried, be careful with salads and sauces. Be sure to wash vegetables and fruits. Dairy products are fine.

How to get around

There is no public transport on the islands. Private jitney buses run on certain routes and the fare is set by the driver. If you choose a taxi, then it is better to discuss the price in advance, on average $ 2 per mile. A ferry runs between the islands, the ticket price is from $25 to $40.

Let's walk around the capital

The administrative center of Cockburn Town is located on the island of Grand Turk. The government has been located here since 1766, when salt began to be mined on the islands. Today this city is attractive as an offshore zone.

The international airport is located on the island of Providenciales. Cockburn Town can be reached by local airline, cruise ship or private yacht.

You can travel around the city and around the island by taxi, by the way, any taxi driver can be a guide and show you all the sights. You can rent a car ($15) or a scooter ($5). There is a tourist tram. The ticket price is $29, for groups the ticket is from $21 to $24.

On foot…

The architecture of the city is the buildings of the colonial era, old cannons. Tourists will see the place where Columbus landed. On Front Street is an unusual museum building. He is 180 years old and built from the wreckage of ships. Masts serve as supports. In the museum, in addition to historical artifacts and documents, you can see objects washed ashore as a result of a shipwreck.

Near the museum you can take a walk in the shady garden. Nearby is an ancient lighthouse built of limestone. He warned sailors about reefs stretching in a ridge into the sea. Prior to its installation, the number of shipwrecks was enormous. The lighthouse was made in Great Britain and brought in pieces. People come here to watch the sunset. It is considered good luck to see a green flash.

On horseback…

It will be very interesting for a tourist to ride a horse along the beach. Part of the way passes through the ocean, it is very unusual to sail on a horse! You can also ride a buggy or jeep on the sand dunes.

On local beaches with the purest white sand, you can go snorkeling. A small nuance - the sand, despite the fact that it is "baked in the sun", does not heat up! At the bottom there are very beautiful corals and rich marine life. Visibility in the water is up to 30 m. There are two secluded beaches, Governor’s Beach and Gibbs Cay, where you can safely swim and dive.

To the island where everything is the best

Another large island is Providenciales, abbreviated as Provo. Divers love it. From December to April, humpback whales can be observed near the island. Here is the longest chain of reefs in the world, 22-kilometer beach, included in the 25 best beaches in the world.

The best beaches are located on the island of Providenciales, despite the fact that the landscapes here are not as picturesque as in the same Cuba. The number of beaches is so great that even at the height of the holiday season, you can easily find deserted corners. And there are both luxury hotels and single bungalows to choose from. The temperature throughout the year is kept within 29-35 degrees. International shopping centers, airport, casinos, hotels and rentals, bars and restaurants - the infrastructure of the island is well developed.

Elite vacation

The world's only giant shell farm, Caicos Conch Farm, is also located here. Beginners will be able to try themselves in the development of surfing, there are all conditions for this. Also, golf courses, a casino are provided for tourists, you can rent a yacht.

The resort is famous for horseback riding. At the Provo Pony stable, a horse will be individually selected for you to walk along the beaches. During the tour, the guide will tell you a lot of interesting things, take pictures of you, and also offer to swim on a horse or with a horse.

For lovers of elite recreation, there are also many offers. You can rent a yacht. Stopovers like Sapodilla Bay or Leeward Marina always have something to choose from. There is also a golf club here, with very good first-class fields.

Acquaintance with the secrets of the island

If you collect various souvenirs from your travels, you can buy wonderful eco-friendly dishes here. It is made from palm leaves. And such plates and bowls will be a wonderful interior decoration.

Do you love adventure? Go to the mysterious Howl Cave. Visit the pirate reef Parrot Cay. In the western part of the island is the Princess Alexandra National Park. There are several salt lakes, as well as coral reefs in the park. Travelers will be able to observe the life of waterfowl and marine life. For children there is a specially equipped playground.

Attractions Turks and Caicos

The coral reefs of the Caribbean attract many diving enthusiasts here. If you are a big fan of the underwater world, its pristine beauty, then you should certainly visit this resort.

About the beauties of the coast - in the video:

Let's talk about the kitchen

The main food on the islands are seafood, fish and rice. On the island of Providenciales, the Dora restaurant prepares wonderful seafood dishes. Lobster and shellfish dishes are also good. A popular local dish, grits, is pea porridge with seafood, shellfish, vegetables, smoked fish and poultry.

A popular drink is rum punch, which consists of two types of rum, pineapple and orange juices and grenadine syrup.

Prices are very high everywhere. There are almost no middle class restaurants. Everywhere they cook exquisitely, tasty, expensive. Average dinner for two from $150.

On Grand Turk Island, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is located in the Cruise Center terminal. Noisy American-style tourist parties are held here.

And a little about shopping. You can bring dishes, hats, baskets made of palm branches as a keepsake. The duty-free shops of the Grand Turk Cruise Center sell inexpensive jewelry and souvenirs from local craftsmen.

Inexpensive housing of different levels

Hotels on the islands are classified according to the international system. In the high season April-May, prices increase. There are 150 different complexes on the islands. These are classic, condo hotels (middle between apartments and condominiums), luxury villas.

Luxury hotels offer free beaches with full infrastructure, spa centers, golf clubs, playgrounds.

There are condo hotels on the island of Providenciales. Their service is top notch, the rooms are expensively decorated. Most of these hotels have gyms, spa centers, swimming pools. Many are located near beaches. These hotels are popular for weddings.

Many American popular artists have hosted wedding celebrations in the islands. And Bruce Willis also bought a house here.

Mid-range hotels are not very common. Despite the cheaper prices (everything is relative - a room from $200) hotels offer high-quality service with good infrastructure. Often, hotels offer local cuisine, the dishes are prepared by the owner himself. This is considered very honorable. On weekends, barbecues by the pool and various events are organized for guests. You can rent a room in a 2-star hotel for $120 per night.

Holidays in the Turks and Caicos are not the cheapest. A day of stay here will cost you from $ 500. You can rent an apartment with a kitchen and save on food, it will be cheaper than eating at a restaurant. Therefore, going to the islands carefully plan your budget. So that there is enough money for all the excursions and still left for souvenirs.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are British-owned islands. They are located in the Caribbean Sea, one of the small territories that did not want to fall off from Great Britain during the centrifugal desire for independence that swept the entire Earth in the 20th century. The islands occupy a total area of ​​417 square kilometers. 21 thousand people live on them.

The islands are offshore zones, where many firms are registered who do not want to pay taxes. These islands are very reluctant to provide information about registrations - only by court order. In essence, the state of continuous judgment for most firms is a normal working state and upsets only the first years. Then the lawyers of the firm simply regularly go to the courts, as if to work. Routine, but that's life.

In addition to offshore, a significant profitable business of the islands is tourism. For citizens of Russia, there is a visa-free regime, as well as an unlimited opportunity to import and export any amount of currency. It is forbidden only to import drugs and harpoon guns. Otherwise amazingly friendly place. Diving is widely developed for tourists, you can watch humpback whales and numerous bottlenose dolphins. With these smart creatures, you can have a good time swimming in a race and listening to their twitter.

If you've ever wondered about an island vacation where summers are sunny all year round, where warm blue waves gently wash over white sandy beaches, there's no better place than the Turks and Caicos Islands in the entire globe.

More than 30 islands and small coral reefs that make up the Turks and Caicos archipelago lie in the basin Atlantic Ocean and are an extension of the Bahamas. The permanent population and service personnel live only on a few of the largest islands: Grand Turk, Providenciales, Salt Cay, Pine Cay, Parrot Cay, South Caicos, North Caicos , Middle Caicos. The largest city and capital is the city cockburn town located on the island Grand Turk, and the most popular resort of the Turks and Caicos is considered to be Providenciales Island.

The islands were discovered in 1512 by the Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon, who would discover Florida a year later. In the 17th century, salt was found here - the most valuable product of that time - therefore, Great Britain enters into a struggle with Spain for the right to own the islands, and already in 1766 Turks and Caicos became an official colony of Great Britain. Currently, the Turks and Caicos Islands have the status of a British Overseas Territory, which is governed by the Executive Council, headed by the Governor.

About 90% of the indigenous population of the islands are representatives of the Negroid race (descendants of Negro slaves brought to the islands by the British in the 17th century to work on plantations), the rest are mulattos and whites (Americans, British and Canadians who have real estate and business on the islands).

The main income of the islands, of course, comes from tourism, but the Turks and Caicos are also an offshore zone and an important fishing center that supplies lobster and shellfish to the best restaurants in the United States.

The islands have all the conditions for a luxurious holiday: high-class hotels and restaurants, casinos and nightclubs, magnificent beaches and picturesque coral reefs, golf clubs, tennis courts, etc.

Capital
cockburn town

Population

46,400 people (2012)

Population density

75 people/km2

English

Religion

Baptism, Anglicanism, Methodism and other areas of the Protestant Church

Form of government

constitutional monarchy, British Overseas Territory

U.S. dollar

Timezone

UTC-5 (UTC-4 in summer)

International dialing code

Domain zone

Electricity

120V 60Hz (US flat plug)

Climate and weather

The climate on the islands belongs to the tropical marine type, so you can relax here with pleasure at any time of the year. In the hottest months, usually in July-August, the average air temperature is +29 ... +32 °С, rising to +35 °С on some days. January is considered the coldest month, but even at this time the air is warmed up to +26 °С. All year round the water temperature in the sea does not fall below +23…+29 °C, depending on the season. Most often it is sunny, dry weather, but hurricanes sometimes occur in summer and early autumn, so the most favorable period to visit the Turks and Caicos archipelago is from November to May.

Nature

All the islands of the archipelago have a flat landscape, in some places there are swampy lowlands. The coastal strips of many islands are occupied by mangroves, which are home to thousands of waterfowl. The vegetation in the resort areas is represented by coconut palms and all kinds of flowering shrubs. In some places, small strips of pine forests, extremely rare for these latitudes, have been preserved. In desert areas, you can see only cacti and rare stunted bushes. But in the sea, life really boils, because almost every island of the archipelago is surrounded by coral reefs, in which a variety of representatives of the warm waters of the Caribbean live and hunt. On some uninhabited islands, there is still a small population of the rarest species of masked iguana, living in the wild only in this place. Once in the Turks and Caicos Islands between January and April, you can witness the global migration of humpback whales, which can be observed even from the shore.

On the island of Providenciales you can visit Chalk Sound National Park, which is a shallow lagoon with many rocky islets.

Attractions

The Turks and Caicos has virtually no traditional architectural historical sights. Almost all tourists are shown the remains of the once prosperous Cheshire Hall cotton plantation, built at the beginning of the 19th century, they organize an excursion to the Strombus gigas shellfish farm, which are a delicious delicacy, as well as to the largest limestone caves in the Caribbean. The expositions of the National Museum of Turks and Caicos tell about the history of the islands from the day they were discovered in the 15th century by Spanish navigators to the present day.

Nutrition

In local restaurants, you can hardly taste the real traditional cuisine of the islands. All establishments offer an international menu with the greatest influence from British culinary traditions.

Seafood delights should be preferred to meat dishes in the Turks and Caicos. The main garnish is corn, peas and rice.

The obligatory program of all vacationers on the islands includes tasting the most popular grits dish here, which is a not very attractive-looking mixture of vegetables, seafood and meat mixed with pea porridge. Among other culinary offerings, it is worth trying a special whelk fish soup, clam soup, peas with fish, peas with meat and rice.

The best way to quench your thirst is traditional English tea with milk or cream, which can be ordered literally in every establishment. Various juices and sweet thick syrup are also sold everywhere. grenadine. From alcoholic beverages it is worth noting rum And rum punch prepared with the addition coconut rum.

Accommodation

On the Turks and Caicos Islands, you can find 3, 4 and 5 star hotels, as well as luxurious villas and private apartments.

The minimum cost of living in a 3-star hotel is $50, in a 4-star hotel - $170, in a 5-star hotel - $565. Renting a small villa on the coast with 2 bedrooms will cost about $400 per day. An apartment for 4 people will cost at least $200. The highest prices for housing in hotels located on small private islands. Of the major islands, Providenciales is considered the most expensive.

Entertainment and recreation

The main goal of all vacationers on the Turks and Caicos Islands is to have a lot of fun on the local white sandy beaches, which fall into the top ten best beaches in the world in ratings conducted by organizations and publications from various countries. On the local beaches you can sunbathe and swim in the warm sea waters, go diving or snorkeling, windsurfing or yachting. All the beaches are well equipped and quite deserted (it's never a problem to find free sun loungers) and all of them are free. If the hotel is located on the beach, then at the entrance to the beach there are towels for free use.

Most hotels are equipped with swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses, spas, gyms, etc.

Fans of an active nightlife will easily find a place where they can spend a wonderful evening: nightclubs, bars, casinos, beach parties, etc.

Purchases

On all inhabited islands you will find modern supermarkets and shopping centers where you can buy everything you need, but the price level is quite high.

From souvenirs, in addition to all kinds of magnets and mugs, tourists are attracted by shell products of various shapes and sizes. The largest selection of shells is presented in the shop at the shellfish farm.

Transport

You can get to the Turks and Caicos by airline planes british airways(from Moscow only with a change in London and a technical stop in Nassau in the Bahamas - 16 hours on the way). It is possible to fly via New York, Toronto or Miami, but the travel time takes more than a day. The cost of round-trip tickets ranges from $900 to $4,300, depending on the number of transfers, travel time and class. There are full-service international airports on the islands Grand Turk And Providenciales. There are domestic airports on all inhabited islands of the archipelago. Ferries run between the islands. The cost of the crossing is from $ 25 to $ 40 (travel time is approximately 30 minutes).

Many cruise ships stop at Grand Turk Island.

The total length of the roads of all the islands of the archipelago taken together is about 120 km, and of them only a little more than 20% have a hard surface. Since the islands are a British Overseas Territory, driving here is on the left hand side.

Everywhere at airports and seaports, however, as well as on the streets, you can use taxi services (from $ 2 per mile for 1 person). In addition, taxi drivers are perhaps the best guides. It is better to negotiate the cost before the start of the trip. You can also catch a private bus (jitney) that don't run on certain routes. Prices are set by the driver at his own discretion.

If you are 21 years of age, driver's license and credit card, Grand Turk and Providenciales you can rent a car, SUV or scooter. The rental price ranges from $50 to $80, excluding $15 tax ($5 for a scooter).

Connection

Payphones that support international line access are located in shops, restaurants, banks and other public places. The phones work with Lime magnetic cards, which can be purchased at tobacco shops, directly at the company's offices or in supermarkets. The cost of calls ranges from $0.3 to $0.4 per minute. Cheapest way to make international calls World Talk cards. Occasionally there are pay phones that work with Master Card, Visa, American Express and Discover credit cards. To get in touch, dial 1 800 744 7777 and then follow the instructions.

Mobile communications on the islands are provided by 3 operators: Lime, Digicel and Islandcom Telecommunications ($ 0.35 per minute for calls abroad).

The Lime operator has special rates designed for tourists: Anywhere Talk 100 ($20), Anywhere Talk 250 ($50), Anywhere Talk 500 ($90) - they include 100, 250 and 500 free minutes, respectively, to anywhere in the world.

The operator Digicel (per second billing) also offers a number of tariffs calculated specifically for calls abroad: digiWorld 160 ($40) - 160 included minutes, 50 SMS (must have at least $100 on the account), digiWorld 320 ($80) - 320 included minutes, 100 SMS (there must be at least $100 on the account), etc.

All mobile operators offer Internet connection (approximately $50 for 1 GB of traffic). In major cities, you can find The Computer Guy internet cafes and CompTCI internet kiosks.

All hotels provide free Wi-Fi or wired internet in the public area and rooms.

Security

Going on vacation to one of the islands of the archipelago, you can be sure of your safety, since neither pickpocketing nor fraud is common on the islands. But elementary caution and concern for the safety of personal belongings will never hurt.

The main danger is represented by rather frequent summer hurricanes.

You should also take certain precautions when swimming and diving. You can swim only between the reef and the shore, as on the outside of the reef there are many poisonous and predatory fish and other dangerous inhabitants of the ocean (moray eels, barracudas, rays and jellyfish). Also, outside the safe zone, as a rule, the depth increases sharply and strong ocean currents are observed.

Tap water should not be drunk, even for brushing your teeth it is recommended to use boiled water. Fruits should be peeled. You should also worry about vaccinations in advance.

Business climate

Officially, the Turks and Caicos Islands are an offshore zone, and this status implies a lot of privileges for doing business (assets protection, tax minimization, ease of registration and business management, etc.). However, due to their strong dependence on the UK, they are not very popular with investors, since many of the conditions typical for independent offshore zones are not met here. First of all, this concerns confidentiality and anonymity, speed of registration, avoidance of taxation and lack of reporting. The process of hiring foreign workers for an enterprise registered on the islands takes several months and costs the company tens of thousands of dollars.

The local government is making every effort to create more favorable conditions on the islands for doing business. In particular, the issue of introducing VAT (11%) on the islands is being resolved in a strict manner. local authorities, unlike the British government, believe that this tax will have an extremely negative impact on tourism. VAT is planned to be introduced from April 1, 2013. It will have to replace the internal tax on financial services, hotel and restaurant accommodation tax, communication tax, tax on insurance premiums and stamp duty on vehicle rentals.

Real estate

Almost all real estate in the Turks and Caicos is owned by wealthy British (30%), Americans (30%) and Canadians (30%). The price of 1 m 2 of apartments starts from $5,000, houses - from $4,000, while it has a constant upward trend. When buying property on the islands, you get 100% ownership of both the building and the land. If the value of the property exceeds $500,000, the owner automatically receives a residence permit, and after 5 years can apply for a British Overseas Passport. The Turks and Caicos real estate offering includes apartments in luxury residential complexes, often equipped with moorings for deep-sea yachts, and luxury villas by the sea with their own mooring.

The purchase, sale or rental of real estate on the islands is carried out through specialized companies, so the personal presence of the investor is not even required to carry out these operations.

Walking through the streets of cities in beachwear or sportswear is unacceptable, as the islanders are quite scrupulous about their appearance and, accordingly, the appearance of visitors. Clothing on the islands is the main attribute of a person's social status. Despite the hot daytime weather, it is advisable to take a couple of long-sleeved sweaters with you in order to calmly walk along the embankment on cool evenings, and also so as not to catch a cold when entering rooms with air conditioners running with might and main. An extra cocktail or evening dress, which is mandatory for some restaurants, will not hurt in a suitcase.

Tips in restaurants are 15% of the check value, but you should pay attention to whether they are already included in the total amount. In hotels, it is not customary to tip service personnel.

Almost on all beaches there is a ban on sunbathing in the nude and even topless.

There are a number of restrictions on the import / export of certain goods and personal items from / to the territory of the islands of the archipelago. The list of articles prohibited for import into the Turks and Caicos includes narcotic drugs, any pornographic products and weapons, including for spearfishing. It is prohibited to export more than 2 liters of wine or 1.13 liters of other alcoholic beverages, more than 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars.

Leaving the island, everyone is forced to pay a tax at the airport in the amount of $ 35.

Credit cards are accepted everywhere (even in taxis), but you should always carry some cash with you.

Visa Information

Citizens of the Russian Federation and others CIS member countries A visa is required to visit the Turks and Caicos Islands, which can be obtained from any UK Visa Application Centre. The following documents are required to obtain a visa:

questionnaire of the established form, completed in English;

a foreign passport with at least one free page for gluing a visa, valid for the entire stay on the islands;

a copy of the page of the international passport with the personal data of the owner;

1 color photograph 3.5x4.5 cm in size;

copies of tickets in both directions;

confirmation of financial solvency;

certificate from the place of work;

hotel reservation;

Consular fee in the amount of $83 (paid either at the ticket office of the Visa Application Center or by credit card if the application is made online).

The period for issuing a visa can take from 10 to 20 days.

Citizens holding UK, Canadian or US residency and valid visas to those countries do not require a Turks and Caicos visa.

The British Embassy in Moscow is located at:

121099, Moscow, Smolenskaya embankment, 10

/ Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos - country information

Turks and Caicos Archipelago- these are 2 groups, consisting of 30 islands, only 8 of which are inhabited. The islands are located in Central America, in the Atlantic Ocean basin (21? 45 "N, 71? 35" W), east of Cuba, 48 km southeast of the Bahamas and 145 km north of Haiti, 900 km to southeast of Miami and 70 km southeast of the chain of the Bahamas, of which they are a continuation.

The Caicos Islands group includes: Western Caicos, Providenciales (Provo), North Caicos, Middle Caicos (Grand Caicos), East Caicos and South Caicos, separated from each other by narrow straits. Each island is surrounded by numerous reefs.
The group of Turks Islands, separated from the Caicos Islands by the 35-kilometer Columbus Strait (or Turks Island), includes Grand Turk Island, the small island of Salt Cay and a whole scattering of uninhabited reefs.
The total area of ​​the islands is 430 sq. km.

Providenciales Island

Providenciales, often called for short, Provo is the most popular island among tourists. They are attracted here by the noisy resort life, many restaurants, bars and shopping centers and not only ... Most of the hotels and the luxurious largest beach of the island, 22-kilometer Grace Bay (Grace Bay), equal in beauty to the famous sandy beach of Grand Cayman. The British "Sunday Times" named Grace Bay among the four best beaches in the world.
Another "magnet" is the longest reef chain in the world, bordering the islands. The Turks and Caicos is one of the best dive sites in the world.

FLIGHT

Regular flights to the islands are operated by British Airways. Transit landings - in London (with an overnight stay) and in Nassau (Bahamas).

HISTORY, POLITICAL STRUCTURE AND ECONOMY

The islands were discovered in 1512 by the Spaniard, Juan Ponce de Leon, at that time they were uninhabited, In the XVII century. they began to be populated by colonists from Bermuda. In the period from 1764 to 1783 they were captured by France, in 1783 - the islands became the possession of Great Britain, and until 1962 they were a colony of Great Britain as part of Jamaica, and in 1962 they received the status of a separate colony. In 1959, the islands were given the right to internal self-government.

Great Britain retained the right to determine only the foreign and defense policy of the country. The Queen of Great Britain is represented by the Governor, who is also the Chairman of the Executive Council, which consists of the Prime Minister and four ministers. The Executive Council administers the islands. The Legislative Council consists of 19 members.
The legal system is based on English common law and some old Bahamas and Jamaica laws modified locally.

The country has a constitution that came into force in 1976.

The main role in the country's economy is played by foreign tourism and income from financial services of the offshore zone. Fishing and fish processing, salt mining on the island of Salt Cay, the manufacture and sale of souvenirs for tourists are developing.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a classic offshore zone. Companies registered here are not subject to taxation and do not submit annual returns. The country maintains high confidentiality - a closed register of shareholders and directors. Information can be disclosed only by court order. When using nominee directors and shareholders, the true owners of the company cannot be identified at all.

CAPITAL

Cockburn Town on Grand Turk Island.

POPULATION

Before the discovery of the islands by the Spaniards, they did not have a permanent Indian population. In the 17th century, colonists from Bermuda began to come here for salt. With the advent of plantations, slaves from the African continent were brought here. Turks and Caicos Islands became a British colony in 1766 and were part of Jamaica from 1873 to 1962. Today, over 90% of the population are blacks and mulattos. The white population of the islands is made up mainly of immigrants from the United States and Canada.
Today, the population of the islands is about 21,000 people.

LANGUAGE

The official language is English.

RELIGION

On the islands, various Christian denominations are mainly represented: Catholicism, Baptist, Methodical, Anglican churches, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, etc.

CURRENCY

The most common currency is the US dollar. Traveler's checks and major credit cards are accepted.

TIME

Time zone Minus 7 hours.
In summer, time is 8 hours behind Moscow time, from the first Sunday in April to Saturday before the last Sunday in October - by 7 hours.

CLIMATE

The climate of the islands is tropical, trade wind.
The sun shines on the islands 350 days a year. The average monthly temperature in June-October is from 29 to 32C, sometimes in the last summer months it can rise to 35C. The average temperature in November-May is 27 to 29C. Water temperature in summer - 28-29C, in winter - about 23-26C. Constantly blowing trade winds make the weather favorable for a beach holiday all year round. Hurricanes are possible between June and October.
Vegetation is represented mainly by mangroves on the coast and rare pine forests.

VISA

Citizens of the Russian Federation require a visa to travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

CUSTOMS

Import and export of national and foreign currency is not limited.
Persons over the age of 18 are allowed duty-free import of up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 125 gr. tobacco products; up to 1.13 liters of alcoholic beverages or up to 2 liters. guilt. The import of drugs and drug-containing drugs, pornography of all kinds and harpoon weapons for fishing is prohibited. A permit is required to import firearms.

AIRPORT TAX

When departing from the country, a fee of 15.00 U$ is charged at the airport.

ELECTRICITY

120 volts (American standard - flat plug), in some hotels 240 volts, 50 hertz.

THE MEDICINE

In all major resorts you will be provided with medical assistance, where there are also well-equipped pharmacies at your service.

CLOTHES

Shorts, T-shirts and other light clothing are ideal for walking around the city, but by no means beach suits. In the evenings it can be cool, so it is recommended to take a light sweater or blouse with you on a trip. Some restaurants require evening costumes.

TRANSPORT

To rent a car, the necessary conditions are: the age of the driver - at least 21 years old; the presence of an international driver's license and Russian rights of a new type, a driving experience of at least a year; a valid credit card from one of the systems widely used in the name of the driver!

TIPS

There are no specific rules. If you liked the way you were served, then a tip of 15% of the total bill would be appropriate.

BANKS

Banks are open: Monday - Thursday from 8:30 to 14:30
Friday - from 8:30 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 16:30

HOLIDAYS AND NON-WORKING DAYS

January 1 - New Year
March 14 - Commonwealth Day
March 25 - Good Friday
March-April - Easter and Easter Monday
May 30 - National Heroes Day
June 12 - Queen's Birthday
August 1 - Emancipation Day
September 30 - Youth Day
October 10 - Columbus Day
December 25 - Christmas
December 26 - Boxing Day
Days off - Saturday and Sunday

FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

A huge number of holidays and festivals are held on these tiny islands, which is not surprising - the colorful mixture of cultures and customs characteristic of the Turks and Caicos has led to the formation of a large number of common traditions, and the predominantly Christian culture has led to the emergence of a large number of religious rites, each of which gradually "overgrown" with a large number of ceremonies.

On January 1, Grand Turk and Providenciales host the grandiose Giancanu Jump Up, accompanied by dancing from midnight to sunrise.
January 30 is the traditional Mini Triathlon in Providenciales.
In mid-February, the Cactus Slam Festival is celebrated.
March 17 is celebrated throughout the country as St. Patrick's Day.
March 31 - end of lobster season (on all islands).
On April 17, the annual Kite Flying Competition is held.
At the end of April - Earth Day and Salt Cay Island Festival (April 28-30).
At the end of May, the annual regatta is held in South Caicos, and the traditional folklore festival of Kinko de Mayo is held in Turtle Cove Bay.

Grand Turk Island hosts a two-day Summerjam festival every June, accompanied by live performances and beauty pageants.
On June 5, Providenciales hosts the Golf Club Cup competition.
June 19 - Father's Day.
At the end of June - Oval Ball rugby competition.

In June-July, the annual Turks and Caicos Fishing Championship is held in the waters surrounding Providenciales.
In July, Grand Turk hosts the Rack and Scrape Festival, accompanied by parades of bands playing traditional music, Carnival Conch, the annual Rotary Fishing Tournament, Heineken Tournament and Turks and Caicos Classic", as well as the annual regatta. North Caicos during this period hosts guests at the Festarama festival, and Providenciales hosts a week-long Summer Festival (the island's biggest holiday) with numerous regattas, parades, and a theatrical beauty contest.

From the beginning of June to the end of July, Providenciales hosts the International Women's Football Festival. On August 1, all the islands celebrate the opening of the lobster season. In late August - early September, the Cultural Week (Festival of Culture) takes place throughout the Turks and Caicos.

In mid-August, Providenciales celebrates Caicos Day, and at the end of the month, Grand Turk Carnival takes place during the week.
In October, North Caicos hosts: the noisy Extravaganza festival, the annual Oktoberfest festival (on all islands), the traditional Wave World regatta in Grace Bay and the Turks and Caicos Music and Poetry Festival.

On October 24, in the same place, in North Caicos, International Human Rights Day is held, and on October 31 - Halloween.
November hosts the annual Providenciales International Film Festival and Fisherman's Day, the annual Arts and Crafts Christmas Fair, and Museum Day.

In December, there are: the colorful "Homecoming Holiday", "Christmas Evenings of the Head of Government", the annual illumination competitions in the Caicos Islands, and on Grand Turk - the Lighting of the Lights on the Christmas Tree.

WHAT TO WATCH?

Cheshire Hall - the ruins of a cotton plantation.

A sea shell farm where small shells grow into adults, learn how pearls are grown, and if you wish, purchase shells for yourself that can be used to make salads.

The largest limestone caves in the Caribbean.

National Museum of Turks and Caicos, telling about the history of the islands.

During boat trips on a yacht in January-April, you can meet humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins.

An incredible place on Earth where you can relax from the gray city everyday life, lying on a beach with snow-white sand, diving in the clear emerald sea, and also being alone with nature among the tropical jungle - all these are the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean Sea. Tourists from all over the world come here every year, and no one is left disappointed with their vacation.

What to do, what to see, where to relax, what to eat and where to stay on the islands - you can learn all this from this article.

History

The Turks and Caicos Islands were discovered in 1512 by the Spanish navigator Juan Ponce de Leon. Since 1766, the islands have been officially recognized as a British colony.

The old coat of arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands showed a sailboat, a local resident on the shore, and two piles of salt. During the creation of the coat of arms, the English designer, having seen the images, decided that the mounds of salt were buildings, and added black “doors” to them. Thus, igloos, the national dwellings of the Eskimos, appeared on the coat of arms of the tropical islands. This coat of arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands until 1968 was considered official. Now the emblem depicts the flora and fauna of the islands and coastal waters.

Location

The Turks and Caicos Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean and are an archipelago that includes more than 40 islands. The Turks - to the east and the Caicos - to the west - are two island groups surrounded by reefs. The place where the Turks and Caicos Islands are separated from each other is called the Columbus Strait. The Bahamas are located 150 km to the north and 50 km to the southeast.

Many do not know which country is the Turks and Caicos Islands? The archipelago is a constitutional monarchy and belongs to the British territory overseas.

Climatic conditions

The climate in the Turks and Caicos Islands is maritime, sunny and relatively dry. Thanks to this, you can relax here at any time of the year. There are two main seasons on the archipelago: dry - from November to June and the rainy season, which lasts from July to October - at this time hurricanes and typhoons are possible. Thus, the best time for a beach holiday is from November to June. At this time, the air temperature reaches +29°C and is very comfortable. The water warms up to + 23-26 ° C.

How to get there

The islands do not have direct flights to Russia. The question immediately arises: how to get to the Caicos and Turks? From Moscow you can fly with a transfer in London, from where flights depart to Providenciales Island - the main tourist center of the state, where the airport is located, which receives all international flights.

You can also get from Russia through the Dominican Republic or the USA. The approximate cost of tickets for one round trip is 1700-1900 USD.

Visa regime

Citizens of the Russian Federation who come to the Turks and Caicos Islands require a visa, which can be obtained in some cases, you may be called for an interview.

Tourist infrastructure

Foreign tourism is the main source of income for the island nation. Despite the fact that the main routes of most cruise lines of the Caribbean Sea lie here, the presence of the largest and most incredibly beautiful coral reef and beautiful beaches, of the entire group of Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean, Providenciales is the only one where the tourist infrastructure is well developed. The rest of the islands are much less tourist-oriented, however, you can find hotels and restaurants on them, as well as beautiful beaches for relaxing.

Below we will review the main tourist destinations of the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as tips and recommendations for vacationers.

Providenciales Island

Locals call this island Provo, it is the main tourist center of the state. When choosing a tour to the Turks and Caicos Islands, tourists mostly stop at Provo Island. Numerous world-class hotels, shopping centers, casinos, a large number of bars, restaurants and nightclubs are offered to the attention of vacationers.

Most of the resorts of the Caribbean Turks and Caicos Islands in Providenciales are located on the northern coast of the island and are located along the beach in Grace Bay.

The main attraction of the island is the marine national park, which includes several salt lakes and reefs. Here you can see a large number of waterfowl.

It is not for nothing that diving enthusiasts choose Providenciales as their holiday destination - the coastal waters are incredibly clear, and the large coral reef, which is home to a variety of marine life, is perfect for diving and snorkeling.

Providenciales Island boasts Grace Bay Beach, which is 22 km long. It has repeatedly been included in the lists of the best beaches in the world. And this is not surprising: the purest azure water, snow-white sand, palm trees growing along the coastline are an ideal place for spiritual relaxation and scuba diving.

Interesting to visit in Providenciales is the underwater cave of Hole, as well as the only farm in the world where giant king shells are grown, which are an endangered species.

Grand Turk Island

The island curves around a coral reef, making it an ideal place for snorkeling and a stunning coastline for relaxation. The main attraction of Grand Turk is the coral reef, located at a distance of 200 meters from the coast. Swimming to the bottom of the reef, you can see how the seabed abruptly goes to a depth of 2.5 km - an incredible sight. Here you can meet with sea turtles, whale sharks, rays.

In winter, right off the shore of Grand Turk Island, you can watch the migration of humpback whales: such impressions will be remembered for a lifetime.

Those who are tired of a beach holiday are invited to visit the town of Cockburn Town. Here you can wander among the colonial buildings and wooden houses that were built at the end of the 19th century. The interest of tourists is also the Gibbs reefs, where fur seals live.

Salt Cay Island

A small piece of land, inhabited by only 80 inhabitants, is of great interest to tourists. This is due to the fact that windmills, salt sheds and salt lakes have been preserved here - characteristic features of the industry of the late 19th century. Tourists call this island an open-air museum. Here you can also see the famous Wanda Last Shoal, which attracts whales and rays due to the huge accumulation of plankton that the marine inhabitants feed on.

South Caicos Island

The smallest island of the archipelago, which attracts drivers from all over the world with a coral reef of incredible beauty. Due to the large differences in depths, the underwater world here is diverse and beautiful. In these waters you can meet a variety of sharks, rays, turtles, dolphins and even humpback whales. There are cliffs off the east coast of the South Caicos, and underwater caves in the reef serve as a habitat for a huge number of fish.

Western Caicos

An uninhabited island located at a distance of 8 km from Providenciales. This place is ideal for those who dream of a quiet holiday away from the crowds of tourists and unity with nature. Photos from Caicos Island are incredibly beautiful. In the east, there are beaches that are considered the best in the entire archipelago. The entrance to the sea here is gentle, the depth increases gradually, the water is very clear and has an incredible azure color.

On the West Coast, low limestone cliffs form a huge number of small beaches and secluded bays.

Almost the entire island is surrounded by the coral reef Molassis Reef, which contains the remains of a shipwreck that occurred in 1509. Of great interest is the underwater canyon, where giant sea sponges live, reaching a length of 30 m.

In addition, on the island you can visit the Katherine Lake Reserve, where flamingos live.

Middle Caicos

The largest island of the Caicos group attracts tourists with the Conch Bar cave complex and the national park, which are located in the very center of the island. Here you can admire stalactites and stalagmites, as well as underground lakes with the purest water. Once the caves were a sacred place of the Indians, who left a large number of petroglyphs on the walls.

When choosing a tour to the Turks and Caicos Islands, you will not find offers to relax in the Middle Caicos, as the tourist infrastructure is practically not developed here. There are no entertainment centers, clubs, hotel complexes on the island. Tourists are offered to rest in small boarding houses or guest houses, which contain good-natured and hospitable locals.

north caicos

One of the most beautiful islands, which is famous for the richest vegetation. Precipitation here is several times more than on other islands, so the flora on the island is more dense and diverse.

North Caicos is famous for its beautiful Whitby Beach. White sand, clear azure water and palm trees make it a heavenly place to relax.

Here you can visit the historic Waits Green plantation, which organizes excursions for everyone.

Restaurants

The local cuisine is based mainly on seafood and is a combination of British, Spanish, Indian and Irish traditions.

Once on the Turks and Caicos Islands, you should definitely try the traditional dish - grits, which is pea porridge with seafood, shellfish, smoked fish and vegetables.

The most popular drink on the islands is tea, which is brewed in accordance with English traditions - with milk.

Of the alcoholic beverages, only rum is common here. Connoisseurs note that on the islands it has excellent quality and is in no way inferior to the famous Cuban rum.

A must visit is the restaurant "Dora" on the island of Provo, specializing in seafood cuisine.

Hotels

There are hotels on the Turks and Caicos Islands for every taste and budget. Tourists with limited funds can stay in small guest houses or in the private sector with local residents who always welcome foreign guests. More demanding vacationers when booking a tour to the Turks and Caicos Islands can consider hotels from the 5-star category.

Grace Bay Club Hotel is an excellent option for accommodation. This luxury hotel is considered one of the most romantic in the Caribbean. Each room has its own terrace, which offers an incredible view of the azure sea, snow-white beaches and palm trees. The services provided to guests include a SPA program.

For those who want to relax in a real tropical paradise, the Parrot Cay hotel, located on a previously uninhabited island, is ideal. Vacationers are delighted with untouched nature, exotic plants, tropical birds. You can even see flamingos and hummingbirds. Kilometer-long beaches, the cleanest sea with a coral reef and white sand will not leave anyone indifferent.

Not to mention the amazing Amanyara Hotel. On a vast territory there are unsurpassed villas and pavilion rooms. The hotel has its own diving center. Scuba diving is open to both beginners and professional divers.