The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British overseas territory consisting of the southern islands of the Lucayan Archipelago. The islands derive their name from the Turkish pirates called simply the Turks which later became a synonym to the pirates alone. These small islands with barely a population of 32 thousand hosts over a million tourists yearly. This is all thanks to the islands wonderful waters and safety. Although Turks and Caicos are the safest destinations in the Caribbean there are still certain hazards that the visitors should be aware of.

Traveling info

When traveling to the Turks and Caicos Islands you must have a valid passport and a return or an onward ticket. TIC also exempts all of EU members and certain other nations from obtaining a Visa allowing for a Visa-free stay of up to 90 days. (List of exempt countries in sources). If the nation is not on the list the visitor will require to obtain a Visa unless already having a US, UK or Canadian visitor or resident Visa or a US green card. Some cruise lines to TCI accept the Canadian or US Enhanced Driver’s License which may be used in some circumstances however it is not advised to use these. In case of missing a cruise, you will be unable to fly home with your EDL. In the TCI drivers use the left-hand side of the road just like in the UK. Driving with an EU, the US or a Canadian license is permitted however using an International Drivers Permit is also accepted. There is no public transport of any sort on the islands. Be sure to have a plug adapter as the TCI uses American style plugs. Exchanging money before arrival is also a smart move as the only places to exchange money on the islands are banks that charge exorbitant exchange rates.

Traveling hazards

The only real danger when it comes to traveling around TCI is reckless drivers. The road fatality rate is 12.7 which is roughly the same as the US which is at 12.3 and significantly higher than the UK which is at 2.7. This trend is, unfortunately, rising mainly due to the influx of Haitians who provide illegal taxi services often without even obtaining a driver’s license, these drivers often stop directly in traffic lanes to pick up passengers and in addition will cut directly in front of you to re-enter the traffic or to turn. Best way to avoid any sort of an accident is to keep a longer than usual distance from other drivers. Some roads may also have potholes however that’s mainly in the rural areas. It is also advisable to stay in the speed limit as some roads have poorly marked speed bumps which may be a nasty surprise for a speeding driver. While getting around the island car rental is the safest option due to lack of any sort of public transportation. It is advised to avoid the local “Jitneys” which serve as the local taxi and are usually unlicensed, poorly driven and charge inflated prices which may grow up to 15$ compared to a standard rate of 1 up to 5 dollars for a fare.

Environmental hazards

There are no large land mammals or reptiles that pose any threat to humans. The TCI, however, experiences a mosquito problem, especially after heavy rainfalls. Visitors are advised to prepare themselves and purchase mosquito repellants which are widely available on the islands. There are more dangers in the waters of TCI than on the land. TCI reefs are home to many poisonous creatures that may not be able to kill, but definitely will leave a nasty memory. Lionfish and scorpionfish have been spotted in the waters however these only appear around the coral reefs and are not aggressive only attacking when feeling threatened. It is advised to avoid walking on the coral reefs in general due to numerous amount of poisonous creatures inhabiting its areas. It is worth mentioning that shark attacks throughout the history of the islands happened only 3 times and none of these was fatal or resulted in a loss of limb however it is advised not to go swimming after dusk when these creatures are most active.
The hurricane season may be the greatest of the dangers TCI has to offer. Starting in early June and ending in August the hurricane season has recently brought the greatest devastation the TCI has suffered yet. The Maria Hurricane has hit the islands heavily causing floods and damaging buildings and infrastructure, however, the islands dealt very well having the fastest rate of recovery from the cataclysm with almost full recovery within 100 days of the occurrence.

Health hazards

There are no required vaccinations upon entering the TCI however there are recommended vaccinations which are your routine vaccinations aka MMR vaccines, Hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies vaccine. There have been 5 cases of Zika virus reported therefore it is strongly advised to take exercise increased caution in areas with large amounts of mosquitoes. The TCI has one general hospital and many small clinics can provide free healthcare for the natives but not for tourists. When purchasing health insurance make sure it also covers medical evacuation to the US and Bahamas as in case of an emergency that the local hospital can not deal with, the patient will be taken to either Nassau in Bahamas or Miami in Florida US.
In case of an emergency call 911.

Crime

The TCI is the safest place in the Caribbean, being considerably safer than Bahamas or Jamaica. The average crime threat is just on the same level as in New York City. However, that does not mean the TCI is free of crime. Most of the crime happens in the most populated area of Providenciales leaving the remaining island almost crime free. The worst of all the crime to happen is the armed invasions of rental villas. It is estimated that 2 up to 8 of these happen every year. Certain providers now hire security guards or neighbor patrols that reduce the risk of armed invasions. Armed robberies are still a major problem especially in the area of Providenciales. These usually happen after dusk and involve both residents and tourists. 136 of such robberies were recorded in 2016, 96 involving firearms and 130 of these happening in Providenciales. Thefts prevail as the most common form of crime and mostly involves stealing belongings left inside cars and stealing unattended valuables. Of course, common sense is to be applied at all times, leaving your valuables in your room that should contain a safe is advised. Avoiding isolated areas after dusk is also advised as the armed robberies can occur most likely in such places. Narcotics of any kind are illegal and punishable as a criminal offense.

Summary

The Turks and Caicos Islands are one of the safest Caribbean destinations with a lot to offer. The islands boast not only beautiful sites but also a well-developed town and infrastructure. It is a Caribbean place with a European standard of living. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa exemptions)
https://www.visittci.com/travel-info/passports-and-visas
(Crime)
https://www.visittci.com/about/safety-and-crime
(Vaccines)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/turks-and-caicos