At Home in Turks and Caicos The breathtakingly beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands, situated 575 miles southeast of Miami and 39 miles south east of Mayaguana in the Bahamas, boasts one of the longest coral reefs in the world. Needless to say, it has garnered a reputation of being a premier diving destination and also offers a host of other recreational activities, like fishing and snorkeling. The immaculate waters of the islands, the white sandy beaches, world-class hotels, finest restaurants, and the friendly people are only some of the reasons why you will want to visit this island again and again.
Turks and Caicos Real Estate, Economy and Infrastructure The official currency of the islands, US dollar, is augmented by the crown and quarter and you can carry traveler’s checks, which are accepted by all major hotels and can be cashed at local banks. Turks and Caicos Islands heavily rely on the tourism industry, and the islands also serve as a major offshore financial center.
The addresses in Turks and Caicos lack the typical street numbers. You may find an address that simply states “old Airport Road” or “behind Glass shack” and so on. Street signs are slowly being added and you may have to rely on landmarks to reach a desired location. For your accommodation and real estate needs, you can choose from a wide range of options (this includes hotels, beach houses, and resorts) to fit your budget. As the islands are becoming more popular, Turks and Caicos real estate is at an all time high, with prices that are rapidly rising. Condominiums start at about $300,000, while single family homes are in the upper $800’s.
Real estate investment in Turks and Caicos do not come with the traditional taxes, such as property tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax. The rules here are not very stringent and the open real estate market does not require residency or any other permit to invest in real estate property. The Turks and Caicos real estate market includes spectacular beachfront condos, and a wide range of residential and commercial properties. Whether you decide to visit or buy real estate and make the islands your home, relax – and let the beautiful islands of Turks and Caicos work their magic on you.
Turks and Caicos Activities, Dining and Entertainment
There’s a lot to see and do when you visit the unexplored islands of Turks and Caicos. While snorkeling, scuba diving, cruising, and fishing are the most popular activities, you can also look forward to a great golfing experience.
Home to the only conch farm in the world, your visit to Providenciales cannot be complete until you visit the conch farm and discover the different stages of conch cultivation from veliger to adult. “JoJo the Dolphin Project” is also a must see when visiting the islands. Another popular attraction is the Turks and Caicos National Museum, which demonstrates the culture and history of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The islands also have a rich culinary culture – and dishes on offer include delectable chicken, lamb, beef, pork, conch meat, pasta, and vegetarian dishes. The islands have some of the finest restaurants, offering a Continental or Caribbean ambience.
When it comes to holidaying in the exotic islands, don’t restrict yourself to the beaches alone. This is also the place where you can enjoy exciting nightlife. Dance away to reggae and Latino music played in the popular discos and clubs, or try your luck at Provo’s casino. Check out the hot spots where you can enjoy soothing music played by local bands. You’ll be able to feel the Haitian and African influence when you hear reggae, calypso or other versions of traditional music.
You can also pamper yourself with some of the best shopping areas in Providenciales. From colorful beachwear, handbags, tropical shirts, and exquisite pieces of jewelry to paintings, wood carvings, and hand-woven straw baskets and hats, Turks and Caicos has just about everything it needs to tempt visitors to part with their money.
Turks and Caicos Climate 
An annual average temperature of 83°F, low humidity and easterly trade winds together make the climate of Turks and Caicos most welcoming for tourists and real estate investors the world over. Compared to their other Caribbean counterparts, these islands have an arid climate and receive less than fifty inches of rainfall every year, mostly during the hurricane months of summer.
Turks and Caicos Location and Travel The Turks and Caicos Islands boasts 230 miles of white sandy beaches that attract countless tourists every year. It is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations due to its round-the-year sunny weather that heightens the holiday spirit. You feel as if you have entered an altogether different world when you set your feet on the islands. The Turks and Caicos Islands are located at a distance of 575 miles southeast of Miami, 120 miles northwest of the Dominican Republic and 30 miles northwest of the Bahamas. The islands are typically divided in to two groups – “The Turks Islands” and “The Caicos Islands”. Turks and Caicos Islands are comprised of eight inhabited islands and 40 cays on 166 square miles of land, and the topography varies greatly from sand dunes to lush green vegetation. The most popular carrier to visit these unexplored islands is American Airlines, which flies between U.S. cities and Providenciales International Airport. American travelers can also reach the islands on other popular carriers, including Delta, Spirit Airlines, and US Air, while tourists from UK can check out the flight schedule of British Airways to board a flight from London. Once you reach the islands, you can move around by taxis that are widely available on Providenciales and Grand Turk. You may also rent a car or motorcycle for the sake of convenience. Although the islands follow a right-hand road system, almost half the cars are designed for left hand driving, and you must be extremely careful when driving in Turks and Caicos.
Turks and Caicos Culture and History While it’s a matter of debate regarding who could have been the first residents of the Islands, historical evidence indicates that the Turks and Caicos was inhabited by Taínos, followed by Lucayan natives before the arrival of Europeans. Things were fine until the middle of the 16th century when their culture flourished; however, the arrival of Europeans marked their end as these early natives succumbed to European diseases or forced into slavery. The French, Spanish, and British each owned the islands for some time and the ownership was ultimately passed on to Great Britain. This hopeless struggle for power did not contribute into the development of the islands in any way, as the islands neither had any gold nor did they fall on the main sailing routes. In addition, lack of adequate rain in the region also ruled out the chances of having sugar plantations in that area.
There was practically no civilization until 1678, when Bermudians came to the islands and soon began extracting salt and logging trees. Salt (popularly called as “White gold”) was sent through boats to New England and the Maritime Provinces of Canada to cater to cod-fishing industries out there. Bermudian prosperity was noticed by the Spanish and Bahamian governments and it soon became the target of pirates who came to islands to rob the wealthy salt traders here. In 1753, these pirate attacks provoked a French attack and the islands came under the French rule.
The very next year, a British warship was sent to reclaim the islands; however, the French managed to occupy Grand Turk twice later. The Turks and Caicos soon became a part of Jamaica in 1874 owing to their trade links between London and Kingston, Jamaica. The power was transferred to The Bahamas after the independence of Jamaica in 1962. After about ten years, the Turks and Caicos Islands became a British Crown colony in 1973. Despite this colonial struggle for ownership of the islands, Turks and Caicos has managed to build a stable society and a vibrant culture and its pristine beaches steeped in natural beauty are simply untouched.
The majority of people in Turks (indigenous Turk’s Head “fez”, meaning cactus) and Caicos (Lucayan term “cay hico,” meaning string of islands) Islands include descendants of black slaves who are a friendly lot. Turks and Caicos also has an international flavor due to the vast number of immigrants from various parts of the world – including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, United States and the island of Hispaniola (including Haiti and Dominican Republic).
Turks and Caicos Location and Travel The Turks and Caicos Islands boasts 230 miles of white sandy beaches that attract countless tourists every year. It is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations due to its round-the-year sunny weather that heightens the holiday spirit. You feel as if you have entered an altogether different world when you set your feet on the islands. The Turks and Caicos Islands are located at a distance of 575 miles southeast of Miami, 120 miles northwest of the Dominican Republic and 30 miles northwest of the Bahamas. The islands are typically divided in to two groups – “The Turks Islands” and “The Caicos Islands”. Turks and Caicos Islands are comprised of eight inhabited islands and 40 cays on 166 square miles of land, and the topography varies greatly from sand dunes to lush green vegetation.
The most popular carrier to visit these unexplored islands is American Airlines, which flies between U.S. cities and Providenciales International Airport. American travelers can also reach the islands on other popular carriers, including Delta, Spirit Airlines, and US Air, while tourists from UK can check out the flight schedule of British Airways to board a flight from London.
Once you reach the islands, you can move around by taxis that are widely available on Providenciales and Grand Turk. You may also rent a car or motorcycle for the sake of convenience. Although the islands follow a right-hand road system, almost half the cars are designed for left hand driving, and you must be extremely careful when driving in Turks and Caicos.
Turks and Caicos Climate An annual average temperature of 83°F, low humidity and easterly trade winds together make the climate of Turks and Caicos most welcoming for tourists and real estate investors the world over.
Compared to their other Caribbean counterparts, these islands have an arid climate and receive less than fifty inches of rainfall every year, mostly during the hurricane months of summer.
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto “One people, one nation, one destiny”
Anthem “God Save the Queen”
Capital Cockburn Town
Official Languages English
Government Queen HM Queen Elizabeth II Governor Richard Tauwhare Premiere Michael Misick Parliamentary Democracy Non sovereign, overseas territory of Britain Area 417 km² (199th) 161 sq mi Water negligible Population 2006 Estimate: 32,000 (156th) Density 61 /km² 98 /sq mi Currency U.S. dollar (USD) Time Zone (UTC-5) Internet TLD .tc Calling Code +1-649
Maps
Turks and Caicos Islands
