English

Baptist 40%, Anglican 18%, Methodist 16%, Church of God 12%, other 14%

The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, offshore financial services, and fishing. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than three-quarters of the 175,000 visitors that arrived in 2004. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.

Defense is the responsibility of the UK.

The Embassy is located at 42 Queen Street, Nassau, The Bahamas (next to the McDonald’s Restaurant and across from the British Colonial Hilton Hotel.) It may be contacted by email or fax (242) 356-7174. Non-emergency services are by appointment (see available appointment slots on website). Walk-ins are seen Mondays and Fridays, 9:00 – 11:00a and Wednesdays, 1:00 – 3:00p (except for US and Bahamian holidays). American citizens in the Turks and Caicos may obtain emergency assistance: by calling (242) 322-1181 during regular business hours or (242) 328-2206 after-hours.

U.S. citizens do not need to obtain visas to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands as tourists for less than 90 days.

Air Travel: All Americans traveling by air outside the United States are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States.

Sea Travel: As of June 1, 2009, Americans traveling by land or by sea are required to present either a valid U.S. passport or other valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. Other valid WHTI travel documents include: passport card, enhanced driver’s license, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST card. Sea travelers should also check with their cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.

Applications for the new U.S. Passport Card are now being accepted. The card may not be used to travel by air and is available only to U.S. citizens. Further information on the passport card and upcoming changes to U.S. passport policy can be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs web site. We strongly encourage all American citizen travelers to apply for a U.S. passport well in advance of anticipated travel. American citizens can visit travel.state.gov or call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on how to apply for their passports.
Visit the Embassy of the United Kingdom web site for the most current visa information.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information Sheet.

Airports:  8, Airports w/paved runways:  6

Providenciales International Airport (PLS/MBPV)
Providenciales Airport, Turks & Caicos Islands, Providenciales, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
Tel: +1 649 941-5670, (Customs) +1 649 946-2345, (Immigration) +1 649 946-4233
Fax: +1 649 941-5558
Email: info@provoairport.com
Website: www.provoairport.com

Grand Turk Airport, Turks & Caicos Islands, Grand Turk Island, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
Tel: +1 649 946-2138, +1 649 946-2137
Fax: +1 649 946-1185

CRIME:  Petty street crime does occur. Visitors should not leave valuables unattended in their hotel rooms or on the beach. Visitors should make sure that their hotel room doors are securely locked at night. In the Turks and Caicos, visitors may dial 999 or 911 for emergency police, fire, or medical assistance. In the Turks and Caicos, carrying illegal/undeclared firearms or ammunition is a very serious crime, as is possession of illegal narcotics. 

All Caribbean countries can be affected by hurricanes. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov.

Infant MR total:  14.36 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL 75.19 years  (male 72.91./female 77.59.)

Required: None
Recommended: Hep A & B, Typhoid
Boosters: MMR, DPT, Polio

Dengue epidemics have occurred on many of the Caribbean islands. Most islands are infested with Aedes aegypti, so these places are at risk for introduction of dengue.  Protecting yourself against insect bites (see below) will help to prevent this disease.
Cutaneous larval migrans is a risk for travelers with exposures to beaches and leptospirosis is common in many areas and poses a risk to travelers engaged in recreational freshwater activities. Such activities may include whitewater rafting, kayaking, adventure racing, or hiking. Endemic leptospirosis is reported in Jamaica. Travelers to regions in Jamaica can reduce their risk to leptospirosis by avoiding activities which expose them to contaminated fresh surface water. Outbreaks of  ciguatera poisoning, which results from eating toxin-containing reef fish, have occurred on many islands.

Medical facilities are available but limited in the Turks and Caicos. There is a small public hospital on Grand Turk and a private clinic on Provo, which has a hyperbaric chamber. Most serious medical problems require medical evacuation by air from the Turks and Caicos to the United States.
The Turks and Caicos Islands do not have a pathologist to perform services in cases of death. Medical Examiners from neighboring countries visit the island regularly to provide this service. It can take up to two weeks for the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands to release the remains of the deceased under normal circumstances, and severe weather during the hurricane season could delay the process even more.

In 2006, malaria (falciparum) was confirmed in travelers to Great Exuma, Bahamas, and Kingston, Jamaica, areas where malaria transmission typically does not occur. An outbreak of eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis occurred in travelers to Jamaica.

Country Code: 1-649
Internet Code:  .tc