The Turks and Caicos Islands are islands in the possession of Great Britain. They are located in the Caribbean Sea, one of the small territories that did not want to fall away from Great Britain with the centrifugal desire for independence that swept the entire Earth in the 20th century. The islands cover a total area of 417 square kilometers. They are inhabited by 21 thousand people.
The islands are offshore zones where many companies are registered who do not want to pay taxes. These islands are very reluctant to provide registration information - only by court order. In fact, the state of uninterrupted trial for most firms is a normal working state and distresses only in the early years. Then the lawyers of the firm simply regularly go to courts as to work. Routine, but this is life.
Besides offshore, tourism is a significant profitable business of the islands. For Russian citizens 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 surprisingly friendly place. Diving is widely developed for tourists, you can watch humpback whales and numerous dolphins - bottlenose dolphins. With these smart creatures, you can have a good time swimming in a race and listening to their twitter.
Travel Notes Day 30The Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory north of Haiti. It's funny that next to the very ass of the world there are real paradise islands with excellent beaches, luxury hotels and restaurants. Surprisingly, there are almost no people here. It seems that the whole country is one big good resort hotel. Everything is very soulful and at home. Despite the fact that not everyone can afford a vacation in the Turks and Caicos (everything is very expensive), there is no pathos and glamor, like in St. Barts, there are no crowds of American bobblehead tourists like in the Bahamas. The first paradise islands that I liked. I even decided to leave the camera and take some rest. So there will be few photos today).
01. Take off to Miami! M-mm-mm, interchange) 
02. Houses 
03. General view of Miami. Tomorrow we will take a more detailed walk around the city. 
04. As you can see, almost the entire city is rectangular blocks of one-storey buildings. 
05. There are skyscrapers in the center. 
06. Basically, the standard layout of any American city. 
07. Miami Airport. 
08. Houses 
09. Rich District 
10. The famous beach with expensive United Russia apartments 
12. And here is our destination, the Turks and Caicos Islands. As you can see, the islands are surrounded by reefs, so there is always a calm warm sea on the beaches. 
13. View from the plane to Providenciales, where I am flying. There is the airport on the right. 
14. As I said, Turks and Caicos Islands are true islands of paradise. Deserted beaches with white sand stretch for tens of kilometers. There are no storms here, no rocky shores, just like advertised. 
15. Looked at one of the beaches. 
16. Everyone swims with masks and looks at corals. The reefs are close here, so you can watch fish and all kinds of underwater beauty a few meters from the shore. The sea is warm and calm. Everything that's needed. 
17. People are few. 
18. The development of the islands is typical American provincial. Hangars of shops and shopping malls, one-story houses immersed in greenery. Left-hand movement. 
19. The coast is actively being built up. Every second house is for sale. It is worth noting that the villas for sale here are very good in architecture. I don’t know about the prices. 
20. Look what lovely houses. 
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23. There are also almost no high fences here. Everything is like the States. 
24. Bentley 
25. Home 
26. Bank. Like many other Caribbean islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands are a popular offshore company. 
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28. Surprisingly, there are a lot of angry stray dogs on the island. As soon as you get out of the car, some flea carrier is already rushing to bite you 
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31. The Turks and Caicos Islands are 30 islands. There are islands with luxurious villas of celebrities, there are uninhabited islands with real paradise beaches from chocolate advertisements, there are islands with pirate caves and awesome nature. 
32. This is such a paradise island. 
And yet, the Turks and Caicos are expensive. Hotels will cost 2-3 times more expensive than similar hotels in other resorts. For a three-star room far from the sea, they ask for $ 250, a room in a resort hotel with a beach will cost from $ 1,000. Food is more expensive than in Moscow, both in restaurants and in supermarkets. The taxi driver at the airport will ask for $ 100 for a twenty minute ride. Maybe that's why there are few people here, although this has its own special thrill.
33. There is an abundance in supermarkets that even Moscow grocery stores can envy. Here's a fresh lobster tail for $ 23 a pound. As I understand it, a pound is about a third of a kilogram. Never seen tails sold separately before. Comfortable. 
34. Look at the meat! 
35. Steaks cost about 1000 rubles per kg. 
As of April 2013, the Turks and Caicos national football team is officially recognized as the worst football team in the world.
The whole journey:
Day 1: San Francisco, USA
Day 2: Carmel Valley, USA
Day 3: Apple, Facebook, Google, USA
Day 4: 17 mile road, sunset in SF, USA
Day 5: Bermuda
Day 6: Bahamas
Day 7: Bahamas
Day 8: Cayman Islands
Day 9: Jamaica
Day 10:
Day 11: Aruba, Baneiro and Curacao
Day 12: Road to the Dominican Republic
Day 13: Dominican Republic Part 1
Day 14:
The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Territory consisting of 40 islands in the Bahamas 144 km from Haiti. The main population lives on 6 islands. We will tell you about what a vacation in Turks and Caicos is, 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 develop 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, while the Turks and Caicos 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 an overseas territory of Great Britain. 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 levy, while individuals pay insurance levy and taxes related to tourism activities.
You do not need a visa to travel to 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 more document is needed. At the airport, when leaving the Russians, a tax 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. The 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 is mid-December to May.
Islands on the map:
Any tourist can feel safe on the islands. It is forbidden to appear partially or completely nude on public beaches. You can swim only in a strictly designated place. The zone between the coast and the reef is considered safe, on the outside of which a sharp slope is possible, as well as dangerous marine life.
Mandatory vaccinations and optional tips
Strong currents are possible near the reefs, so you cannot swim in a beautiful, but forbidden place. On the islands, it is recommended to drink only bottled water, as the local one has an unpleasant taste and is polluted. It is not customary to tip in hotels, and in restaurants it is 15%, usually included in the bill.
Holidays in the Turks and Caicos Islands 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.
Food caution
Meat and fish should be well done; care should be taken 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 operate on specific routes and the fare is set by the driver. If you choose a taxi, it is better to negotiate 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 Cockburn Town Civic Center is located on Grand Turk Island. The government has settled here since 1766, when salt was 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 get around the city and the island by taxi, by the way, any taxi driver can be a guide and show 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 came ashore. There is an unusual museum building on Front Street. It is 180 years old and was built from the wreckage of ships. Supports are masts. In the museum, in addition to historical artifacts and documents, you can see items washed ashore as a result of a shipwreck.
Near the museum you can take a walk in the shady garden. There is an old limestone lighthouse nearby. He warned sailors about the reefs stretching in a ridge into the sea. Before its installation, the number of shipwrecks was enormous. The lighthouse was made in the UK and delivered in parts. People come here to watch the sunset. It is considered fortunate to see the green flash.
On horseback…
Horseback riding along the beach will be very interesting for a tourist. Part of the path goes along the ocean, it is very unusual to sail on a horse! You can also ride a buggy or jeep on the sand dunes.
On the 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 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 most
Another large island is Providenciales, abbreviated as Provo. He was chosen by divers. Humpback whales can be seen near the island from December to April. It is home to the longest reef chain in the world, a 22 km long beach, one of the 25 best in the world.
The best beaches are located on the island of Providenciales, despite the fact that the landscapes here are not so picturesque as in 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 elite hotels and single bungalows to choose from. The temperature throughout the year is kept within the range of 29-35 degrees. International shopping centers, airport, casinos, hotels and rental points, bars and restaurants - the island's infrastructure is well developed.
Elite rest
The world's only giant royal seashell farm, Caicos Conch Farm, is also located here. Beginners will be able to try their hand at mastering surfing, for this there are all the conditions. Also for tourists are provided golf courses, casinos, you can rent a yacht.
The resort is famous for horse riding. At the Provo Pony stable, we will individually pick up a horse for you to walk along the beaches. During the excursion, the guide will tell you a lot of interesting things, take pictures of you, and also offer you to swim on a horse or with a horse.
There are also many offers for lovers of elite recreation. You can rent a yacht. Parking lots such as Sapodilla Bay or Livard Marina have plenty to choose from. There is also a golf club with very good first-class courses.
Acquaintance with the secrets of the island
If you collect various souvenirs from your travels, you can buy wonderful eco-friendly tableware here. It is made from palm leaves. And such plates and bowls will be a wonderful interior decoration.
Do you like adventure? Travel to the mysterious Hole Cave. Visit the Pirate Reef at Parrott Cay In the western part of the island is the Princess Alexandra National Park. There are several salt lakes and coral reefs in the park. Travelers will be able to observe the life of waterfowl and marine life. There is a specially equipped playground for children.
Turks and Caicos landmarks
The coral reefs of the Caribbean attract many diving enthusiasts. If you are a big fan of the underwater world, its pristine beauty, then you should certainly visit this resort.
About the beauty of the coast - in the video:
Let's talk about the kitchen
The main foods on the islands are seafood, fish and rice. On Providenciales Island, Dora Restaurant serves delicious seafood dishes. Lobster and shellfish dishes are also good. A popular local dish "grits" is pea porridge with seafood, shellfish with vegetables, smoked fish and poultry meat.
A popular drink is rum punch, which is made up 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 and expensive. Average dinner for two from $ 150.
On Grand Turk Island, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is located in the Cruise Center. Noisy American-style tourist parties are held here.
And a little about shopping. You can bring as souvenirs dishes, hats, baskets made of palm branches. Duty-free shops at the Grand Turk Cruise Center offer 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 (between apartments and condominiums), luxury villas.
Luxury hotels offer free beaches with full infrastructure, spas, golf clubs, playgrounds.
Condo hotels are located on Providenciales Island. The service is top notch, the rooms are expensively decorated. Most of these hotels have gyms, spas, swimming pools. Many are located near beaches and are popular for weddings.
Many popular American entertainers have hosted weddings on 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. Local cuisine is often offered in hotels, the meals are prepared by the owner himself. This is considered very honorable. On weekends, they organize barbecues by the pool, various events. You can rent a room in a 2-star hotel for $ 120 per night.
Vacation in the Turks and Caicos is not the cheapest. A day 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 in a restaurant. Therefore, when going to the islands, carefully plan your budget. To have enough money for all the excursions and still have enough money for souvenirs.
