• Population: 58,000
• Capital: Cockburn Town
• Demographics: Ethnically, 88% black, 9% white, 3% mixed/other.
• Religion: 73% Protestant, 12% Catholic, 15% other.
• Type of government: Parliamentary Representative Democratic Dependency
• Currency: U.S. Dollar
• Common foods: seafood, lionfish, ceviche, conch

English is the official language of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

As a University of Illinois student, you have access to library resources (such as Rosetta Stone and Libguides). You may also want to consider free sources to learn basic phrases, or to refresh your language skills prior to departure.

It is each students responsibility to independently verify the visa information below and ensure they apply and secure the appropriate documentation to travel and stay in their host country for the duration of their program.

You must have a passport to enter all of the countries the SFS program take place. Make certain that your passport is valid until six months after the program ends.

For U.S., U.K., or Canadian citizens, there is no visa application process that you need to complete prior to the SFS program. Students who are not citizens of the U.S., U.K., or Canada are responsible for investigating whether or not they must make arrangements for their visa prior to arrival.

When you arrive at the airport in Provo, you will need to go through immigration and will need to present your passport in order to be issued a 90-day visitor’s pass. If questioned about the purpose of your visit, explain that you are a student at the School for Field Studies on South Caicos and request a 90-day stay. It is up to the immigration officer to decide how many days are given. Once you arrive at the Center, we will work with you to extend your visitor’s pass for the duration of the program.

The 90 day visitor's pass will need to be renewed once during the semester. The cost for renewal is $50 US (cash only), and the SFS staff will handle the process with local immigration officials.

To read more on passport and visa terminology see the Passports & Visas page of this website.

Phones

• When travelling to Turks and Caicos, you can either choose to use an international data roaming plan through your US service provider, or buy a local SIM card, as long as your phone is unlocked. This is recommended for long-term stays longer than a few weeks.
• Make sure you have the Duo Mobile app set up on your phone. If you get a new SIM card, use the passcode options instead of PUSH, or go to UI Verify website to enter your new phone information.

Internet

• Internet infrastructure varies from island to island, but in more populated areas such as Providenciales and Grand Turk, 4G wireless connection speeds are available. Most hotels and cafes will have wifi access in these regions. Other islands may only have slow 2G speeds available.

Electricity

• Turks and Caicos uses U.S.-style power plugs and 60Hz standard electricity. No plug converters or voltage adaptors are needed for US travellers.

Banking Tips

• Major banks in Turks and Caicos include First Caribbean Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Scotia Bank, and more. Credit and debit card acceptance depends on the island and type of business.
• Larger islands and tourist locations are more inclined to accept credit cards, whereas smaller islands and local shops may only accept cash.
• Providenciales and Grand Turk are the best islands to find ATMs to extract cash. ATMs are difficult to find on smaller islands. It is a good idea to bring cash with you to Turks and Caicos, and to always have at least a small amount of cash ready for use on small transactions and for emergencies.
• Make sure to notify your local US bank before departing to Turks and Caicos to ask about transaction fees, credit and debit card use, etc.

Geography

• The Turks and Caicos Islands are one of the smallest countries in the Caribbean, but hold nearly 250 miles of coastline beaches and about 40 islands.
• Turks and Caicos is the destination for an annual Humpback whale migration, all the way from the northern waters of the Bay of Fundy in Canada.
• There are no lakes or rivers in Turks and Caicos, as the entire country is comprised of islands. The Conch Bar Caves, located on Middle Caicos, are also the largest above-ground cave system in the Caribbean.

Climate

• Turks and Caicos is characterized by a tropical climate, with high temperatures year-round. The hot and muggy season stretches from May to October, and the slightly cooler season from December to March. Average temperatures are about 75 degrees Farenheit in the winter, and 82 degrees Farenheit in the summer.
• The rainy season in the Caribbean that stretches from May to October is relatively short in Turks and Caicos in comparison to other island systems. The rainiest month tends to be November.

Packing

• It is recommended to pack light, no matter what time of year you are travelling.
• Normal summer clothing is acceptable, and it is a good idea to bring a sweater or light jacket for cooler evening temperatures, or windy days.
• A rain jacket or umbrella is also recommended.
• Bring lots of suncreen, as sun coverage is high throughout the year on the islands.
• For more packing considerations, view the Packing List (PDF).

Traveling Locally

• There is no public transportation on the Turks and Caicos Islands. The best way to get around is either by car or taxi. Walking is not an efficient or viable option as destinations are very spread out. Taxis are available on large islands as well as some smaller islands. Rates are always negotiable as cabs do not have set metered rates. Renting a car on larger islands may be a good temporary solution for constant travel.
• Bikes and scooters are an affordable travel option, and some places even offer complimentary use.
• Small passenger ferries travel regularly from Providenciales to North Caicos (most trips per day, 30 minutes), Providenciales to South Caicos, and Grand Turk to Salt Cay. Regular routes travel either a few times a day or a few times per week, and a 1-way fare costs about $25.
• Common regional airlines: InterCaribbean Airways, Caicos Express Airways

Each student faces different barriers and unique challenges based on their identity. For example, how you identify in the United States may not be how you choose to identify abroad because of the local social culture. We encourage all students to reflect on the different aspects of their identity and consider how they may play a role in their study abroad experience. To help with this thought process: visit the State Department website and look into the Identity & Inclusion resources available on this website.

International Safety and Security provides important wellness tips, along with using your insurance and the emergency phone number. Be sure to become familiar with this website and the resources available to you. Review the U.S. Embassy page and the Department of State website for additional safety resources.

Enroll yourself in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) with the U.S. Department of State. Registration in STEP will allow you to get alerts on the latest safety and security information. In addition, the information you provide enables the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency.