An incredible place on Earth where you can relax from the gray city everyday life, lie on the beach with white sand, go scuba diving in the transparent emerald sea, and also be alone with nature among the tropical jungle - all these are the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. Tourists from all over the world come here every year, and no one is disappointed with their vacation.
What to do, what to see, where to relax, what to eat and where to settle on the islands - all this you can learn from this article.
History
The Turks and Caicos Islands were discovered in 1512 by the Spanish navigator Juan Ponce de Leon. From 1766 the islands were officially recognized by the British colony.
The old coat of arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands depicted a sailboat, a local on the shore and two heaps of salt. During the creation of the coat of arms, the English designer, having seen the images, decided that the embankments of salt are buildings, and painted black “doors” to them. Thus, the igloo, the national home of the Eskimos, appeared on the emblem of the tropical islands. Such a coat of arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands until 1968 was considered official. Now the coat of arms depicts the flora and fauna of islands and coastal waters.
Location
The Turks and Caicos Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean and are an archipelago with over 40 islands. Turks - in the east and Caicos - in the west - are two island groups surrounded by reefs. The place where the Turks and Caicos Islands are separated from each other is called the "Strait of Columbus." Haiti is located 150 km north , and the Bahamas is 50 km southeast.
Many do not know which country of Turks and Caicos Islands? The archipelago is a constitutional monarchy and belongs to the territory of Great Britain overseas.
Climatic conditions
The climate on Turks and Caicos Islands is marine, sunny and relatively dry. Thanks to this, you can relax here at any time of the year. There are two main seasons on the archipelago: dry - from November to June and the rainy season, which lasts from July to October - at this time hurricanes and typhoons are possible. Thus, the best time for a beach holiday is from November to June. At this time, the air temperature reaches + 29 ° C and is very comfortable. Water warms up to + 23-26 ° C.
How to get there
The islands do not have direct flights to Russia. The question immediately arises: how to get to the islands of Caicos and Turks? From Moscow you can fly with a change in London, from where flights depart to Providenciales Island, the main tourist center of the state, where the airport is located, which accepts all international flights.
Also from Russia can be reached through the Dominican Republic or the United States. The approximate cost of tickets for one round trip is 1700-1900 USD.
Visa regime
Citizens of the Russian Federation coming to Turks and Caicos Islands need a visa, which can be obtained at the British Embassy in Moscow. In some cases, you can call for an interview.
Tourist infrastructure
Foreign tourism is the main source of income for the island nation. Despite the fact that the main routes of the majority of the cruise lines of the Caribbean Sea lie here, the presence of the largest and most incredibly beautiful coral reef and beautiful beaches, from the whole group of Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean Sea, the island of Providenciales is the only one where the tourist infrastructure is well developed. The remaining islands are much less focused on tourists, however, you can also find hotels and restaurants on them, as well as beautiful beaches for recreation.
Below will be considered the main tourist destinations of the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as tips and advice for vacationers.
Providenciales Island
Locals call this island Provo, it is the main tourist center of the state. Choosing a tour to the Turks and Caicos Islands, tourists mainly stop on the island of Provo. The guests are offered numerous world-class hotels, shopping centers, casinos, a large number of bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
Most of the resorts of the Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos Islands on Providenciales are located on the northern coast of the island and are located along the beach in Grace Bay.
The main attraction of the island is the marine national park, which includes several salt lakes and reefs. Here you can see a large number of waterfowl.
Diving enthusiasts are not in vain choosing Providenciales a place for their relaxation - the coastal waters are incredibly clean, and the large coral reef, which is inhabited by a variety of marine inhabitants, is perfect for diving and snorkeling.
Providenciales Island boasts Grace Bay Beach, which is 22 km long. He repeatedly entered the lists of the best beaches in the world. And this is not surprising: the purest azure water, snow-white sand, palm trees growing along the coastline are an ideal place for spiritual relaxation and scuba diving.
An interesting place to visit on Providenciales is the underwater cave of Hole, as well as the only farm in the world where giant royal shells are grown, which are an endangered species.
Grand Turk Island
The island is surrounded by an arc of a coral reef, which makes it an ideal place for scuba diving, and thanks to the stunning coastline, you can relax here. The main attraction of the Grand Terka is the coral reef, located at a distance of 200 m from the coast. Sailing to the foot of the reef, you can see how the seabed sharply goes to a depth of 2.5 km - an incredible sight. Here you can meet with sea turtles, whale sharks, stingrays.
In winter, right from the shore of the island of Grand Turk, you can watch the migrations of humpback whales: such impressions will be remembered for a lifetime.
Those who are tired of a beach holiday are invited to visit the town of Coburn Town. Here you can wander among the colonial buildings and wooden houses that were built at the end of the XIX century. Tourists are interested in the old lighthouse, as well as Gibbs reefs, where fur seals live.
Salt Cay Island
A small piece of land, on which only 80 residents live, is of great interest to tourists. This is due to the fact that windmills, canopies for salt and salt lakes are preserved here - characteristic features of the industry of the late XIX century. Tourists call this island an open-air museum. Here you can also see the famous Wanda Last Sandbank, which attracts whales and stingrays due to the huge accumulation of plankton that the marine inhabitants feed on.
South Caicos Island
The smallest island of the archipelago, which attracts drivers from all over the world with a coral reef of incredible beauty. Due to the large differences in depths, the underwater world here is diverse and beautiful. In these waters you can find a variety of sharks, stingrays, turtles, dolphins and even humpback whales. Rocks are located off the eastern coast of South Caicos, and the underwater caves in the reef are home to a huge number of fish.
Western caicos
Uninhabited island located at a distance of 8 km from Providenciales. This place is ideal for those who dream of a quiet holiday away from the crowds of tourists and about unity with nature. Photos from the island of Caicos are incredible beauty. In the east, there are beaches that are considered the best in the entire archipelago. The entrance to the sea is gentle, the depth is increasing gradually, the water is very clear and has an incredible azure color.
On the West Coast, low limestone cliffs form a huge number of small beaches and secluded coves.
Almost the entire island is surrounded by a Molassis Reef coral reef, which stores the remains of a shipwreck that occurred in 1509. Of great interest is the underwater canyon, where giant sea sponges, reaching a length of 30 m, live.
In addition, on the island you can visit the Katherine Lake Nature Reserve, where flamingos live.
Middle Caicos
The largest island of the Caicos group attracts tourists with the Conch Bar cave complex and the national park, which are located in the very center of the island. Here you can admire stalactites and stalagmites, as well as underground lakes with clear water. Caves were once the sacred site of the Indians, who left a large number of petroglyphs on the walls.
When selecting a tour to the Turks and Caicos Islands, you will not find offers to relax in Middle Caicos, since the tourist infrastructure is practically not developed here. There are no entertainment centers, clubs, hotel complexes on the island. Tourists are invited to relax in small pensions or guest houses that contain good-natured and hospitable locals.
North Caicos
One of the most beautiful islands, which is famous for the richest vegetation. Precipitation here is several times greater than on other islands, so the flora on the island is more dense and diverse.
Northern Caicos is famous for its beautiful Whitby Beach. White sand, clear azure water and palm trees make it a paradise for relaxation.
Here you can visit the historic Waits Green plantation, which organizes excursions for everyone.
Restaurants
Local cuisine is mainly based on seafood and is a combination of British, Spanish, Indian and Irish traditions.
Once on the Turks and Caicos Islands, you should definitely try the traditional dish - grits, which is pea porridge with seafood, shellfish, smoked fish and vegetables.
The most popular drink on the islands is tea, which is brewed in accordance with English traditions - with milk.
Of alcoholic beverages, only rum is common here. Connoisseurs note that on the islands it has excellent quality and is in no way inferior to the famous Cuban rum.
A must-see is the Dora restaurant on Provo Island, specializing in seafood.
Hotels
Hotels on the Turks and Caicos Islands are for every taste and budget. Tourists with limited cash can stay in small guest houses or in the private sector with local residents who always welcome foreign visitors. More demanding vacationers when booking a tour to Turks and Caicos Islands can consider hotels from the category of 5 stars.
A great option for accommodation will be the Grace Bay Club hotel. This luxury hotel is considered one of the most romantic in the Caribbean. Each room has its own terrace, which offers incredible views of the azure sea, white beaches and palm trees. The services provided to guests include a SPA program.
For those who wish to relax in a true tropical paradise, the Parrot Cay Hotel, located on an uninhabited island, is ideal. Enthusiastic nature, exotic plants, tropical birds delight vacationers. You can even see flamingos and hummingbirds. Kilometer-long beaches, the cleanest sea with a coral reef and snow-white sand will not leave anyone indifferent.
One cannot but mention the stunning Amanyara Hotel. On a vast territory there are unsurpassed villas and pavilions. The hotel has its own diving center. Both beginners and professional divers can go scuba diving.
Tourists reviews
Everyone who was lucky enough to relax on the Turks and Caicos Islands, unanimously say that this was the best vacation in their life. The cleanest sea, white sand and unsurpassed beauty of the underwater world are remembered for the rest of my life. Photos from Turks and Caicos Islands can be used as a screensaver for your computer desktop.
According to tourists' reviews, hotel service always remains at a high level. The staff is friendly and well aware of their responsibilities. All-inclusive hotels offer a variety of different dishes.
You can always rent a sun lounger and an umbrella on the beaches, the coastal area is kept in order and clean, the entrance to the sea on most beaches is gentle and ideal for tourists with children.
Summarizing all of the above, it should be noted that the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean are the place on Earth that everyone should visit.