Welcome to the ultimate Turks and Caicos packing list.
Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the Turks and Caicos islands. This place is a tropical oasis that should be on everyone’s bucket list. With miles of white beaches, clear blue water, year-round warm weather, and exhilarating activities, the Turks and Caicos is one vacation you’ll never forget. No matter what season you decide to visit this paradise in, there are a few things you should bring with you. In this informational guide, you will discover 29 things to bring to the beautiful Caribbean Island.
Travel Documents for Turks and Caicos
1. Passport
A valid passport is required to enter Turks and Caicos. If your passport is expiring within six months of the date you leave the country, you will need to renew your passport before leaving home.
There are no visa requirements for U.S. citizens visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands.
2. Drivers License
Turks and Caicos is not very big, but if you plan on renting a car or moped, make sure you bring your driver’s license with you.
3. Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a must-have when traveling overseas, even if you only go for a short trip. In the event of an emergency, medical care can be extremely expensive in other countries, so having travel insurance can help alleviate some of that cost. Plus, some policies will also cover lost baggage, flight delays, stolen luggage and more. If something happens during your trip — whether it’s an injury or an illness — it’s good to know that your finances won’t be affected too much by an unexpected bill while abroad.
4. Cash and Credit Cards
The U.S. dollar is the official currency of Turks and Caicos, but other currencies are also accepted.
You’ll need cash for tips, airport porters and other small purchases, so bring at least $400 in cash with you. If you’re staying somewhere that doesn’t accept credit cards, it’s a good idea to bring even more cash.
Make sure your credit cards are in good standing and work internationally before your trip — if you’re planning on using them for purchases or paying with them at restaurants and hotels, it’s best to make sure they aren’t going to decline when presented with your purchases. Most debit cards will work just fine, but some issuers may charge extra fees for international use.
Please note that only U.S. dollars are accepted in North Caicos and Middle Caicos. There is no ATM on these islands, so bring some cash from Provo or Grand Turk if you plan on visiting them during your stay.
For the Beach in Turks and Caicos
5. Sand-Free Beach Towel
Bringing a towel may seem like an obvious thing to bring, but your hotel most likely has plenty, but you should consider bringing a sand-free beach towel. This type of towel usually comes with an attached pouch that has pockets for things like sunscreen, water bottle, phone charger…etc. You can even use it as a blanket at night if needed!
6. Sun Hat
A wide-brimmed hat is key to keeping your face shaded. There are very few trees on the islands, so you’ll need to bring your own shade.
Clip-On Baseball Cap Holder
7. Sun Protection
The sun is intense in Turks and Caicos, so be sure that you bring plenty of sunscreen. You don’t want to get burned while enjoying all the activities on this island paradise!
8. Waterproof Phone Case
Most phones are water and dust-resistant nowadays, but trust me, they don’t like salt water or sand. You are going to be spending lots of time on the beach, so it’s best to invest in a waterproof phone case. They’re not expensive, they will protect your phone from getting damaged, and should be on everyone’s Turks and Caicos Packing list.
9. Sunglasses
You’ll be outside a lot, so you want to protect your eyes from the sun. Pack a pair of sunglasses that are polarized, block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays and have photochromic lenses — they darken when exposed to UV light. Look for glasses that are scratch-resistant, as well.
10. Swimwear
Bring a bathing suit or two to enjoy the beautiful beaches. If you plan on snorkeling, bring a wet suit or water shoes to protect yourself from any sharp coral.
For Water Activities in Turks and Caicos
11. Snorkel Set
The water in the Turks and Caicos is crystal clear and there is plenty of fish to see. If you want to go snorkeling while on vacation, bring your own snorkel set because it will not be available at most of the resorts.
12. Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are reef-safe and less likely to cause coral bleaching than other chemical sunscreens.
13. Underwater Camera
Underwater cameras are not only fun to use but also useful for collecting memories of your trip. You can capture images of coral reefs, fish or other sea life that you see while snorkeling or diving. GoPro and DJI Osmo Action are the top ones to consider.
What to wear in Turks and Caicos
14. Clothing
The climate is tropical year-round, with high humidity and little rainfall. Plan on wearing lightweight cotton clothing (short-sleeve shirts and dresses) during the day, but bring along a few long-sleeve items for evening wear or cool mornings. Shorts are fine for both genders at all times of the year; pants should be khaki or other lightweight material that won’t show dirt easily. Sandals are appropriate footwear for most occasions; tennis shoes are a good choice if you plan to do any hiking or other outdoor activities.
15. Outerwear
Bring a light jacket or cardigan to wear on the plane. It’s also useful to have a waterproof jacket in case you get caught in a rain shower.
In Turks and Caicos, there is no need for heavy coats or sweaters. The average temperature ranges from about 72°F (22°C) in December to 84°F (29°C) in July. If you’re planning a trip during hurricane season from August to October, pack some warmer clothes just in case.
When planning your trip, make sure you know the best time to visit Turks and Caicos.
16. Shoes
Remember that Turks and Caicos is a tropical destination, so pack some comfortable shoes. Sandals are an excellent choice for the beach, but you should also have a pair of flip-flops or water shoes for exploring near the water. And if you plan to spend time in Provo, don’t forget your running shoes, the trails can be rocky and slippery!
17. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are the easiest way to organize your clothing and keep it organized in your suitcase. The cubes can be easily stacked or folded, and they take up little room in your luggage. They can also be used to separate dirty clothes from clean clothes, so you don’t have to worry about packing a bag full of dirty laundry.
The best part about packing cubes is that they’re not expensive! You can find them at any store like Target or Walmart for just a few dollars each. I recommend getting more than one set so that you can color code them based on their contents (for example, one for dirty clothes, one for toiletries).
If you don’t want to use packing cubes, then at least roll your clothing instead of folding it. Folding makes everything bulky and takes up more space than rolling does.
18. Daypack
A small backpack is essential for carrying your bag when going on day trips. It should have multiple compartments for storing all your travel documents, snacks, water bottles and sunscreen. When choosing a daypack, make sure it can fit in an overhead bin on the plane (but also fits under the seat in front of you). A good size is 20-30 liters.
If you are planning many activities, you will enjoy my article on Free Things to Do in Turks and Caicos.
Toiletries and meds for your Turks and Caicos Packing List
19. Body lotion
The best body lotions to take to Turks and Caicos are aloe gel or a super-hydrating moisturizer. These will help your skin stay hydrated and refreshed, especially if you keep the moisturizer in the fridge for an extra cooling effect.
Also explore the Best Destinations in the Caribbean.
20. After Sun Cream
When you get too much sun on your skin, it can become irritated and red. After sun lotion will help these areas heal quickly by soothing them with aloe vera or other preservatives that reduce inflammation and pain from sunburns.
21. Mosquito Repellant
The mosquitoes are everywhere on this island! We’ve had problems with them even when we’ve stayed at hotels with air conditioning! Bring lots of mosquito repellant or bug spray and spray yourself before going outside. Your skin will thank you later!
22. Essential Medication
You never know how long you’ll be staying in one place or how far away it is from a pharmacy. Bring any medications that you might need, and don’t keep them in your checked luggage in case they get lost on the way to your destination.
Electronics for Turks and Caicos
23. Power Adapter
When traveling from America, you won’t need a power adapter, they use 110V Type A and B sockets, but it’s always good to have one handy just in case.
24. Cameras
The Turks and Caicos Islands are picture-perfect. Make sure you have a camera with you so that you can capture all of those memories. For most of us, the camera on our phones will be good enough.
25. VPN
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a secure tunnel that encrypts your data and allows you to access blocked content. You can use a VPN to access your home country’s Netflix library for example. When using public Wi-Fi hotspots, a VPN can boost your internet security. To use a VPN on your electronic devices, you’ll need to download a VPN app and connect to a server in the country of your choice.
Bonus: Other things to consider for your Turks and Caicos Packing List
26. Reusable Water Bottle
You can find bottled water everywhere on the island, but we all know we have way too much plastic in the world, so a filtered, reusable water bottle will save the world and your wallet since you can refill it for free pretty much everywhere.
27. Neck Wallet
Neck wallets are very useful when you are on vacation. You can keep your credit cards, money and other essential documents in the neck wallet. This way, you can easily access your stuff without digging into your pocket or bag every time you need to pay for something.
28. In-Flight Essentials
We always bring wipes, sanitizer, snacks, headphones, and a book or e-reader when flying anywhere.
Clip-On Baseball Cap Holder
29. Travel Umbrella
Depending on the season when you are visiting, rainy days can be common in Turks and Caicos, so bring along a small umbrella for those days when you need it.
Before visiting the Turks and Caicos islands, check out my article on the Best Beaches for an unforgettable vacation.
Things to remember for babies/toddlers when traveling to Turks and Caicos
If you are traveling with your little ones, make sure to remember: diapers – especially swim diapers, baby or child-specific sunscreen, extra clothing and sleepsuits.
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The Ultimate Turks and Caicos Packing List
Hopefully, you will find this Turks and Caicos packing list useful in deciding what to bring and how to organize your luggage. When in doubt, think minimal. The Turks and Caicos are an island paradise, after all, and you want to be able to enjoy your vacation with those around you.
If you enjoyed this article also, check out my other Favorite Places to Travel.
What’s one thing that you always take with you?
Let me know in the comments below!
