After three years of restrictions, Turks and Caicos is finally dropping its vaccine requirement and returning to normal tourism on April 1.
In the past year, more than 150 countries around the world dropped all entry requirements and returned to normal, but Turks and Caicos persisted with a vaccine requirement.
However, that is finally set to expire on April 1,meaning that this Caribbean island destination will once again be accessible to all travelers, regardless of vaccine status.
As a British Overseas Territory, Turks and Caicos has the authority to issue its own entry requirements, even though the United Kingdom dropped all entry requirements more than a year ago.
This Caribbean island territory was one of the few places left that still had a vaccine requirement in place, but that will finally be dropped next week.
Does Turks And Caicos Have Any Other Entry Requirements?
According to the Turks and Caicos tourism website, there are no longer any other entry requirements or Covid-related travel restrictions in place.
The requirement to complete a pre-travel authorization form has been dropped, travelers no longer need to take a pre-departure Covid test, and proof of travel insurance is no longer required either.
Within Turks and Caicos, there is no need to wear masks anywhere, and there are no longer any capacity restrictions in bars and restaurants.
So with the dropping of the vaccine requirement on April 1, tourism will fully be back to normal in Turks and Caicos after three full years of impacted travel.
In 2019, Turks and Caicos welcomed 1.6 million visitors, but due to the restrictions imposed by the government, that number was slashed to less than a quarter in the following years.
Why Visit Turks And Caicos?
Now that Turks and Caicos is returning to normal tourism and welcoming all travelers regardless of vaccination status, here are some reasons to consider this Caribbean island destination for your next tropical getaway.
Turks and Caicos is an archipelago of forty islands (eight of which are inhabited) that is located southwest of the Bahamas.
Providenciales and Grand Turk are two of the most popular islands to visit.
The islands are known for their stunning beaches with white sandy shores and crystal-clear blue waters, all-inclusive resorts, and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving.
Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales has been named the best beach in the world by various sources, while scuba diving in Turks and Caicos is also considered some of the best in the world due to the islands’ location on a barrier reef.
There are also tons of activities to try in Turks and Caicos, including paddleboarding, kayaking, parasailing, horseback riding, fishing, windsurfing, boat cruising, and much more.
Getting To Turks And Caicos
Another one of the best reasons to visit Turks and Caicos is because of how accessible it is. The islands have one international airport on Providenciales.
For American travelers, you can reach Providenciales in just a short flight – just under two hours from Miami, and only 3.5 hours from New York. There are nonstop flights to Turks and Caicos from more than a dozen cities across the United States,as well as Toronto and Montreal in Canada.
The easy access, frequent flights, and proximity of Turks and Caicos makes it the perfect destination for a tropical getaway.
The best time to visit Turks and Caicos is February through April for the combination of great weather and reasonable prices. August through November are the cheapest time to visit the islands, but you may experience some less-than-ideal weather at this time of year.