Travel Advisories for Turks and Caicos

Grace Bay Beach, Le Vele Resort, The Mansions Resort, and Villa Renaissance — Luxury resorts on Grace Bay Beach.

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is a British Overseas Territory located between the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. Defense and internal security (police) are the responsibility of the UK Government.

Unfortunately, crime rates in the Caribbean are generally higher than in North America and Europe. Overall, the region has seen an increase in crime in recent years, including in the Turks and Caicos. Much of the increase in crime in Turks and Caicos is due to infighting between criminal gangs in the islands—however, law-abiding residents and visitors have also been affected. For visitors, this is often due to ‘being in the wrong place at the wrong time’.

Foreign Government Advisories

The U.S. Department of State, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Global Affairs Canada publish international travel advice for most countries. All three of these government agencies publish travel advice for the Turks and Caicos.

The summaries below are the respective government advice as published on June 23, 2025.

U.S. Department of State Advisory for Turks and Caicos

The State Department assigns Travel Advisory Level 2 to Turks and Caicos: Exercise Increased Caution. This is the same level assigned to countries such as France and Germany.

Specifically in the Turks and Caicos, the Level 2 rating is due to crime. The Level 2 rating has been applied to Turks and Caicos for several years and is not a new classification for TCI.

Global Affairs Canada Advice for Turks and Caicos

The Government of Canada recommends that travelers ‘exercise a high degree of caution’ due to crime. The ‘exercise a high degree of caution’ classification is the same level applied for France and Germany (although in these cases, it is due to terrorism potential rather than local crime).

Kayaking near a small flank margin cave on a rock near Middle Caicos — Kayaking off the remote Highas Cay near Middle Caicos.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

The UK FCDO doesn’t assign travel advisory levels (apart from advising against travel to some countries or some parts of countries). However, their ‘Safety and Security’ section does highlight the increased risk of crime on Providenciales and Grand Turk.

Reducing Crime Risk

Travelers are advised to read the relevant Turks and Caicos travel advice from their country’s foreign office and inform themselves of general ways to reduce their chances of being a crime victim.

For specific recommendations and information, read Safety and Crime in the Turks and Caicos, How to Avoid Trouble, and Common Scams.