Turks and Caicos Money, Currency, and ATMs
The Turks and Caicos Islands uses the U.S. Dollar as its official currency. Whereas cards are widely accepted, acceptance is not universal, and it's common for card processing to be offline due to bank and IT issues. Before visiting, you’ll want to make sure you have enough cash on hand and available money to pay for transportation, meals, excursions, souvenirs, and other vacation expenses.
Cash Versus Card
Credit cards are widely accepted, and international credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express can be used to make most purchases, as can Cirrus and Plus bank cards. Some businesses that are popular with tourists—such as the Ritz-Carlton and Shay Café—only accept credit cards, while others only accept cash, so it's recommended to carry both.
Smaller food and souvenir vendors and taxis typically only take cash, while most restaurants, stores, hotels, and many watersports companies accept credit card. Always carry cash—it’s common for card readers to go offline. Small bills are best, as businesses can struggle to get change for large bills if the nearest ATM is out of order.
If you’re visiting North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Grand Turk, or Salt Cay, plan to carry more cash. ATMs are non-existent on Middle Caicos and Salt Cay, and there are only a few ATMs on Grand Turk. Most vendors on these islands only accept cash.
Some taxis accept credit card, but most don’t.
Foreign Exchange/Bureau de Change
There is no Foreign Exchange or Bureau de Change at the Providenciales International Airport (PLS) or anywhere in the country, apart from local banks.
These banks can change some foreign currencies, including the British Pound, Euro, and Canadian Dollar, to U.S. dollars. However, fees, long lines, and limited availability can make this a big hassle (bank queues can be over two hours).
Exchange currency before arriving in the islands. You can also use an on-island ATM, though most charge a withdrawal fee of around $5. Withdrawing from a credit card can result in additional cash advance fees.
ATMs
Providenciales has the majority of the country’s ATMs. Local ATMs can be found at the main grocery stores. In the Grace Bay area, two ATMs are found inside Graceway Gourmet. Unfortunately, local ATMs are frequently out of service, so if you’re running low on cash and see a working machine, use it while you can. A broken ATM will typically remain broken for the duration of a stay.
Making a cash withdrawal at a local ATM will cost less than using a local bank to exchange currency. However, it’s best to check with your card issuer and bank ahead of time to determine the rate you will get. Credit cards with 0% foreign transaction fees are the best option.
North Caicos and South Caicos each have one ATM. There are a few on Grand Turk, and none on Salt Cay or Middle Caicos.
Armed robberies and muggings do occasionally happen in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Carry only the cash you need and don't use ATMs at night.
Digital Payment Methods
A growing number of vendors in the Turks and Caicos now offer contactless payments, meaning you can use mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Google Pay to pay for goods and services.
While this is a new added convenience in the islands, it’s best not to rely on mobile payment services to pay your bill. Bring cash just in case.
Local Taxes and Fees
There are several taxes and fees you’ll need to be aware of to accurately determine the cost of meals, accommodation, and other expenses on your vacation.
The Turks and Caicos Government charges a mandatory tourist tax of 12% on all stays in the country (with the exception of Beaches and Club Med Turkoise, which charge 7.5%). You’ll likely also see this tax on any meals you consume, watersports activities and spa services that you book, and concierge services you use.
There is no sales tax in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Restaurants often include a service charge of 10% on bills. Be sure to check your bill to see if the establishment has already added a gratuity before tipping.
Tipping
Tipping is expected in the Turks and Caicos, and good service generally warrants a tip of 15–18%. In other words, if your bill already includes a 10% service charge, you’ll need to add 5–8% to make up the difference.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Binance, and Ethereum are not accepted by businesses and merchants in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Costs
The Turks and Caicos Islands is not a cheap travel destination, and prices here can be much higher than those in the United States and Canada. There is a high season and a low season for tourism in the islands, and accommodation prices typically fluctuate based on the time of year.
Food and grocery prices are high, especially for perishables and imported alcohol. Watersports excursions and activities will typically cost you $100 or more.