Currency in the Turks and Caicos Islands
Foreign exchange guide to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the US dollar
What's in this Turks and Caicos Islands currency guide?
What currency is used in the Turks and Caicos Islands?
The official currency of the Turks and Caicos Islands (country code: TC) is the US dollar, with symbol $ and currency code USD.
Things to know about the US dollar
Here are a few things you may want to know about the U.S. dollar:
The U.S. dollar is the official currency of the United States and is used for all transactions within the country.
It is abbreviated as "USD": The U.S. dollar is abbreviated as "USD," and the symbol for the dollar is "$."
It is accepted worldwide: The U.S. dollar is a widely accepted currency and can be used for transactions in many countries around the world.
Its value fluctuates: The value of the U.S. dollar can fluctuate based on a variety of economic factors, such as interest rates, inflation, and the strength of the U.S. economy.
It is issued by the Federal Reserve: The U.S. dollar is issued by the Federal Reserve, which is responsible for managing the country's monetary policy. The Federal Reserve is a quasi-independent agency that is responsible for setting interest rates and regulating the money supply in the U.S.
The U.S. dollar is the official currency of several countries outside the United States, including:
East Timor: The U.S. dollar is the official currency of East Timor, a country located in Southeast Asia.
El Salvador: The U.S. dollar is the official currency of El Salvador, a country located in Central America.
Zimbabwe: The U.S. dollar is one of the official currencies of Zimbabwe, a country located in Southern Africa.
The British Virgin Islands: The U.S. dollar is the official currency of the British Virgin Islands, a group of islands located in the Caribbean Sea.
The Marshall Islands: The U.S. dollar is the official currency of the Marshall Islands, a group of islands located in the Pacific Ocean.
The Federated States of Micronesia: The U.S. dollar is the official currency of the Federated States of Micronesia, a country located in the Pacific Ocean.
The U.S. dollar banknotes and coins
The physical currency consists of coins and banknotes. The coins come in denominations of 1 cent (¢), 5 cents (nickel), 10 cents (dime), 25 cents (quarter), and 50 cents (half dollar). The banknotes come in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.
The banknotes feature images of famous American historical figures, such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Benjamin Franklin. The design of the currency is constantly being updated, so the physical appearance of the coins and banknotes may vary slightly over time.
Travel money for the Turks and Caicos Islands
Save money and time by Ordering your US dollar online from Travelex, you get better rates and can pick up the USD cash locally or even on travel day at the airport.
Another popular option is to use a Pre-paid Travel Card. Your Debit/Credit Card provider will charge you 2% from market mid-rate, but your bank may also charge an extra 3% as an “Overseas Transaction Charge” plus “Overseas ATM” fees for withdrawing cash.
For card purchases if offered a choice of currencies always select to Pay in US dollar otherwise you may get much worst exchange rates.
Travel Ideas and Money Tips for the Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos are a chain of 40 islands that include Providenciales (the most populated island) as well as Grand Turk, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, and more. There are two airports—on Providenciales and Grand Turk—but most travelers fly in to Providenciales. For trips to the other islands, charter a boat or go with an operator like Silver Deep or Island Vibes. The Caicos Islands include some of the most popular tourist areas. The main destination for visitors is Providenciales, also known as Provo, which has the only 18-hole golf course on the islands and some laid-back casinos. Most hotels in Provo line the phenomenal Grace Bay.
The Turks Islands lie several miles southeast of the Caicos Islands. They are much smaller than the Caicos Islands, and more low-key. Grand Turk, home to the islands' capital, is a sleepy spot that offers plenty of island culture and history.
With the motto "Beautiful by Nature," its really no wonder why the islands' tourism marketing push centers on Turks and Caicos' quiet, natural beauty. Because of the islands' laid-back and slow-paced nature, you won't find nightlife comparable to Aruba or Barbados, but beach shacks and bars remain open for evening entertainment -- island-style.
Can I use Credit Cards on the Turk and Caicos Islands?
Credit card acceptance in the Turks and Caicos varies by island and by type of business.The majority of establishments on the island of Providenciales that cater to tourism accept credit cards, especially vehicle rental companies, accommodations, and large tour and activity companies. Some of the smaller restaurants and shops only accept cash.
How do I get around the Turks and Caicos Islands?
There are taxis on the island, but the best way to get around is by renting a car, which is available at the airport. The British Overseas Territory follows the U.K system and drives on the left side of the road. There are no public buses in the Turk and Caicos Islands. To rent a car, you need to be 25 or above, and hold a currently valid license. An International Driver Permit (IDP) is only required if your license is in a language other than English. The age limit is only 18 for scooters.
Taxis are available on all the inhabited islands. Cabs are unmetered and pricing is set (but not cheap): confirm the price before setting out. Prices from the airport to the major resorts on Providenciales are advertised on the wall outside the airport taxi rank.
USD/EUR Market Data
The below interactive chart displays the USD/EUR trend and UP▲ DOWN▼ HIGH▲ LOW▼ alerts
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency should I use in the Turks and Caicos Islands?
The domestic currency in the Turks and Caicos Islands is the US dollar.
What is the US dollar currency code and symbol?
The three letter currency code for the US dollar is USD — symbol is $.
Which countries use the US dollar?
It is the domestic currency in United States, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Caribbean Netherlands and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Is the US dollar a closed currency?
No, the US dollar is freely available and convertible. See guide: What is a closed currency?
What are equivalent amounts of EUR and USD?
Converted at EUR/USD interbank rate, compare Send Money and Currency Exchange exchange rates.
Send Money to the Turks and Caicos Islands - Best Rates
To get a good (and fair) exchange rate when sending money to the Turks and Caicos Islands you need to find and compare exchange rates for International Money Transfers (IMTs).
The available FX rates for sending money abroad can be very different to the mid-market (wholesale) rate which you see reported online and in the News.
You should especially compare your own bank's exchange rates to those available from Money Transfer specialists to see how much you can save - we make that calculation easy in the below table.
Get a better deal for foreign transfers to the Turks and Caicos Islands
When sending money to the Turks and Caicos Islands it’s important to compare your bank’s rates & fees with those we have negotiated with our partner money transfer providers. To get a better deal you should follow these 4 simple steps :
- Open an account with a BER reviewed FX provider (id docs may be required)
- You specify the local or US dollar amount you want to transfer
- Make a local currency domestic transfer for the requested amount to the provider's bank account in your country
- Once your funds are received by the provider the converted USD amount will be transfered to the recipient account you specify in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Use the above calculator to compare the exchange rates of FX specialist providers rates versus your bank's standard rates you can hopefully save around 5% and maybe more - end result is more US dollar deposited into the recipient bank account and less margins and fees kept by the banks!
