Is it safe to travel to Turks and Caicos Islands?

Travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands is now considered a degree riskier by the United States, where the State Department has increased its travel advisory rating for the British Overseas Territory due to criminality in some areas.

Located in the Bahamas island chain in the West Indies, the Turks and Caicos benefit from “some of the world’s most spectacular coral reefs and beaches” according to Lonely Planet. It has until now enjoyed a reputation as a high end destination, where “the pace of life is easy-going, the local welcome genuine and the diving truly out of this world.”

“Exercise increased caution”

But now American visitors are being urged to “exercise increased caution” with a “Level 2” alert issued by the US on 4 March 2025. The raised flag is a result of high crime levels in Providenciales, the main island in the northwest of the archipelago, where the State Department says, “police may have limited investigatory resources.”

Today is U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, and we're here to remind U.S. citizens to read the Travel Advisory for your destination to be aware of the risks of traveling to certain countries.  If the Travel Advisory for your destination mentions a risk of hostage taking or… pic.twitter.com/hPKYJ56hNe

— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) March 9, 2025

The detailed information page for the destination notes that “American citizens are not specifically targeted for crime in the Eastern Caribbean islands.” But crime types that “occasionally occur” are listed as “petty larceny, burglary, automobile break-ins; as well as incidents of violent crime, such as murder, sexual assault, robbery, shootings, and drug related crimes.”

Meanwhile, Canada’s official Turks and Caicos advice highlights risks such as rental vehicle theft, muggings and armed assaults in popular tourist areas, and says that “armed invasions and assaults at private villas with inadequate security have been a growing concern since 2016.” Canada also warns of drink and food spiking that can lead to sexual assault.

Apply “metropolitan” levels of caution

Perhaps surprisingly, the precautions that tourists are urged to take on Turks and Caicos are the same as “in any major metropolitan area of the U.S.”, according to the US State Department. They include: not leaving valuables or drinks unattended; not going out alone and restricting nighttime activities to reputable areas; varying routines, favouring well-lit routes and avoiding unmarked taxis; not displaying wealth; and not engaging in illegal activity.

One particular note of caution applies to visitors who may own or use guns. A local crackdown on violent crime has led to increased police enforcement of laws on firearms and ammunition, which are illegal on the territory. Simply having bullets in luggage can result in legal difficulties. “Travelers face arrest, jail time, and heavy fines,” the advisory warns. In 2024 alone, all of those punishments were applied to US citizens, including a terminally ill man and a grandmother.

Though the US and Canada have raised the alert, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) advice for its territory at the time of writing says: “Levels of crime across the Turks and Caicos Islands are relatively low. Providenciales and Grand Turk have seen higher levels of gun-related crime than other islands. While risks are generally lower in tourist areas, always take local advice and be aware of your surroundings.”