This Popular Caribbean Island Just Got an Updated U.S. Travel Advisory—Here’s What It Means for Travelers

• The U.S. State Department updated a Level 2 travel advisory for the Turks and Caicos.
• The agency is advising travelers to “exercise increased caution” due to crime.
• Turks and Caicos has held a Level 2 status since 2023.

American travelers headed to the Caribbean should be aware of the new travel advisory for Turks and Caicos.

The U.S. government updated its travel advisory for the British Overseas territory to reflect the island’s laws about ammunition and firearms. Due to crime levels, Turks and Caicos is rated at Level 2, indicating that travelers should exercise increased caution when visiting the island. Most crime on the island is centered around Providenciales, the capital city. 

Turks and Caicos has had a level 2 status since July 2023.

On March 4, the advisory was amended to include a warning that all firearms and ammunition, including single stray bullets that might have been accidentally transported in luggage, are illegal. 

“Police strictly enforce these laws, even at the airport when travelers are leaving. Travelers face arrest, jail time, and heavy fines. Some U.S. citizens have been detained and unable to depart for several weeks or more after being found with bullets in their luggage,” the advisory states.

The penalties for possessing weapons and ammunition in Turks and Caicos are very high. “Offenders can face 12 years or more in prison. Though the law allows for some exceptions and discretion, the Department of State cannot guarantee your release,” the advisory says. “We urge all travelers going to the Turks and Caicos Islands to carefully check their luggage for stray ammunition or forgotten weapons before departing from the United States.”

“We are committed to ensuring that every visitor enjoys a safe, secure, and seamless vacation in our ‘Beautiful by Nature’ destination. While the advisory has not changed in its overall assessment, it reinforces the importance of our strict firearm regulations, which are in place to protect both residents and visitors,” Zhavargo Jolly, Turks and Caicos’ minister of tourism, said in a news release.

The U.S. advisory recommends checking all your luggage carefully before departure. It also suggests that travelers don’t try to physically resist any robbery attempt, avoid walking alone at night, and refrain from answering the door unless the traveler knows who is there.

Consular services for U.S. citizens in the Turks and Caicos Islands are provided by the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, The Bahamas. The government suggests travelers enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get crucial alerts in an emergency.