Quick answer. Turks and Caicos uses the US dollar, so there is nothing to exchange. There is no public bus: you take a taxi from the shared queue outside arrivals, which charges about $28 per person to most Grace Bay resorts, usually less for additional passengers. Many drivers want cash; confirm the total, including bags, before you set off. The airport's machines, including Scotiabank in the check-in hall, dispense US dollars. Scotiabank is a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner in Turks and Caicos: BoA's $5 non-network fee is waived, but the 3% international transaction fee still applies.
Where to get US dollars at PLS
At PLS Americans exchange nothing: the only costs are your own card's fees. Figures assume $100 of spending.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paying by a no-FX-fee card | Everywhere | None | $100 |
| Paying with US cash | Taxis, tips, conch shacks | None | $100 |
| Scotiabank ATM with a BoA debit card | Check-in hall | BoA's 3% international fee; $5 waived | ~$103 |
| Card with a 3% foreign transaction fee | Anywhere | 3% even though no currency changes | ~$103 |
Bank machines at Providenciales (PLS), and the taxi queue
Providenciales, Provo to everyone who lives there, is the gateway for most visitors to Turks and Caicos, and its single terminal is a 15-minute drive from Grace Bay. There is no currency exchange counter, because there is no other currency: the territory has used the US dollar since 1973. Scotiabank has a machine in the check-in hall and CIBC Caribbean one elsewhere in the terminal, and both dispense dollars. The real costs are elsewhere. Every room, meal and drink carries a 12 percent hotel and tourism tax, most resorts add a 10 percent service charge and some a resort fee, and the departure charges of roughly $60 are built into your air ticket. The Turks and Caicos money guide covers the out-islands and island prices.
Arrivals hall
All international flights: American, Delta, JetBlue, United, British Airways, Air Canada, WestJet and the regional carriers
After immigration and customs, the taxi dispatcher's queue, hotel transfer desks and car hire are outside. There is no exchange counter, and none is needed.
Check-in hall
All departing flights
Scotiabank's machine is here, and a CIBC Caribbean machine is also in the terminal. Both dispense US dollars. A BoA card at the Scotiabank machine avoids BoA's $5 fee; the 3% still applies.
Taxi queue
Licensed island taxis and vans
The dispatcher assigns you a van, often shared. Fares to Grace Bay are about $28 for the first passenger, and less for each extra one. Bags can cost extra. Confirm the total and whether the driver takes cards before loading.
Do you actually need cash at Providenciales (PLS)?
For the taxi, usually yes. There is no bus, and drivers prefer cash:
Shared taxi to Grace Bay resorts (about $28 per person; extra passengers often half rate): About 15 minutes; cash preferred.
Private car or pre-booked transfer (roughly $50-135): Booked in advance, usually by card.
Hire car (roughly $60-100 a day): Drive on the left, mostly in American cars; credit card deposit.
Public bus (none): There is no public bus service on Providenciales.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Providenciales (PLS) to Grace Bay?
Usually yes, for the taxi: there is no bus, and many Providenciales drivers want cash, in US dollars. After that, resorts, restaurants and shops take cards. Keep small notes for tips and the conch shacks at Da Conch Shack and the Bight fish fry.
Can I order US dollars before flying?
Not needed: Turks and Caicos uses the US dollar. Bring small bills for taxis and tips. CEI Currency Exchange ships small US notes if you want them ready.
What currency does Turks and Caicos use?
The US dollar, officially, since 1973, even though it is a British Overseas Territory. There is no local currency, so Americans need no exchange at all. A US card with a foreign transaction fee may still charge it, because the merchant is outside the US.
How much is a taxi from Providenciales airport to Grace Bay?
About 28 dollars per person to most Grace Bay resorts from the shared taxi queue, with additional passengers usually charged less, and extra for large bags. Confirm the total before you leave, and carry cash: not every driver takes cards.
Why is my Turks and Caicos hotel bill so much higher than the room rate?
Because the government's hotel and tourism tax of 12 percent applies to rooms, meals and drinks, most resorts add a 10 percent service charge, and some add a resort fee on top, with tax on that too. Bills often run about a third above the advertised rate before any tip.