Wondering what the legal drinking age in Turks and Caicos is? You’re in the right place.
The legal drinking age in Turks and Caicos is 18 years old and up, which is consistent across all of the islands. This may surprise visitors from the United States, where the drinking age is 21 years old.
However, the legal drinking age is 18 in many popular tourist destinations, including the US Virgin Islands, Aruba, and Costa Rica.
Let’s dive into Turks and Caicos legal drinking laws, and everything you need to how about consuming alcohol in the country.
What is the legal drinking age in Turks and Caicos?
The legal drinking age in Turks and Caicos is 18 years old and up, which is consistent across all 40 islands.
Unlike the United States where the drinking age is 21 years old, 18 year olds can purchase alcohol in Turks and Caicos as long as they present a valid form of ID.
The legal drinking age in Turks and Caicos is 18.
The legal drinking age in Turks and Caicos, including all 40 islands, is 18 years old and up.
People under the age of 18 years old are considered minors and cannot drink alcohol, even with parental supervision.
If you appear under 21, you can expect to be asked for an ID when buying alcohol throughout the islands.
Turks and Caicos Open Container Laws
There are no open container laws in Turks and Caicos, so you can drink in public spaces (beaches, parks, etc.).
However, public intoxication is prohibited, so it’s important to know your limits and drink responsibly.
What are other drinking laws in Turks and Caicos?
Although there’s no open container laws, it’s important to know that there are no alcohol sales on Sunday in Turks and Caicos.
This means that you can’t purchase alcohol from stores on Sunday, but drinks are still served in resorts and bars.
Additionally, Turks and Caicos has strict drinking and driving laws.
If you plan on going out at night, you should always rely on taxis, Ubers, or a sober designated driver to get back to your accommodation safely.
What’s Turks and Caicos legal alcohol limit?
The legal alcohol limit in Turks and Caicos is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood. Driving and driving is strictly prohibited in Turks and Caicos.
People caught driving under the influence may be subject to serious fines, license suspension, and potentially time in prison.
Legal Consequences Of Violating Turks and Caicos Drinking Laws
The penalties for violating Turks and Caicos drinking laws is severe, and can lead to a hefty fine ($5,000 USD), or up to 12 months in prison.
To avoid violating Turks and Caicos drinking laws, here are some helpful tips.
- Always keep a valid ID on hand when purchasing alcohol
- Never drink and drive (Call an Uber or taxi)
- Bring a designated driver when going out
- Be responsible if drinking in public spaces (Know your limits)
- Don’t purchase alcohol on Sundays (Reserve drinking to bars & restaurants)
Where is the drinking age below 21 in the world?
Although the drinking age being 18 years old may come as a surprise to US visitors, the drinking age is below 21 in over 60% of countries!
To put it into perspective, here is a list of a few countries with drinking ages below 21.
- Bahamas: 18 years old
- Aruba: 18 years old
- Costa Rica: 18 years old
- US Virgin Islands: 18 years old
- Germany: 16 years old
- Barbados: 16 years old
- Cuba: 16 years old
Drinking Age In Turks and Caicos FAQS
Can a 16 year old drink in Turks and Caicos?
No, 16 year olds cannot drink in Turks and Caicos even with parental supervision, as they’re considered minors.
Minors caught underage drinking, or people caught selling alcohol to minors may face legal consequences.
Do you need an ID to buy alcohol in Turks and Caicos?
Yes, you need a valid form of identification (government issued ID or passport) to verify your age if you appear under 21 years old.
How old do you need to be to purchase alcohol in Turks and Caicos?
The legal age to purchase alcohol in Turks and Caicos is 18 years old and above.
People under 21 will likely be asked to show ID to verify their age when purchasing alcohol.
How strict are Turks and Caicos drinking laws?
Turks and Caicos has no open container laws so it’s not as strict as other countries when it comes to drinking in public.
However, alcohol sales are permitted on Sundays, and driving under the influence is strongly prohibited.
How much alcohol can you bring to Turks and Caicos?
Visitors 17 years and older are allowed to bring up to 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of wine (less than 40% alcohol by volume), duty-free into Turks and Caicos.
How much does alcohol cost in Turks and Caicos?
The average price for alcohol in Turks and Caicos varies throughout regions, but is around $8-$12 for a beer, and $10-$15 for a mixed cocktail at a bar.
Is the drinking water safe in Turks and Caicos?
The drinking water is safe to drink in Turks and Caicos, but many visitors find the taste unpleasant.
This is because Turks and Caicos tap water is sourced from rainfall collection or desalination plants.
Although it’s safe to drink, you may want to opt for water bottles instead. In Providenciales, you can purchase large gallons of drinking water from the TCI water store for cheap as well.
How much alcohol can you bring back from Turks and Caicos?
There’s no federal limit on the amount of alcohol you can bring into the United States from Turks and, as long as it’s under 24% alcohol content.
For alcohol with content 24%-70%, the Federal Aviation Administration limits the amount of unopened alcohol brought on a plane to 5 liters per person.
Anything beyond 70% is prohibited from being brought on a plane. There are also state restrictions that limit the type of alcohol you can bring back to the US, which varies widely from state to state.
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