TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TRAVEL TIPS
A collection of important information that can make your trip more enjoyable.
Trinidad and Tobago can be seen as a Caribbean odd couple. Although both share a colonial and cultural heritage, the noticeable differences between the two islands make this country a great destination for travelers interested in diversity and sight-seeing.
TRINIDAD: Port -of-Spain is has one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean. The harbor is almost always filled with boats with flags of a multitude of nations. Independence Square shares its posit with the Roman Catholic Cathedral which was built in 1832. A Muslim Mosque is not far away as was as the Anglican Cathedral. The National Museum and Art Gallery contains many interesting works including costumes. The Botanical Gardens were originally laid out in 1818 is not far from Queen's Park Savannah which is a tropical park with a race course and cricket ground. Two top beaches near Port-of -Spain are Maqueripe Bay and Maracas Bay. where coconut palms overhang the beaches.
TOBAGO: The island has become much more of a vacation place in contrast to the days of sugar plantations and rum production From the village of Speyside boats run to Little Tobago which is a 450 acre bird sanctuary which is also known as "Bird of Paradise Island." This is reputed to be the only place outside New Guinea that the Bird of Paradise can be seen in their wild state. For snorkelers and divers, Buccoo Reef is abundant with sealife among the underwater coral formations and those who just swim can take advantage of Nylon Pool. Two other outstanding beaches and swimming areas are Pigeon Point and Store Bay. Other swimming areas that can be easily recommended are Englishman's Bay where the forest come down to the beach. Hillborough Bay has a long beach with palms that overhang almost to the water.
If you plan to travel Trinidad and Tobago, take a moment to brush up on the travel tips that will help you be more prepared for travel anywhere in Trinidad and Tobago.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: Total: 5128 sq km (1980 sq miles). Trinidad: 4828 sq km (1864 sq miles). Tobago: 300 sq km (116 sq miles).
Population: 1,296,000 (official estimate 2001).
Population Density: 252.7 per sq km.
Capital: Port of Spain. Population: 49,031 (2000).
Language: The official language is English, but the local dialect contains many words and expressions borrowed from Trinidad and Tobago’s many ancestral cultures. |
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Government: Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1962. Head of State: President Maxwell Richards since 2003. Head of Government: Prime Minister Patrick Manning since 2002.
Religion: 30 per cent Roman Catholic, 29 per cent other Christian denominations, 24 per cent Hindu, 11 per cent Anglican, and 6 per cent Muslim.
Electricity: 110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. US pattern twin plus earth plugs are standard, though variations may be found.
GEOGRAPHY: Trinidad, the size of the U.S. state of Delaware, is about seven miles from the coast of Venezuela; the tinier island of Tobago is about 20 miles to the northeast of Trinidad. Both islands are located at the end of the Caribbean archipelago, bordering on the Gulf of Paria. The islands are located outside of the hurricane belt, decreasing the chances of a storm's landfall. As the southernmost outpost of the West Indies, the islands were physically connected to Venezuela many millennia ago.
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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
All visitors, including those from the Caribbean, are required to show a valid passport and ongoing or return tickets upon arrival in Trinidad and Tobago. Visas are not necessary for visits shorter than six weeks. You will be given a carbon copy of the immigration card that you fill out on arrival, and will be asked to return it upon your departure, so hold on to it! Click here for more Visa Informations
GETTING AROUND TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
There is no shortage of activities in the Caribbean. You may be content to rest in a hammock or tan on a tropical beach, or you may prefer exploring the islands for adventure and local color. Whatever you choose, you’ll need a mode of transportation to get you there.
Luckily, getting around the islands is easy--there are numerous transportation options to suit all tastes and budgets. Renting a car may offer the most freedom if you want to get around the islands of the Caribbean on your own time and take the course you choose. On many Caribbean islands, however, cars are not recommended as your primary form of transportation due to road hazards or local driving ordinances that may be unfamiliar to foreign drivers, or are simply not allowed.
Taxis or buses may be your best transportation bet if you need some navigation assistance or route tips--buses are usually the most affordable type of transportation on any island, while some cab drivers will provide narrated tours for an additional fee. To really get the lay of the land, try out the back roads on bicycles, scooters, or motorbikes. These are available to rent for a nominal fee. Ferries are also widely available and ideal for travelers who want to visit multiple islands.
The services available throughout the Caribbean do vary and public transportation may not always be reliable, so check ahead before charting your Caribbean course.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO DUTY FREE
Duty-Free: The following goods may be imported into Trinidad & Tobago by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1.5l of wine or spirits in opened bottles; a reasonable quantity of perfume; gifts up to the value of US$200.
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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO COMMUNICATIONS
The international dialling code for Trinidad & Tobago is 00 1 868. From Trinidad & Tobago, the code to the UK is 011 44; for the US and Canada it is 1.
Most of our holiday properties have a telephone installed which can be used for local and international calls. You can normally plug a personal laptop into the socket for Internet connection. There are cybercafés in many of the main towns.
Phone cards are readily available, both for local and international calls. Particularly convenient are pre-paid "companion cards" which can be used from any phone on the island, dialling the prefix printed on the card.
Mobile phones need to be tri-band, so several European brands will not work in T & T. If required, mobile phones can be bought or rented locally.
Fax service can usually be arranged by the property manager.
The postal service is good. Mail to Europe or North America takes approximately one week. Most towns and villages have a post office, open from 8 am - 4 pm.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO DRIVING
In Trinidad and Tobago driving is on the left. Trinidadians sometimes take a casual attitude to traffic regulations, so be patient - and try to avoid peak hour traffic in Port of Spain. Roads in Tobago are mostly very quiet; the main hazards here are occasional pot holes and cows grazing by the roadside. Road surfaces are excellent on major roads and passable on all but the most remote mountain tracks. Visitors with valid driving licenses may drive in Trinidad and Tobago for up to three months. One word of warning: don't park under (worse still, sit under) coconut trees. The nuts can make a dent in pretty much anything when they fall!
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO BUSINESS PROFILE
Economy: The oil and gas industry has been the most important in Trinidad & Tobago for some time. It had been in long-term decline from the 1980s due to falling yields and low world prices. More recently, however, new discoveries, increased foreign investment and a steady increase in world prices have reversed the trend. In the summer of 2003, Trinidad signed a landmark agreement with nearby Venezuela, one of the world's largest producers, to collaborate in all aspects of the oil and gas industries. This should ensure the long-term future of the sector for Trinidad. Apart from oil and gas, Trinidad has the world's largest deposits of asphalt.
The non-oil industrial sector is concentrated in relatively new industries established with oil and gas revenues, such as plastics and electronics. The agricultural sector is small, with sugar cane, coffee, cocoa and citrus fruits as the main commodities. Once a net exporter of foodstuffs, Trinidad now imports the bulk of its requirements.
The Government has also sought to address historic under-investment in the tourism industry, a promising part of the economy which has undergone steady growth. The islands now cater to about 400,000 visitors annually; the industry is worth about US$275 million to the Trinidadian economy. Trinidad & Tobago formerly had the most heavily regulated economy in the region but the state-controlled edifice was dismantled during the 1990s as part of an IMF-approved package of privatisation, fiscal and trade liberalisation. The external debt has been substantially reduced while growth and inflation are both close to 5 per cent; unemployment has been cut to 13 per cent from higher levels during the 1990s. As ever, this was achieved at the cost of reductions in social provision and lower than average incomes for the bulk of the population. Trinidad & Tobago is a member of the Caribbean trading bloc, CARICOM. The country's main trading partners are Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana in the region and, further afield, the UK, the USA, Canada, Brazil and Germany.
Business: Jackets are not required. Normal business practices. It is normal to shake hands and exchange business cards. The best time to visit is from December to April, except during the Christmas festivities. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600.
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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SOCIAL PROFILE
Food & Drink: A popular dish here is called "stewed tattoo" which is the Caribbean name for "stewed Armadillo". Other dishes of distinction are Crab backs ( crab meat and stuffing), tum-tum ( mashed green plantains), fried plantains and chip-chip (a small shell fish which taste like clams). If you dream of sipping rum under a palm tree, this is the place. Rum is the national drink.
Nightlife: Trinidad has a wide and varied nightlife including hotel entertainment and nightclubs with calypso, limbo dancers and steel bands. During the carnival season (from New Year to Carnival, held 2 days before Ash Wednesday), both islands are alive with live music in the calypso tents and pan (steel band) yards. In Tobago, the main Calypsonians from Trinidad travel over to perform at Shaw Park, Scarborough and Roxborough. There is something happening most nights of the week at this time - details available from the locals and the Tobago News.
Special Events: A vast mixture of races has led to a varied cultural life, the diversity of which is reflected in costume, religion, architecture, music, dance and place names.
The major event in Trinidad is the Carnival, renowned throughout the Caribbean and the rest of the world. The festivities climax at the beginning of Lent, on the two days immediately preceding Ash Wednesday, although the run-up to Carnival starts immediately after Christmas when the Calypso tents open and the Calypsonians perform their latest compositions and arrangements. During Carnival, normal life grinds to a halt and the whole of Trinidad & Tobago is absorbed in the festivities. A week before the Carnival proper, Panorama is staged. This is the Grand Steel Drum (pan) tournament; all the big steel bands parade their skills around the Savannah, the large park in the north of Port of Spain. The Panorama preliminaries and local finals in Tobago are worth visiting, as are the pan yards as the bands practise for the big event. Hosay, coinciding with the Muslim New Year, sees the Muslim population of Port of Spain, San Fernando and Tunapuna take to the streets in a festival of their own. Contact the Tourism and Industrial Development Company Ltd (see Contact Addresses section) for more information and exact dates of the above.
The following is a selection of special events occurring in Trinidad & Tobago in 2005:
Feb 7-8 Carnival. Mar 3-6 97th Trinidad and Tobago Golf Open, St Andrews, Moka. Mar 13 Jazz Artists on the Greens, St Augustine. Apr 2-30 Festival of Rapso and the Oral Traditions. May 8-13 Angostura Yachting Regatta. Jul 27-Aug 1 Great Fete Weekend, Pigeon Point. Jul 28-31 Tobago Heritage Festival. Aug 10-14 Santa Rosa Festival, Arima. Sep 24 Tobago Festival. Nov 1 Divali Festival of Light. Nov Eid. Dec 31 National Parang Competition.
Social Conventions: Liming, or talking for talking's sake, is a popular pastime, as is chatting about, watching and playing cricket. Many local attitudes are often reflected in the lyrics of the calypso, the accepted medium for political and social satire since pre-emancipation days. Hospitality is important and entertaining is commonly done at home. Casual wear is usual, with shirt sleeves generally accepted for business and social gatherings, but beachwear is not worn in towns.
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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO HEALTH
Travelling in Trinidad & Tobago carries little health risk. The islands are non-malarial and there are no compulsory vaccinations. Water is chlorinated and safe to drink throughout the islands. Bottled water is also available everywhere. The most likely hazard is over-exposure: to the sun or the local rum! Beware of dehydration in both cases and wear an appropriate sunscreen, building up your tanning time gradually. To avoid bother from mosquitos and sandflies use citronella oil or a brand-name insect repellent. There are no harmful snakes on Tobago and your chances of encountering one of the four venomous varieties in the wilds of Trinidad are minimal, as they shy away from human contact. There are a few "dos and don'ts" for divers and you will be advised of these by your instructors. A positive health report must be completed before being allowed to dive. There is a public health system in Trinidad & Tobago, but it is somewhat basic and in need of improvement. Private health care is much better. To cover the possible expense of this, it is strongly advised that you take out comprehensive travel insurance. This should also cover any planned activities such as scuba diving or sailing.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SECURITY
Tourism is a major part of the islands' economy and most visits to Trinidad & Tobago are completely trouble free. However, as for many tourist destinations in the Caribbean and around the world, it pays to be careful and alert.
Take sensible precautions. You should avoid wearing expensive looking jewellery or carrying large amounts of cash. Use hotel safes to store your money, valuables and passports. Take a photocopy of the main page of your passport and keep it in a separate place.
Areas where you should exercise particular vigilance (especially at night) include the capital, Port of Spain, and other urban areas such as San Fernando and Arima. Always take a taxi if getting around on your own after dark, particularly in downtown Port of Spain. Incidents also occur in some tourist areas on both islands, and on some remote beaches. Never resist thieves, particularly if violent. Take out a good quality travel insurance in case something does go wrong.
The presence of an experienced local guide helps to avoid trouble and protect against the untoward.
This information on this website is intended as a guide only, is not authoritative and may not be up-to-date. Please refer to other sites or contact the nearest Trinidad and Tobago Consulate.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO EMERGENCIES
Ambulance/paramedics: 624-4343 (Port of Spain), 653-4343 (San Fernando), 639-4444 (Tobago)
Coast Guard: 634-4440
Fire: 990
Police: 999
Hospitals: Trinidad
Community Hospital: 622-1191/2, 628-8330/2
Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex: 645-HOPE (4673), 645-2640/59
Medical Associates, St Joseph: 662-6566
Port of Spain General Hospital: 623-2951/6, 623-7715, 625-3622, 625-3633, 625-3644, 623-7635
St Clair Medical Centre: 628-1451/2, 628-8615
Hospitals: Tobago
Scarborough Regional Hospital: 639-2551/4
Scarborough Medical Associates: 639-1115
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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CURRENCY/MONEY
Currency: Trinidad & Tobago Dollar (TT$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of TT$100, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of TT$1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 cents.
Banking: Banks are open Monday through Thursday from 8 am until 2 pm. On Friday the banks open at 9 am close at noon and reopen at 3 pm and remain open until 5 pm.
Money Exchange: Best to exchange at banks.
Credit cards: Visa, Master Card, American Express and Diners Club
Travellers cheques: These are very widely accepted and will often prove the most convenient means of transaction. Banks charge a fee for exchanging travellers cheques. Check for the best rates. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SHOPPING
Goods from all over the world can be found in Port of Spain, but local goods are always available. Special purchases include Calypso records, steel drums, leather bags and sandals, ceramics and woodcarvings. Gold and silver jewellery can be good value, as can Indian silks and fabrics. Rum should also be considered. Bright, printed fabrics and other summer garments are available in Trinidad & Tobago, particularly in Port of Spain. Shopping hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1600, Fri 0800-1800 and Sat 0800-1300. Some shops stay open later in Port of Spain, and malls are often open till 2100. Shops close on public holidays, especially during Carnival.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TIPPING
It is left to the discretion of guests whether they tip the housekeeper at the end of their stay. It is not considered obligatory, nor is it unwelcome!
A service charge of 10% is charged by law on hotel accommodation, but this is always included in Rustic Blue prices. The same 10% service charge applies for restaurant meals and where this is not included in the bill, it is normal to leave it for the waiter/waitress to whom it is due.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO PEOPLE & CULTURE
Trinidad and Tobago’s 1.3 million people are English-speaking, and share a vibrant common culture, but trace their roots back to Africa, India, Europe, China, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
Trinidad is the home of Caribbean Carnival, as well as calypso — the musical form which fuels the national festival — and of steelband music, which evolved in Port of Spain 60 years ago.
Musical forms derived from Indian traditions, such as chutney, also thrive here. Apart from music, there are strong traditions of dance, literature, theatre, painting and sculpture.
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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CLIMATE & CLOTHING
Climate: Hot and humid Trinidad and Tobago see plenty of rain – nearly 74 inches per year to be exact. Temperatures range from 68 to 87 in January, and 73 to 88 in July (all in degrees Fahrenheit). Trade winds constantly cool the island, making the tropical heat a bit less intense. Temperatures rarely climb higher than 90 degrees during the daytime. The rainiest time of year lasts from May through November, but rain storms usually last less than two hours. Carry insect repellent during the rainy season, as mosquitoes often accompany moist, Caribbean weather.
Clothing: Trinidad & Tobago are beautifully tropical. Light clothing is all you need and natural fabrics such as cotton and linen are perfect for the heat. Pack hiking gear if you plan to venture into the rainforest and a light waterproof if you are going in the rainy season.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
Watersports: There are good facilities for all types of watersports, especially at the beaches along the north and east coasts of Trinidad, and all around Tobago. Buccoo Reef, just off the southwest coast of Tobago, and Speyside offer exciting scuba diving with magnificent coral formations and abundant marine life. Trips in glass-bottomed boats are very popular. Tobago has some of the finest reefs in the Caribbean and many scuba schools located at Speyside and Store Bay.
Fishing: All kinds of fishing - from deep-sea to inland - are widely available and usually rewarding on and off both islands. Kingfish, Spanish mackerel, wahoo, bonito, dolphin fish and yellow tuna are the usual catches, with grouper, salmon and snapper also to be found off the west and north coasts of Trinidad. In Tobago, there is an increasing number of boats available for hire.
Birdwatching and wildlife: These islands have a unique wealth of wild birds and flowers, butterflies and fish, mostly undisturbed, yet accessible. The islands boasts no less than 622 species of butterfly and over 700 species of orchid. The latter are perhaps best seen in Trinidad's Botanic Gardens in Port of Spain (along with a wide selection of indigenous trees, shrubs, ferns and cacti). The Emperor Valley Zoo has a similarly representative selection of local wildlife - reptile as well as mammal. Birdwatchers on Trinidad should head for the Nariva Swamp, the Aripo Savannah and the Asa Wright Nature Centre and look out in particular for the national bird, the scarlet ibis, conserved in the Caroni Bird Sanctuary. The sight of these scarlet birds flying in formation to roost before sundown is a stunning and colourful spectacle. While on Tobago a visit to Little Tobago Island is recommended, particularly if you're keen on birds. Boats leave from Speyside. Hummingbirds are ubiquitous on Tobago; there are 19 recorded species, seven of which are unique to the island. There are specialist birdwatching tours and nature trips available, details of which can be provided by any hotel.
Other: Golf can be enjoyed just outside Port of Spain (Maraval) or in Tobago at the marvellous Mount Irvine Golf Course, former host to the Johnny Walker Pro Am. Cricket is the major spectator sport and the season runs from February to June. The best national and international matches can be seen at the Queen's Park Oval, in Port of Spain. Trinidadians are keen on racing, and the Arima Velodrome hosts a number of major meetings, particularly around New Year and Easter. It is possible to bet on all English and much US racing in any of the racepools in Port of Spain and Scarborough.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TIME ZONE
The islands of Trinidad and Tobago is in the Caribbean and form the country of Trinidad & Tobago. Trinidad & Tobago Time Standard Time GMT - 4.
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