Trinidad and Tobago

Quick Facts

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Capital

Port of Spain

Population

1,104,000

Government

Parliamentary Democracy

Religions

Christianity (Catholic, Protestant), Hinduism, Islam

Languages

English, Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese

Calling Code

+1868

Nationality

Trinidadian, Tobagonian

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Introduction

Main Park in Charlottesville

© All Rights Reserved soupatrvlr

Trinidad's lively culture and energetic pace of life underscores the success of its annual Carnival (widely considered the most exciting in the Caribbean), where the island's proud invention, the steel drum, is brought to the fore of the festivities.

In sharp contrast, Tobago's relaxed vibe creates a tranquil appreciation of the Caribbean beauty and peace. Its main port at Scarborough draws many cruise ships, attracted to the scenic bay and hilly backdrop.

The distinct differences between Trinidad and Tobago are a significant bonus to visitors. While most Caribbean destinations offer a handful of attractions, Trinidad & Tobago boast a bagful. The variety is ideal, granting the best of Caribbean culture and the best of Caribbean beauty.

Brief History

Geography

Trinidad and Tobago is Southern most country in Caribbean. The island of Trinidad lies just 11 km (7 miles) off the northeastern coast of Venezuela.

Originally part of the South American continent, these island share much in common with their close neighbours on the South American continent. The terrain of the islands is a mixture of mountains and plains. The highest point in the country is found on the Northern Range at El Cerro del Aripo which is situated at 940 metres (3,085 ft) above sea level. There are regular ferries to Venezuela. For more information on ferries please read the article Caribbean ferries.

Islands

Trinidad and Tobago consists of the two main islands the country is named after and a further 21 smaller islands, including Chacachacare, Monos, Huevos, Gaspar Grande (or Gasparee), Little Tobago, and St. Giles Island.

• Trinidad (Trinidad and Tobago) is the largest and most populous island and is home to the capital Port of Spain
• Tobago is much smaller and home to roughly 4% of the population.

Towns and Cities

• Port of Spain is the capital
• Scarborough is the main town on the island of Tobago

Sights and Activities

• The La Brea Tar Pits, outside the town of La Brea, is the largest, commercial deposit of natural asphalt in the world. Previously used world-round to pave streets, the use of natural tar in road paving has wained in recent years. However, the More information can be found here.
• Tobago's rain forest reserve is the oldest preserved rain forest in North America. Tours can be arranged by many operators on the island.
• Tobago's Argyle Falls are an easy 15-minute hike takes you to the island’s highest falls (don’t stop at the first pool). You’ll need a guide (check for the official badge). There’s an admission fee of about TT$20.

Simply Tobago written by British tourists, and My Tobago are both decent sources of information on Tobago Tourism.

Events and Festivals

Carnival!

© All Rights Reserved wian

• Carnival, the festival leading up to the Catholic lent period has become the party of the year (much as Rio's Carnival and New Orlean's Mardi Gras). A two week long party increasing in fevour until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, Carnival is centered around the town of Port of Spain, with parades, custom contests, music (mainly Soca, Raggae and Calypso) and party after party.
• Plymouth, Tobago's Jazz Festival is increasingly becoming an event to see. 2007 featured artists like Elton John and Gladys Knight. The Jazz Festival is held in April. More information can be found at the Jazz Festival's website.

Weather

The climate is tropical. There are two seasons annually: the dry season for the first six months of the year, and the wet season in the second half of the year. Winds are predominantly from the northeast and are dominated by the northeast trade winds. Unlike most of the other Caribbean islands, Trinidad and Tobago's southern location means they are generally not within the hurricane zone, and rarely suffer from hurricane damage.

Getting There

By Plane

Many flights arrive at Port of Spain's Piarco International Airport (POS), 27 km / 17 miles from Port of Spain. Operated by First Citizens Bank, Trinidad Piarco Airport is home to a single bank that comes complete with bureau de change services and ATM machines.

There are flights from Europe and South America that arrive directly at the Tobago International Airport (airport code TAB) in Crown Point.

For any traveller leaving these Islands, there is a mandatory TT$100 per person, airport departure tax to be paid; so keep that amount put aside. Children aged 5 years or less are exempt. This can be paid in cash, or using automated machines that withdraw the amount from your bank account (like an ATM machine).

By Boat

There is supposed to be a weekly car ferry travelling between La Guiria in Venezuela and Chaguaramas in Trinidad and Tobago but check the port authorities if this option is still available for travellers. The ferry arrives late in Trinidad and onward transport to Port of Spain can be hard to find.
Cruise ships dock at Port of Spain, Trinidad and Scarborough, Tobago.
Many sailors anchor in the bays in Trinidad and Tobago.

Getting Around

By Plane

There are two main airports in Trinidad and Tobago. There are numerous flights a day between Port of Spain's Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain and Tobago International Airport (airport code TAB) in Crown Point.

By Rental Car

Car rental in Tobago is easy to arrange and there’s plenty of choice of vehicles. Prices vary, but expect to pay between $TT 300 - 600 per day. Four wheel drive jeeps are popular with tourists and do cost more than cars. Local companies are generally reliable. You may pay less and the hub caps probably won’t match but most companies have a 24 hour assistance service and offer good local driving advice.

Drive on the left. Roads are in decent shape.

Driver's license is needed.

The first letter of the registration number of the vehicle indicates the vehicle’s licensing class:

• P – Private/Non-commercial vehicle
• H – Taxi
• R – Rental Vehicle
• T – Commercial Vehicle/Truck

The practise of renting P-registered private vehicles to visitors has long been endemic in Tobago. Some visitors request "P" cars to not look like tourists, but be warned that the normal hire-and-reward insurance does not cover vehicles registered for private usage. Having a 'P' plate does NOT automatically mean that the vehicle is not insured for rental. Rental Agencies CAN get hire-and/or-reward insurance but doing so is the exception, rather than the rule.

By Taxi

The first letter of the registration number of the vehicle indicates the vehicle’s licensing class:

• P – Private/Non-commercial vehicle
• H – Taxi
• R – Rental Vehicle
• T – Commercial Vehicle/Truck

Official taxis in T and T aren’t marked in any obvious way, but their license plates are start with an “H”, whereas private cars license plates start with a “P.” My Scarborough cab driver was driving a “P” car, so he wasn’t officially licensed to carry passengers. These “PH” cabs, as the locals call them, aren’t generally any cheaper than official cabs, and provide a danger in that their insurance coverage doesn’t cover carrying passengers (assuming they have insurance at all), and so in the event of an accident you as a passenger could find yourself not covered by health insurance.

By Bus

Regular buses run between Scarborough bus station and Crown Point, Buccoo, Plymouth and Roxborough. The service is cheap, but the buses are crowded. Buses theoretically run to a regular hourly timetable, however don't expect punctuality. It's ISLAND TIME, man.

By Boat

Ferries run between the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, between Port of Spain, Trinidad and Scarborough, Tobago. Cost of the ferry is TT$ 50 one-way for the fast ferry and TT$37.50 for the conventional ferry. Fast ferry sailing time is under 2 hours. The conventional ferry takes 5 1/2 hours.

Schedules change frequently, and can be found at the Port of Port-of-Spain website.

Red Tape

Visas are not required for holiday visitors from the following countries:

• EEC Countries: Belgium, France, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
• Commonwealth Countries: All - except Australia, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda
• USA: On vacation for 3 months or less.
• Other: Austria, Brazil, Colombia, French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Finland (3 months or less), Israel, Liechtenstein, Martinique, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Suriname, Sweden (3 months or less), Switzerland, Turkey, Venezuela (14 days or less)

Your passport must be valid for at least three months after the end of your proposed visit. You may be asked to prove that you have a return or onward travel ticket, or the means to purchase such travel and you will also be asked for a fixed address for the period of your stay.

Money

The currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$). It is often called the "TT" (tee-tee) to differentiate it from the other occasionally accepted currency, the US Dollar. At present, most businesses will give you a rate of TT$ 6 to the US$ 1.

Major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are common in the larger cities throughout Trinidad and Tobago. There are ATMs available upon arrival in both the Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Crown Point, Tobago airports.

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

The Internet and e-mail is available in lots of inexpensive cybercafes around the island, and most hotels have access and will charge you a small fee for use, usually a few TT for an hour.

Phone

Dual Band GSM mobile phones work in Tobago.
It is possible to hire a mobile while you are out there - contact TSTT Cellnet (tel: 800 CELL; fax: 001 868 625 5807).

There are payphones around the island which use pre-paid cards available from most shops and supermarkets. Faxes are available in most hotels.

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