Together these two islands allow you to enjoy a big city holiday as well as a romantic one enjoying the lovely white beaches. This is the original country of the calypso, and when listening to the beat thrumming from oil drums in the twilight you will most certainly comprehend the Caribbean rhythm and spirit.
Trinidad and Tobago
Port-of Spain
5,130 square kilometres
The principal language is English. Moreover, Hindi, Spanish, French and Patois are spoken.
Roman Catholicism and Hinduism
1,102,096 (1999)
Parliamentary democracy
Trinidad is the most southerly island in the West Indies, situated only 11 kilometres from Venezuela. The island is 5,128 square kilometres and is split by three mountain ranges. With a vegetation charcteristic of both South America and the Caribbean, the island presents both rainforest and lowlands. Tobago is situated 30 kilometres Northeast of Trinidad and is only 30 square kilometres. The dominating scenery is tropical rainforest, yet on the coast you will find beautiful, tropical white beaches.
Temperatures are high in Trinidad and Tobago all year, ranging between 21 and 37 degrees Celsius. The rainy season from June to November often means heavy, daily showers, but only for short periods. The warmest period is from June to October.
A Birder's Guide to Trinidad and Tobago
Adventure Guide to Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD), one dollar equals 100 cent.
You will find some Internet cafés in Trinidad and Tobago, all geographically placed in Trinidad.
Emergency (999) or (622 5412).
Tipping is not included in prices in restaurants and hotels. Usually, an additional 10 to 15 per cent is added to the bill. Taxi drivers expect about 10 per cent added to the bill.
Trinidad and Tobago are four hours behind GMT.
Weight: Kilos
Temperature: Celsius
Distance: Metres
Trinidad and Tobago basically have no photography restrictions. However, do not take pictures of any military equipment or airports. Always remember to ask the inhabitants before taking their picture.
Generally, one can easily drink the water in Trinidad and Tobago. However, immediately after a storm the water may be polluted, and you are advised to drink only bottled water.
Electric current operates on 115/220 volts AC, 60 cycles.
Everything is a bit slow in Trinidad and Tobago, since the people here are in no hurry. However, please do not get too annoyed if the man in line before you chats too long with the sales clerk. Otherwise, common politeness is used.
Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on Fridays.
Shops are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturdays, and from 8.00 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays.
In Port-of-Spain, however, some shops have even longer opening hours.
Restaurants and bars in Trinidad and Tobago have late opening hours with a wide selection of local as well as western dishes in both islands. In Tobago, seafood specialities like lobster, crab and other types of fried fish are served. The food is very spicy and is often served with rice or beans on the side. In Trinidad and Tobago you can furthermore buy an exquisite type of rum. Local beers are Carib and Stag.
In large hotels measurements are taken in order to facilitate conditions for disabled travellers with ramps for wheelchairs and lifts. However it is far from being a country friendly to disabled travellers, and the sightseeing spots have no special facilities for disabled travellers.
New Year's Day, 1 January
Spiritual Baptist Shouters' Liberation Day, 30 March
Indian Arrival Day, 30 May
Labour Day, 19 June
Emancipation Day, 1 August
Independence Day, 31 August
Christmas, 25-26 December
Easter (March or April)
Eid al-Fitr, between December and February (end of Ramadan)
Divali, October or November
When camping in Trinidad and Tobago a permit is required, and can be obtained from the Forestry Division. However, you will not find many places to camp. Please take necessary precautions when camping as the islands have experienced a rise in crime.
You will find many hotels on the islands, especially in Tobago where there are perhaps too many hotels. However you are advised to book in advance as the island is very popular, especially during the peak season. Please note that hotels in Trinidad and Tobago are far from inexpensive, and you will get the lowest price when booking in advance.
The most recent trend in the islands is bed & breakfast. The hosts in these places are usually very helpful, and you may even be in a position where they will phone their friends up in order to help you get a bed for the night. Perhaps you will even be picked up in their car!
You will find no hostels in the islands. The cheapest alternative is bed & breakfast.
You will find resorts many places in the islands as in other parts of the Caribbean. A resort is a place for a relaxed vacation where the only goal is for the guests to have as pleasant a stay as possible. Thus, often food and drinks are included in the price. However, please notice that a stay in one of these resorts is far from inexpensive.
A flight between the two islands will take you only 12 minutes, and several daily departures are available. In Trinidad you will find the Piarco Airport, and in Tobago you will find the Crown Point Airport.
Going by bus in Trinidad is almost impossible. Buses only run between the cities San Fernando and Arima. In Tobago, however, you will find more buses running between the larger towns. The fare is very low, but the quality clearly reflects this.
Trinidad and Tobago have no trains.
You will find taxis in all areas of the islands. They are cheap, and often the driver will wait for you with no further charge when you are visiting sights.
Some car rental companies are present on the islands. They are very popular, and you are advised to book in advance if interested in renting a car.
If interested in sailing between the two islands, it will take you approximately 5 hours, and you can go every day except Saturday between Scarboroug and Port of Spain.
As an alternative to the bus - cheap minivans are available on the islands, running according to a fixed schedule. You will find them almost everywhere.
They drive on the left in Trinidad and Tobago.
Every year the large carnival, De Mas, is held in Trinidad. It is said to be almost as amazing as the one in Rio, and consequently months of preparation are required.
