Trinidad and Tobago

Getting Around By Air

Caribbean Airlines (website: www.caribbean-airlines.com) runs flights between Piarco (Port of Spain) and Crown Point (Tobago). During peak seasons (especially Carnival time), these are often heavily booked.

Getting Around by Water

There are two options for the crossing between Trinidad (Port of Spain) and Tobago (Scarborough), both run by the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (website: www.patnt.com). The slow car ferry/passenger service takes approximately six hours and the fast catamaran crossing is two hours 30 minutes.

Getting Around by Road

Traffic drives on the left. The road network in Trinidad between major towns is good, but traffic around Port of Spain can be difficult during rush hour and around Independence Square at any time. Two major highways run north-south and east-west. Roads which run off major routes can be very unpredictable, and are susceptible to poor weather conditions. In Tobago, the roads, though narrow in parts, are improving dramatically and most of the island is easy to reach. There is a major highway (Claude Noel Highway) running west-east. Tourists should have no qualms about driving around Tobago at any time of the day or night, although caution should be exercised in more rural areas where chickens and sheep may wander across roads. Hand signals, which may be unfamiliar, are often used.

Bus: Services are operated by the state Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) (tel: 623 7872; website: www.ptsc.co.tt). In the absence of a railway, the main towns are served by bus but although these are cheap, they are crowded and unreliable. The use of shared taxis has increased due to the shortcomings of the bus network. In Tobago, there are regular bus services between Scarborough bus station and Crown Point, Buccoo, Plymouth and Roxborough.

Taxi: All official taxis have registration ’H’. Hiring a private taxi is much more expensive but gives the freedom to go where you like. Though there are fixed rates for certain journeys, it is best to establish this before you start your journey. The quickest and most cost-effective way to get around is by Route taxis and Maxi taxis which serve standard routes within Trinidad, particularly around Port of Spain, starting their route from, in or near Independence Square. These have fixed rates. In Tobago, Route taxis (H registered and unregistered) are plentiful along most major routes during the day and can be stopped anywhere along them. Drivers will indicate they have room by sounding their horn.

Car hire: Cars and motorcycles are available in Port of Spain or Scarborough, and can be arranged via hotels and in Tobago at the airport or through the hotels. Trailbikes are becoming more popular in Tobago, but mopeds are more advisable for the inexperienced rider.

Regulations: Trinidad’s speed limit is 80kph (50mph) on highways and 55kph (34mph) in built-up areas. While in Tobago do not exceed 50kph (31mph). There is no left turn on a red light and u-turns are illegal. Drivers and front-seat passengers are legally required to wear a seat belt.

Bicycle hire: In Tobago, there are a number of places in the Lowlands (southeast) where you can hire bicycles.

Documentation: Visitors in possession of a valid driving permit issued in any of the countries listed below may drive in Trinidad and Tobago for a period of up to three months. They are, however, entitled to drive only a motor vehicle of the class specified on their permit. Drivers must have in their possession at all times : (a) their International Driving Permit or equivalent; and, (b) any travel document on which is certified their date of arrival in Trinidad and Tobago. Visitors whose stay exceeds the three-month period are requested to apply to the Licensing Department, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, for a local Driving Permit. The above information applies to all signatories to the Convention on International Driver’s Permits including The Bahamas, Canada, France, Germany, the UK and the USA. Excluded: China, South Africa and Vietnam, whose nationals require a passport, International Driving Permit and national licence.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Owing to the deterioration of bus services, most public transport journeys in Port of Spain are now made by shared taxis.

Main Airports

Piarco International Airport (POS) is 25km (16 miles) east of Port of Spain. To/from the airport: Buses are available to the city (journey time - 25 minutes). There are taxis to the city for hotels throughout the island with set fares posted in taxis. Fares increase after midnight. Sharing taxis is an accepted practice. Facilities: Duty-free shops, banks, ATMs, car hire, restaurants, light refreshments, shops and tourist information.

Crown Point Airport (TAB) is 13km (8 miles) from Scarborough and very close to most of the main hotels. To/from the airport: Taxis are available (prices for standard journeys are published in the airport arrival lounge). Facilities: Bank, bureau de change, shops, restaurant, duty-free shop, snack and car hire.

For more information on the airports, contact the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (website: www.tntislands.com/tntairports).

Getting There by Water

Main ports: Port of Spain and Scarborough.

Cruise lines stop at Port of Spain.

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The tropical climate is tempered by northeast trade winds. The dry season is from November to May, but it is hottest between June and October. The climate in Tobago is pleasant most of the year and although May, June and July can be wet at times, the differentiation between the wet and dry seasons is much less acute.

Required Clothing

Tropical lightweights are required. Rainwear is advisable, especially for the wet season.

Hotels

There are major international chain hotels in Port of Spain, and a number of smaller hotels in the surrounding areas. In Tobago, there is a growing number of international-standard resort hotels as well as many smaller private hotels and guest houses. A 10% government room tax and VAT are levied.

Note: All types of accommodation must be booked well in advance for the Carnival.

Guest Houses

The Tourism and Industrial Development Company Ltd publishes a list of guest houses found throughout Trinidad and Tobago (see Accommodation Information below).

Self Catering

There is a growing number of apartments and houses available for rent in Tobago, ranging from the very luxurious to the plain and simple. Though many are located in the west in the main tourist part of the island around Crown Point and Shirvan Road, there are many other more secluded and unspoilt areas where there are properties of all standards to rent. Information is available from local sources.

Accommodation Information

Tourism Company Ltd

Level 1, Maritime Centre, 29 Tenth Avenue, Barataria, Trinidad

Tel: 675 7034.

Website: www.gotrinidadandtobago.com

Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association

c/o Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute, Airway Road, Chaguaramas, Trinidad

Tel: 634 1174/5.

Website: www.tnthotels.com

Passport Note

All nationals referred to in the chart above must be in possession of a valid return ticket to their country of residence or citizenship, and sufficient funds to maintain themselves whilst in the country. Visitors must also provide a proper local address in Trinidad and Tobago, and complete an Immigration E/D card (form 1). (a) A person seeking admission to Trinidad and Tobago other than a tourist or visitor must be in possession of one of the following documents - work permit, student permit, missionary permit or a ministry permit.

Passports

Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart above aged 16 years and over. Passport must be valid for at least six months from date of return.

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for the following periods of stay, except nationals of Australia who do require a visa:

(a) 1. not required by nationals of the EU (except those listed below), Canada and the USA for stays of up to three months;

(b) 2. not required by nationals of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia for stays of up to one month.

Visa Note

(a) Citizens who do require visas for Trinidad and Tobago must apply before arrival at the embassy; however, where there is no embassy in the country of residence, they may apply on arrival for a waiver of visa, subject to prior approval by the immigration division. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

TT$200 (single-entry). (Please note prices vary according to embassy).

Validity

90 days.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses.

Working Days Required

Tourist visas will normally be issued within five working days (applicable to embassy in USA).

Health Care

Public sector health care is free. However, health insurance is recommended as Tobago’s health care provision is basic, with limited supplies and medication.

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Food and Drink

Bars and restaurants open until late, with a very wide choice of local and Western food and drink. Chinese, Indian and West Indian cooking is available on both islands. Tobago also offers some notable seafood specialities and all types of fried fish.

National specialities:

• Creole soups, the best being sans coche, calaloo and peppery pigeon pea soup.

•Tatoo (armadillo).

•Manicou (opossum).

• Pork souse (pork boiled and served cold in a salty sauce with lime, cucumber, pepper, and onion slices).

•Tum-tum (mashed green plantains).

National drinks:

• Excellent rums and angostura bitters are used to make rum punch.

• The local beers are Carib and Stag.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: A 10 to 15% tip is usual in hotels and restaurants.

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 two 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 are available locally and from the Tobago News.

Shopping

You can find goods from all over the world 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 and 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.

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• Celebrate Carnival, Trinidad’s most wild and colourful event. The world-renowned festivities climax at the beginning of Lent, although the run-up to Carnival starts immediately after Christmas when the Calypso tents open and the Calypsonians perform their latest compositions and arrangements.

• Listen to the big steel bands bang their drums around Queen’s Park Savannah, a large park in Port of Spain. Panorama, the Grand Steel Drum (pan) tournament is staged a week before Carnival. The preliminaries and local finals in Tobago are also well worth a visit.

• Take to the streets of Port of Spain, San Fernando and Tunapuna with the islands’ Muslim population to celebrate Hosay, which coincides with the Muslim New Year. Multi-coloured miniature mausoleums are paraded and then ritually offered up to the ocean.

• Treat your taste budsin the rapidly expanding town of Chaguanas where a wide range of West Indian culinary specialities are available.

• Take advantage of the excellent watersports facilities at the beaches along the north and east coasts of Trinidad, and all around Tobago. Speyside and Buccoo Reef, just off the southwest coast of Tobago, which has some of the Caribbean’s finest reefs, offer exciting scuba-diving. Trips in glass-bottomed boats are very popular.

•Fish for Spanish mackerel, wahoo, kingfish, bonito, dolphin fish, yellow tuna, grouper, salmon and snapper in the islands’ abundant waters. Both deep-sea and freshwater fishing are rewarding and there is an increasing number of boats available for hire.

• See some of the islands’ 622 species of butterfly and over 700 species of orchid. The latter are best seen in Port of Spain’s Royal Botanic Gardens (along with a wide selection of indigenous trees, shrubs, ferns and cacti). TheEmperor Valley Zoo has a good selection of local wildlife.

• Spot the national bird, the scarlet ibis, in Trinidad’s Nariva Swamp, the Aripo Savannah, the Asa Wright Nature Centre and the Caroni Bird Sanctuary where it is conserved. Hummingbirds are ubiquitous on Tobago and Little Tobago Island is highly recommended for twitchers.

• Catch a game of cricket, the major spectator sport, at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, where the best national and international matches can be seen. Trinidadians are keen on racing, and the Arima Velodrome hosts a number of major meetings.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

• Capture the variety of Trinidadian life in its capital, Port of Spain, where bazaars throng beneath modern skyscrapers and mosques rub shoulders with cathedrals. The architecture of the city incorporates a mixture of styles from Victorian houses to Stollmeyer’s Castle, an imitation of a Bavarian Castle.

• See Port of Spain’s highlights, including the shopping district centred on Frederick Street; the Royal Botanic Gardens; the Red House (a stately colonial building, now the seat of government); the National Museum and Art Gallery; and the 19th-century gothic Holy Trinity Cathedral.

• Don’t neglect Port of Spain’s outskirts. The magnificent Queen’s Park Savannah is a mixture of natural and manmade beauty, with attractive trees and shrubs (including the African Tulip). Fort George, built in 1804, offers superb vistas of the city and the mountains of northern Venezuela.

• Take in some of Trinidad’s natural phenomena at the Aripo Caves, noted for their stalactites and stalagmites, the fascinating Pitch Lake, a 36-hectare (90-acre) lake of asphalt which constantly replenishes itself, and the lush tropical forest near the Hollis Reservoir on the east coast.

• Watch the sun set in Tobago’s capital, Scarborough, from the Fort King George, built in 1779 during the many struggles between the French and the English. Admire the quaint houses spilling down from the hilltop to the waterside, and visit the Court House and the Tobago Museum.

• Take a dip at one of Tobago’s fine beaches. Each has its own flavour, from the brown pelicans at Turtle Beach to fantastic snorkelling at Man O’War Bay. Store Bay, Mount Irvine, Bacolet Bay and Pigeon Point are also well worth a visit.

• Visit one of Tobago’s old sugar plantations. Arnos Vale (website: www.arnosvalehotel.com), now a hotel, has a disused sugar mill complete with formidable crushing wheels, made in 1857, still on the grounds as well as a museum.

• Get active with a long hike along the excellent trails of the Tobago Forest Reserve, climb Pigeon Peak, the highest point on the island, or scuba-dive in Speyside, a colourful beach settlement.

• Drop in on some Tobago villages. On the Atlantic (windward) side of the island are many tiny villages including Mesopotamia and Goldsborough, the town of Roxborough and several beautiful bays. On the north coast are the beautiful villages of Castara and Parlatuvier.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

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