Trinidad and Tobago Guide

January 31, 2021 findjobdescriptions

Trinidad and Tobago is an island nation in the southern Caribbean Sea, not far from Venezuela. It consists of two large islands – Trinidad and Tobago, as well as a large number of small islands. The country is located 10.6 km north of Venezuela and slightly south of Grenada.

The capital is Port of Spain. The official language is English. Currency – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD). Religion – Catholicism.

The area of Trinidad and Tobago is 5128 km2, 4768 of which are on the island of Trinidad (an average of 80 km in length and 59 in width). Tobago is located 30 kilometers northeast of Trinidad. Its length is 41 km, width is 12 km, the area of the island is about 300 km2. Trinidad is dominated by a low plain, but there are three mountain ranges – two of them are parallel to each other and do not exceed 325 meters in height. Tobago is dominated by a large mountain range that runs through most of the island (length – 29 km) and reaches a height of 640 meters.

The climate of Trinidad and Tobago is generally typical of the tropical climate zone and is shaped by northeasterly winds. The average annual temperature in Trinidad is +26*C. The rainy season is from June to December. The climate of Tobago is slightly cooler, but generally the same as that of Trinidad. The year is divided into two seasons – the rainy season lasts from June to December, the dry season – from January to May. The islands lie south of the tropical cyclone zone, and most hurricanes bypass Trinidad and Tobago.

Resorts and attractions in Trinidad and Tobago

At the moment, tourism is one of the highest priority sections of the economy of Trinidad and Tobago. Recently, ecological tourism has become widespread – the diverse flora and fauna of the islands provide ample opportunities for its development. Maritime tourism flourishes, the center of which is the north of the island of Trinidad, where there are many sandy beaches. Carnival, which takes place in late February – early March, is traditionally popular with tourists. Port of Spain is home to several art galleries and the National Museum.

Interesting facts

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago were inhabited by Indians of South American origin seven thousand years ago, which makes it possible to call the islands the earliest place of human settlement in the Antilles archipelago. Around 250 B.C. e. Tribes of Salado Indian farmers landed on the islands from the shores of the Orinoco, but soon they left Trinidad and Tobago and settled on the nearby islands. After another five hundred years, new settlers appeared – the Barranco Indians, who lived for about four centuries on the island of Trinidad, after which they were forced out by the Arauca tribe, the islands of about 650.

The island of Trinidad was discovered by Columbus on July 31, 1498 and named after the feast of Trinity. But the name of the island of Tobago comes from the Spanish word “tobacco”.

The country until 1962 was a colony of Great Britain, since independence it has been part of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Country data

Location: Caribbean

Time zone: CET – 5 (during summer time: CET – 6)

Total area: 5,128 km²

Land area: 5,128 km²

Water area: 0 km²

Length of the state border: 0 km

Coastline: 362 km

Capital: Port of Spain

Regions: 15
Arima, Chaguanas, Couva / Tabaquite / Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro / Rio Claro, Penal / Debe, Point Fortin, Port of Spain, Princes Town, San Fernando, San Juan / Laventille, Sangre Grande, Siparia, Tobago, Tunapuna / Piarco

Electric current: 110 V / 60 Hz

Telephone code: 00 1868 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

Population

Population: approx. 1.2 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: -0.1% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 234

Life expectancy: 69 (male), 75 (female)

Official language: English

Religions:

32% Protestants
21% Roman Catholic
18% Hindu
5% Muslim
24% other

Climate

Located in the tropical climate zone, the first half of the year is the dry season. The average humidity is 60%. Rain rarely falls.

There is a lot of frequent and short rainfall in the second half of the year. In this rainy season the humidity is often over 85%.

With an average daytime temperature of 30 ° C, it is always quite warm. Even at night it doesn’t cool down very much (temperature around 20 ° C).

Currency / finance

Currency unit: 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD)

Division: 1 dollar = 100 cents

ATMs: Few machines in the big cities.

International credit cards: These are accepted by many larger hotels and shops.

Regulations: There is no limit to the amount of foreign currencies that can be imported. The export is permitted in the amount of the declared import. There is an obligation to declare.

The local currency can be imported and exported up to an amount of 200 TTD.

Since exchanging the local currency back is often very cumbersome, you should only exchange the amounts actually required.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 200 g tobacco
1 liter of alcoholic beverages
small amounts of perfume

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

In order to be allowed to import weapons, you need a separate import permit. This also applies to boat signal pistols, CS gas, pepper spray, alarm pistols and all knives with a fixed blade.

Travel advice

The months June to November are cyclone season. In addition to high winds, the tropical storms often bring with them heavy rains. Occasionally there are landslides through the softened soil.

You shouldn’t go to deserted beaches and remote scenic areas, as the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is very high.

Visiting downtown Port of Spain east of Henry Street and the Beetham, Laventille, Morvant and Sea Lots districts is strongly discouraged.

Caution is also advised in the Belmont district. The same applies to Carapo, a district of Arima.

Behavioral advice

The crime rate has risen sharply in recent years. Attacks on tourists and especially pickpockets were recorded in all locations.

You shouldn’t openly show money and valuables. It is best to deposit ID documents in the hotel safe and only carry copies of them with you during your stay.