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Population
1.3
million (1998)
Capital
City
Trinidad:
Port of Spain. Population: 46,000
Tobago: Scarborough. Population: 7,600
Language
English.
Principal
Religions
Roman
Catholic 25%, Hindu 24%
International
dialling code from UK
00
1 868 + seven digit number
Local
currency
Trinidad
and Tobago dollar (TT$); TT$ 6.3 (floating) = 1US$
Weights
and measures
Metric
Public
holidays
1
January New Year's Day
11 February Carnival
29 March Good Friday
30 March Spiritual Baptists Shouter Liberation Day
31 March Easter Sunday
1 April Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
9 May Ascension
30 May Corpus Christi/Indian Arrival Day
14 June Corpus Christi
19 June Labour Day
1 August Emancipation Day
31 August Independence Day
4 November Divali
6 December Eid ul Fitr
25 December Christmas Day
26 December Boxing Day |
Passports
/ Visas
Passport
British
visitors should have passports with a minimum of six
months validity.
Visa
Visas
are not required for British visitors to Trinidad. Other
nationals should seek advice from the Trinidad and Tobago
High Commission in London.
Work
permits
Under
the Immigration Act Chapter 18:01 a person other than
a citizen or resident of Trinidad and Tobago can be
employed in Trinidad and Tobago for a maximum of up
to 30 days at any one time in a 12 month period. This
means that persons will be allowed to enter the country
to work without a work permit only under the condition
that they will be in the country for a period not exceeding
30 days, and will not be re-entering the country within
a 12 month period.
Health
advice / risks
Information
on health hazards, and precautions to take when travelling
abroad can be found in the leaflet 'Health advice for
travellers' available from main Post offices.
Major
tropical diseases are very uncommon in Trinidad and
Tobago and malarial prophylactics are not needed. There
has been an increase in the number of reported cases
of dengue fever over the past few years, including dengue
haemorrhagic fever.
Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is now considered
to be prevalent in many areas of Trinidad and Tobago
and is affecting both the male and female population.
The virus can be contracted through sexual contact or
through medical treatment involving the use of hypodermic
or blood transfusion equipment which may be infected.
It is preferable, where possible, to seek treatment
only after consultation with the British High Commission.
Health
insurance
It
is essential to take out full medical insurance when
visiting Trinidad and Tobago as there are no reciprocal
healthcare agreements between Trinidad and Tobago and
the UK.
Health
regulations
It
is advisable to be vaccinated for typhoid before leaving
the UK, and visitors from infected areas elsewhere in
the world will require International Certificates of
vaccination against cholera and yellow fever.
Medical
services
Trinidad
and Tobago has fairly good medical facilities, with
modern drugs and other medical supplies readily available.
Flight
routes
International
Trinidad and Tobago Airways Corporation (BWIA) is the
only direct service between London (Heathrow) and Port
of Spain flying via St Lucia, Antigua or Barbados. British
Airways operate a once a week scheduled service from
London (Gatwick) to Tobago. Air Caledonian operate a
twice weekly (three times in the tourist season) service
from London (Gatwick) to Tobago. Travellers can also
fly to Barbados and transfer for the short flight to
Port of Spain.
Other
routes to Trinidad and Tobago Air Canada from Toronto
to Port of Spain, BWIA and Suriname Airways daily flights
from Georgetown to Port of Spain; BWIA to Trinidad or
Tobago from Miami or New York; American Airlines from
Miami to Port of Spain
BWIA
operates a daily service from Caracas in Venezuela,
to Port of Spain; Air France handles BWIA at Caracas
airport. As they are not linked by computer to Trinidad
they do not know until the last moment whether flights
are fully booked - passengers may need to queue at the
counter and insist. Credit cards are accepted and a
round trip costs about US$185.
BWIA,
Liat, ALM and Air Caribbean connect Trinidad with other
Caribbean islands including Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados,
Curacao, Grenada, Jamaica (Kingston), St Lucia, St Maarten,
St Vincent, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Tortola (BVI).
There
are flights to Tobago (Crown Point Airport) with Air
Caribbean, Liat or from Barbados, Grenada and Union
Island. BWIA (and possibly other airlines) are reluctant
to let you leave unless you have an onward ticket from
your immediate destination to the next one.
Cargo
flights
There
are various cargo airlines servicing Trinidad and Tobago
including BWIA, DHL, Florida West, Polar Air, VENSACA,
Amerijet and Laparkan. Their schedules depend on demand.
In addition, BWIA offers cargo services on its scheduled
flights.
How
to get to & from the airport
The
safest and quickest way to get from the airport to Port
of Spain is by taxi. Approximate fare is US$60
Travelling
in Trinidad
It
takes 20 minutes to fly between Trinidad and Tobago.
The ferry from Port of Spain to Scarborough takes between
five and eight hours.
Distances
between major towns:
Trinidad
| Port
of Spain to Arima |
20
miles |
| Port
of Spain to Lisas |
35
miles |
| Port
of Spain to San Fernando |
40
miles |
| Port
of Spain to Point Fortin |
60
miles |
Tobago
| Scarborough
to Plymouth |
12
miles |
| Scarborough
to Charlotteville |
29
miles |
| Plymouth
to Buccoo |
8
miles |
Air
The
domestic airlines, Air Caribbean and BWIA, fly between
the two islands several times a day. Flights from Piarco
Airport in Trinidad and Crown Point Airport in Tobago
are always heavily booked, especially at the weekends
and during the tourist season (December to April). It
is advised that travellers book well ahead of their
intended departure date.
Roads
Visitors
in possession of valid licences issued in the US, Canada,
France, UK, Germany and the Bahamas may drive for up
to three months in Trinidad and Tobago. International
licences are also accepted. Driving is on the left side
of the road. Approach corners warily, and when in doubt,
sound your horn.
Ground
transport is provided by various companies ranging from
government agencies (bus service) and taxi associations,
to several independently owned and operated vehicles.
All passenger transport vehicles are designated by the
letter 'H' in their vehicle number plates.
In
Port of Spain, San Fernando and other major towns, transport
services for the large part have been centralised into
depots. There is a great deal of indiscipline; drive
defensively.
Taxis
Taxis
and maxi-taxis (colour coded mini-buses) run on fixed
routes and generally operate from designated stands.
Fares range from TT$2-TT$10 on average. Off route transfers
usually cost more.
Buses
The
buses serve main commuter routes throughout Trinidad
and Tobago and are differentiated into two services,
transit and express commuter services (ECS). Schedules
can be obtained from the Public Transport Service Corporation.
ECS
service is also available to points east of Port of
Spain and runs along a dedicated transit highway system
Car
hire
Avis,
Budget and Hertz do not have offices in Trinidad and
Tobago. There are some local hire firms in Trinidad
and Tobago. Prices tend to be on the high side; opening
times at rental offices away from the airport are sometimes
erratic.
Water
The
Domestic Ferry Service is operated by the Trinidad and
Tobago Port Authority and provides transport for passengers,
vehicles and cargo to and from the two islands. Some
ferries have restaurants and all have bars.
Tickets
for the ferries are sold at the Port of Spain and Scarborough
offices of the Port Authority, Royal Bank branches at
Arima, Chaguanas, San Fernando, and Point Fortin. Office
hours (Port of Spain only) are Monday to Friday 07:30
- 16:00. Passenger ticket sales are closed two hours
before departure time while vehicles must be boarded
two hours before sailing. Tickets are valid for 90 days
from the date of purchase. Special sailings are scheduled
during peak periods and public holidays. There is no
sailing on Saturdays. The duration of the voyage is
approximately 5½ hours.
Hotels
There
is a wide selection of hotels.
Restaurants
All
types of international food is available.
Tipping
Hotel
and restaurant staff as well as taxi drivers expect
a 10%-15% tip. Restaurants will sometimes a gratuity
at the end of the bill.
Electricity
supply
Domestic:
115 and 230 volts, 60 cycles
Industrial: 400 volts, 60 cycles three-phase.
Lamp
sockets are normally of the screw type, but bayonet
fittings are also found. Wall sockets of all kinds are
in use, although in hotels two flat-pin plugs are common
(the same design as used in the USA).
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