Trinidad & Tobago Travel Guide: All you need to know to visit Trinidad & Tobago in 2023

Two islands surrounded by the turquoise Caribbean Sea: this is Trinidad and Tobago. Despite its small size, the country is home to many picturesque landscapes. There are a number of great tourist activities to enjoy here, from relaxing on the white sandy beaches to celebrating Carnival.

In this ultimate Trinidad and Tobago travel guide, we will share some practical travel tips and everything you need to know about visiting Trinidad and Tobago.

Document checklist for Trinidad and Tobago

• Visa (if applicable)

• Valid passport (at least six months validity)

• Sufficient funds

• Return ticket

Essential Trinidad and Tobago travel information

• Currency - Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$). $1 is equivalent to approx. TT$ 6.9.

• Daily budget for 1 person - Allow a daily budget of TT$ 1,155 ($170).

• Languages - The official spoken language in Trinidad and Tobago is English.

• Socket type - Types A and B, 115V supply voltage and 60Hz.

• Time zone - Atlantic Time Zone (UTC−04:00).

• Top 3 cities to visit - Port of Spain, Arima, and Maracas Bay.

• Top 3 landmarks/monuments - Pigeon Point Heritage Park, Caroni Swamp, and Buccoo Reef.

Visa Information for Trinidad and Tobago

Visiting these Caribbean islands in South America is easy. More than 140 countries are visa-exempt. You can use our convenient Visa Checker Tool to find out if you need a visa or have visa-free access to the country.

If local authorities require a visa for your nationality, you must contact the Trinidad and Tobago embassy for further info on how to apply.

Typical costs and budget for Trinidad and Tobago

A basic guide to what you'll spend on a daily basis in Trinidad and Tobago on a decent budget.

Daily spending - Around TT$ 1,155 ($170) per person per day on a budget vacation. This includes:

• Meals - TT$ 289 ($42)

• Transport - TT$ 270 ($40)

• Hotel - TT$ 814 ($120) for two people. Two people traveling for a week can expect to pay up to TT$16,168 ($2,374).

Transport and the best ways to travel around Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago's public transportation can seem chaotic at first sight, but it's fairly straightforward once you've figured it out. Here are the best ways to explore Trinidad and Tobago.

Rent a car to explore the islands

A car will give you flexibility and comfort to travel around at your own pace. Just bear in mind to drive on the left-hand side of the road in this country.

Taxis to explore the towns and cities

If you intend to stay in a city and don’t explore much, you can get around just fine by taxi. Simply hail a cab at one of the many marked taxi stands marked on street corners. Always agree on a price before getting into a vehicle, as taxis aren't metered.

Buses and maxi taxis to explore rural areas

It's possible for visitors to take buses and maxis to get around, and riding in a maxi can give a chance to talk to locals. Each has its own designated route, but schedules are non-existent.

Ferries or domestic flights to travel between islands

You can use ferries or domestic flights o travel between Tobago and Trinidad. Express ferries take a little less than three hours, with a one-way fare costing about $8. By air, Caribbean Airlines is the national airline with daily flights between Trinidad and Tobago with a flight time of approximately 24 minutes.

Safety in Trinidad and Tobago

On both islands it’s recommended to take precautions when it comes to your valuables. Don’t walk alone in deserted areas, and try to avoid traveling beyond major populated areas late at night and before dawn. It’s also not recommended to carry large amounts of cash or wear eye-catching jewelry.

Always ensure you are taking a licensed taxi. When driving, try to avoid straying into areas affected by gang violence and always drive with windows closed and doors locked.

Weather in Trinidad and Tobago

The best time to visit Trinidad and Tobago is in Spring, from January to May. You will find clear skies and the perfect weather to enjoy the lovely beaches. The temperatures range from 89.3°F (31.8°C) to 87°F (30.6°C). However, it’s also the peak season, so you may experience higher prices, especially during Carnival (February-March).

As with all Caribbean destinations, you must consider the hurricane season when planning your vacation. While the islands aren't on the hurricane beltafternoon rain showers are daily occurrences from June to December.

On the other hand, hotels lower their rates to account for the rainy season, and some interesting festivals take place around this time, such as the Tobago Heritage Festival (July-August) and Blue Food Festival (October).

Besides the rainy days in summer and autumn, the temperature stays pleasant year-round on the islands, and it’s never too cold to relax on any of the white sand beaches.

Popular cities and towns in Trinidad and Tobago

We listed some great spots you should include in your Trinidad and Tobago itinerary for a memorable trip.

• Port of Spain - Trinidad's capital offers colonial-style architecture and many attractions, such as the National Museum, art galleries, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The downtown port is also a good place to explore other islands and take boat trips from.

• Maracas Bay - Coconut palms and crystal clear water set the scene at one of the most beautiful beach towns of Trinidad. It’s also a great place for surfing or enjoying one of the many hiking trails.

• Mount Irvine Beach - Mt. Irvine Bay offers an incredible beach for snorkeling and sunbathing. The island has some of the best resorts if you're looking for a more upmarket experience.

• Englishman's Bay - This precious part of Tobago’s coast offers jungle-cloaked hills, golden sand, and a jade-green sea. It’s also a great spot to swim and snorkel.

• Arima - This city is quaint and relaxing. If you love birds, you’ll enjoy the Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge, a top bird-watching spot with 159 species of exotic and rare birds.

Must do and see in Trinidad and Tobago

There is no doubt that visiting Trinidad and Tobago is a remarkable experience. So much nature to enjoy! Here are some awesome sights that you shouldn't miss on your trip.

1. Pigeon Point Heritage Park is a beach and Tobago forest reserve that combines untouched nature, responsible tourism, and a serene atmosphere.

2. Enjoy turtle watching in Stonehaven Bay. It’s a natural spectacle that happens between March and September.

3. Dive the Buccoo Reef, an ecosystem of coral reefs located in the southwestern region of Tobago.

4. Visit the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, the Caroni Swamp. It’s also a great place to watch the blood-orange flamingos.

5. Have fun at the Tobago Jazz Festival. If you are traveling in April, make sure to visit this festival with artists playing jazz in the unique style of the Caribbean Islands.

Typical food to try on your Trinidad and Tobago trip

• Doubles - You must try this popular street-snack. It consists of two baras (pieces of fried dough), filled with channa (chickpeas), and is topped with various sauces, such as pepper sauce, cilantro sauce, tamarind sauce, and coconut chutney, grated cucumber, or kuchela.

• Crab and Dumpling - This popular dish is traditional in Tobago. It’s made of sticky pieces of unevenly cut dumplings cooked in a mild coconut-milk curry sauce with crab.

• Pelau - A colorful dish consisting of stewed meat cooked with rice and vegetables. The meat is first marinated in seasoning and then caramelized in oil and sugar. Afterwards, rice, vegetables, and coconut milk are added to the pot to stew together.

Vaccine Information for Trinidad and Tobago

It's important to know what routine vaccines and COVID-19 measures are required to enter Trinidad and Tobago. We recommend you to check out the CDC website to learn about all vaccine requirements.

Currently, it’s not mandatory to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations to enter Trinidad and Tobago.

Having travel insurance is not mandatory, but it's a good idea in case you run into any medical emergencies while in the country.

Celebrating carnival in Trinidad and Tobago

Carnival season is a time for letting go and having fun in Trinidad and Tobago. The streets are filled with colorful costumes and exuberant celebrations. Every year, carnival parties are held on Mondays and Tuesdays before Ash Wednesday.

Carnival originated during the period of slavery when the enslaved people, banned from attending their masters’ fancy balls and parties, would improvise by staging their own costumed events in their quarters.

Since then, Carnival has evolved into an inclusive and elaborate billion-dollar event for Trinidad and Tobago. It’s a great season to enjoy parties and celebrate with Trinidad and Tobago’s locals.

Fun facts about Trinidad and Tobago

Do you love Trinidad and Tobago already? This beautiful country has a lot of places to explore but also some interesting facts.

1. Trinidad and Tobago has the best quality cacao in the world. The world-renowned Trinitarian cacao has been the main ingredient in high-quality chocolate worldwide for years.

2. Trinidad’s Grande Riviere beach is the second-largest nesting site in the world for giant leatherback turtles. If you want to watch the animals, from 1 March to 30 September these creatures come to the island to lay their eggs before the hatchlings emerge to make their way to the ocean.

3. The country has the highest number of bird species per square mile. The islands are home to 482 species of birds, with 17 types of hummingbirds alone.

4. Do you like pepper? Well, the Trinidad scorpion 'Butch T' pepper was ranked the most hot pepper in the world for three years, according to Guinness World Records.

5. The first black winner of the Miss Universe pageant was from Trinidad and Tobago. Janelle Penny Commissiong, won the Miss Universe title in 1977.