Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad is the multicultural engine of this twin-island nation, home of Carnival, calypso, the steelpan and street food such as doubles; little Tobago is the place for quiet beaches, coral reefs and rainforest. Between them, scarlet ibis roost in the Caroni Swamp, leatherback turtles nest on northern beaches and the birdlife is outstanding.
Overview
Trinidad and Tobago lies just off the coast of Venezuela, and unlike most Caribbean nations its economy runs on oil and gas rather than tourism. Trinidad, the larger island, is the cultural heart, with Port of Spain's Carnival, Hindu temples and mosques reflecting its large Indian-descended population, and rainforest and birdlife in the Northern Range. Tobago, a short flight or ferry ride away, is quieter and greener, with coral reefs, fishing villages and the Western Hemisphere's oldest protected forest reserve. Many visitors pair a few days of Trinidad's food and nature with a week of beaches on Tobago.
Because tourism is a small part of the economy, Trinidad feels refreshingly unpackaged, but services can be patchy, so arrange transport and tours in advance. Costs are mid-range by Caribbean standards: street food is cheap, while Carnival season sends accommodation prices soaring. Tobago is more geared to visitors, with guesthouses and small resorts around Crown Point and Castara. The islands lie south of the main hurricane belt, though rain is heavy from June to December. They suit food lovers, birdwatchers, divers and music fans rather than all-inclusive seekers.
Map of Trinidad and Tobago
Top 5 highlights
- 1Wildlife
Caroni Swamp
Boat trips leave in the late afternoon to watch thousands of scarlet ibis, one of the country's two national birds, fly in to roost on mangrove islands, turning the trees red at dusk.
- 2Nature
Buccoo Reef and Nylon Pool
Glass-bottomed boats from Buccoo and Pigeon Point cross Tobago's largest reef for snorkelling, then stop at the Nylon Pool, a waist-deep sandbar in the open sea. On Sunday evenings, Buccoo hosts the Sunday School street party.
- 3Beach
Maracas Bay
Trinidad's best-known beach curves beneath the forested Northern Range, about 40 minutes over the hills from Port of Spain. Eat bake and shark from the stalls by the car park, and swim near the lifeguards.
- 4Wildlife
Grande Riviere turtle beach
One of the world's densest nesting beaches for leatherback turtles, which haul ashore at night from March to August. Viewing is by guided walk only; arrange it through the village's guesthouses.
- 5Nature
Main Ridge Forest Reserve
Protected since 1776, Tobago's rainforest spine is the oldest legally protected forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere. Walk Gilpin Trace with a local guide for motmots, hummingbirds and waterfalls.
Biggest cities
Port of Spain
Rarely pretty, but the capital is the place for Carnival, the Queen's Park Savannah and its Magnificent Seven mansions, the Royal Botanic Gardens and late-night food on Ariapita Avenue.
Chaguanas
The country's fastest-growing town is central Trinidad's shopping hub; visitors come for its markets, Indo-Trinidadian food and the giant Hanuman statue at nearby Carapichaima.
San Fernando
Trinidad's southern hub sits beneath San Fernando Hill and makes the obvious base for the Pitch Lake at La Brea, the world's largest natural deposit of asphalt.
Port of Spain's figure covers its wider urban area along the coast and the East–West Corridor; Chaguanas and San Fernando figures are 2011 census borough and city populations, and San Fernando's built-up area extends well beyond its city limits.
When to go to Trinidad and Tobago
Best time: Jan–May.
Average climate in Port of Spain
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarCarnival
The Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday bring J'ouvert's mud and paint at dawn, then costumed masquerade bands parading through Port of Spain, after weeks of calypso, steelpan competitions and fêtes.
- Jul–AugTobago Heritage Festival
From mid-July to early August, Tobago's villages stage traditional dance, drumming, storytelling and the Ole Time Wedding, celebrating the island's African heritage and folk customs.
- Oct–NovDivali
The Hindu festival of lights is a public holiday: homes and temples glow with thousands of clay deyas, and the Divali Nagar site near Chaguanas hosts nights of music, dance and food.
How much does Trinidad and Tobago cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Doubles
Two soft fried bara breads topped with curried chickpeas (channa), tamarind sauce, cucumber chutney and pepper sauce; a cheap breakfast sold from roadside stands island-wide.
Bake and shark
Fried shark in a puffy fried bread, piled with toppings such as shado beni sauce, tamarind and pineapple; Maracas Bay's beach stalls are the classic place to eat it.
Crab and dumpling
Tobago's signature dish: blue crab curried in coconut milk, served with dense flour dumplings for mopping up the sauce. Messy, and worth it.
Getting around
There is no railway. Locals use maxi taxis, minibuses colour-coded by route, and route taxis, shared cars with H number plates that run fixed routes. PTSC buses use a fast priority lane along the East–West Corridor. Caribbean Airlines flies between Port of Spain and Tobago in about 25 minutes, and fast ferries take around three hours. Hire a car for Tobago or Trinidad's north coast.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- AB115V — bring a UK-to-A/B adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +1-868
- Time zone
- UTC-4 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Many restaurants add a 10% service charge; if not, tip 10–15%. Tip guides and boat crews, but route-taxi drivers don't expect it.
- Etiquette
- Always say 'good morning' or 'good afternoon' before asking anything, as skipping the greeting is considered rude. Wear swimwear only on the beach, and dress modestly in temples and mosques.
- Main airports
- Piarco International Airport (POS), Port of Spain; A.N.R. Robinson International Airport (TAB), Crown Point, Tobago
Visas & entry for Trinidad and Tobago
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Trinidad and Tobago without a visa for up to 90 days.
You must have:
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- DengueRabiesYellow fever
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter. There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Diwali |
| Mon 9 Nov 2026 | Diwali (observed) |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Tue 30 Mar 2027 | Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day |
| Thu 27 May 2027 | Corpus Christi |
| Sun 30 May 2027 | Indian Arrival Day |
| Mon 31 May 2027 | Indian Arrival Day (observed) |
| Sat 19 Jun 2027 | Labour Day |
| Sun 1 Aug 2027 | African Emancipation Day |
| Mon 2 Aug 2027 | African Emancipation Day (observed) |
| Tue 31 Aug 2027 | Independence Day |
| Fri 24 Sep 2027 | Republic Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Know before you go
- For Carnival, book flights and accommodation six months or more ahead and expect minimum stays and steep surcharges; costumes with the major mas bands sell out early too.
- Book the inter-island ferry or Tobago flight well ahead around holidays and Carnival, when locals fill every seat, and allow slack for delays to sailings.
- Use registered taxis with H plates or drivers arranged by your accommodation rather than unmarked cars, especially at night, and check the FCDO travel advice before you go.
Trinidad and Tobago travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Trinidad and Tobago?
The best time to visit Trinidad and Tobago is generally Jan–May. Peak months are January, February, March, April and May. Average highs in Port of Spain range from 31°C to 32°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Trinidad and Tobago cost per day?
Roughly £55 a day on a tight budget, £125 mid-range and £260+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Trinidad and Tobago?
Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD).
What plug type does Trinidad and Tobago use?
Type A and B sockets at 115V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Trinidad and Tobago?
Traffic drives on the left in Trinidad and Tobago — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Trinidad and Tobago?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Trinidad and Tobago?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Trinidad and Tobago without a visa for up to 90 days. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Trinidad and Tobago before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/trinidad-and-tobago/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Trinidad and Tobago?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Dengue, Rabies and Yellow fever sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
