Trinidad / Island Essentials

All travellers to Trinidad will need to know the essential island facts.  The information on Trinidad shown below is current (2011).

Currency/Credit Cards

The Trinidad & Tobago dollar (TT$) floats on the international exchange and is currently rated at approximately US$1.00 = TT$6. The US dollar is generally accepted in any business used to dealing with tourists throughout the island, but if you are going off the beaten track then it is important to carry local currency. 

Most of the major credit cards (and some debit cards) are accepted anywhere that deals with tourists on a regular basis. However, do not expect local bars or small local restaurants and businesses to accept them. When dining out it might be a good idea to double check payment methods in advance. It is worth noting that certain credit cards may attract an additional charge or may simply not be accepted.

Check-in/Check out

Trinidad is generally in line with business hotels around the worldwith check-out at 12 noon and check-in in the early afternoon. The majority of international arrivals into Trinidad are in the mid to late afternoon, but if you are arriving earlier than that, from another Caribbean island perhaps, then let your hotel know and they may be able to provide day rooms/shower facilities subject to availability, or may be flexible on check in.

Departure Tax/Taxes

A Departure Tax of TT$100 (approx US$16) must be paid by everyone under 60 years of age when leaving Trinidad. This tax goes into the Government's consolidated fund to subsidize development projects. 

All hotel accommodation is subject to a 10% room tax (and there is usually a 10% service charge as well). Some rates include the charges but usually they will be added to your bill, which can make quite a difference to the eventual price. If you are booking direct, make sure you calculate this in when pricing up your trip.

Electricity

Domestic supply is 110/220 volts, 60 cycles. The standard is a flat, 2-pin socket in US style, so remember to take an adapter if need be.

Embassies/Consulates

Canada 
The High Commission for Canada, Maple House, 3-3a Sweet Briar Road, St Clair, Port of Spain, t 622 6232, chcpspan@opus.co.tt 

United Kingdom 
British High Commission, 19 St Clair Avenue, St Clair, PO Box 778, Port of Spain, t 622 8960/2748, csbhc@opus.co.tt 

United States of America 
Embassy of The United States of America, 15 Queen's Park West, Port of Spain, t 622 6371-6, 
usispos@trinidad.net

Emergencies

Police – 999 
Fire – 990 
Ambulance – 990

Medical

Your first call in case of a medical emergency should be your hotel front desk. For more serious emergencies contact one of the major hospitals. Nurses and doctors are on call at most hotels, and an ambulance can be acquired by dialing 990. 

Port of Spain General Hospital, Charlotte Street, Port of Spain, t 623 2951 

Mount Hope Hospital, The Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Uriah Butler Highway, Champs Fleurs, t 645 2640 

San Fernando General Hospital, Independence Avenue, San Fernando, t 652 3581 

For any minor malady there are private clinics or hospitals which can dispense prompt and efficient service. Note that at Port of Spain General, waiting time for casualty can often be long. 

St Clair Medical Centre, St Clair, Port of Spain, t 628 1451 or 8615 

Community Hospital of Seventh Day Adventists, Cocorite, t 622 1191 

Vaccinations 
No specific inoculations are required for entry though it’s a sensible idea to have typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A injections up-to-date, certainly if you’re likely to spend significant time in forests or the countryside. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary if travelling on the ferry between Venezuela and Trinidad or from travellers over the age of one year coming from infected areas, vaccinations are not required. 

There is no malaria in Trinidad, but there are very occasional outbreaks ofdengue fever – another mosquito-borne disease. You should take normal precautions against mosquito bites, including using insect repellent during daylight hours and after sunset. Tap water is drinkable but everyone filters. The sun can be fierce in the city and you can burn under cloud so use sun block. Aloe vera is useful for those inevitable abrasions, bites or sunburn if you’re heading for the bush.

Nudity

There is no nude or topless bathing anywhere in Trinidad. It is illegal and it is not appreciated by the Trinidadians.

Places of Worship

Whatever one’s denomination Trinidad, as the most theologically diverse nation in the Caribbean, will provide somewhere to worship; the population of 1.3 million is roughly split between Roman Catholic at 29%, another 24% are Hindu, 11% Anglican, 6% Muslim, 3.3% Presbyterian and 5.6% disciples of African based animist religions like the Spiritual Baptists and Shango. There are also significant devotees of the Pentecostal, Moravian, Seventh Day Adventist and the Church of God faiths. Temples, cathedrals and mosques are often in close proximity, if not outright harmony, and most Trinidadians retain strong religious beliefs of one form or another. There are dozens of places of worship, the greatest preponderance in the capital, where some of them are quite exquisite edifices: 

Haji Gokool Meah Mosque, St James, Port of Spain 
Distinctive green and white minarets. Sadly not open to the public. 

Holy Rosary R C Church, Port of Spain 
Wonderful old stained glass depicting Biblical scenes. 

Holy Trinity Cathedral, Woodford Square, Port of Spain 
Impressive stone Anglican church completed in 1818 on the south side of Woodford Square with a mahogany roof made in England. 

The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Independence Square, Port of Spain 
On the eastern end of the Brian Lara Promenade in downtown Port of Spain, the twin towered Roman Catholic, Gothic-style cathedral was refurbished in 1984 with attractive stained glass highlighting the country’s diverse ethnicity. Services every Sunday evening and open to all. 

Non-profit organisations and Government links: 

Holy Rosary R C Church, 14 Park Street, Port of Spain, www.holyrosarytt.org

Service Charge/Tipping

All hotel accommodation is subject to a 10% Service Charge (and a 10% room tax). Some rates include the but they will usually be added to your bill and this can make quite a difference to the eventual price, so if you are booking direct, make sure you calculate this in when pricing up your holiday. Tipping for good service is always appreciated. 

In restaurants, check the bill, but a minimum of 10% should be added.

Time Zone

Trinidad is on Atlantic Standard Time, which is four hours behind Britain in the winter (GMT) and five hours behind in summer when the northern hemisphere adopts daylight saving time (Trinidad does not change its clocks). 

Atlantic Standard Time is one hour ahead of US Eastern Standard Time during the winter, but on the same time in the summer when Daylight Saving Time is adopted.

Water

Consumption of tap water in the main urban areas is generally safe. Though potable, it may have a metallic taste for some palates and all the usual brand names of plastic bottled water are readily available. However, a recent international report suggested that only a quarter of the population had access to potable water on a 24-7, year-round basis, and there have been growing problems with water catchment, run-off and flooding after heavy rain in the capital in recent years, so use water sparingly.