Trinidad / Security

Personal welfare should be a priority at all times and the concerns in Trinidad are comparable to those on the streets of cities in Europe or North America; commonsense and awareness are the prime watchwords along with all the usual precautions when visiting a foreign country (see also Solo Travellers’ section). Always ensure doors and windows are locked when leaving hotel rooms or cars, never leave anything on display in parked cars, don’t walk around streets at night with ostentatious jewellery and the like, or swinging your handbag, and never contemplate traversing the Savannah after dusk. In fact all night time travel around the capital is best undertaken by taxi.

In August 2011, the government declared a Limited State of Emergency in Trinidad.  Reports suggest that this, together with the severe penalties handed out to perpetrators of crime, is having a very positive effect on bringing down crime in the areas of Port of Spain which are most affected.

We advise anyone travelling to Trinidad visits the Foreign Office travel Advice website.

The video below features Minister for Tourism on Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Rupert Griffith, talking to Sara Macefield about the Limited State of Emergency in Trinidad whilst Liesel Lashley-Moore, Secretary for the Small Tourism Accommodation Owners of Trinidad and Tobago, tells Emily Ashwell how it has affected island life.Tim Ecott about security in the twin island republic.