Social ConventionsMany local attitudes are often reflected in the lyrics of the calypso, the accepted medium for political and social satire since pre-emancipation days. Hospitality is important and entertaining is commonly done at home. Casual wear is usual, with shirt sleeves generally accepted for business and social gatherings, but beachwear is not worn in towns.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
Caribbean Airlines (website:
www.caribbean-airlines.com).
Departure TaxTT$100 (payable
in local currency only). Transit passengers (within 48 hours), passengers over 60 and children under five years of age are exempt.
Main AirportsPiarco International Airport (POS) is 25km (16 miles) east of Port of Spain.
To/from the airport: Buses are available to the city (journey time - 25 minutes). There are taxis to the city for hotels throughout the island with set fares posted in taxis. Fares increase after midnight. Sharing taxis is an accepted practice.
Facilities: Duty-free shops, banks, ATMs, car hire, restaurants, light refreshments, shops and tourist information.
Crown Point Airport (TAB) is 13km (8 miles) from Scarborough and very close to most of the main hotels.
To/from the airport: Taxis are available (prices for standard journeys are published in the airport arrival lounge).
Facilities: Bank, bureau de change, shops, restaurant, duty-free shop, snack and car hire.
For more information on the airports, contact the
Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (website:
www.tntislands.com/tntairports).
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Port of Spain and
Scarborough.
Cruise lines stop at Port of Spain.
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into Trinidad and Tobago by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 1.5l of wine or spirits in opened bottles.
• A reasonable quantity of perfume.
• Gifts up to the value of US$200.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirCaribbean Airlines (website:
www.caribbean-airlines.com) runs flights between Piarco (Port of Spain) and Crown Point (Tobago). During peak seasons (especially Carnival time), these are often heavily booked.
Getting Around by WaterThere are two options for the crossing between Trinidad (Port of Spain) and Tobago (Scarborough), both run by the
Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (website:
www.patnt.com). The slow car ferry/passenger service takes approximately six hours and the fast catamaran crossing is two hours 30 minutes.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the left. The road network in Trinidad between major towns is good, but traffic around Port of Spain can be difficult during rush hour and around Independence Square at any time. Two major highways run north-south and east-west. Roads which run off major routes can be very unpredictable, and are susceptible to poor weather conditions. In Tobago, the roads, though narrow in parts, are improving dramatically and most of the island is easy to reach. There is a major highway (Claude Noel Highway) running west-east. Tourists should have no qualms about driving around Tobago at any time of the day or night, although caution should be exercised in more rural areas where chickens and sheep may wander across roads. Hand signals, which may be unfamiliar, are often used.
Bus: Services are operated by the state
Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) (tel: 623 7872; website:
www.ptsc.co.tt)
. In the absence of a railway, the main towns are served by bus but although these are cheap, they are crowded and unreliable. The use of shared taxis has increased due to the shortcomings of the bus network. In Tobago, there are regular bus services between Scarborough bus station and Crown Point, Buccoo, Plymouth and Roxborough.
Taxi: All official taxis have registration ’H’. Hiring a private taxi is much more expensive but gives the freedom to go where you like. Though there are fixed rates for certain journeys, it is best to establish this before you start your journey. The quickest and most cost-effective way to get around is by Route taxis and Maxi taxis which serve standard routes within Trinidad, particularly around Port of Spain, starting their route from, in or near Independence Square. These have fixed rates. In Tobago, Route taxis (H registered and unregistered) are plentiful along most major routes during the day and can be stopped anywhere along them. Drivers will indicate they have room by sounding their horn.
Car hire: Cars and motorcycles are available in Port of Spain or Scarborough, and can be arranged via hotels and in Tobago at the airport or through the hotels. Trailbikes are becoming more popular in Tobago, but mopeds are more advisable for the inexperienced rider.
Regulations: Trinidad’s speed limit is 80kph (50mph) on highways and 55kph (34mph) in built-up areas. While in Tobago do not exceed 50kph (31mph). There is no left turn on a red light and u-turns are illegal. Drivers and front-seat passengers are legally required to wear a seat belt.
Bicycle hire: In Tobago, there are a number of places in the Lowlands (southeast) where you can hire bicycles.
Documentation: Visitors in possession of a valid driving permit issued in any of the countries listed below may drive in Trinidad and Tobago for a period of up to three months. They are, however, entitled to drive only a motor vehicle of the class specified on their permit. Drivers must have in their possession at all times : (a) their International Driving Permit or equivalent; and, (b) any travel document on which is certified their date of arrival in Trinidad and Tobago. Visitors whose stay exceeds the three-month period are requested to apply to the Licensing Department, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, for a local Driving Permit. The above information applies to all signatories to the Convention on International Driver’s Permits including The Bahamas, Canada, France, Germany, the UK and the USA.
Excluded: China, South Africa and Vietnam, whose nationals require a passport, International Driving Permit and national license.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesOwing to the deterioration of bus services, most public transport journeys in
Port of Spain are now made by
shared taxis.
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