Think of Trinidad and Tobago as fraternal twins – they are alike, but different in many ways. The smaller Tobago enjoys a very slow paced-lifestyle and is quite undeveloped but has attracted immigrants from all over the world to settle here in recent years. On the other hand, Trinidad is largely populated with sophisticated people and a unique vibe only found on this island.
Travellers booking flights to Trinidad and Tobago are heading into one of the wealthiest countries in the Caribbean. The country’s capital, the Port of Spain, resides in Trinidad, and is flanked by mountains to the north and scenic beaches along the north and east coasts. Flights to Trinidad and Tobago will land in Port of Spain and tourists will find themselves surrounded by skyscrapers, mosques, cathedrals and a Bazaar that would leave even the best shopper weak in the knees. Trinidad and Tobago flights drop visitors in the birthplace of steel drum bands and calypso dancing. And if you happen to be there in February then you can’t miss out on Carnival, where dancers in elaborate costumes parade the streets for two days and hundreds of steel band musicians compete against each other.
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Peak Season:
January to May is the dry season. The time around Carnival is the most popular time for travellers to book flights to Trinidad and Tobago.
Off Season:
June to December is the rainy season. Expect sunny mornings, rainy afternoons and fair nights during the wet season. Petit Carême or Indian summer interrupts the rainy season between mid-September and mid-October. The average daytime temperature is 28 degrees Celsius. Humidity is not a factor.
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Trinidad: the bus service is good in general. An added bonus for travellers is that the colour-coding of each bus corresponds to its destination. For example, buses with green bands travel around the southern parts of Trinidad; yellow-banded buses go around the capital, Port of Spain. Journeys cost between $2 (£1) and $10 (£5).
Tobago: bus services are based in Scarborough and travel to most villages on the island, including Crown Point and Plymouth. Tobago buses have blue bands.
Getting between the islands by ferry: in Trinidad, most ferry services are available at the port in Port of Spain. In Tobago, ferries dock in Scarborough. There are several ferry services each day. The journey takes about five hours.
Inter-island flying: Caribbean Airlines is the principal airline for domestic Trinidad and Tobago flights. Tobago Express also offers air service between the islands
Taxis are also fairly cheap (negotiate a fare in advance) and some drivers double up as guides.
International car hire companies– on both islands – include Hertz and Thrifty. There are several local companies too. Driving is on the left.
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- Trinidad revels in the pre-Lenten Carnival (usually about February). Divali, the annual Hindu festival of lights, is celebrated with gusto in October/November. The Port of Spain’s attractions include Queen's Park Savannah, a 400-acre green space, surrounded by mansions where many public activities are held.
- The Pitch or Asphalt Lake, about 55 miles from the Port of Spain, is a natural wonder. At 100 acres, it is the largest pitch lake in the world. It was discovered by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1595, who used the tar to repair his leaking ships. The waters are said to be therapeutic due to the sulphur content.
- Bird-life: the Asa Wright Nature Centre (catch the dawn chorus on the verandah), the Caroni Nature Reserve (the evening show with the scarlet ibis is spectacular), Nariva Swamp and the Pointe-à-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust.
- Tobago is an island for the water-sports enthusiast (scuba diving the Buccoo Reef or other dive spots such as Manta City, London Bridge, Blackjack Hole, The Shallows, The Sisters or Diver's Thirst for example or deep-sea fishing) and the beach lover (Englishman's Bay for example). There is much here too for the eco-tourist. Tobago is one of three islands in the Caribbean where giant leatherback turtles come ashore to nest (between March and June). The Tobago Forest Reserve was declared a reserve in 1764. It has more than 200 species of bird including the frigate bird and red-billed Tropic birds. The Argyle Waterfalls, a three-tiered waterfall, are near Roxborough, close to the Louis d'Or Nurseries. Fort King George was built in the 1770s and is one of the island’s best-preserved historical monuments. Visitors can see the barracks, prisoners’ cells, officer's mess and bell tank. The Tobago Museum and art display is in the Barrack Guard House.
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The two main airports for flights to Trinidad and Tobago are:
Piarco International Airport (POS) is 16 miles east of Port of Spain.
Crown Point (TAB) is eight miles from Scarborough and very close to most of the main hotels.
For more information on airports, contact the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.
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Passports must be valid for at least the period of the proposed visit. Visitors require documents for return or onward travel, and a fixed address for the period of their stay.
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UK nationals, regardless of their passport endorsement, do not need a visa to enter TNT.
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