Organize your stay Trinidad & Tobago
Money Trinidad & Tobago
Currency. The currency is the Trinidadian dollar (TT$), although in practice the US dollar is the reference currency, particularly for tourism (accommodation, car rentals, fine dining).
Exchange rates. In June 2023: 1 € = 7.4 TT$ - 10 TT$ = 1.353 €. 1 US$ = 0.93 € - 1 € = 1.07 US$.
Please note. On site, you can only withdraw Trinidadian dollars with your bank card from ATMs, but be aware that many retailers are looking for US dollars and are willing to exchange them at a better rate than the banks. The difference can be as much as 20%.
Budget & Tips Trinidad & Tobago
While one-sixth of the archipelago's inhabitants still live below the poverty line, at the same time the country's considerable natural resources have led to the rapid enrichment of a whole section of the population. Add to this the presence of an expatriate population, often American, and it's easy to see why the cost of living in Trinidad is at two speeds: low for the majority of the population, and high as soon as it becomes necessary to conform to a Western lifestyle. In tourist terms, this situation has direct repercussions: unless you live "à la locale", restaurants and standard accommodation will often cost the same as in France, and this will be all the more true when you are in Trinidad's major cities, as well as in Tobago, whose tourist positioning is much more assertive than that of its big sister. What really isn't expensive, however, are the small local restaurants, drinks, public transport and petrol
The following indicative budgets are per day and per person, and include accommodation, meals, sightseeing, travel and incidental expenses to suit all budgets ( guesthouse accommodation and lunch in local restaurants for those on a budget, etc.). Plane tickets are not included.
Low budget: €80 to €90.
Medium budget: €95 to €145.
Large budget: from €150.
Passport and visas Trinidad & Tobago
EU citizens don't need a visa. All you need is a valid passport and a return ticket. The total duration of a tourist stay may not exceed three months. Please note that many flights to Trinidad & Tobago pass through the USA, so you'll need to apply for an ESTA online if you choose this itinerary (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta).
Working in Trinidad & Tobago requires a work permit.
It is always advisable to check with the embassy before travelling.
The Trinidad & Tobago embassy for French-speaking Europe is located in Brussels and can be contacted on +32 2 762 94 15.
Please note! Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned return date.
Driver's license Trinidad & Tobago
Your national driving license is sufficient to rent a car and drive it around the country. Be careful, we drive on the left!
Health Trinidad & Tobago
Thereare few specific diseases in Trinidad & Tobago, and there's no need to worry too much about them. Dengue fever has returned to the region, so it's advisable to take along a good mosquito repellent - the only way to avoid catching this painful but non-lethal disease.
Water quality is good on both islands , but in case of heavy rain, you'll want to use bottled water.
First-aid kit. It's a good idea to take all essential medicines with you. At the very least, the perfect traveler's kit should include Doliprane® for headaches and fever, an antidiarrheal such as Immodium® (tablets are taken after each bowel movement), an intestinal disinfectant such as Ercéfuryl® (tablets to be taken morning, noon and night, for five days: don't stop the treatment as soon as things start to feel a little better, or the gastric problems will start up again!), a skin antiseptic, an anti-mosquito ointment such as Insect'Ecran®, and creams to treat burns and sunburn, such as Madécassol® or Biafine®. Don't forget to take fungicide cream against fungus.
Mandatory vaccination Trinidad & Tobago
Vaccinations. No specific vaccinations are required on entry, and as a general rule, the only minor problems you may encounter are due to the abundance of sun, heat and humidity. Vaccination updates are strongly recommended before departure for diphtheria, poliomyelitis and tetanus. Hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies can also be vaccinated for long or "adventurous" stays. Finally, as a precautionary measure, it may be useful to be vaccinated against yellow fever, although this is not compulsory for entry into the country. Yellow fever, although absent from Trinidad & Tobago, has reappeared in Venezuela, Suriname and French Guiana. Overnight, being vaccinated may therefore become a prerequisite for any authorization to enter Trinidad in the event of an epidemic. Please note: immune response to the vaccine takes 10 days. Vaccination for Covid-19 is no longer compulsory, but you should find out just before you leave, as the rules are still changing frequently at the time of writing.
For more information, visit the French Ministry of Health website (www.sante.gouv.fr) to find vaccination centers near you. You can also contact the travel medicine society at the Institut Pasteur medical center at ✆ 01 45 68 80 88 (www.pasteur.fr/fr/sante/centre-medical) or visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under "Conseils aux voyageurs" (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs).
Security Trinidad & Tobago
In Trinidad
It's true that Trinidad & Tobago doesn't have a particularly safe reputation. Account settlements are frequent, but mostly concern gangs. Tourists are only exceptionally concerned.
Once here, visitors will discover that safety is a constant concern in Trinidad. They will be surprised to find that all the stores and houses are systematically protected by bars on the doors and windows, and no doubt, when they first meet the locals, some kind soul will warn them about the "Bad Johns", the bad boys who scour the island as soon as night falls. These warnings are particularly radical, bordering on caricature, when given by the islanders of Tobago, who are highly suspicious of Trinidad and its people. The visitor must therefore be able to distinguish between the real risks and the bad reputation, which owes much to the strong exaggeration of a reality that is not so gloomy. The truth is that in Trinidad, much more than in Tobago, there is a climate of latent violence that the local media easily convey. Not a day goes by without a headline about a kidnapping or a blood crime committed on the island. What's not true is that this violence is directed against tourists. In Trinidad, violence is a private matter from which foreigners are excluded. Of course, this does not erase all the risks, but, as in the vast majority of countries around the world, the dangers incurred by tourists on the island are often the result of their carelessness and failure to apply elementary rules of caution, such as never displaying the possession of large sums of money, avoid the ghetto districts of the big cities (especially the central Laventille district), avoid walking after dark, avoid being in deserted places during the day (beaches, unaccompanied bush walks), avoid drinking too much in bars in the evening, always have a telephone number to call in case of problems (car breakdowns)... In short, common sense precautions.
Carnival time. A key moment in the island's festive activity and a time for releasing energy, Carnival is a time for all kinds of excesses. The spirit of the bacchanal reigns on the island, the spirit of transgressing rules and the forbidden. The crowd includes all strata of the population, including the most destitute, as well as visitors, who generally arrive in large numbers and untanned to take part in Trinidad's major tourist attraction. The latter will find it impossible to avoid the pickpockets, who are more than happy to pick pockets in the crowd. Consequently, any foreigner wishing to take part in Carnival is well advised to carry only the essentials: small sums of money, no valuables - medals, watches, cameras - and to take part only in events taking place during the day (the risk of muggings is higher at night, especially at Jouvert time).
Illegal substances. Their presence will not escape the visitor, especially those heading for Tobago where weed consumption is much more obvious than in Trinidad (they will regularly be offered "spliffs" - petards in French - all rolled up and ready to be consumed). At the end of 2019, the manufacture, possession and consumption of cannabis in Trinidad & Tobago were decriminalized. It is permitted to possess up to 30g of weed and plant up to 4 female plants at home, but smoking in public remains prohibited.
Cocaine and crack have also become widespread in Trinidad in recent years. They are, of course, prohibited, and consumers, sellers and producers are liable to heavy prison sentences, regardless of the quantity involved. The island's geographical proximity to Venezuela has made it a hub for the white powder trade, the first port of call on the way to American and European markets. The presence of crack cocaine on the island also means local consumption and the potential for addiction-related violence. The best advice we can give you is to trust your intuition and avoid being accosted on the street by just anyone.
In Tobago
There are far fewer security problems in Tobago than in Trinidad. As a general rule, the island's inhabitants are extraordinarily friendly and welcoming, and even though the unemployment rate on the island is over 25%, there is virtually no risk of theft. If you're driving a rental car, you'll regularly be asked to stop all around the island to pick someone up. As long as you maintain a modicum of vigilance and judgment, and your wallet containing all your vacation money isn't spread out on the back seat, you'll be able to stop without any problem. As well as being of service, this will enable you to meet a wide variety of locals and learn a lot about local life in Tobago.
For the latest information on local safety, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers, and that this sometimes gives a rather alarmist picture of the country's actual situation.
Time difference Trinidad & Tobago
In Trinidad & Tobago, you'll be 5 hours behind Europe in winter and 6 hours in summer.
(Compared to Paris or Brussels time)
Spoken languages Trinidad & Tobago
The country's official language is English. Many locals also speak Spanish, thanks to the proximity of Venezuela. French is not widely spoken.
Communication Trinidad & Tobago
Mobile network coverage is very good in Trinidad & Tobago. Digicel or Bmobile, it doesn't matter, both operators provide a quality service, and it's easy to get a local SIM card with a package to suit the length of your stay.
Roaming. Beware: using your usual telephone subscription while roaming in Trinidad & Tobago may result in a few surprises on your bill on your return. Check with your cell phone provider before you leave.
Electricity and measurements Trinidad & Tobago
Electrical outlets are American, so you'll need to think about adapters. The standard voltage is 115 V. Your chargers should be designed for this, as is often the case.
Luggage Trinidad & Tobago
Of course, you can pack everything you need for a tropical destination where it's hot all year round. So, in bulk: don't forget sunglasses, sun cream, light clothing and swimwear, as well as a good mosquito repellent. As far as insects are concerned, it's a good idea to take along a travel mosquito net, available from specialist stores. Rooms in guest houses or hotels are not always equipped with one. Those wishing to walk in the bush will be well advised to pack long pants and good hiking boots, waterproof if possible. Those who are drawn to the marshes can even take their boots. Freediving enthusiasts will be well advised to take masks, fins and snorkels with them - they are expensive to hire. To capture the island's wildlife effectively, nature photographers should pack a good zoom lens. It's also a good idea to pack vitamin and mineral cocktails for stays longer than a fortnight, as regular heavy sweating can lead to mineral deficiencies over time.
All year round: pack light clothing in natural fabrics, and possibly a raincoat for stormy days, especially from June to December. From December to March, you can add a light sweater for the evenings, as it can get a little chilly, especially after a day in the sun.
