Tourist information Trinidad and Tobago, including all the useful things to know before leaving for a trip or vacation to these Caribbean islands off the coast of Venezuela.
Trinidad and Tobago in a nutshell
- Capital: Port of Spain (located on the island of Trinidad)
- Area in sq km: 5,123
- Population: 1,065,842 (2006)
- Religion: Protestant, Catholic, Hindu and Muslim
Where are
Trinidad and Tobago are two islands located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Venezuela, facing the Orinoco delta.
Trinidad is the largest island and is mostly flat.
In the northern part the Northern Range mountain range, which with Mount Aripo (940 m.) Reaches the highest point, represents the continuation of the Andes, which together with the presence of oil and natural gas deposits, which are located on the slope of the island turned to Venezuela, testify to the initial membership of the island, to the mainland of South America.
In the central southern part of the island, there are lush forests with a very rich flora, animated by various species of animals.
The main rivers are the Caroni and the Ortoire.
Tobago is located north-east of the island of Trinidad, has a central mountain range (approx. 600 m. Maximum height), and fertile valleys that descend towards the coast, full of beaches and bays.
Climate
The climate of Trinidad and Tobago is characterized by constant temperatures throughout the year (average temperature of 29 °).
The rainy season covers the months from May to November, the dry one from December to April.
During the second half of October and the month of November, there may be more intense thunderstorms, caused by hurricanes that form further north.
These islands are spared from most hurricanes affecting the islands of the Caribbean Sea.
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Population
The majority of the population is made up of ethnic groups of Indian and African origin, the remainder is made up of mestizos, Europeans, Chinese, Arabs and Syrians.
The majority of the population resides on the island of Trinidad. The few descendants of the native populations, the caribs, live near the city of Arima.
Time zone
In Trinidad and Tobago it is necessary to move the clock hands 5 hours behind Italy. (6 hours behind when there is daylight saving time in Italy).
Spoken language
The official language of Trinidad and Tobago is English. Other languages are also spoken: Indian, French, Spanish and Chinese.
Economy
The most important sector of the Trinidad and Tobago economy is represented by the oil and gas industry.
Gas production is growing rapidly and the extraction of crude oil, which had slowed in recent years, is benefiting from numerous government initiatives aimed at discovering new oil fields.
Trinidad and Tobago are major exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), ammonia and methanol.
To diversify the economy, other industrial sectors have also been boosted, such as the agri-food, cement, steel, fertilizers and electronic devices.
The main agricultural products are: sugar, cocoa, coffee, rice. As far as tourism is concerned, efforts are being made to incentivize this sector.
When to go
During the low season, from mid-April to mid-December (rainy season), the beaches are less crowded and hotel and flight rates are discounted.
In the remaining months of the year the season is dry and it is the peak season; in February or March, two days before Ash Wednesday, the most famous Carnival of the Caribbean takes place.
Necessary documents
To visit Trinidad and Tobago, a valid passport and a return or onward journey ticket are required for a period of less than 90 days.
The residence permit can be found on the forms distributed by the airlines.
For a period longer than 90 days of stay, an entry visa is required.
In Italy there are no representations of this country, it is necessary to contact the embassy at Geneva in Switzerland.
Vaccinations
To visit Trinidad and Tobago there are no mandatory vaccinations to do.
Vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory only for those coming from infected areas.
Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended. It is recommended to use normal hygiene and health precautions.
Phone
- The international prefix for calling from Italy to Trinidad and Tobago is: 001-868
- The international prefix to call from Trinidad and Tobago in Italy is: 011-39
Electricity
The electricity in Trinidad and Tobago is 115 Volts 60 Hz. An adapter for plugs with English plug is required.
Money and credit card
The official currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar. Payments in US dollars are accepted, as are major credit cards, such as Visa and Master Card.
How to get
plane
The airlines that organize flights from Italy to Trinidad and Tobago are:
- Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines, American Airlines (flights stop in the United States)
- British Airways, (stopover in London) - Condor (stopover in Frankfurt)
- The airlines Bwia and Liat offer connecting flights between the Caribbean islands
On the island of Trinidad the international airport is located approx. 20 Km. From Port of Spain.
In Tobago, the international airport is located in the southwestern part of the island.
