Description

Trinidad is a fashionable and culturally varied island. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just 11 km from the northeastern coast of Venezuela. It has one of the twin-sisters; the other city is Tobago which is slow–paced unlike Trinidad. Its main attraction is the annual carnival, where natives spend most of the year preparing for the February festival of Caribbean music and dance, food and dazzling costumes. The island is ruled by colorful markets, cathedrals, mosques and temples with a range of cultures and creeds. Surrounded by sugarcane plantations, and situated between the Topes de Collantes Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, Trinidad's location also provides easy access to the beach, mountains and the beautiful landscape.

Shopping

Liquor lovers will have great time shopping in Trinidad. Angostura bitters, Old Oak, Vat 19 rum, fabric items and leather wares marks the best buy and are available all through the country. Shops selling Asian and East Indian silks and cottons can be found in city center Port of Spain, on Frederick Street and around Independence Square. The Market at the Normandie Hotel has a collection of shops that focus on native crafts, jewelry, basketwork, and ceramics.

Restaurants

The food in Trinidad has a typical Creole touch. Fresh fish and seafood dishes should be tried by the tourists visiting Trinidad. All recipes here include ample herbs and spices which include bay leaf, chadon Beni, nutmeg, turmeric, and varieties of peppers. The cuisine here includes lot of brown sugar, rum, plantain, and local fish and meat. Fresh juices should not be missed at Trinidad. Local delicacies such as callaloo, vindaloos, Pelau should not be missed. All global delicacies like Asian, French, African, and Spanish can be experienced in most of the restaurants. Some suggested restaurants include Apsara, Blue Crab restaurant, A La Bastille etc.

Night Life

Trinidad offers an active nightlife to tourists. The island has an unending list of festivals. Steel bands are the most sought-after music option after twilight. There are an ample numbers of clubs which present night time entertainment. 51 lounge and Club Coconuts are the most preferred dance clubs. Music and wine lovers can visit Mas Camp Pub and More Vino respectively. Pier 1 is the most frequented dance club.

Activities

A wide array of activities can enthrall travelers visiting Trinidad. Tourists can take part in snorkeling, diving, bird-watching and enjoy a lot of water sports on the beaches. Tourists can visit a series of lovely beaches, beginning with Maracas. They can also visit the Asa Wright Nature Center for bird watching. Birds like vultures, parakeets, hummingbirds, toucans, macaws offer multihued sights, here. Trinidad also has more than 500 native species of butterflies and well over 900 varieties of orchids.

Communications

The international dialing code for Trinidad and Tobago is +1 868. For outgoing calls the prefix is 011, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01127 for South Africa). A GSM 1800 cell phone network is in operation on the islands, with fairly broad coverage. There are numerous Internet cafes on the island in the main centers.

Contacts

Trinidad and Tobago Tourism: +868 675 7034/5/6/7 or www.visittnt.com
Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 467 6490.
High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7245 9351.
High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 2418
Consulate-General of Trinidad & Tobago, Double Bay, New South Wales, Australia: +61 (0)2 9327 8468
High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 9688.
Consulate of Trinidad & Tobago, Auckland, New Zealand: +64 (0)9 302 1860.
United States Embassy, Port of Spain: +868 822 5576/5563.
British High Commission, Port of Spain: +868 628 1234/2748.
Canadian High Commission, Port of Spain: +868 622 6232.
Australian High Commission, Port of Spain: +868 628 0695.
South African High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica (also responsible for Trinidad and Tobago): + 876 978 3160/4457
Irish Honorary Consul, Port of Spain: +868 628 2385
New Zealand High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 5991 (Also responsible for Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago).
Emergencies: 999 (Police); 990 (Fire/Ambulance)

Currency

TTD

Attractions

Museo Romantico is a beautiful museum in the Plaza Mayor. This museum displays centuries old paintings, fancy furniture and porcelain articles that belonged to the rich Brunet family. Museo Historico Municipal is a palace which belonged to Justo Cantero, a German sugarcane merchant. This building now exhibits his wealth in lavish rooms. There are also some exhibits related to the sugar industry and the history of Trinidad. The building has a flight of steps which lead to the tower where one can see marvelous views of Trinidad and the Escambray Mountains. The Playa Ancon beach is located just few kilometers away from Trinidad is famous among the tourists. This beach offers an assortment of water sports and few offshore snorkeling and diving sites which should not be missed.

Language

English

Language Description

English is the official language.

Tipping

Most hotels and restaurants add a 10 or 15% service charge to the bill. Other wise a 10% tip is customary.