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Vacationing In Trinidad And Tobago: Lakes, Swamps, Caves, Rainforests, Waterfalls And More

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Overview

The history of Fort Milford intrigues visitors to Tobago as they explore the cannons and other surroundings

Introduction

Beautiful beaches, sparkling coral reefs, unspoiled nature preserves, lush tropical rain forests, magnificient waterfalls, bubbling mud volcanoes, thrilling underground caves, and the festive Carnival are just a few of the islands many attractions that continually draw both new and return visitors to Trinidad and Tobago. If the above activities do not tickle your fancy, try visiting the Gingerbread Houses which served as former mansions in Trinidad or the Culloden Witch’s Grave in Tobago; according to the legend the grave belongs to Gang Gang Sara, an African witch, who centruries ago flew to Tobago and subsequently died there because she was unable to fly back home after ingesting too much salt. The islands of Trinidad and Tobago have something to offer everyone and tourists are guaranteed a dream vacation that will generate memories that last a lifetime.

Geography

Trinidad and Tobago are two islands located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela that occupy approximately 5,128 square kilometers. Many unspoiled beaches line the island’s 362km coastline while hills and low mountains lie inland.

History

Christopher Columbus discovered Trinidad and Tobago during his third voyage in 1498. The Arawak and Carib Indians inhabited the islands during that time but were enslaved shortly after the Spaniards determined that there were no precious metals on Trinidad. The island of Trinidad remained in Spanish possession until 1797 when it was surrendered to the British and in 1802, the island became a British colony. Tobago, on the other hand, passed between Britain and France multiple times before it ended up under British rule in 1814. After slavery was abolished by Britain in 1834, thousands of indentured laborers arrived from China, India, and the Middle East to work on the sugar plantations. The islands of Trinidad and Tobago were incorporated into a single British crown colony in 1889. Later in 1962, the islands acquired their independence from Britain and subsequently became the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 1976.

Economy

Due to its oil and natural gas production, Trinidad and Tobago remain one of the most prosperous countries in the Caribbean. The tourism industry in Tobago is rising, making it the fastest growing sector of the island’s economy. Additionally, the islands are known to manufacture food products, beverages, cement, and cotton textiles.

Factfile

Capital

Port of Spain

Language(s)

English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Caribbean Hindustani

Currency

Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD)

Time Zone

UTC-4

International Dialing Instructions

Dial Exit Country Code + 1 +868 + The Number

Power

Voltage

115V

Frequency

60Hz

Plug Type(s)

Climate

tropical

Diving Season

Year Round

Tourism Office(s)

Website

http://www.gotrinidadandtobago.com

Phone

+1 868 675 7034

Police

999/555

Fire

990

Hospital

990

Hyperbaric Chambers

868 709-5655

Trip Planning

Customs and Immigration

All travelers will require a valid passport and return ticket to enter Trinidad and Tobago. Tourists are allowed a stay of up to 90 days. Visitors from most countries will be required to present a visa in addition to their passport and return ticket; those individuals from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa may apply in person, whereas, all others will need to apply and obtain approval prior to leaving home. A visa is not required for tourists from Albania, Boznia/Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Turkey unless they plan to visit Trinidad and Tobago for more than 30 days. The visa application fee is approximately $200 TTD for a single entry and $400 TTD for multiple entries, whereas, the visa waiver application fee is about $400 TTD; all fees are non-refundable. Since immigration policies change frequently and without prior notice, all travelers are advised to verify the current immigration requirements for Trinidad and Tobago with the local authorities prior to leaving home. For more details, please visit the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of National Security Immigration Division.

Trinidad and Tobago has a long list of prohibited and restricted items allowed as imports or exports. Visitors are prohibited from wearing camouflage or military clothing in Trindad and Tobago and any individual dressed in that manner will be detained by authorities and their garments will be confiscated. For more details on Customs prohibitions and restrictions, visit the Trinidad and Tobago Customs and Excise Division.

Health and Insurance

The government of Trinidad and Tobago does not require any vaccinations to enter the country unless you have arrived from or have visited a destination that is infected by yellow fever. In these cases, you will be required to present proof that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever. Although yellow fever vaccinations are not required for most travelers, they are highly recommeded. Travelers that plan to engage in any activities that bring them in direct contact with bats, carnivores, or other mammals are strongly urged to obtain a rabies vaccination.

It is recommended that all tourists purchase a travel insurance policy that will cover theft, loss, accidents, and medical emergencies. If you plan to participate in adventure sports such as scuba diving while on vacation, please verify that your policy will cover you for these events. All necessary prescriptions along with a letter from your physician detailing your medical condition and the medication being carried with you should accompany all visitors to Trinidad and Tobago.

Traveling There

Air travel is the most popular way to reach Trinidad and Tobago and, as a result, airports on each island serve as international gateways. If your flight is destined for Trinidad, you will land at Piarco International Airport (POS) near Port Of Spain, the islands capital. When flying into Tobago, you will arrive at Crown Point International Airport (TAB). Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Continental, Delta, and Liat Star have regularly scheduled flights to Trinidad and Tobago. Travelers should consider the length of the flight, mandatory stopovers, and price when selecting an airline carrier.

Many international cruise ships visit Trinidad and Tobago and provide opportunities for various local attractions, activities, and shopping. The following cruise lines that service Trinidad and Tobago are: Voyages of Discovery, Princess Cruises, and Holland America. Port of Spain is the port of call for Trinidad while Scarborough is the port of call for Tobago. Locals in Trinidad, dressed in Carnival costumes, will greet cruiseline passengers with song and dance. The port in Tobago is sure to provide an equally rewarding experience.

Traveling Around

Due to the extensive network of roads in Trinidad and Tobago, moving about the island is relatively easy. The islands offer a wide variety of public transportation. Bus service in Trinidad and Tobago is run by the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) which is owned by the state. Trinidad’s bus routes cover most of the island, but the service in most scenic towns and coastal villages is unreliable. There is regular daily bus service throughout the island of Tobago and service there is reliable. Maxi Taxis are privately owned minivans that are offered for hire and follow set routes. Although maxi taxis provide an affordable way to explore the island, they are not the most convenient as they do not offer timetables and service is unreliable in the late evening. Traditional taxis are also available in Trinidad and Tobago and taxi stands can be found at the airports, cruise ship ports, hotels and at various other locations in the cities and surrounding towns. Eventhough fares are regulated, visitors are urged to confirm the price before traveling. Renting a car in Trinidad and Tobago will allow you the flexibility to explore the islands at your own pace. A valid international driver’s permit is required to rent a car on the islands and driving is done on the left. Tourists are advised to pay extra attention while driving as many local drivers use hand signals to indicate they are turning or stopping. Econo-Car Rentals, Avis, Kalloo’s Auto Rentals, and Budget are a few car rentals agencies that can assist you.

Travel between the islands is available by air or sea. Caribbean Airlines, Trinidad and Tobago’s National Air Carrier, offers multiple flights daily with some starting as early as 6am. Ferry service, operated by The Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT), provides daily service between the Port of Spain in Trinidad and Scarborough in Tobago. Vehicles and cargo often accompany passengers for their 2.5 hour journey across the sea. Visitors are urged to contact PATT for passenger and vehicle ticket pricing.

Accomodations

Trinidad and Tobago offers a wide range of accommodations including charming bed and breakfasts, breathtaking villas, and fabulous guesthouses. There are more than sixty hotels to choose from here, with offerings ranging from basic rooms to luxurious suites brimming with sumptuous amenities. Whether you prefer small, private establishments or major resorts, you’ll have no difficulty finding the perfect place to stay. Upon checkout, a mandatory 10% Hotel Room Tax will be added to your bill.

Local Attractions

Discover the unexpected in Trinidad and visit Pitch Lake, the world’s largest natural asphalt lake. The ASA Wright Nature Center located in Trinidad’s rainforest occupies 183 acres and is home to an amazing diversity of animals and plant species. Enjoy a scenic drive thru the rainforest at Maracas Bay that ultimately leads you to one of the island’s best beaches. Nariva Swamp, one of the largest wetlands in the Caribbean, is one site that should not be missed. If you want to retreat to paradise, make a stop at Argyle Falls, a 600ft waterfall set against the background of an old cocoa plantation. Explore the mysterious uninhabited island of Chacachacare, a former leper colony or the Tamana bat caves which are known to be one of the scariest places in the Caribbean.

In Tobago, visit Fort King George in Scarborough, an impressive well preserved fort that was built in the early 1780’s. Nylon Pool, also very popular with tourists, is an amazing 3ft deep natural lagoon in the middle of the sea. Arnos Vale Waterwheel and Nature Park provides visitors with the opportunity to visit Tobago’s unique wildlife right on the grounds of an old sugar plantation.

Other Activities

Tourists looking for a detour from scuba diving and Trinidad and Tobago’s pristine beaches should try some of the islands other activities such as bird and turtle watching, crab and goat racing, hiking, biking, kayaking, golf, cricket, and cave exploration. Yearly festivals such as Carnival with its spectacular costumes, masquerade bands, and pulsating music are known to be quite the spectacle.

Dining Out

Trinidad and Tobago’s dining options are endless ranging from trendy cafes to upscale fine dining establishments. The islands have had a variety of inhabitants throughout the years, and their cultures have made the island’s cuisine what it is today. Arabic, Caribbean, Chinese, Indian, International, Italian, Japanese, Seafood, Thai, and West Indian Creole cuisines are available for your choosing. In Trinidad and Tobago, rather than worrying about going hungry, visitors will need to concern themselves with what they should eat next. Some local island favorites are coconut water, cowheel soup, roti, doubles, dasheen pork, cascadura, and souse.

Nightlife

No vacation to Trinidad and Tobago is complete without at least one night out on the town. This region offers exciting nightlife options, including discos where you can dance til’ dawn, nightclubs where local bands put their hearts and souls into their music, and casinos with action that almost never stops. Family-friendly options are available, as are local haunts that offer good mixed drinks amid relaxed surroundings.

Shopping

Trinidad and Tobago offer many options for shopping. Tourists can choose from street vendors, small family-run businesses, specialty shops, and multi-level shopping malls. Trinidad’s vibrant local craft industry offers hand-carved ornaments, beaded necklaces and hand-carved pendants, leather goods, and jewlery. Duty-free shopping is also available at the airports and in various locations on the islands. Shoppers should be aware that a 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) may be imposed on certain goods and services.

Scuba Diving

Overview

Although scuba diving in Tobago is not well known internationally, it’s reputation is growing rapidly due to the excellent reviews it has received in Sport Diver Magazine and numerous other scuba diving publications. Tobago has over 40 dive sites and offers divers pristine shallow water reefs, wrecks, rock pillars, and magnificent underwater gardens.

Many of the dive sites around Trinidad and Tobago offer drift diving, often alongside rays, turtles, and other large marine life. Anyone can dive Trinidad and Tobago, as there are shallow sites with no current available and as there are also several challenging sites even the most experienced divers will enjoy.

Water temperatures around Trinidad and Tobabo range from summer highs of 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) to “winter” lows of 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit). Dive in a shortie if you like, particularly in warm weather; or provide yourself with a little more protection by wearing a lightweight wetsuit of 3mm or thinner.

Dive Sites

There are more than 75 named dive sites around Trinidad and Tobago, and as scuba diving is now more popular than it ever has been, more sites are being discovered. Most dive sites are accessed via boat. There is almost no shore diving, and visitors should be aware that currents and surge around rocky shorelines can be unpredictable.

Visibility at dive sites around Trinidad and Tobago averages 12 to 21 meters, but can sometimes be better than 30 meters, particularly during the dry season. While visibility is often good to excellent, there are certain times when the Guyanna Current brings loads of nutrients into the region from South America’s Orinoco River, adversely affecting underwater visibility. It’s important to note though that these nutrients provide sustenance to the local reefs, improving diversity and ensuring marine life remains healthy – and when visibility is poor, your chances of encountering large manta rays increases.

The average depth at dive sites in Trinidad and Tobago is between 10 and 20 meters. Maximum depth is about 36 meters. Many of the deeper dive sites are situated along reefs with fairly shallow tops and gradually sloping sides. Various dive profiles are available at many sites, making them suitable for divers of varying skill levels.

Currents are generally mild in some areas, and can be almost perpetually strong in others. Your dive operator will assess the current situation at sites where current can be problematic, ensuring your safety and choosing an alternate site if currents are too strong.

Surge is present along reefs and walls, and can be quite strong in some areas. Confident divers should not experience difficulty with the surge, but novices may find that conditions here can sometimes serve as important “hands on” learning lessons.

Hazards of diving around Trinidad and Tobago include dangerous marine life ranging from stinging hydroids and scorpion fish to larger stingrays and sharks. Fortunately, divers can normally keep themselves safe by observing respectful diving practices and keeping a safe distance between themselves and marine life.

Currents and surge can pose a hazard; be sure that you do not attempt to dive sites with challenges that exceed your abilities and/or training level.

Top Dive Sites

Kelleston Drain just south of Little Tobago Island is home to the world’s largest brain coral that measures 10ft high and approximately 16ft wide. From March through July, divers can swim with a colony of giant manta rays in the waters off Speyside. The average wingspan of most rays is around 12 ft, but some have wingspans that measure over 22 ft. Leatherback turtles, the largest of all sea turtles, call Tobago home and, as a result, divers are able to view their nest-building and egg-laying rituals from March to August off the island’s leeward shore. Schools of hammerhead sharks are often found swarming around a trio of sharp rock pinnacles at Sisters dive site. Other marine life common in and around Tobago’s waters include angel fish, trunk fish, Hawsbill turtles, moray eels, and the occasional nurse shark. Goat Island, Nylon Pool, and Buccoo Reef are some other remarkable sites where approximately 300 different varieties of coral can be found.

Special Requirements

All divers visiting Trinidad and Tobago must be certified. Be sure to bring your C-card as well as your dive log. In the event you’d like to learn to dive while on vacation, many of the dive operators in the area offer basic discover diving and open water classes.

Consider taking a drift diving course like the one PADI offers if you have not done so already. This will help you to make the most of your trip to Trinidad and Tobago and enable you to take full advantage of the area’s astounding dive sites.

Dive Operators

There are many dive operators in Trinidad and Tobago, including large operations and small “mom and pop” dive shops. Many of these operators offer gear rentals, a full menu of dive classes including specialty classes. Some operators also offer snorkeling for non-divers, and a few also offer sightseeing tours, deep sea fishing, and boat cruises. The best dive operators are usually booked in advance, not just for diving, but for other activities on offer.

Hyperbaric Chambers

Tobago has the only hyperbaric chamber in the region. It is located at the Roxborough Health Center, which is between Scarborough and Speyside. The health center’s telephone number is 868-660-5155.

Conservation Efforts

Trinidad and Tobago is home to over 80 percent of the planet’s nesting leatherback turtle population, and as such, there is a strong focus on conserving this highly endangered species.

At nesting time, people from all walks of life turn out to help patrol nesting beaches, install nest fences, and increase awareness about the importance of guarding the turtles and their offspring from poachers and predators. The turtles tend to come ashore just after sunset, and local businesses and residents often work hard to limit light disturbance and prevent unwary tourists from surrounding the turtles as they move up beyond the high tide mark to dig their nests.

In school, children learn about the importance of conserving turtles, marine mammals, and other marine species. Beach clean-up projects are common, with community members pitching in to help keep the waters around Trinidad and Tobago clean, clear, and brimming with marine life.

Maps

World Factbook Map of Trinidad and Tobago

Location:

Caribbean
Trinidad and Tobago

Keywords: diving guides, trinidad and tobago, pitch lake, maracas bay rainforest, nariva swamp, argyle falls, chacachacare leper colony, tamana bat caves, kelleston drain, goat island Author:

Melissa Gwaldis

Related Tags: Diving Guides

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Vacationing In Trinidad And Tobago: Lakes, Swamps, Caves, Rainforests, Waterfalls And More

Accordion Content

fort_milford_on_tobago_trinidad_and_tobago.jpg

Introduction

Geography

History

Economy

Customs and Immigration

Health and Insurance

Traveling There

Traveling Around

Accomodations

Local Attractions

Other Activities

Dining Out

Nightlife

Shopping

Overview

Dive Sites

Top Dive Sites

Special Requirements

Dive Operators

Hyperbaric Chambers

Conservation Efforts

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You are here

Warning message

Vacationing In Trinidad And Tobago: Lakes, Swamps, Caves, Rainforests, Waterfalls And More

Accordion Content

Introduction

Geography

History

Economy

Customs and Immigration

Health and Insurance

Traveling There

Traveling Around

Accomodations

Local Attractions

Other Activities

Dining Out

Nightlife

Shopping

Overview

Dive Sites

Top Dive Sites

Special Requirements

Dive Operators

Hyperbaric Chambers

Conservation Efforts

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