Trinidad and Tobago Guide - Culture, History, Travel, and More

CONTENTS

The Trinidad Guide is your comprehensive window to the unspoiled beauty and fascinating culture of two of the Caribbean's most interesting islands, Trinidad and Tobago. Each island is unique, and many travelers find their vacation isn't complete without sampling them both.

Dining

Culinary Styles
While international cuisine and fast food restaurants are widely available on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, to truly get the most of your vacation, sampling the local fare is a must. India, Spain, and other parts of Europe have contributed to the population as well as the local culinary style. Indian cuisine is very prevalent on the islands, especially in the form of spicy curry dishes like lunchtime favorite rotis, a flat bread stuffed with chickpea curry and ground meat. Fresh seafood prepared in Spanish creole style is another local favorite. Africans brought to the islands as slaves have added their own culinary customs to the mix. Adventurous eaters may want to try a local delicacy like armadillo and possum stew. More...

Restaurants
From upscale dining establishments to street vendors, travelers can experience a wide array of flavors to match their budget. Restaurants in Trinidad and Tobago are largely unpretentious, and proper dining attire is generally whatever patrons feel most comfortable wearing. Read more tips like these in our detailed article about local restaurants. Or, read descriptions of individual restaurants, organized alphabetically and by type of cuisine. More...

Getting Around

Getting around Trinidad and Tobago is easy. From rental cars and taxis to buses and bikes, there are plenty of ways to explore the islands. More...

Planning Your Trip

History

The histories of Trinidad and Tobago are vastly different, though today they comprise a single small nation. While Columbus discovered and claimed Trinidad for Spain, England claimed the nearby island of Tobago more than a century later, in 1626. There followed by a long running struggle for control between the British and Spanish. After the British finally gained control of the area in 1803, they merged the two islands into a single political entity. More...

Weather

Just off the coast of South America, Trinidad is the southern most island in the West Indies. Because of it's close proximity to the equator, warm weather is to be expected even in the deepest months of the winter. Year round daytime high temperatures average in the mid-to-upper 80's (Fahrenheit), dropping about 10 to 15 degrees cooler in the evenings. Trinidad and Tobago receive about 40 inches of rain a year, mostly in the winter months. The islands are south of the hurricane belt, so tropical storms are almost never a concern. Our detailed month-by-month weather guide will help you plan ahead. More...

Travel Basics

Accommodations

Trinidad and Tobago offer a variety of accommodations to suit most travel styles. You won't find any sprawling resorts, but there are plenty of local hotels, some charming inns and a variety of different rental properties or �villas.� Whatever style lodging makes you most comfortable, our guide will help you find the perfect place to stay on either island. More...

Getting There

Getting to Trinidad is simple once you know your options. For those who feel the journey is as importation as the destination, you may want to consider a cruise or even chartering your own yacht. For those who would rather get there and start your experienc on the island as soon as possible Trinidad is happy to accommodate, receiving flights from all over. More...

Fast Facts

Trinidad and Tobago

Location:

Just 10 miles north of Venezuela, in the Caribbean Sea

Time:

Atlantic Standard Time (GMT -4), no observance of DST

Area:

1,979 sq. miles

Population:

1,088,650 residents

Language:

English

Currency:

Trinidad and Tobago dollars, changing rate,
= about $0.16(USD)

Capital:

Port-of-Spain