Travel and Tourism

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Tobago

  • Planning the Trip

    • What to bring?

      Don’t forget your radio, especially as Carnival approaches, you won’t want to turn it off. Also bring paperbacks - after you have read it, pass them on locally. Sunscreens, cosmetics and any sporting goods you plan to use. Import duties raise the price of these goods, so it’s probably better to bring them with you. If you plan to do much walking, either in the nature centres (bring insect repellent) or to avoid the high private taxi fares, a pair of good tennis shoes or walking boots will come in handy. Duty-free allowance covers 200 cigarettes (can locally be purchased cheaper than aircraft prices) or 50 cigars or 450grams (1lb) tobacco - 1 litre wine or spirits and gifts up to TT$1200 (US$200 - £120)

    • Electricity?

      Tobago operates on 110 volts and 60 cycles of electric current. If you need a transformer, most hotels can supply one - if it is vital bring your own adapters and transformers.

    • What do I wear?

      Casual clothes in lightweight natural fabrics are most comfortable for touring the countryside - cottons and poly-cottons. In town, most men wear dark long trousers and shirt-jacs, or more formal business suits, Women wear dresses or skirts and blouses for work and shopping, Note that skimpy clothing, particularly on women, will attract the wrong attention and probably occasional comments. Even at the best restaurants there’s not much call for evening wear. Casual clothes in lush colours and lavish fabrics prevail. On the beaches, anything goes. But keep in mind that this is a small-town society, so the rules of small town propriety should be observed. Wear bathing suits on the beach only.

    • What are the Entry Regulations? Visas & Passports.

      All visitors must have a return or ongoing ticket and a valid passport for entry into Trinidad and Tobago. Entry visas are not required for citizens of Commonwealth countries with some exceptions, including Australia and New Zealand. US citizens are also exempt. About 30 other countries have visa abolition agreements with Trinidad and Tobago. Those entering on business for 30 days or less, do not need work permits. A departure tax and security tax is levied on all travellers leaving by air and sea. See: Work Permits, Resident Status, Visas and Passports

    • Will animals be quarantine?

      Yes! It is better not to try to bring pets. Regulations are very strict regarding the entry of animals, requiring a 6-month period of quarantine.

  • Customs

  • What I can bring in?

    Personal effects are duty free. Adult visitors are allowed 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes or 250 grammes (1 lb) of tobacco plus 1½ litres (½ quarts) of wines or spirits, free of duty. Gifts valued up to TT$1,200 are also duty free. What you can take home.

    US Customs regulations allow each resident to take home purchases totalling US$400 without paying duty, provided that the resident has been out of the country at least 48 hours and has not claimed the exemption within the past 30 days. Family members living in the same household can pool their exemptions. You may also mail home any number of gifts worth up to $50 each, as long as one person doesn’t receive more than $50 in one day. But these gifts may not include spirits, perfume or tobacco. For more information, write for the booklet ‘Know before you go’ from the US Customs Service, Washington, DC 20229.

    Returning residents of Canada who have been out of the country over 48 hours may bring back CAD$100 worth of merchandise without paying duty. The merchandise must accompany the resident, and the exemption claimed in writing, may be taken no more than once per quarter. Canadians who have been abroad more than 7 days may also bring home duty-free goods worth up to $300 once each calendar year.

    These goods may be shipped separately, but must be declared when the traveller reaches Canada, Canadians are eligible to take both the $100 and $300 exemptions on separate trips, but the two cannot be combined, The duty-free totals may include up to 200 cigarettes. 50 cigars. 2 pounds of tobacco for residents over 16, 40 ounces of wine or liquor, or 24 cans of beer, if you meet the age regulations of the province where you arrive. The total exemption for residents returning to the United Kingdom from outside the EU is L32, this may include 225 grammes (9 fluid ounces) of toilet water, 50 grammes (2 fluid ounces) of perfume, and for persons over 17, 250 grammes (½ lb) of tobacco, or 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars. For visitors living outside Europe, double the tobacco limits. Duty-free alcohol is 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of sparkling wine, plus 2 litres of still table wine.

  • What is the currency?

    The TT dollar (TT$) is the basic unit of Currency in Trinidad and Tobago. It was declared freely convertible in April 1993 with rates being set by the market. The pre-flotation rate was TT$4,25 = US$1. There was an immediate 26% depreciation in the rate, to TT$5.77. The rate has fluctuated since then, reaching US$1.00 = TT$6.3864 (approx), £1 = TT$11.00 (approx). Check current Currency exchange. Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards are commonly accepted.

    Visitors arriving in Tobago with more than TT$20,000 or US$20,000 in their possession are required to declare it to a customs officer upon arrival. Most of the major credit cards are now accepted in some places Tobago, mainly in the south. ATM outlets are available at banks in Scarborough.

  • When are the public holidays?

    Public holidays, when offices, banks and most stops closed, are: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Spiritual Baptists Day - 30 March, Easter Monday, Corpus Christi, Indian Arrival Day - 20 May, Labour Day - 19 June, Emancipation Day - 1 August, Eid al Fitr - as decreed, Independence Day - 31 August, Divali - as decreed, Christmas Day - 25 December, Boxing Day - 26 December. Whit Monday Is no longer an official holiday, it was replaced by Arrival Day, later renamed Indian Arrival Day. Carnival Monday and Tuesday have never been official holidays but are observed as such, anyway, even government offices and all banks are closed. Everybody is too busy participating in the festival to notice. See: Tobago Event & Festival HIGHLIGHTS

  • How do I get to Tobago?

    See: How to Get There

  • Emergencies

    • What of security & crime?

      Wherever you travel, use common sense, leave your accommodation key at the desk when you go out, stay off deserted streets especially after dark, don’t leave valuables unattended on the beach or in your room, and avoid conspicuously displaying money: a US$20 bill may be a flashy sum when it’s handed to a street vendor but not in a hotel restaurant. In Trinidad big city precautions should be observed. Tobago is still much more law abiding. See: Emergency Contact Numbers in Trinidad and Tobago

    • Medical Services

      For minor illnesses and cuts or bruises, some of the larger chain hotels have doctors or nurses on call. Major illnesses can be handled by specialists, most of whom are in or near Scarborough. See: T&T Healthcare and Emergency Medical Services

  • Weights & Measures?

    Tobago uses the metric system. Given below are some standard equivalents of metric units:

    • 1 inch = 2.54 centimetres
    • 1 foot = 0.305 meters
    • 1 mile = 1.609 kilometres
    • 1 square mile = 2.69 square kilometres
    • 1 gallon = 3.785 litres
    • 1 ounce = 28.35 grams
    • 1 pound = 0.434 kilograms

  • When are Business Hours?

    Monday through Friday, most shops and offices are open from 8am until 4 or 5pm. Most supermarkets stay open until 8pm. Saturday noon is closing time for shops in most of Tobago but some stay open later. All banks open from 8am - 2pm, or 8am -noon and 3 - 5pm on Friday. They close on Saturday and Sunday.

  • Postal Services

    Located throughout the island, Post Offices are open from 8am - 4pm Monday through Friday.

  • Telecommunications

    Telecommunications Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Television (TSTT) provides local and overseas telephone, fax and internet services. Whether you are visiting Trinidad & Tobago or a T & T national traveling abroad, TSTT can keep your world connected. International direct distance dialling is available throughout the country. Charges for operator-assisted overseas calls are based on three minutes minimum for station-to-station. For person-to-person or collect calls, 3 minutes minimum plus a one-minute surcharge.
    Local operator: 0
    Overseas operator: 0
    Directory Enquiries: 6411
    Trinidad & Tobago Telephone Exchange Numbers: http://www.tntisland.com/tt-exchange.html

    TSTT also provide TSTT e-Service Support. Register online to securely view the details of: Past and current bills, Unbilled call charges (recent calls which have not yet been billed), Pricing Plan details. Online billing information is available for all TSTT services with the exception of Mobile Services.

    TSTT travel services include TSTT Companion Calling Card, TSTT Home Direct, Internet Roaming, 619-EASY, Mobile Service, Mobile Roaming. For all TSTT products and services call toll free number 824-TSTT (8788). Consumers may also call the office of the Authority via its toll free number 800-TATT regarding the complaint.

    BLINK Broadband is leading provider of fixed and mobile broadband solutions in Trinidad and Tobago, providing dedicated high speed internet connectivity solutions, for you at home or while you are On the Go. BLINK Broadband provides Fixed Broadband service and Mobile (Wireless) Broadband service.

    bmobile is Trinidad & Tobago's #1 mobile network offering the varible plans, prices and packages for mobile handsets, SMS, roaming phones, top up and 4G broadband services. bmobile also provide E-Service.

    TSTT Customer Service Centres

    • 18 Park Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
    • 1 Edward Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
    • 114 Frederick Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
    • 54 Frederick Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
    • Eastern Main Road, St. Augustine, Trinidad.
    • Corner Green and Queen Streets, Arima, Trinidad.
    • DSM Plaza, Chaguanas, Trinidad.
    • 10 St. James Street, San Fernando, Trinidad.
    • St. Julien Village, Princes Town, Trinidad.
    • Peters Road, Point Fortin, Trinidad.
    • Caroline Building, Wilson Road, Scarborough, Tobago.

    More details visit:
    Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) Website: http://tstt.co.tt/ ,
    Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago website: http://www.tatt.org.tt/
    TSTT e-Service website: https://econtact.tstt.co.tt/
    BLINK Broadband Website: http://www.blinkbroadband.tt/
    bmobile website: http://www.bmobile.co.tt/

  • On Arrival

    On the plane or ship, just before you arrive, you will be asked to fill out an immigration form. Immigration officials collect one copy as you enter the country. Save the duplicate, you will need it for departure. Also be prepared to show your return ticket and give the address were you will be staying in Tobago. If you do not have a Tobago address, Tourism Development Company Limited (TDC) staff meet all flights and can provide information on Trinidad and Tobago accommodation available.

  • From the Airport

    When you make your reservation, find out whether your hotel has an airport transfer service and approximately how long the drive is from the airport. A few are a long taxi ride away. Here too, if you take a taxi, consult the dispatcher, check the posted rates, and agree on the fare with the driver before setting out. Most of the drivers are well informed guides who will chat all the way and who will gladly take you on a tour later. Also note fares in Tobago double after 9pm. See: Choosing Your Auto Rental On Your Tobago Holidays

  • Public Transport

    • Bus

      The Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) runs the national bus service. Buses go to all main parts of the island and are reasonably priced. The routes all route out of Scarborough. You must purchase your ticket before you board. Also See: Roads and Transports in Trinidad and Tobago

    • Maxi-Taxis

      The mini-buses follow particular routes on Tobago. Ask someone for directions to the nearest stop. Light motor vehicles (including private motor cars, taxis with a tare weight not exceeding 2270 kilograms, maxi taxis whatever their tare weight, and light goods vehicles not exceeding a maximum gross weight of 2950 kilograms). In Scarborough, route taxi stands are located across from the bus terminal and central shopping plaza. Private Transport Hire Taxis They have an H on their license plates, but they are essentially private taxis, carrying only you and your companions exactly where you want to go. Hire taxis do not have meters and are rather expensive. In Tobago the fare from the airport to Speyside is approximately TT$100, to Scarborough TT$30. Usually rates are equivalent between drivers, but you can sometimes strike a bargain it you use the same driver for a number of trips or as a guide for a narrated tour - something most do with enthusiasm. Always agree on fares in advance. Also note fares in Tobago double after 9pm. Hire taxis wait near most large hotels.

    • Driving Regulations

      Citizens of Commonwealth countries may drive for up to three months with a valid license issued in their respective countries. If your stay exceeds this limit, apply to the Licensing Division. See: Driver Qualifications and Driving Regulations

    • Rental Cars

      Car rental in Tobago is handled by numerous local fleets. Many take credit cards for both rental fees and the substantial deposit (up to TT$1,000) that is often required. See: Choosing Auto Rental On Tobago

    • Water Transport

      Two ferries ply between Port of Spain and Scarborough, the MV Tobago and the MF Panorama, but only the latter is now authorised to carry passengers. The trip takes five hours, and food and drinks are available on board, Cabins are available for one way double occupancy. Tickets are sold only at the Port of Spain and Scarborough offices: passenger ticket sales close two hours before sailing time, For more information call 625 4906 in Port of Spain or 639 2417 in Tobago. See: Port of Spain and Scarborough Ferry Schedule and Information

    • On Departure

      If you are leaving by plane, you must arrive at the airport 2 hours before your flight is due to depart. Last minute schedule changes are not unheard of, so reconfirm your reservation 24 hours in advance, and make sure the flight is on time before leaving for the airport. On leaving Tobago, the carbon copy of the immigration form you filled out on arrival, will be collected by the airline clerk. There is no longer any outgoing immigration check, though there is the usual security check. IMPORTANT NOTICE - Airport Departure Tax. For any traveller leaving the Tobago there is a mandatory TT$100 per person airport departure tax to be paid. NO OTHER CURRENCY WILL DO; so keep this amount ready. There is a Bank at the airport open normal banking hours - closed Saturday & Sunday. Children aged 5 years or under are exempt tax. See: Airports and Routes in Trinidad and Tobago

    • Hitchhiking

      When driving in the country, you might see hitchhikers. Everyone from schoolchildren to grandmothers hitch, and it’s only friendly to give a drop’s to children, the elderly and mothers with babies. Exercise more caution with young men.

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