Trinidad and Tobago – Travel in the Country
Airplane: According to thesciencetutor, Caribbean Airlines operates the route between Trinidad and Tobago. Flights between Trinidad and Tobago take around 20 minutes and cost around TT $ 300 per person. The luggage weight may not exceed 20 kg. While it is advisable to book in advance, it is often possible to buy tickets on the day of the flight airport to buy. In the main season you should definitely book in advance.
Ship: The journey between Queen’s Wharf in Port of Spain (Trinidad) and Scarborough (Tobago) takes only 2.5 hours in the new “Fast Ferries”. It’s a relative cheap and comfortable way to travel between the two islands (if you are prone to seasickness).
As a rule, there are two to four departures a day from both islands from both islands. Around the carnival season, you should buy the ferry tickets as far in advance as possible. Tickets are available in the offices of the Port Authority in Port of Spain and Scarborough, as well as in many branches of the Royal Bank. Vehicles must be on board two hours before casting off.
Car: The roads on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago have relatively many potholes and are often curvy. The side streets in particular can be difficult to drive in the rainy season. The road network on Tobago is quite well developed and connects all larger towns with one another.
Petrol stations are rare in Trinidad outside of Port of Spain.
A rented car is a good way to explore both islands in more detail. Car rental prices start at around TT $ 300 per day. A deposit is usually required, but is often not required when paying by credit card. Rental cars are available at the airports, in Port of Spain, Scarborough and other larger towns. Hotels are often helpful when looking for a rental car. The German driver’s license is valid for three months in Trinidad and Tobago. There is left-hand traffic in the country.
In Trinidad and Tobago it often happens that drivers drive at night without lights, and farm animals keep walking on the road. You should therefore be particularly careful when driving on the islands.
Bus:On both islands, buses operated by the state transport company PTSC are the main means of transport for locals. Many use buses to and from work in neighboring cities and children take buses to school. Buses offer travelers an inexpensive way to travel around the islands, but be aware that Trinidad and Tobago buses are slow and unreliable. The most frequented route in Trinidad runs between Port of Spain, San Fernando, Arima and Sangr Grande.
Buses also run on Tobago, and current information is available from the PTSC main terminal in Scarborough.
For shorter distances, it is better to take the Maxi-Taxis or Route Taxis.
Taxi: Numerous regular taxis, known locally as “tourist taxis”, can be found at the airports on both islands, the cruise ship terminal on Trinidad and in front of hotels. Taxis do not have a meter, but prices for certain routes are fixed. The current tariffs are available in the tourist office at the airport and in hotels. However, be sure to agree the price with the taxi driver before driving.
On both islands there are so-called route taxis with fixed prices that serve set routes.
Maxi taxis are inexpensive minibuses that travel on a fixed route. There is no timetable, it leaves when the minibus is full. Maxi taxis can be recognized by the “H” on the license plate. There are no fixed stops for route taxis and maxi taxis, they can simply be stopped on the street (if there is a free space in the vehicle).
Health and Diseases in Trinidad and Tobago
Vaccination protection
The Federal Foreign Office’s health service recommends vaccination against tetanus, hepatitis A and diphtheria when traveling in Trinidad and Tobago, and protection against hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies for longer stays (more than 4 weeks). When entering from a yellow fever area, a valid yellow fever vaccination is required for those who are older than 1 year, however a yellow fever vaccination certificate is currently required of all travelers entering Trinidad and Tobago from or via South America.
The standard vaccinations for adults and children and adults should be up to date according to the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute.
Malaria
Both the island of Trinidad and Tobago are considered malaria free
Dengue
Dengue fever, transmitted by diurnal mosquitoes, occurs on Trinidad and Tobago. The only way to minimize the risk of infection (there is no preventive vaccination) is to use mosquito repellent (mosquito nets and mosquito repellants).
HIV / AIDS
The risk of a life-threatening infection with HIV / AIDS always arises from sexual contact and drug use (for example unclean cannulas or syringes or cannulas). The use of condoms is therefore always recommended, especially with casual acquaintances.
Diarrhea and cholera
Most diarrheal diseases can be largely avoided when traveling in Trinidad and Tobago by following appropriate drinking water and food hygiene.
Some basic rules
When traveling in Trinidad and Tobago, follow some basic rules if you want to prevent illness: Never drink tap water, for example, drink bottled water. If bottled water is not available, filter and disinfect or boil water. Also use drinking water to brush your teeth or wash the dishes. Peel, boil or disinfect food. Make sure that no flies get to your food. Hands should be washed often with soap, always after a bowel movement, before preparing food and before eating. If appropriate, disinfect your hands as well, use disposable towels.
More infectious diseases in Trinidad and Tobago
West Nile fever, filariasis
The medical care in the country is not sufficient, especially on the island of Tobago. Before traveling to Trinidad and Tobago, you should definitely take out travel health insurance with emergency repatriation.
Before traveling to Trinidad and Tobago, you should seek advice from a tropical medicine specialist.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information and liability for any damage that may occur cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
