TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
www.gotrinidadandtobago.com
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Trinidad & Tobago
two islands
one nation
The twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago offers visitors the
best of both worlds. This nation is bursting with a rich culture,
stemming from a history of European colonialism, West African
slavery and East Indian indentureship. Trinidad, the larger of the
two islands, is an entertainment centre with a wide selection
of nightspots, restaurants and shopping destinations. Coupled
with world-famous ecotourism sites, Trinidad has something to
offer the nature-seeker as well as the party animal. Tobago, on
the other hand, is a wonder world for the nature enthusiast.
A host of beautiful beaches, waterfalls, wetlands and diving
sites await visitors. Tobago is T&Ts tourist capital, with exotic
accommodations and activities designed specifically for guests.
The secluded beaches and overall slower pace of life have the
ability to settle anyones mood. Combined, these two islands
undoubtedly offer a one-of-a-kind island escape.
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History of the
two islands
The history of Trinidad and Tobago begins with the settlement
of the islands by Amerindians. Both islands were encountered by
Christopher Columbus on his third voyage in 1498. Tobago changed
hands between the British, French, Dutch and Courlanders but
eventually ended up in British hands. Trinidad remained a Spanish
colony until 1797 but it was largely settled by the French. In 1889
the two islands were incorporated into a single crown colony.
Trinidad and Tobago obtained its independence from the British
Empire in 1962 and became a republic in 1976.
Fast Facts
Official Name: The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Capital: Port of Spain
Nationality: Citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)
Official Language: English
Total Population: 1,300,000
Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$)
Time Zone: EST +1; GMT -4
Ethnicities: The people are comprised of about 40% African,
40% East Indian, the remainder being of European,
Chinese or mixed descent.
Climate: The average temperature is about 30C (89F).
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AT a Glance
Trinidad Tobago
Area: 1,864 square miles Area: 116 square miles
Population: 1.3 million Population: 52,000
Capital City: Port of Spain Capital City: Scarborough
Official Language: English Official Language: English
Strongest Industries: Oil, Natural Gas, Strongest Industries: Tourism
Financial, Insurance Natural and Cultural Treasures: Tobago Heritage Festival,
Natural and Cultural Treasures: Carnival Festival, Calypso, Tobago Jazz Festival, Tobago Rainforest Reserve, Coral Reefs, Diving
Steelpan, Asa Wright Nature Centre, Point Cumana, Bake & Shark, Sites (Speyside, Buccoo Reef, Maverick Ferry), Sailing, Tranquil and
Leatherback Turtle Nesting, Birdwatching, Hiking, Kayaking, Maracas Expansive Beaches, Birdwatching, Leatherback Turtle Nesting.
Beach, Nobel Prize-winning Author
V. S. Naipaul and Mas Designer Peter Minshall.
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Discover US
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Discover Trinidad and Tobago, a unique True Trinidad is the energetic heart of these
Caribbean paradise. islands, Tobago is its serene soul, just two
Bursting with spirit and a heady mix of hours away from Port of Spain by fast ferry, or
cultural activities, eco adventure and culinary 15 minutes by air.
delights, there is no place in the world quite Covered by lush forests and surrounded
like our tiny twin-island republic of 1.3 million by sparkling blue bays, Tobagos waters are
ethnically diverse people. home to spectacular reefs, boasting 300
Our country presents a dual experience species of coral and colourful fish, while
from the cosmopolitan, bustling towns of the islands rugged spine is home to the
Trinidad, to lazy days sunbathing on pristine oldest protected rainforest in the Western
beaches in Tobago. Hemisphere.
The southernmost island in the From Carnival to calypso, steelpan to
Caribbean, Trinidad is an industrial giant stick fighting, Trinidad and Tobago has a rich
boasting exciting nightlife, a robust energy and expansive culture that represents its
sector and growing manufacturing industry. diverse peoples and history. Many countries
Trinidad is also home to several in the world boast of Carnival celebrations,
spectacular ecotourism attractions, including but none quite as stunning and all-embracing
the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, home of Scarlet as Trinidads national festival. Whether you
Ibis and manatees, and the Asa Wright Nature decide to be a spectator on the sidelines,
Centre, a birdwatchers paradise hidden douse yourself in chocolate and join the
under the thick canopy of our rainforests. Jouvert revelry or don a fabulous costume
Alive with nightlife, Trinidad boasts and dance the day away, our Carnival is an
myriads of options from Irish pubs, to live unforgettable experience.
theatre and modern dance clubs. But if
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Culture and night life
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The diversity of our people is reflected in the islands Fishing, the mainstay of many of the islands
numerous festivals, beginning with the two-day Carnival inhabitants, is celebrated with parties, sports and other
street festival before Ash Wednesday, where the music events on St Peters Day. Tobago also celebrates an
includes the exotic sounds of our national instrument, annual Jazz Festival, and the Tobago Blue Food Festival
the steel pan the only musical instrument invented in is one of our greatest expositions of local cuisine.
the 20th century. The festival is the annual fest ground for creative
In Trinidad and Tobago each individual culture is indigenous cooks and chefs to demonstrate their
celebrated by our collective peoples. We celebrate expertise in local food preparation and explore new
Divali, the Hindu festival of lights; the Muslim festival of twists on our culinary staples.
Eid-ul-Fitr and numerous Christian festivals. The village of Buccoo, Tobago, can be described as
At Christmas time the islands abound with cheery the goat and crab racing capital of the world. During the
music carols of Hispanic origin we call Parang and Easter holidays this little village draws crowds of curious
sumptuous culinary delights and musical merriment. onlookers as specially trained goats sprint towards
Tobagos rich culture is as diverse as the many the finish line followed by jockeys clutching long ropes.
countries that fought to control the island the Spanish, In the crab race, jockeys have no easier task as they
British, Dutch, Courlanders, French and even Americans. attempt to prod the stubborn crustaceans towards the
The various forts and historical sites that dot the island finish line. But there is no glory for the winning crabs,
are testament to the islands former colonial masters just a place in a pot of spicy curry sauce.
and diverse history. The heritage of the enslaved Africans
also heavily influenced the islands culture. Many of the
folktales, superstitions, art, music and traditional dances Ecotourism
reflect the islands European and African roots. These In Trinidad and Tobago there is an adventure for every
are celebrated annually during the Tobago Heritage day of the week, from hiking through rainforests on the
Festival, which runs from early July to August. trail of hidden waterfalls and exploring deep caves, to
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cycling through verdant countryside, turtle watching and Wildlife Sanctuary, the Main Ridge Forest Reserve and
kayaking past wildlife-filled forests. Little Tobago Island, a small offshore island located just
The two islands are blessed with an abundance of off the village of Speyside.
flora and fauna. They lie between latitudes 10-11N and Trinidad is also a sport anglers dream. Fed by the
longitudes 60-61W and the variety of habitats gives rich outflow of the Orinoco River, Trinidads waters
rise to a large and diverse list of species and acts as a attract big game fish. Species such as Tarpon, Tuna and
gateway to the tropical ecology on the South American Shark are plentiful year-round with Sailfish, Marlin,
mainland. Wahoo and Dolphin making seasonal appearances.
For eco enthusiasts, Trinidad has more than 450 Trinidad also plays host to several exciting international
bird species, 108 types of mammals, 55 reptiles, 25 fishing tournaments, including the Kingfish Tournament
amphibians and 620 types of butterflies; ranking the in June, Tarpon Bash in August and Wahoo Tournament
island as one of the richest outposts of biodiversity in in early March.
the Caribbean. Trinidad is home to some of the most
diverse and spectacular bird life in the Caribbean, Entertainment and night life
much of which can be spotted at the world-renowned The islands of Trinidad and Tobago offer different
Asa Wright Nature Centre. Trinidads size and experiences in the realm of entertainment. Trinidad
accessibility to popular sites ensures many species can definitely offers a more fast-paced entertainment
be seen without long drives or treks. The islands are scene. Overall, in the last few years, the nightlife and
a birdwatchers paradise and Trinidad also boasts the entertainment in Trinidad and Tobago has grown
Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, the home to a large to meet the tastes of an increasingly affluent and
number of ducks and swimming birds, which has also cosmopolitan population, with a range of settings and
become a major stopping point for migratory birds. activities to keep you entertained all week long.
Tobago has over 200 bird species on just 116 In Tobago, many restaurants, bars and other
square miles of land. The island has several great vantage locations, especially in the Crown Point area, offer a
points for birdwatching, including the Grafton Caledonia variety of nightly live entertainment, including pool halls,
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casinos with blackjack and roulette, karaoke nights and In Trinidad, the nightlife is hopping and you
variety shows with live music. Sundays are a no-contest. can enjoy fine dining, live music, theatre and dance
All roads lead to Buccoo and its famous Sunday School performances at a great number of venues in and
street party. Each weekend in Buccoo the Sunday School around the capital city.You can catch the most recent
Street Party ensures revellers party their way into the movies at several cinemas, including two multiplexes at
new week. MovieTowne in Port of Spain and Caribbean Cinemas 8
in Trincity. 11
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Business Tourism
While Tobago concentrates mainly on leisure tourism, Trinidad is
rolling out the welcome mat for business travellers and investors,
with expanding conference facilities, high-speed Internet access
and hotels with all the amenities for a busy executive. Thanks
to an extended period of economic growth driven mainly by
the energy sector and an aggressive investment drive, Trinidad is
solidifying its reputation as the business hub of the region. Its natural
resources, location, communication links, financial system and strong
democratic tradition have made it the Caribbeans most secure
investment location. Dozens of the worlds leading corporations
are active here. The economy has been liberalised and virtually all
barriers to trade and investment have been eliminated.
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Cuisine
Trinidad and Tobago cuisine is a fusion of the very cultures that have made this
nation the melting pot of the Caribbean, and exploring the local culinary fare can
be a most pleasant adventure in itself. It is indicative of the blends of Amerindian,
European, African, Indian, Chinese, Creole and Lebanese gastronomic influences.
No trip to this twin-island nation is complete without samplings of the local
cuisine. Popular names to look out for are benne balls, blue food, buljol, callaloo,
coconut bake, cou-cou, crab n dumpling, doubles, oildown, pacro water, pastelles,
pelau, pholourie, pigeon peas, roti, choka, sno- cone and souse.
While the country has no official dish, Tobago is famous for crab and dumplings
and no trip to Trinidad is complete without a trip to sample bake and shark on
Maracas Bay or doubles at one of the popular spots along the East-West corridor.
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Cruise ships
Cruises are a great way to see as many
Caribbean islands as possible in one vacation
and Trinidad and Tobago is a cruise destination
fit for the traveller whos up for some fun,
excitement, culture and adventure. The
southern location of these islands, being just
seven miles from Venezuela, means cruise
ships do not stop there as frequently as other
ports in the Caribbean. However, the number
of cruise travellers to the islands has been
increasing in the past 15 years and in the
second half of the 1990s, the number of cruise
ships visiting the islands nearly doubled.
Several cruise line companies offer
excursions that stop in one of the two cruise services for disembarking cruise ship passengers.
ports on the islands. Passengers to Trinidad Your cruise around the world is not complete
will stop at Port of Spain, while passengers to without a stopover at Trinidad and Tobago. Our beautiful
Tobago will stop at Scarborough. The port in twin islands are a bewitching mix of natural beauty
Port of Spain, with the new Waterfront Facility, and culture.You will be delighted to find that you can
is home to the Hyatt Regency Hotel and offers explore our wide and varied offerings within a relatively
transportation, shopping and communications short space of time.
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Yachting services
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Trinidad has been blessed with a natural advantage of being below the critical hurricane
belt and there is room for the storage of over 1,000 yachts on land. The facilities and
staff here are known throughout the Caribbean for their creativity and skill. Trinidad
has evolved into the premier storage and repair centre for yachts and a quiet, laid back
environment. It is the perfect weekend getaway.
With marinas, boatyards, support services and contractors all conveniently in one
location Chaguaramas Bay in Trinidad you can be sure you will find somewhere
to anchor or haul and whatever service you may need. Support services abound in
Chaguaramas banks, groceries, a post office, travel agents, souvenir shops, chandleries,
tour companies, restaurants and Internet cafes are all located within walking distance.
And Trinidad living is easy a low cost of living makes everything affordable and the
quantity and quality of available goods is excellent.
Moorings are also available from the Yacht Services Association of Trinidad and
Tobago (YSATT). Contractors provide a wide range of repair and installation services
air-conditioning, refrigeration, pressure blasting, engine work, electrical, electronics,
woodworking, yacht maintenance, sail and canvas work, welding, fabrication, painting,
varnishing, life raft repair and upholstery services.
Immigration and Customs procedures are geared towards your needs yachtsmen
are granted a stay of up to six months and can apply for an extension, while marine-
related goods can be imported duty free to in-transit yachts.
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COntact information
Trinidad and Tobago 331 Almeria Avenue Tel: 416-561-8243
Tourism Development Coral Gables, FL 33134 Fax: 416-323-9746
Company Limited Tel: 305-444-4033 Email: [email protected]
Level 1 Maritime Centre Fax: 305-447-0415
Barataria Email:[email protected] SCANDINAVIA
Trinidad and Tobago Christine Engen
Tel: (868) 675-7034 - 7 GERMANY Creative Director
Fax: (868) 675-7377 Alexandra Ehm Spirit Company
Email: [email protected] PR Manager CVR nr: 29924627
Visit us @ Julian Luther Lille Strandstraede 22
www.gotrinidadandtobago.com Marketing Manager 1254 Copenhagen K
AVIAREPS Tourism GmbH Denmark
UNITED Kingdom Josephspitalstrae 15 Tel: 011-45-3311-5600
Ms. Nadine Rankin D-80331 Munich, Germany Email: [email protected]
Managing Director Tel. office: +49 (89) 55 25 33 800
Advantage Management Group Ltd (AMG) Fax: +49 (89) 55 25 33 489 INDIA
Suite 200, Parkway House Email: [email protected] Huzan Fraser
Sheen Lane, London Beautiful Planet
SW14 8LS, UK CANADA No. 46 Grants Building Annexure
Tel: 011-44 (0)-20-8487-9881 Ms. Reggie Kieda Next to Strand Cinema
Fax: 011-44 (0)-2088-78-9124 General Manager Canada Colaba, Mumbai 400 005
Email: [email protected] AVIAREPS Tourism Canada India
606-130 Spadina Avenue Tel: +91 22 3296 1624/ +91 22 3296 1725
USA Toronto Fax: +91-22-2287-6355
Cheryl Andrews Marketing Ontario M5V 2L4 M: +91 98201 90753
Communications Canada Email: [email protected]
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