Life in Trinidad and Tobago. Life of people in Trinidad and Tobago. Useful information for tourists

In the legendary Caribbean Sea there is Island state, 80% of which is occupied by the island of Trinidad - a concentration of nature reserves, clean beaches, virgin nature and modern, colorful cities.

The location of the island of Trinidad on the map is the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago - a small archipelago between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The country consists of two large islands Trinidad and, as well as from numerous small islands: Chacachacare, Monos, Huevos, Gaspar Grande, St. Giles Islands.

The capital of the country, the city, is located on the island.

By southern shores The islands are lined with mud volcanoes. Half of Trinidad's territory is filled with tropical forests.

You will also encounter a very diverse ethnic composition here. 60% of the population are descendants of slaves who worked for the colonialists, 20% are Trinidadians, descendants of Arabs, Chinese and Europeans.

Climatic features

There is no difference between the seasons on the island. The average annual air temperature ranges from +25 to +28 degrees above zero. And even during the rainy season, the weather in Trinidad is very sunny. It rains from May to September. And, from October to April, the island experiences sunny weather with high humidity. Therefore, during this period it is recommended to transfer the heat to the coast of the island rather than in its depths.

Due to the unique location of the state, there are never hurricanes or tsunamis. AND best time The best time to travel to Trinidad is from November to April.

Nature

The nature on the island is unique and diverse. Unlike its neighboring island, the terrain on Trinidad is predominantly flat. On the slopes of the Northern Range you will encounter tropical rainforests. Here you will enjoy the wonderful view of fifty valuable trees. The central part of the main island is dominated by evergreen forests, which have undergone significant anthropogenic changes.

On the northern coast of the island you can have a good rest on the incomparable beaches with gentle sun and soft sand. Ecotourism lovers will enjoy the island with its colorful nature reserves with numerous exotic animals, birds and reptiles.

You can often hear another name for Trinidad - the Island of Birds, and it is not surprising, because it is here that the symbol of the country, the scarlet ibis, and 157 other species of rare birds live. Observation platforms were built especially for tourists.

Island attractions

You can visit many of the sights of Trinidad on your own, but it is better to use the help of guides, as there are such natural places, which ordinary tourist is unlikely to be able to find it without outside help.

Bitumen lake in Trinidad. In the southwest of the island there is a lake, which is eighty meters deep and contains more than six million tons of asphalt. Therefore, it is often also called an asphalt lake.
Reserve. The scarlet ibis, the symbol bird of Trinidad, lives here. There are also some species of local herons here. If you love long walks in nature, go on a two-hour boat ride, just be sure to bring binoculars.
Shakashakari Island. This desert island full of secrets and mysteries. There was once a cotton-growing settlement here. Then the settlement turned into a haven for whalers, and then completely became a gloomy leper colony. Today, only the lighthouse operates here, which is looked after by caring staff.
is Trinidad's most famous mud volcano. This is the most picturesque natural formation that any tourist will enjoy.
Maracas Bay. This beach is the longest on the island of Trinidad. Here tourists are offered all sorts of entertainment centers, recreation centers and attractions.
. It is located in the capital of the state. All the city's energy is concentrated here, the best shops and local culture are concentrated here.
Nature Center is the oldest nature reserve in the Caribbean. It is home to a myriad of birds, animals, butterflies and reptiles.
Brian Lara Boulevard. It can be found in . Here, residents and tourists of the island can stroll leisurely, looking at the most beautiful part of the city. Free concert performances are often held here.

Which cities to visit?

In the capital of the state you will find many museums that have absorbed the history of the island, starting from the time of settlement by Indian tribes. Here, look at interesting cultural and architectural monuments, take a closer look at the Royal Museum, the History Museum, the Ginderbrad House residence,.

Also visit the old European city Saint Joseph, which was once the first capital of the country of Trinidad and Tobago. Here you will discover characteristic colonial architecture. The grandiose Mohammid Al-Jinnah Mosque causes great delight among tourists.

The fastest growing city in the country, after largest cities San Juan and can rightfully be called. This town has a wonderful flavor and originality; shopping lovers will find something to their liking here. And next to the city of Chaguanas you can visit, which is the most visited Hindu temple in the Caribbean.

Where to stay in Trinidad?

If you are looking for a hotel with excellent service and environmental friendliness, you should check out Coco Reef Resort&Spa and Blue Haven Resort. But the most best hotels located in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain. There are only eleven of them, and eight of them are three-star. If you are looking for a thrill, then you should definitely stay at a hotel located on a rock above a cliff. You can only enter it through the roof.

What to do for fun?

The island nation is a popular ecotourism destination. Holidays in Trinidad will suit every tourist's taste, as here you can engage in water and beach sports, diving, yachting, fishing, tennis, golf, football and cricket.

From February 26 to March 7, a grand carnival is held on the island. From the very first minutes of the celebration, the dancers drag spectators onto chariots, offer rum and persuade them to dance.

Various souvenir shops offer vacationers to buy folk art products. These include paintings by local artists, dolls, various bamboo crafts, and CDs of local ensembles. The only thing to remember is that shopping time in Trinidad is limited, as all stores close early. On weekdays, stores are open from eight in the morning to four in the evening, on Saturday from eight in the morning to one in the afternoon.

How to get to the island?

Get ready for the fact that the road to the island state will involve transfers in cities in Europe or America. If transit takes a long time, you will need to obtain a transit visa from the state in which you will be connecting.

Most often, tourists stop in London with a further transfer to a British Airways plane. If you choose Frankfurt as your disembarkation point, then you will need to use the services of Lufthansa. When disembarking in Amsterdam, you should give preference to KLM aircraft, which will take you directly to the capital of the island.

In addition, you can use the Moscow-USA-Trinidad and Tobago or Moscow-Canada-Trinidad and Tobago routes. Here you will need a US or Canadian transit visa.

If you believe the statistics, then half of the island's population are from India, but in fact, when you find yourself here, you will only be able to meet blacks from Africa, at least this is the case in the city of Port of Spain, which cannot boast of special cultural or architectural landmarks.

Standard of living

In fact, life in Trinidad and Tobago is no different from life in South America, of course the standard of living is slightly higher than, for example, in Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, this can be seen in cars, if in the above countries the average market value of a car on the streets about 2000 dollars, then in Trinidad and Tobago it is about 15,000 dollars, cars are only slightly poorer than in Moscow or Kyiv. The reason is the high GDP, developed industrial sector, Trinidad and Tobago sits on the gas and oil pipeline as firmly as Russia.

In Port of Spain you are unlikely to see white people, even all foreign tourists from the USA, Canada and Great Britain are black rich people who came here to see how their ancestors or relatives live, who did not want or were unable to move to the developed countries west. Walking along the city streets you will find unpleasant garbage dumps, piles of garbage, among which there are tents selling bananas and women's clothing. Here, for example, regarding shopping, tourists from Russia will not be able to buy clothes for themselves, since the style takes into account the physique of local residents, however, it is difficult to find just small sizes of clothes.

Jobs and salaries in Trinidad and Tobago

You can get a job if you graduate from one of the local universities. You will be gladly hired at industrial enterprises, an office in a port, you can work as an agronomist or at a whiskey factory. The lion's share of GDP comes from gas and oil, but less than 5% of the population is employed in this sector; as you understand, the rest are employed in trade, tourism business or are on welfare, although official unemployment in the country is very low, at the US level, in other words 5%. Average salaries in Trinidad and Tobago are about 600 US dollars, this is the level of Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador or Venezuela, by the way, Venezuela, with its astronomical prices for goods and food, has recently had a very negative impact on Trinidad and Tobago, which is beginning to reorient itself in the import of goods from other countries, since Venezuelans themselves have nothing to eat.

Trinidad and Tobago is a relatively small island state spread over Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela. This country is notable for the fact that it has made tourism its main activity and the main sector of the economy.

Here, for tourists, nature itself has created literally heavenly conditions - clean sandy beaches, a favorable climate in which there are no sudden changes in temperature and seasons, lush tropical greenery, and many rare animals. People also did their best, building comfortable hotels and offering travelers an excellent level of service, organizing lush carnivals.

For Russian tourists Those traveling to one of the islands of Trinidad and Tobago do not need visas, but they will have to fly through Europe, for example, or.

Top hotels and hotels at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see in Trinidad and Tobago?

The most interesting and Beautiful places, photographs and brief description.

This is the largest park area located in the capital of the state - the city of Port of Spain. It occupies about 1.1 square kilometers. At the same time, Queen Savannah Park is also the oldest park area on all the islands Caribbean Sea. The park is surrounded by the residence of the country's president, a zoo and a botanical garden, so there is a lot to see. And the walk itself along the beautiful alleys and lawns will be a real pleasure.

The castle is located in the capital of the country - Port of Spain. Every year thousands of tourists come here, attracted by the unusual architecture of Stollmeer and its history. The castle is quite reminiscent of a fortress, which is similar in appearance to Scottish defensive structures, although with a wooden floor and roof. You can visit the castle as part of a walk through Queen Savannah Park - it is located on the western side of this park area.

3. National Academy of Theater Arts

The building, built only in 2009, has a very distinctive, very modern architecture. The National Academy of Theater Arts is the pride of Port of Spain. Building area - 40 thousand square meters, central place allocated to a hall that can accommodate up to 1.5 thousand spectators. Performances are regularly held here, as well as practical classes in theater skills.

This is the number one entertainment complex in the entire Caribbean. For the first time on the planet, a cinema with ten screens at once was equipped here! In addition, MovieTowne will become great place for shopping, family vacation, going to a restaurant or just having a good time. There are a lot of cafes and restaurants here, as well as a variety of boutiques, so it’s better to set aside a whole day for a trip to MovieTowne. Believe me, you won't get bored!

5. Empower Valley Zoo

This zoo is located in the northern part of Queen Savannah Park. Empower Valley opened in 1947 and collected great amount rare animals living in the Caribbean. When developing the zoo, all the features of the landscape were taken into account, and conditions were created for the animals that were as close to natural as possible. It seems that you are not in a zoo at all, but really in the middle tropical forest or savannas.

6. Parliament Building (Red House)

Unlike the White House, Trinidad and Tobago has its own Red House; the seat of the local parliament is located here. The building was built in the Greek Revival style and became the decoration of Port of Spain. The facade of the building is really red, so the name is quite justified. Some of the decorations and decorations were brought from Great Britain, and the panels on the ceilings were installed by Italian craftsmen. There is a fountain inside the building.

7. National Museum and Art Gallery

The complex is located opposite the Port of Spain Memorial Park, was created back in 1892 and is now the main museum of Trinidad and Tobago. Collection National Museum And art gallery exceeds 10 thousand exhibits. The complex includes seven main galleries, where you can see artifacts from the early settlers, items related to the art of carnival, and exhibitions of artists, both established and emerging.

8. Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Money Museum

This is the youngest, but very interesting museum countries. Founded in 2004, it has collected absolutely all banknotes and coins that have ever been used on the islands as a means of payment. The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Money Museum includes three halls - The History of Government Money, The Role of the Central Bank and Money of the World. Interestingly, among the exhibits there are cowrie shells, gold bars, and Katanga crosses, which were used by the first inhabitants of the islands as money.

9. Peach Lake

This lake is located near the town of La Brie and is one of the unique natural phenomena. Peach Lake is unique in that, under the influence of tectonic factors, oil-bearing layers here are transformed into excellent quality asphalt, which is used in the construction of roads around the world, including in London. Tourists can watch how finished asphalt is mined. Near the lake is one of the business centers of the country - the city of Point Fotin.

10. Royal Botanic Gardens

Queen Savannah Park is home to the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens with a gorgeous collection of plants from all over the planet. The gardens began to be created back in 1818, now they occupy 25 hectares, so the walk can take a long time. Botanical Garden open to visitors from six in the morning until six in the evening. In the gardens there is also an ancient cemetery, founded in 1819 and well preserved to this day.

11. Maracas Bay

Forty minutes' drive from the capital of Trinidad is the island's most popular beach area - Maracas Bay. It is a picturesque arc with a length of 1.85 thousand meters with unusual beaches made of sand of a delicate cream color. The beaches are framed by palm groves and offer excellent conditions for relaxation. There are especially many tourists here in February and March, when Trinidad has a dry season and you can sunbathe all day long.

12. Caroni Swamp National Park

In Trinidad and Tobago, special attention is paid to eco-tourism, which is gaining popularity. The islands preserve thousands of species of birds, butterflies, animals, reptiles and insects. Many of them can be found in national park Karoni Swamp which is located not far from the capital of the country. You can get there by rented car or by bus, as part of an organized excursion. The park is known for its large population of ibises.

13. Pigeon Point Beach

This beach is very often featured on advertising brochures, postcards and magazines. Pigeon Point is truly a stunning place, an example of exactly what chic should be Caribbean beach. It is located in Bakku Bay, on the island of Tobago. Tourists come here not only to swim and lie on the sand, but also to go kiteboarding and freeride, or just watch how more experienced athletes do it. Pigeon Point is great for families.

- a state in the Caribbean Sea, located on the islands of Trinidad, Tobago and several adjacent small islands.

The name comes from the Spanish "Trinidad", which means "Trinity", since Christopher Columbus discovered the island on the feast of Whitsun, and the local word "Tobago", which subsequently entered the languages as "tobacco".

Official name: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Capital: Port of Spain

The area of the land: 5.128 thousand sq. km

Total Population: 1.2 million people

Administrative division: The state is divided into 9 counties.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: The president.

Population composition: 69% are Africans, mulattoes and moles, 30% are Indo-Pakistanis, 1% are Chinese.

Official language: English, but the Indo-Aryan language Bhojpuri is quite widely spoken, and Spanish is also used.

Religion: 32% are Catholics, 28% are Protestants (mostly Anglicans), 24% are Hindus, 6% are Muslims.

Internet domain: .tt

Mains voltage: ~115 V, 60 Hz

Country dialing code: +1-868

Climate

The climate of the islands is subequatorial, hot and humid, trade wind, with mild seasonal differences. average temperature February 24° C, September (the hottest month) - 27° C. The islands are located in the area of trade wind circulation of air masses, where northeastern winds predominate.

The amount of precipitation depends largely on the nature of the terrain. More than 3,600 mm of precipitation falls annually on the windward eastern slopes of the Northern Range, up to 3,800 mm on the slopes of the Sierra Tobago, and less than 1,500 mm on the leeward western slopes. The relatively dry season is from January to May, and the relatively wet season is from June to December.

Hurricanes sometimes hit the islands between June and December. Strong storm winds often blow, accompanied by tropical downpours of destructive force.

Geography

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is located on the islands of the same name in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the northeastern coast of Venezuela, opposite the Orinoco delta (the southernmost part of the Lesser Antilles group). South coast Trinidad lies just 10 km from the coast of Venezuela, and the island of Tobago is located 20 km northeast of Trinidad. total area islands 5.128 thousand sq. km (Trinidad - 4,828 sq. km, Tobago - 300 sq. km).

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

Vegetation of Trinidad and Tobago compared to neighboring islands very diverse, which is explained by its continental origin. Evergreen forests predominate; in the center of the island of Trinidad and on the leeward northwestern slopes there is secondary savanna and woodlands. Plants are represented by both South American species and those specific to the Antilles.

The forests contain more than 50 species of valuable tree species, including zedrela, balsa (harewood), sandalwood, cypress, and vanilla pompona (V. pompona Schiede). Large areas are occupied by plantations of cocoa and other cultivated plants. Tobago is included in the habitat of Melocactus broadwayi, and other species of Melocactus are also common on the islands. Trinidad is also home to the rare butterfly orchid (Oncidium papilio Ldl.), which is declining due to commercial collection.

Animal world

Animals have similarities with the animal world South America. In Trinidad and Tobago you can find the red ibis (Eudocimus ruber), which is the national bird of the republic; caimans, ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), agoutis, iguanas, opossums, capuchins, as well as more than 40 species of hummingbirds (hummingbirds are also depicted on the coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago).

Many bird species nest in Tobago, such as the Caribbean swallow and the white-tailed nightjar. There is a wide variety of bats, including representatives of the families Furipteridae (smoky bats), Natalidae (Funnel-eared bats), Phyllostomidae (leaf-nosed bats), Mormoopidae (chin-leaved bats).

Endemic to Trinidad is the lizard Proctoporus shrevei, the only reptile with the property of bioluminescence. Northern mountain range Trinidad Islands - the only place in the world where this species occurs.

Banks and currency

Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD or TT$), equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 100, 20, 10, 5 and 1 dollars, as well as coins in denominations of 1 dollar, 50, 25, 10, 5 cents.

US dollars also have free circulation.

From Monday to Thursday, banks are usually open from 08.00-9.30 to 14.00-17.00, on Fridays - from 09.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00. Some large banks are open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Most large bank offices on the main streets of the capital of Trinidad open and close slightly later than others (usually from 9.00 to 19.00) and work without interruption.

Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks and some hotels, as well as in cambios or bureaus de change currency exchange offices (open daily from 9.00 to 18.00, except Sundays), on weekends, currency can be exchanged at the airport (exchange office open from 6.00 to 22.00) and in some institutions tourist areas(hotels, shops, restaurants, etc.). Exchange rate in exchange offices usually somewhat worse than the banks in Port of Spain, but conditions vary at all locations. Changing currency on the street is not recommended.

Credit cards major payment systems (Visa, Eurocard, MasterCard, American Express, etc.) are accepted for payment in almost all hotels, large restaurants and most shops. Many retail outlets charge an additional 5% of the amount when servicing credit cards. ATM machines (usually marked with the TIDCO banner) that accept debit and credit cards can be found everywhere (in Tobago, only in Scarborough).

Travel checks can be cashed almost everywhere - in bank offices, in hotels and large stores (many banks charge a certain percentage for servicing checks, it varies for each institution). To avoid additional conversion costs, it is recommended to use traveler's checks in US dollars or pounds sterling.

Useful information for tourists

Quite well developed on the islands active tourism- on any of the magnificent beaches of the coast, windsurfing, water skiing and sailing, paragliding, snorkeling and “serious” diving, golf and tennis are offered on numerous grounds of hotels and small private guesthouses.

It is prohibited to export items of historical value, rare animals and tropical birds from the islands.