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General
Information
Tobago is the destination for divers. It is
a small island and compared to many other Caribbean
Island destinations, it is visited by relatively
few divers making it very pristine and untouched.
It is a great destination for the beginner and very
advanced diver alike. Sites range from gently sloping
coral reefs to stunning vertical rock faces covered
with encrusting sponges, gorgonians and stony corals.
These sites support a wide range of life, most notably
the stingrays, eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, and
nurse sharks. On the smaller end of the scale you
will find cherubfish, flameback angelfish, and sea
horses.
The
south end of this tiny island is the quieter, shallower
area while the north end experiences the Guyana
Current creating intense and exciting drift dives.
These drift dives are fantastic. Large shoals of
grunt and snapper create a swirl of moving color.
Green morays, nurse sharks, turtles and the occasional
whale shark complete the dream dive.
Water
Temp Summer Average 80F 26C Winter 70F 21C Visibility
Average 80 ft 24 m
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
Travel
& Tips
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AIR
TRAVEL: TRINIDAD-TOBAGO AIRBRIDGE
There is a regular air service, or air bridge,
between Trinidad and Tobago, with the first of
roughly 12 daily flights leaving Piarco International
Airport at 6am. This service is run by Caribbean
Airlines, Trinidad and Tobago's national air
service provider.
Flights on the air bridge cost US$24 one way or
US$48 return. Return tickets for children under
the age of 12 cost US$24.
If you are travelling to Tobago via the air bridge
it is important to note that during peak periods
(Easter weekend, Plymouth Jazz Festival in April
and Great Race weekend in August) the service
is often over subscribed and it is possible to
face long delays, even when holding a confirmed
ticket.
Entry Requirements
Trinidad and Tobago Passport & Visa Requirements
Entry requirements for Americans: A visa is not
required by US citizens for a stay of up to three
months for tourist purposes.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals,
regardless of their passport endorsement, do not
need a visa to enter TNT.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians do
not need a visa to visit TNT.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians
require a visa for Trinidad and Tobago, which
can be obtained on arrival for a visa waiver fee
of TT$50.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans
require a visa for Trinidad and Tobago which can
be obtained on arrival for a visa waiver fee of
TT$50.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealanders
require a visa for Trinidad and Tobago which can
be obtained on arrival for a visa waiver fee TT$50.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish
nationals do not require a visa to visit TNT.
Passport/Visa Note: Passports must be valid for
at least the period of the proposed visit. Visitors
require documents for return or onward travel,
and a fixed address for the period of their stay.
Entry regulations are subject to change on short
notice. You are advised to contact your embassey
or consulate office for the latest information.
Contacts
Trinidad and Tobago Tourism: +868 675 7034/5/6/7
or www.visittnt.com
Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago,
Washington DC, United States: +1 202 467 6490
High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad &
Tobago, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7245
9351
High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad &
Tobago, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 2418
Consulate-General of Trinidad & Tobago, Double
Bay, New South Wales, Australia: +61 (0)2 9327
8468
High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad &
Tobago, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460
9688
Consulate of Trinidad & Tobago, Auckland,
New Zealand: +64 (0)9 302 1860
United States Embassy, Port of Spain: +868 622
6371
British High Commission, Port of Spain: +868 628
1234/2748
Canadian High Commission, Port of Spain: +868
622 6232
Australian High Commission, Port of Spain: +868
628 4732
South African High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica
(also responsible for Trinidad and Tobago): +
876 978 3160/4457
Irish Honorary Consul, Port of Spain: +868 628
2385
New Zealand High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1
613 238 5991 (also responsible for Trinidad and
Tobago)
Emergencies: 999 (Police); 990 (Fire/Ambulance)
Visitor Information and Tips
General Climate
Trinidad & Tobago has two main seasons - the
dry season, from January to May and the wet or
rainy season, from June to December. In the rainy
season, mornings are usually sunny, followed by
rainy afternoons and fair nights. During this
time, the general rainfall pattern is interrupted
by days of brilliant sunshine. This is similar
to what temperate climes know as Indian Summer
and offers a warm, invigorating change from dull
weather. This mini-break normally happens between
mid September to mid October.
Hotel Tax
This tax of 10% is standard to all hotels and
guesthouses in T&T. In addition, hotels may
add on their own service and utility fees or security
deposits - but this depends on the provider. The
best way to find out about these fees are from
your hotel or guesthouse directly.
Value Added Tax
Value Added Tax, or VAT, is a 15% tax added to
goods and services. The prices displayed in stores
usually includes this tax, unless otherwise stated.
Companies registered to charge VAT, must prominently
display their Certificate of Registration. Information
booklets on VAT are available at the VAT Administration
Centre, 20 St. Vincent Street, Port of Spain,
or any VAT Regional Office. Call 623-4735 or 4737
for more information.
Postal Service
Trinidad and Tobago's Postal Service provider,
TT Post, offers an array of services to suit your
every need, from express couriers to bill payments
and greeting cards. Most TT Post branches also
offer for sale a range of special collector stamps.
Call 800-POSTT to find out more about TT Post’s
services.
Communication
With two very competitive cellular phone service
providers in Trinidad and Tobago - Digicel and
the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and
Tobago (TSTT) – it’s easy to remain connected
to the loved ones you left at home. TSTT also
provides telecommunications infrastructure that
features state-of-the-art digital technology and
fibre optic systems capable of supporting a wide
range of services, including wireless, so bring
along your Blackberry. Both companies also provide
roaming facilities.
Pre-paid calling cards
If you prefer to control your telephone costs,
prepaid phone cards for landline (Companion Cards)
and mobile phones (Bmobile and DIGICEL Cards)
are available for sale at Customer Service Centres
and other vendors throughout the islands.
Internet
Even if you decide to leave your laptop at home,
sending and receiving e-mail, chatting online
or surfing the World Wide Web is simple and cheap.
Internet cafes are very popular in T&T and
some of the more sophisticated cafes offer the
option of Web-Cams. Internet access is also free
at all public libraries.
Language
The official language of Trinidad and Tobago is
English, although we do have segments of the population,
which, mostly through culture and heritage, speak
other languages, including "patois",
a slang version of French that provides a window
to our island's former French colonial days.
Electricity
You’ll need an adaptorfor your appliances. Electricity:
110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs are the 2 flat pin
type, as in the USA. Most accommodation has air
conditioning - if not, there are usually fans.
Driving
Visitors in possession of valid licenses issued
in U.S., Canada, France, U.K., Germany and the
Bahamas may drive for up to three months. International
licenses are also accepted. Driving is on the
left side of the road.
Car rental agencies are located in Port of Spain,
San Fernando and at Piarco International Airport.
International rental agency presence at airport.
All major credit cards are accepted.
Crime
Tourists to Trinidad & Tobago find it a relatively
safe destination. Authorities deal with crime
against tourists very seriously - thefts from
tourists are deterred by heavy jail sentences.
Islanders are a warm and respectful people - but
whatever country you visit, there’s always an
element of crime.
Exercise the same caution you would in your own
hometown. Keep your money and valuables safe.
Don’t leave your bag and camera on an empty beach
while you go for a swim. Be sensible. Generally,
you can walk around, day or night, and not be
looking over you shoulder. |
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Rates & Services as well as travel regulations
are subject to change without notice.
©
2008
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