Fast Facts on Trinidad & Tobago

Located at the gateway to the Caribbean, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is renowned for its industrialised, energy exportdriven economy; vibrant culture, and multi-ethnic society. T&T is a leading regional economy with a population of 1.3 million. It has an international presence in the oil and gas-based energy industry, and profitable and productive manufacturing and services sectors. T&T is also pursuing a policy of economic diversification and is investing in several other sectors.

Geography and Location

Trinidad – Once part of the South American mainland, Trinidad is situated 12 km (7 miles) northeast of the coast of Venezuela, and is separated from it by the Gulf of Paria. Trinidad has three mountain ranges: the Northern Range, the Central Range and the Southern Range. The highest point, El Cerro del Aripo, is 940 metres (3,084 ft) above sea level. About 40% of all land is undeveloped forest and woodlands, although the island is experiencing rapid development. Trinidad’s Pitch Lake is the largest natural reservoir of asphalt.

Total Area: 4,828 sq km (1,864 sq miles) 81.25 km long by 57-73 km wide (50 miles by 35-45 miles)

Location: Lat. 10.5° N / Long. 61.5° W

Tobago – Tobago lies 34 km (21 miles) northeast of Trinidad. Of volcanic origin, the island is a single mountain mass, although the southwest is flat or undulating and coralline. The highest peak, the Main Ridge, reaches an elevation of about 576 metres (1,890 ft). The coastline is broken by inlets and sheltered beaches, and there are several uninhabited islets.

Total Area: 300 sq km (116 sq miles)

Location: Lat. 11.5° N / Long. 60.5° W

Climate

Trinidad and Tobago has a tropical climate. Daytime temperatures average 31°C (87°F) and are moderated by the northeast trade winds, while nights are a cool 21°C (69°F). The islands have two distinct seasons: dry, from January to May, and wet, from June to December. There is a short dry period around midSeptember called Petit Carême. Trinidad and Tobago are just outside the usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms, but Tobago can experience inclement weather as a result of such weather systems.

Time Zone

Greenwich Mean Time: Minus four hours

In US Winter: Eastern Standard Time plus one hour (EST +1) In US Summer: Eastern Standard Time (EST) There is no daylight savings time.

Government

Trinidad and Tobago follows the Westminster model of government and upholds the traditions of parliamentary democracy it inherited from Britain. The Government is stable. The Head of State is the President, who is elected by an Electoral College of members of the Senate and House of Representatives for a five-year renewable term. Executive power, however, is vested in the Prime Minister and Government, following elections at least every five years. The next general election will become due in 2025.

Tobago has its own elected House of Assembly and its seat is in the capital city, Scarborough.

https://www.ttconnect.gov.tt/ https://www.tha.gov.tt/

Banking

The financial system consists of commercial banks, trust and mortgage finance companies, finance houses and merchant banks.

Number of Commercial Banks 8

Number of Branches 123

Number of Automatic Banking Machines 254 ATMs https://batt.org.tt/banking-industry/

Standard Bank Hours of Operation City Centres:

Monday to Thursday – 8 am to 2 pm Friday – 8 am to 1 pm & 3 pm to 5 pm

RBC and Scotiabank (not mall branches)

8 am to 5 pm

Shopping Centres (Daily): 10 am to 5 pm

Exchange Rate: TT$6.79: US$1 (Jan. 2023)

Meeting Places and Conference Centres

Trinidad and Tobago is one of the top five Caribbean meeting and conference destinations. Many hotels have facilities for conferences, including international brands such as the Hyatt Regency Trinidad and the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre. In addition, the state-of-the-art National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), South Academy for the Performing Arts, award-winning spots like the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort in Tobago are ideal for corporate meetings and team-building retreats.

Business Hours

Offices: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Government Offices: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (City Centres): Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm; Saturday – 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Retail (Shopping Centres): Monday to Saturday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Telecommunications

Providers of landline and mobile telephone services are prevalent on both islands, and cable television and internet services are readily available. The more prominent agencies are Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT), Digicel (Trinidad and Tobago) Limited, Amplia Communications and Columbus Communications Trinidad Limited (Flow). With wide coverage throughout the islands, communication is generally easy and wireless internet services are commonplace at hotels, restaurants and many other establishments.

International Access Code: 1

Country Code: 868

Media

There is a well-established network covering television, radio, print, electronic billboards and an increasingly strong digital presence. The three daily newspapers are Trinidad Express, Trinidad Guardian and Newsday.

Top News and Media Websites

• T&T Newsday

• Loop TT News

• Trinidad Guardian

• Trinidad Express

• Wired868

• Breaking News T&T| Facebook

• CNC3.co.tt

• Online Radio Stations

Immigration, Work Permits and Visas

Effective July 2022, COVID-19 PCR or lab-acquired antigen test results were no longer required for entry into Trinidad and Tobago. All passengers arriving into the country must wear properly fitting face masks and are encouraged to adhere to existing public health and social measures. While mask wearing is voluntary in public spaces, it remains mandatory at private and public hospitals and other health care facilities.

For updated guidelines for travel to or from Trinidad and Tobago, visit the following websites: https://health.gov.tt/ and https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/ immigration/

Work permits are required for business stays beyond 30 days. Visa extensions can be obtained from the Immigration Office at 67 Frederick Street, Port of Spain, while work permits can be obtained from the Ministry of National Security, Temple Court II, 52-60 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain. www.nationalsecurity.gov.tt

Transportation

Airports – Piarco International Airport is a vital hub for international air traffic in the Caribbean. It is located about 45 minutes from the capital city, Port of Spain and there are non-stop daily scheduled flights to and from major international cities.

Caribbean Airlines Limited, the national airline, offers routes that include direct flights to major cities like Toronto, New York and Miami. CAL also flies regionally with regular flights to Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana and Suriname, to name a few destinations.

International flights are also available direct from Tobago’s ANR Robinson International Airport. Airlines that fly directly to Tobago include British Airways and Condor.

International and regional airlines that fly to Trinidad and Tobago include American Airlines, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Condor, Copa Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet, JetBlue, and several charter flight companies. https://www.tntairports.com/

Major Airlines

Piarco Airport

American Airlines 1 (868) 821-6000

Caribbean Airlines 1 (868) 625-7200

British Airways 1 (800) 247-9297

Copa Airlines 1 (868) 669-5189

Surinam Airways 1 (868) 627-0102

United Airlines 1 (800) 864-8331

WestJet Airlines 1 (888) 937-8538

1 (888)-WESTJET

JetBlue 1 (800) 538-2583

Rutaca 1 (868) 625-4324

ANR Robinson Airport

British Airways 1 (800) 247-9297

Condor www.condor.com/ eu/flights/trinidad/tobago/

Approximate Flying Times to Trinidad and Tobago

London 8.2 hours

New York 4.5 hours

Miami 3.3 hours

Houston 5.3 hours

Toronto 5.5 hours

Seaports - Ferries travel the interisland route daily. Several cruise lines stop at Port of Spain during the peak season from November to April. Cruise ship operation was temporarily suspended as part of the global response to COVID-19.

Port of Spain Ferry (868) 625-3055

Tobago Ferry (868) 639-2417

The CARICOM Jetty, which is located at the Port of Port of Spain and operates the passenger inter-island ferry, receives, stores and delivers CARICOM cargo and multipurpose containers for trade within the Caribbean region.

A water taxi ferry connects Port of Spain and San Fernando. Scheduled sailing times are Monday to Friday. Tickets cost TT$15 one-way and can be purchased at the Water Taxi Terminal located at Flat Rock, Lady Hailes Avenue, San Fernando or the Cruise Ship Complex, Port of Spain. Free parking is available at both ports. There is a Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) shuttle service, which costs TT$3 through the city of Port of Spain.

For further information, visit: www.nidco.co.tt or call 624-3281/674-5593 (POS) or 800-4WTS (San Fernando).

Emergency Contacts

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM)

800-ODPM (6376)

Trinidad: 640-1285 / 640-8905

640-8653/ 640-6493

Tobago: 660-7489

Port