TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

The island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, known colloquially as 'TNT', consists of the two southernmost Caribbean islands, which are geologically an extension of the South American continent. While individually the islands contrast vastly in character, together they offer the best of everything one can expect from a Caribbean experience.

CLIMATE IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

The islands enjoy a tropical climate with average maximum temperatures of 89°F (32°C). Tobago's temperatures are cooler, owing to the more constant north east trade winds. There is a dry season between January and May and a wet season from June to December. Annual rainfall is about 40 inches (200cm) over most of the country. Trinidad and Tobago lies at just south of the hurricane belt.

VISA INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS

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. From 23 January 2007 all US citizens traveling to and from Trinidad and Tobago by air will require a valid passport; by 1 January 2008 the requirement has been extended to include all land and sea border crossings as well.

Americans: A visa is not required by US citizens for a stay of up to three months for tourist purposes. A passport is required.
UK nationals: UK passport holders, regardless of endorsement, do not need a visa for a stay of up to three months.
Canadians: Canadians need a valid passport but do not need a visa for a stay of up to three months.
Australians: Australians require a visa for Trinidad and Tobago, but a visa waiver can be obtained on arrival for a fee of TT$50. A valid passport is required.
South Africans: South Africans require a visa for Trinidad and Tobago, but a visa waiver can be obtained on arrival for a fee of TT$50. A valid passport is required.
Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport but do not require a visa to visit TNT.
New Zealanders: New Zealanders require a visa for Trinidad and Tobago, but a visa waiver can be obtained on arrival for a fee of TT$50. A valid passport is required.

TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO IN TRINIDAD

Aripo Caves -Trinidad's largest cave system featuring fantastic formations of stalactites and stalagmites.

Aripo Savannah - a scientific reserve near Sangre Grande.

Arena Dam - located near San Rafael, a big reservoir that feeds much of Northern Trinidad.

Asa Wright Nature Centre - naturalists walking tour for visitors interested in birds and wildlife that in habited Trinidad & Tobago.

Beaches - spend the day soaking up the sun, bathing in de waves, having a coconut water at one of Trinidad many beaches.

Brasso Seco - a village famous for coca, coffee and parang music.

Caroni Bird Sanctuary - The home of the Scarlet Ibis (bird) a large wetland bird sanctuary on the north-west coast.

Clever Woods -settlement for the Amerindian tribe and also home to the Santa Rosa Festival.

Chaguaramas Military History and Aviation Museum - the only military and aviation museum in the Caribbean.

Devil's Woodyard - a live bubbling mud volcanoes.

Diego Martin Valley - the world famous Blue Basin waterfalls.

Fort Abercromby - overlooking Las Cuevas and Blanchisseuse.

Fort George - overlooking Port of Spain, the fort dates back to the earliest British days built in 1800's.

Galera Point - the oldest lighthouse in Trinidad where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea.

Gasparee Caves - Trinidad's offshore islands that houses the ruins of colonial fortifications and caves.

High Street - San Fernando - more shopping for tourist, the largest city in South Trinidad.

Hollis Reservoir - birdwatching sanctuaries in the foothills of the Northern Range mountain.

La Vega Garden Centre - set along bamboo groves, has a large selections of tropical plants and flowers.

Lopinot Complex - located in Lopinot valley, which has a restore French estate built in the 1800's also home of the parang music at christmas time.

Maracas Lookout - a fantastic view overlooking Maracas Bay and Balata Bay.

Maracas Waterfall - another beautiful waterfall located in the Northern Range just north of St. Joseph.

Mount St Benedict - the oldest Benedictine monastery in the Caribbean, built in the early 1900's,which lies on the Northern Range mountain.

Macqueripe - A swimming location located at the end of Tucker Valley Road.

Nariva Swamp - a freshwater system wildlife sanctuary.

National Science Centre - educational centre design to teach children science in the world we live.

Navet Reservoir - located near Tabaquite, a vast lake for picnics and hikes.

North Post Marine Radio Station - a panoramic view overlooking the North Coast.

Palmiste National Park - 40 acres of park located near San Fernando that has jogging tracks, nature trails, picnic shelters and an arboretum.

Paramin - a centre located up in the hills near Maraval Village, home to authentic parang music and folk traditions.

Paria Waterfall - another beautiful waterfall located along the North Coast.

Pitch Lake - a natural churning asphalt.....you may walk on the asphalt but heavy objects such as cars will sink, in addition items been known to disappear and reappear years later.

Pointe-а-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust - a research and conservation centre for the protection of endanger waterfowl and bird sanctuary.

Point Galeota - located on Trinidad's southeast tip, a oil and gas reserve.

Point Lisas - an industrial estate that produces natural gas, oil, methanol, ammonia, fertiliser and steel.

Quinam Recreational Park - a forested area located in Southern Trinidad that has nature trails and picnic shelters.

River Estate Water Wheel - Sugar estates powered by the old fashion water wheel for energy.

San Fernando Hill - a lookout point overlooking the city of San Fernando, Northern Range, Southern and Central Trinidad.

Santa Cruz Valley - a plant and flower nurseries.

Sewdass Sadhu Shiv Mandir (Waterloo) - a hindu temple that stands in the sea built in the 1930's.

TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO IN TOBAGO:
Adventure Farm and Nature Reserve - a 12-acre estate bird and wildlife sanctuary and orchards for picking fresh fruit.

Arnos Vale Waterwheel and Nature Park - an 18th-century sugar factory where a waterwheel powers the mill in addition a nature park.

Argyle Waterfall - well you think Trinidad has beautiful waterfalls.....well check this one out that is in Tobago.

Beaches - spend the day soaking up the sun, bathing in de waves, snorkelling, diving, having a coconut water at one of Tobago many beaches.

Botanic Gardens - see many species of tropical trees and shrubs sloping down the Claude Noel Highway to downtown Scarborough.

Buccoo Reef - a marine park, accessible by boats where snorkelling, diving and swimming can be done to see many of species of fishes, tropical plants and reefs that are located off shore!

Courland Monument - see where the settlers first colonized in Tobago.

Court House - dating back to 1825, overlooking James Park in Upper Scarborough is where the Tobago House of Assembly meets.

Crusoe's Cave - a cave with not much to see.

Flagstaff Hill - locate at the north of Tobago, which was once the site of an American military lookout and radio tower during World War II. The hill is now a fantastic panoramic, view St Giles Islands and the village of Charlotteville.

Fort Bennett - see the ruins of one of Tobago oldest fort and a panoramic view of the west coast of Tobago.

Fort Granby - visit the unknown soldier at this fort that once guarded Georgetown.

Fort James - is located near the mystery tombstone and the Great Courland Bay settlement in Plymouth. The barracks and cannons still stand overlooking Great Courland Bay.

Fort King George - Tobago's best-preserved historical site built in 1780's.

Fort Milford - an old fort located on Milford Road which overlooks the Caribbean Sea and makes a nice quiet resting spot.

Gilpin Trace - a forest trails down to a waterfall 945 min. walk) or to Bloody Bay beach (2 1/2 hrs walk).

Grafton Caledonia Wildlife Sanctuary - a bird and wildlife sanctuary located in Black Rock.

Hillsborough Dam - set in rich secondary forest with trails and waterfalls, you need a pass from WASA (Water and Sewage Authority in Scarborough).

Kimme Museum - a museum where a lot of the exhibits of made from wood-carvings.

Little Tobago Island - a seabird sanctuary located on a small offshore island facing the village of Speyside.

Louis d'Or Nurseries - a wide range of flowering plants, shrubs, tropical fruit trees found at this nursery.

Main Ridge Forest Reserve - the oldest forest reserve in the western hemisphere, it was established in the 1760s

Mystery Tombstone - the tombstone where the inscription reads "was a mother without knowing it, and a wife without letting her husband know it except by her kind indulgence to him".

Nylon Pool - a shallow sand pit in the lagoon which is great for bathing, located near Buccoo Reef.

Richmond Great House - a restored plantation house built in 1766, with early 20th century furniture.

Scarborough Market - specializing in fish, fruit, vegetables, and local foods.

Tobago Museum - learn other history and culture of Tobago ..the sister island of Trinidad.

Witch's Grave - located in Golden Lane Village is the grave of Gang Gang Sara; according to legend, she was an African witch who flew to Tobago centuries ago and was unable to fly back because she had eaten salt.