Visas
Visitors to Trinidad and Tobago from most countries do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days on holiday or 30 days on business. Immigration will interview travellers at all ports on arrival, and visitors should travel with a printed return ticket, along with the address for their stay. Visitors on 90- or 30-day visas can apply for an extension of up to six months, although this is only granted under special circumstances.
Transport
Ride-sourcing app TT RideShare recently commenced operations in Port of Spain, and offers attractive rates and services. It is similar to ride-hailing app Uber, which left the country in 2018.
Authorised taxis are available at Piarco International Airport and at all major hotels. They can be recognised by their licence plates, which begin with the letter “H”. It is advisable to get the contact number of either a taxi driver or hotel reception, as authorised taxis are not readily available. Pick-up times need to be agreed upon with taxi drivers whenever possible. Taxis are not equipped with meters, and the fares will vary based on a predetermined arrangement involving waiting time and the destination. Maxi taxis and shared taxis are also used with no defined time schedules.
Local and international car rental companies are available on both islands; driving is on the left. A water taxi service from Port of Spain to San Fernando and Chaguaramas is available and is used by some daily commuters. The islands of T&T are connected by a ferry and by frequent short flights. With the exception of weekends and public holidays, flight tickets can generally be booked on short notice.
Currency
The local currency is the T&T dollar, although the US dollar is accepted and welcomed, especially by taxi drivers. The TT$ comes in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 banknote denominations, and in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1 dollar coin denominations. As of January 2020 the exchange rate was $1:TT$6.77 and €1:TT$7.46. International credit cards are generally accepted, and ATMs are widely available on both islands.
Electricity
Electric sockets are designed for 220-V/50-Hz two-pin round plugs. Adapters are needed for other plugs, and these can be provided by most hotels and easily found in local shops.
Business Hours
The working week runs from Monday to Friday. Most private companies will operate from 8.00am to 5.00pm, although the public sector traditionally only operates from 8.00am to 4.00pm. Supermarkets and pharmacies are generally open from 8.00am to 8.00pm. On Sundays supermarkets close at 1.00pm, and most restaurants are closed.
Dress
Business attire in T&T largely conforms to traditional western styles. For office wear, men should wear long- or short-sleeved shirts with a tie. Jackets are reserved for more formal occasions. Women are advised to wear conventional business suits, or skirts/ trousers and blouses. Outside of business hours, lightweight, casual clothing is the norm.
Communications
There are currently two mobile network operators: bmobile and Digicel. SIM cards can be purchased at the airport after passing through immigration controls for TT$50 ($7.40). Data plans can be activated directly from the device, following the operator’s instructions. These provide a good level of service in most parts of both islands. Wi-Fi connections are widely available in hotels and restaurants. The local dialling code for T&T is +1 (868), followed by a seven-digit telephone number.
Health
As of September 2018 T&T had reported several cases of Zika virus. The Ministry of Health continues to advise citizens to take the necessary precautions, which includes regular use of mosquito repellents and avoiding certain areas. There are several modern private hospitals, and a network of public hospitals, health centres and clinics. Treatment is free to non-residents at all public facilities. Walk-ins are welcome, but priority is given to emergency cases. Pharmacies are widespread and offer commonly used generic drugs, but some medicines can be more difficult to procure.
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