Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is a dual-island nation in the Caribbean. The islands lie in the Caribbean Sea, near the northeast coast of South America. Trinidad, the larger island, is seven miles east of Venezuela.

Just a twenty-minute flight, Tobago is about 20 miles northeast of Trinidad. Being the smaller island Tobago measures 42km in length and barely 5km wide and is best known its beaches and the Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve with its hummingbird inhabitants.

The surrounding waters of Tobago shelter the largest brain coral in the world.

The islands are the mysterious twins of the Caribbean. Lush rainforest, flooded mangroves, sparkling coral-white beaches and rich indigenous culture provide all the ingredients of a perfect tropical island.

Both islands have a tropical climate which is hot and humid throughout most of the year. Temperatures range from 64 to 92°F (18 to 33°C). The average annual temperature is 78°F (26°C) on Trinidad and slightly lower on Tobago.

Annual rainfall ranges from about 50 inches on south-western Trinidad to more than 100 inches in the mountains of Tobago.

The Caribbean hurricane season normally runs from June to November. The islands are rarely affected by hurricanes but can experience severe storm conditions.

Most visits to the country are trouble-free. There is a high level of gang-related violent crime in Trinidad, particularly in the inner city neighbourhoods east of Port of Spain’s city centre, Laventille, Morvant and Barataria. This crime tends to occur within local communities but can sometimes affect visitors.

There’s a higher risk from opportunistic crime during the festive period and carnival season. If possible, avoid travel outside major populated areas late at night and before dawn.

There is a risk of mosquito-borne illnesses in across both islands from dengue and chikungunya fever. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

The islands have been reported as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. If you are a female traveller, take extra precautions when visiting the Islands. See Zika virus for more information.

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in crowded spaces and places visited by foreigners.

Information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK www.fco.gov.uk