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Trinidad map
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Banks
Banks are open Monday-Thursday 8am-3pm, Friday 8am-12pm and 3pm-5pm. International and local commercial banks operating in Trinidad include -
Scotia Bank, Richmond St, Port of Spain, t 625 3566
Citibank, 12 Queen’s Park East, Port of Spain, t 625 1046
FirstCaribbean International Bank, 74 Long Circular Rd, Maraval, t 628 4685
First Citizens Bank, 50 St Vincent St, Port of Spain, t 623 4778
Republic Bank, Park St, Port of Spain, t 623 1056
Royal Bank of Trinidad & Tobago, 55 Independence Square, Port of Spain, t 623 1322
ATM machines are located island-wide and accept VISA, MasterCard and VISA Plus cards. The RBTT ATMs at Piarco International Airport and the Maraval and Park St branches dispense US dollars. |
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Beaches
If you are looking for the picture perfect beaches that are synonymous with the Caribbean then Trinidad really isn’t your best bet - try neighbouring Tobago for those. There are only a few beaches in Trinidad and they tend to rugged and wild. Unlike so many Caribbean beaches they are usually not be protected by offshore reefs (which do not grow easily off Trinidad because of the freshwater outflow from the Orinoco), which makes the waves rougher and the sand darker. There are some good beaches in the broad bays of the north coast which do have changing facilities, lifeguards and most drinks and snacks on sale. Take advice about swimming.
Maracas Bay, north coast
The most popular beach in the north, about 45 minutes from the capital Port of Spain. An enormous sweeping strand backed with huge palm trees. Car park, lifeguards, changing rooms and plenty of food and drink on offer. Maracas Bay is known for its fish sandwich/soft drink combination called a ‘shark and bake’.
Tyrico Bay, north coast
Grey/brown sand and waves often large enough to surf, in a protected bay. Toilets, parking and a lifeguard service. Just east of Maracas Bay
Las Cuevas Bay, north coast
Sheltered bay with calm clear water perfect for swimming. All the service facilities are located on top of the cliffs and include changing rooms, picnic facilities and showers.
It is a favourite spot with the Trinidadians, so it can get very busy at the weekends.
Blanchisseuse, north coast
There are two main beaches around Blanchisseuse. They have good sand, but also large waves and strong rip currents because they are not protected from the big seas offshore. Just north of Blanchisseuse village is a long stretch of sand ending at the mouth of Marianne River, whose freshwater lagoon is a popular spot for swimming and you can hire kayaks to go up river. The smaller beach is at L’Anse Martin. Blanchisseuse is a popular area for camping, hiking and bird-watching, and there are a number of hiking trails along the coast and into the rainforest, including one to the Avocat Waterfall.
Grand Riviere, north east coast
A good surfing beach with pale brown sand, thundering waves and a handful of cool hotels. It is more favoured for its swimming at the mouth of the river (during winter months the strong currents make swimming in the sea unsafe). Grand Riviere is best known as Trinidad’s main nesting site for the giant leatherback turtle. The beach is a protected area and during the nesting season (March to August) it is closed at night to non permit holders. Permits for turtle watching can be arranged through local tour operators or by calling the Grande Riviere Visitor Facility, t 670 4256 or the Wildlife Section of the Forestry Division, t 622 5114.
Manzanilla, east coast
Long beach with brown sand backed by hundreds of palm trees. Perfect for sunbathing but be alert if swimming as the waves from the Atlantic can be high and strong. Lifeguards, snack bar and changing rooms.
Mayaro, east coast
The longest beach in Trinidad, accessed by the Mayaro-Guayaguayare Road. Be careful of the strong waves.
Chaguaramas
Not the nicest beach itself but it is only a 15 minutes drive from Port of Spain and the water is suitable for swimming. |
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Calendar of Events
2009
JANUARY
Start of the Carnival Season with a series of fetes (large organised parties), calypso tents and Panorama competitions for steel pan bands and orchestras in the run-up to Trinidad Carnival in February. 01, 10, 24 & 31 Jan, Horse Racing, Santa Rosa Park, Arima. 25 Jan, 27th Annual CLICO Trinidad & Tobago International Marathon, Chaguanas to Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain and the 5K Fun Run from/to the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
FEBRUARY
20-24 Feb, Trinidad Carnival: 20 Feb, Parade of Traditional Mas Characters, Port of Spain and the International Soca Monarch & Groovy Soca Finals (Fantastic Friday), Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain. 21 Feb, National Panorama Finals, Skinner Park, San Fernando, Junior Parade of Bands, South Quay, Port of Spain and Junior Carnival, Port of Spain. 22 Feb, Dimanche Gras with King & Queens of Carnival and National Calypso Monarch finals, Jean Pierre Complex, Port of Spain and Nostalgia Parade of Traditional Bands, Victoria Square, Port of Spain. 23 Feb Carnival Monday: J’ouvert, Parade of Bands, Pan on de Road-Pan/Mas and Monday Night Mas, Port of Spain and 24 Feb, Carnival Tuesday: Parade of Bands, Pan on de Road – Pan/Mas and Las Lap, Port of Spain. 07, 14, 20 & 28 Feb, Horse Racing, Santa Rosa Park, Arima – 14 Feb, the Arima Race Club Classic.
MARCH
Leatherback Turtle Nesting Season begins and runs to 31 August. 07-08 Mar, TTGFA Wahoo Tournament, Chaguaramas. 07, 14, 28 Mar, Horse Racing, Santa Rosa Park, Arima – 07 Mar, the Royal Colours Classic . 05-08 Mar, Trinidad & Tobago Amateur Open Golf Championships 2009 & The Presidents Cup, Millenium Lakes Golf & Country Club. 06-15 Mar, 2009 Digicel Home Series, West Indies v England, 06-10 Mar, 4th Digicel Test, 14 Mar, One-Day Practice match and 15 Mar, Twenty20, all at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain.
APRIL
04, 11, 18 & 25 Apr, Horse Racing, Santa Rosa Park, Arima.
MAY
02, 09, 16 & 30 May, Horse Racing, Santa Rosa Park, Arima – 02 May, the Gleneagles Stakes. 23-24 May, Taste Trinidad & Tobago, annual culinary festival held at various venues in Port of Spain.
JUNE
06, 13, 20 & 28 Jun, Horse Racing, Santa Rosa Park, Arima. 05-13 Jun, WeBeat Festival, St James Amphitheatre/Western Main Road, St James, Port of Spain. Annual cultural and musical event with a Groovy Soca & Chutney Night, Children’s Show, Health Day, WeTalent, JazzBeat/WeEat, Pan Explosion ‘5 Ah Side’, We Vintage Kaiso and Steelband Parade. 20-21 Jun, TTGFA The Kingfish Tournament, Chaguaramas.
JULY
04, 11, 18 & 25 Jul, Horse Racing, Santa Rosa Park, Arima. 13-19 Jul, 2009 Caribbean Games, inaugural regional event held at various venues – track & field at Hasely Crawford Stadium, netball at Jean Pierre Complex, indoor volleyball at UWI SPEC, boxing at Woodbrook Youth Facility and beach volleyball at Saith Park in Trinidad and tennis at Shaw Park in Tobago.
AUGUST
01 Aug, Emancipation Day, street parade with moki jumbies, steelbands and African drums, Port of Spain. 01, 08, 15, 22 & 29 Aug, Horse Racing, Santa Rosa Park, Arima. 14-16 Aug, TTGFA Tarpon Thunder Tournament, Chaguaramas. 22 Aug, Carib Great Race, hugely popular 85 mile powerboat race starting in Trinidad and ending in Store Bay, Tobago with big beach party. 31 Aug, Independence Day, public holiday with military parade and fireworks in Port of Spain.
SEPTEMBER
05, 12 & 26, Sep, Horse Racing, Santa Rosa Park, Arima. 09 Sep, Panyard Sensations, location tba. 20 Sep, Eid-Ul-Fitr, Muslim festival.
OCTOBER
03, 10, 17, 24 & 31 Oct, Horse Racing, Santa Rosa Park, Arima. 09 Oct, The Trinidad & Tobago Steelpan and Jazz Festival, Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain. 17 Oct, Divali (Festival of Lights), Hindu celebration.
NOVEMBER
14, 21 & 28 Nov, Horse Racing, Santa Rosa Park, Arima. 21 Nov, TTGFA Funfish Tournament, Chaguaramas.
DECEMBER
05, 12 & 26 Dec, Horse Racing, Santa Rosa Park, Arima.
Trinidad public holidays 2009: 01 January, 30 March, 10 & 13 April, 30 May, 11 & 19 June, 01 & 31 August, 20 & 24 September, 17 October, and 25 & 26 December. Please note that Carnival Monday and Tuesday (23 & 24 February 2009 ) are not public holidays. Carnival dates for 2010: 15 & 16 February.
The above events/dates may be subject to change/cancellation, therefore please check locally for confirmation of details. |
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Casinos
The Trinidadians love to gamble and there are a number of casinos on the island. There are also a large number of lottery games.
Club Casanovas, 10 Macoya Road, Tunapuna, t 662 1253
Club Phoenix, 19 Woodford Street, Chaguanas, t 664 0463
Club Rio, 20 Cipero Road, San Fernando, t 652 3745
Golden Tulip Kapok Hotel, Cotton Hill, 16-18 St. Clair, Port of Spain, t 622 9677
Ma Pau, corner French St & Ariapita Ave, Woodbrook, Port of Spain, t 624 3331
Sands Casino, Prince of Wales & Coffee Streets, San Fernando, t 653 7465
The City of Grand Bazaar, Valsayn, t 645 3333 |
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Check In/Check Out
Trinidad is generally in line with business hotels around the worldwith check out at 12 noon and check in in the early afternoon. The majority of international arrivals into Trinidad are in the mid to late afternoon, but if you are arriving earlier than that, from another Caribbean island perhaps, then let your hotel know and they may be able to provide day rooms/shower facilities subject to availability, or may be flexible on check in. |
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