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About
Trinidad & Tobago
Introduction
Probably the most exciting
and unique destination in the Caribbean,
Trinidad and Tobago offers visitors the
ultimate all-round holiday experience.
Together with Tobago’s well-known fine
beaches and coral reefs, the larger
sister island of Trinidad is justly famous
for its incredible natural diversity
and dynamic cultural scene.
Each February, the capital,
Port of Spain, explodes into one of the
world’s biggest parties, the pre-Lenten
Carnival, where tens of thousands of
costumed masqueraders parade through the
streets to lively sound system beats and the
time-old Trinidadian percussive instrument,
steel-pan. And at any time of the year, Port
of Spain offers visitors a vibrant and
friendly nightlife where you can
really get to know Caribbean culture, far
from the glitz of all-inclusive resorts.
Outside the big city, the
twin-island republic is notably laid-back,
with myriad opportunities for eco-tourism.
From rainforest-covered mountains and
low-key beach communities, through to
Hindu temples and abundant bird
and animal life, it is hard not to find
your own little piece of paradise in T&T.
Tourism in Trinidad –
if you feel it you know
it!
A few words from Gunda
Harewood, Director of Island Experiences:
 “I see a great future for
Trinidad as a tourist destination. The
nature of tourism is changing worldwide and
people are not coming to the Caribbean for
just sun, sea and sand anymore. Visitors
want a more active vacation – to interact
with local people, learn about their culture
as well as experiencing a different way of
life to their own. That is where our future
in tourism lies.
We have everything here –
beautiful and varied flora and fauna
(especially birds; the number of visiting
ornithologists is growing rapidly), lovely
beaches without huge resorts damaging the
environment, and a rainforest with hardly
any dangerous animals. Culturally, Trinidad
is equally diverse: there’s a large capital
city with plentiful entertainments on offer,
great shopping and a wide array of cultural
activities all year round. Trinidad’s
multi-cultural society translates in daily
life to food of all descriptions, music easy
to listen and dance to, and a friendly,
non-prejudiced and helpful people of all
ethnic mixes and religions, who actively
welcome foreigners.
Crime is a factor here like
in every other country in the world – but
unfortunately the media scandalizes it and
creates a negative image. For the larger
part, crime is limited to specific areas of
the capital which are easily avoided. If you
can survive in any major city in the world
you can survive and enjoy Port of Spain –
just let your common sense prevail!
The fact that Trinidad has
never marketed tourism is now to our
advantage – the destination remains
un-spoilt, with plenty of deserted beaches
unlike many of the region’s tourism
hotspots. Additionally, visitors are not
seen as ‘walking dollars’ – there’s no need
to depend on them as the island has low
unemployment and many other industries – so
people here are genuinely friendly when they
choose to be, not because they have to.
Our tourism product might
never develop into a mass-tourism
million-dollar industry, but we are quite
happy with the way it is; real discerning
individuals visit our shores, sometimes
interesting, eccentric types, and very often
independent, strong searchers who truly
appreciate what they find. These are the
people we like to meet and inspire.
Trinidad has a very special
flair; there is really a ‘natural mystic’ in
the air!
IF YOU FEEL IT YOU KNOW IT
AND IF YOU DONT FEEL IT YOU WILL NEVER KNOW
IT...!”
Gunda
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