North and Central America and Caribbean
Trinidad and Tobago
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Still current at: 20 August 2008
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Updated: 14 August 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary (consular figures). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
Travel Summary
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There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See the Terrorism section of this advice for more details.
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You should be aware that there are high levels of violent crime, especially shootings and kidnappings. British nationals have been victims of violent attacks, particularly in Tobago where law enforcement is weak. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
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Around 57,000 British nationals visited Trinidad and Tobago in 2006 (Source: Central Statistical Office). 85 British nationals required consular assistance in Trinidad and Tobago in the period 01 April 2006 - 31 March 2007. The main types of incident for which they required consular assistance were for: replacing lost and stolen passports; and dealing with arrests or detentions, mostly for drugs offences.
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The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. See the Natural Disasters section of travel advice and Tropical cyclones for more details.
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We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
Crime
Trinidad
There is a high level of gang related violence and crime in Trinidad. Incidents are concentrated in the inner city neighbourhoods east of Port of Spain's city centre, particularly Laventille, Morvant and Barataria, but can occur in other areas.
Theft from vehicles and property can be a problem in parts of downtown Port of Spain and in other urban areas. Cruise ship passengers should take particular care when walking around the docks and downtown, and should avoid straying into areas affected by gang violence. There has also been a worrying increase in violent crime, muggings, robberies and kidnapping for ransom in all areas in 2008. There have also been attacks, some involving firearms , at tourist sites, including Fort George, the Pitch Lake and also at car parks of supermarkets, shopping malls, nightclubs, restaurants and business premises. In 2007 there were a number of incidents involving British Nationals, a stabbing in Chaguaramas and a violent attack and mugging in Independence Square. Four foreign nationals have been shot, the most recent was on 4 March 2007, when a British national was shot outside his home in Westmoorings.
You should not carry large amounts of cash or wear eye-catching jewellery. Use hotel safety deposit boxes to store valuables, money and passports. Do not walk alone in unlit areas at night time. Do not resist robbers or muggers.
Tobago
Although most visits to Tobago are trouble free, crime against tourists in Tobago and the inability of the Tobago authorities to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators remains a concern. The authorities on the island are taking steps to improve the situation.
Since 2006 there have been an increased number of serious robberies against tourists and residents. Some of these incidents were accompanied by violence, including rape. An elderly British resident was violently assaulted in her home in July 2007 and there was a vicious attack on owners of a private villa near Mount Pleasant in September 2007. Caution is advised when renting villas in the south west of the island. All villas should have adequate security measures in place, including the provision of external security lighting, grills and 24-hour security guards. You should be aware of your surroundings at all times and preferably carry a mobile 'phone with roaming capability for use in emergency. Petty theft from cars has also increased.
Visitors are advised to visit isolated beaches such as Englishman's Bay and King Peter's bay only as a member of an organised group. Consult your tour operator if in doubt..
For more general information see
Rape and Sexual Assault Abroad.
Do not resist robbers or muggers.
Political Situation
Local Travel
Road Travel
The standard of driving in Trinidad and Tobago is eratic. Road accidents leading to fatalities are a regular occurrence. Some of the roads are narrow and winding and the surface of a low standard. When hiring a car, you should drive with care.
If you do not have a vehicle, you should use taxis after dark.
Sea Travel
In June 2007 an accident involving two bathers and a motorised boat resulted in serious injuries and an air evacuation. Bathers should be aware that no local maritime legislation in Trinidad and Tobago law exists under which boat drivers can be charged and prosecuted for reckless driving following an incident.
Local laws and customs
Drug traffickers face severe penalties in Trinidad and Tobago. The authorities are alert to the carriage of illicit drugs of any kind and checks are thorough. You should pack all luggage yourself and do not carry items which do not belong to you.
Trinidad and Tobago has a number of laws, which make certain homosexual acts illegal.
You should be aware that it is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.
Entry requirements
Visas
British visitors do not need visas to enter Trinidad and Tobago. Visitors are generally given 90 days to remain in the country but extensions can be obtained from the Passport and Immigration Department, 67 Frederick Street, Port of Spain.
Passport validity
You should ensure that your passport has a minimum of six months validity before entering Trinidad & Tobago.
Health
In some areas of Trinidad & Tobago medical facilities can be limited and may not be up to UK standards. Private clinics are able to treat most ordinary problems, but there may be a need for medical evacuation to Miami or elsewhere in cases of serious accident or illness. You should check that your insurance covers this.
Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region. Dengue is found throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 26,000 adults aged 15 or over in Trinidad & Tobago were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 2.6% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see
HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Trinidad & Tobago and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (
NaTHNaC) and
NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see
Travel Health.
Natural disasters
Earthquakes
Earthquakes are apotential threat and tremors are felt occasionally. For advice on howto protect yourself in the event of being caught in an earthquake ortremor, please see:
http://www.geologyuk.com/index.htm
Hurricanes
Thehurricane season in Trinidad & Tobago normally runs from June toNovember. You should monitor local and international weather updatesfrom the
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the
US National Hurricane Centre. For more general information see
Tropical cyclones.
General
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see
Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is
How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our
LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found
here.
Honorary Consul, Tobago
The British High Commission has an honorary consul in Tobago, James Morshead, who can assist in cases of emergency & lost passports. His telephone number is 639 8855, mobile number 680 4609. In his absence, Jeremy Knott provides back-up cover. He can be contacted on 639 2689 or mobile numbers 631 8269 or 374 9822
These telephone numbers are not for casual enquiries and should only be used in cases of genuine emergency.
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