First Thoughts
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Mention the words ‘Caribbean island’ and the image conjured up for most people is of palm-fringed, white-sand beaches and gloriously clear azure-blue sea. Whilst Trinidad does have a number of places to swim and sunbathe, this is not its main attraction. Being an oil-rich island with a stable economy, Trinidad is far less reliant on tourism than other destinations in the Caribbean.
For the visitor, this manifests itself in a lack of information, signage and infrastructure directed at tourists. In some ways, this makes a refreshing change. When travelling around the island, you get to experience it like a local. It can also be frustrating, however. We spent a lot of time looking for places we’d read about, only to get there and find the attraction closed for the day or, even, permanently shut down.
Having said this, though, Trinidad is an amazing place with friendly people, good food and great music. I would definitely recommend a visit!
Sunset over Caroni Swamp
Essential Information About Trinidad
- Area – 4,748 square kilometres
- Population – c 1.3 million
- Language – English
- Capital – Port of Spain
- Currency – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD)
- Time zone – GMT -4
- Telephone – the country code for Trinidad is 868.
- Electrical socket – standard voltage of 115V with type A and B sockets (two flat pins or two flat pins with a third round earth pin). If you are travelling from the US, you won’t need an adaptor, but if you’re coming from the UK or elsewhere, you will. Why not take a universal travel adapter with you.
- Visas – visitors from most countries, including the UK and USA, do NOT need a visa to visit Trinidad. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry to the country. You will be given the right to remain for ninety days. You may be asked to show your return air ticket and proof of sufficient funds to pay for your stay.
Festivals and Celebrations in Trinidad
Public Holidays
Trinidad’s 17 annual public holidays reflect the country’s ethnic and cultural diversity with Christian, Hindu and Muslim celebrations included. Banks and workplaces close, concerts are organised, shops have sales, and families get together to eat, drink and socialise.
January 1 – New Year’s Day
March 30 – Shouter Baptist Liberation Day – a relatively new public holiday in recognition of the African-based religion that suffered persecution in colonial Trinidad.
February/March – Monday, Tuesday and Ash Wednesday before Lent – Carnival. This is Trinidad’s most famous festival with fetes, pan and calypso competitions and costumed street processions.
March/April – Good Friday and Easter Monday – as well as attending church and baking hot cross buns, Trinidadians indulge in the ‘beating of the bobolee’. This involves pummelling an effigy of Judas Iscariot or, more usually these days, of any politician or public figure who’s thought to deserve it. Easter weekend also sees a colourful kite festival at the Savannah in Port of Spain.
May 30 – Indian Arrival Day – commemorating the arrival in 1845 of the first indentured Indian labourers to Trinidad.
June 10 – Corpus Christi – a Catholic holiday marked by processions in many island villages.
June 19 – Labour Day – a public holiday in recognition of trade unions and workers. It is most publicly celebrated in Fyzabad, southern Trinidad, where the powerful Oil Workers’ Union was established.
August 1 – Emancipation Day – commemorating the abolition of slavery in 1834. There is a procession through Port of Spain.
August 31 – Independence Day – celebrating the 1962 independence from the UK.
August/September – Eid-ul Fitr
September 24 – Republic Day
September/October – Divali -a festival honouring Mother Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of light.
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 26 – Boxing Day
Other Celebrations in Trinidad
Phagwah – celebrated in March or early April to honour the Indian tradition of Holi. It is best experienced in central Trinidad. It isn’t a public holiday, but many Trinis of all backgrounds take part.
Turtle Season – the leatherback laying season officially opens on March 1st with guided viewing sessions at Grande Riviere.
La Divina Pastora – held on the third Sunday after Easter in Siparia in southern Trinidad. A statue of the Black Virgin is carried in a procession through the town and locals, dressed in new clothes, celebrate with feasting and drinking.
Pan in the 21st Century – steel band competition held every April in Port of Spain.
Santa Rosa Festival – held in the last week in August in Arima, Trinidad. It celebrates the culture and traditions of indigenous Amerindians with musical and acrobatic performances and street parties.
Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival – held over two weeks in September with films from all over the Caribbean, plus arthouse cinema from around the world.
San Fernando Jazz Festival – takes place over two days in late September on San Fernando Hill, Trinidad.
Steel Pan Jazz Festival – a series of concerts and workshops held at the beginning of October each year in Port of Spain. It features a fusion of foreign jazz masters and the best Trini steel bands.
Taste – a culinary festival which takes place in Port of Spain every October with cooking demonstrations, rum, wine and food tastings, and live music.
Hosay – an Islamic festival commemorating the martyrdom of Mohammed’s grandsons. Hussein and Hassan, during the Holy War in Persia. It is marked by four days of night parades which goon to the early hours.
Parang Season – taking place in December, this is a tradition of nativity songs sung in Spanish with a mixture of French patois dating from colonial days. Parang groups perform in bars, clubs and door-to-door. Las Cuevas Beach, Trinidad
The view of Maracas Valley, Trinidad
