Like all topical destinations, Trinidad & Tobago have a peak season which inevitably draws large crowds. But, would you prefer to avoid tourists, or torrential rain?
Photo © iStock/Carol_Ann_Peacock
- Best Times to Visit Trinidad and Tobago
- Buses in Trinidad and Tobago
- Taxis in Trinidad and Tobago
- Driving Yourself Around Trinidad and Tobago
Best Times to Visit Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago aren't as susceptible to severe storms as other Caribbean islands. Luckily, they sit outside the hurricane belt.
However, if you choose to travel there during rainy season between June and November, your fate is in the hands of the weather gods. There's a possibility you might be struck with landslides, mudslides and flooding.
The blue skies and sunshine come with the crowds in the high season, from January to March. With February's Carnival being the absolute peak, when you can expect accommodation and flight prices to skyrocket.
Catching the Bus in Trinidad and Tobago
There's a lot to explore in Trinidad and Tobago, so you'll be doing a lot of traveling around the islands. The best way to travel long distances is by bus.
Buses here tend to be reliable, and are easy to figure out, with color coding corresponding with destinations.
Taxi Rules in Trinidad and Tobago
When it comes to taxis, don't expect to just hail one down on the side of the road. Traditional, non-shared, marked taxis that use a metered paying system don‘t exist here.
Private taxis are available from airports and major hotels. The cars have number plates beginning with "H". They also don‘t have meters, so make sure you agree on a fare before you set off.
Many taxis work as route taxis – which means they pick up and drop off additional passengers along the way. Always make sure you're not entering a route taxi before you get in.
If you can, it's best to avoid these shared, route taxis. There have been reports of rape, assault and theft occurring inside shared taxis. There is also a greater liklihood for accidents, as drivers are frequently swerving across the road to pick passengers up.
Avoid gypsy taxis at all costs. Locally, they're called "PH" because they are private cars, illegally used for hire. These are extremely dangerous, having been linked to murder, kidnapping and robberies.
Small buses and vans, known as maxi-taxis, are also risky, as they are more prone to accidents and robberies.
Basically, you should stick to private taxis and full-sized inner-city buses to get around.
Check with your hotel reception to grab numbers for reliable private taxi companies, or local telephone books will have a list of certified cabs.
Driving Yourself Around Trinidad and Tobago
Or, there's the option to hire a car and drive yourself around. You can rent a car through the usual companies like Budget and Hertz, or you can opt for the local chains such as Auto Rentals and Kalloo‘s.
Driving yourself always comes with its risks, as you'll be unfamiliar with dangerous roads and areas. Also, most rental cars have a big "R" on the licence plate, which is a dead giveaway that you're a tourist, and therefore a target for criminals.
However, more rental companies are changing their licence plates to have a "P" instead, so the car is disguised as being private rather than rental.
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2 Comments
Hey Phil, I think the photo you have used here is the city Trinidad in Cuba and not in Trinidad and Tobago.
Just to update your Information, we also now have a fully functioning UBER system :) in Trinidad.