South america island trinidad map. Open left menu trinidad

Trinidad - an island in the Caribbean off the northeastern coast of South America, is the main part of the state of Trinidad and Tobago, it is home to 96% of the country's population. Located 11 km off the northeast coast of Venezuela. The area of ​​the island is 4,821 km². Located between 10°03′ N.S. 60°55′ W and 10°50′ N 61°55′ W The island is 80 km long and 59 km wide. Island of mainland origin; separated from the mainland by the Bocas del Dragon, the Gulf of Paria and the Boca de la Sierpe. The shores are poorly dissected, framed in the north coral reefs, in the south - mangroves. Trinidad is dominated by a low-lying plain, marshy in the east, with two parallel ridges up to 300 m high. In the north, a mountain range up to 940 m high (Aripo) is a continuation of the Coastal Cordillera of Venezuela.

Along the south coast - mud volcanoes. Deposits of natural asphalt (Lake Peach Lake, etc.), oil (on the shelf in the southwest and southeast) and natural gas.
Trinidad hosts a major jazz festival in November.

Story

The island of Trinidad was discovered in 1498 by Columbus, who christened it La Isla de la Trinidad in honor of the Holy Trinity. The Spaniards, who followed Christopher Columbus, enslaved the Arawak Indians who inhabited the islands at that time or resettled them in other South American colonies. But the complete absence of minerals and
relatively poor soils led to the fact that the conquistadors quickly lost all interest in this land. As a result, the first European settlement on the island (Jose de Oruna, modern St. Joseph) appeared only in 1592. Over the next two centuries, the colonialists made two unsuccessful attempts to develop the island, but the tobacco and cocoa they planted did not grow on local soil. As a result, the Spaniards almost abandoned all attempts to develop this colony, and in 1797 the island came under the jurisdiction of the British crown. After the abolition of slavery in 1830, thousands of workers from India began to arrive on the islands, as well as immigrants from the poor areas of Spain, Portugal, England, France and China, who were the main consolidators of the people known today as the "trinbagonians" ("Trinidadians").
The largest cities are Chaguanas, Port of Spain (the capital of Trinidad and Tobago), San Fernando, Arima, St. Joseph (the first capital of Trinidad), etc.

Climate

The climate is subequatorial, hot and humid; There are two seasons: dry (January to May) and rainy. The average annual temperature is 25–27 °C, and precipitation varies from 1,200 mm per year in the west to 3,800 mm in the windward (relative to the trade winds) northeast. Best time to visit the island of Trinidad is a dry season between January and April.

flora, fauna

Evergreen forests predominate, in the center of the island and on the leeward northwestern slopes there is a secondary savanna and light forests, coconut palms, cocoa plantations. Over 40 types of hummingbirds.

Information

• Archipelago: Lesser Antilles
• water area: Caribbean Sea
• A country: Trinidad and Tobago
• Square: 4821 km²
• highest point: 940 m
• Population (2000): 1 208 282 people

- a state in the Caribbean Sea, located on the islands of Trinidad, Tobago and several adjacent small islands.

The name comes from the Spanish "trinidad", which means "trinity", since Christopher Columbus discovered the island on the feast of the Trinity, and local word"tobago", which later entered the languages ​​as "tobacco".

Official name: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Capital: Port of Spain

The area of ​​the land: 5.128 thousand sq. km

Total population: 1.2 million people

Administrative division: The state is divided into 9 counties.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: The president.

Composition of the population: 69% - Africans, mulattoes and moles, 30% - Indo-Pakistani, 1% - Chinese.

Official language: English, but the Indo-Aryan Bhojpuri language is widely spoken, Spanish is also used.

Religion: 32% - Catholics, 28% - Protestants (mostly Anglicans), 24% - Hindus, 6% - Muslims.

Internet domain: .tt

Mains voltage: ~115 V, 60 Hz

Phone country code: +1-868

Climate

The climate of the islands is subequatorial, hot and humid, trade winds, with weakly pronounced seasonal differences. average temperature February 24 ° C, September (the hottest month) - 27 ° C. The islands are located in the area of ​​trade wind circulation of air masses, where northeast winds prevail.

The amount of precipitation falls largely depends on the nature of the terrain. On the windward eastern slopes northern range more than 3600 mm of precipitation falls annually, on the slopes of the Sierra Tobago - up to 3800 mm, on the leeward western slopes - less than 1500 mm. The relatively dry season is January-May, the relatively wet season is June-December.

Between June and December, hurricanes occasionally hit the islands. Strong storm winds often blow, accompanied by tropical showers destructive force.

Geography

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is located on the islands of the same name in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the northeast coast of Venezuela, opposite the Orinoco Delta (the southernmost part of the Lesser Antilles group). South coast Trinidad is located just 10 km from the coast of Venezuela, and the island of Tobago is located 20 km northeast of Trinidad. The total area of ​​the islands is 5.128 thousand square meters. km (Trinidad - 4,828 sq. km, Tobago - 300 sq. km).

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

The vegetation of Trinidad and Tobago compared to neighboring islands very diverse, which is explained by its continental origin. Evergreen forests predominate, in the center of the island of Trinidad and on the leeward north-western slopes - the secondary savannah and light forests. Plants are represented by both South American species and those specific to the Antilles.

More than 50 species of valuable tree species grow in the forests, including cedar, balsa (hare tree), sandalwood, cypress, pompom vanilla (V. pompona Schiede). Large areas are occupied by plantations of cocoa and other cultivated plants. Tobago is included in the habitat of Melocactus broadwayi, other types of melocactus are also common on the islands. There is also a rare butterfly orchid (Oncidium papilio Ldl.) growing in Trinidad, which is declining due to commercial harvesting.

Animal world

Animals have similarities with the animal world of South America. In Trinidad and Tobago, you can find the red ibis (Eudocimus ruber), which is the national bird of the republic; caimans, ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), agoutis, iguanas, opossums, capuchins, as well as more than 40 species of hummingbirds (hummingbirds are also depicted on the coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago).

Many species of birds nest in Tobago, such as the Caribbean swallow and the white-tailed nightjar. A wide variety of bats, there are representatives of the families Furipteridae (smoky the bats), Natalidae (funnel-eared), Phyllostomidae (leaf-nosed), Mormoopidae (chin-leaved).

Endemic to Trinidad is the lizard Proctoporus shrevei, the only reptile with the property of bioluminescence. Northern mountain range Trinidad is the only place in the world where this species is found.

Banks and currency

Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD or TT$), equal to 100 cents. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 100, 20, 10, 5 and 1 dollars, as well as coins in denominations of 1 dollar, 50, 25, 10, 5 cents.

US dollars also have free circulation.

From Monday to Thursday, banks are usually open from 08.00-9.30 to 14.00-17.00, on Fridays - from 09.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00. Some major banks operate on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Most of the major banking offices on the central streets of the capital of Trinidad open and close a little later than the rest (usually from 9.00 to 19.00) and work without interruption.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and some hotels, as well as at cambios or bureaus de change currency exchange offices (open daily from 9.00 to 18.00, except Sundays), on weekends you can exchange currency at the airport (the exchange office is open from 6.00 to 22.00) and in some institutions of tourist areas (hotels, shops, restaurants, etc.). The exchange rate in exchange offices is usually somewhat worse than in the banks of Port of Spain, however, conditions are different at all points. It is not recommended to change currency on the street.

Credit cards of major payment systems (Visa, Eurocard, MasterCard, American Express, etc.) are accepted for payment in almost all hotels, large restaurants and most shops. Many retail outlets charge an additional 5% of the amount when servicing credit cards. ATMs (usually marked with a banner TIDCO) accepting debit and credit cards can be found everywhere (in Tobago - only in Scarborough).

Traveler checks can be cashed almost everywhere - in bank offices, hotels and large stores (many banks charge a certain percentage for checking checks, each institution is different). To avoid additional conversion costs, it is recommended to use traveler's checks in US dollars or in pounds sterling.

Useful information for tourists

Active tourism is quite well developed on the islands - on any of the magnificent beaches of the coast, windsurfing, water skiing and sailing, paragliding, snorkeling and “serious” diving, golf and tennis are offered at numerous hotel and small private guesthouses.

It is forbidden to export items of historical value, rare animals and tropical birds from the islands.

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an island nation in the southern Caribbean Sea off the coast of Venezuela. It consists of two large islands - Trinidad and Tobago, as well as a large number of small islands. The country is located 10.6 kilometers north of Venezuela and slightly south of Grenada.

Trinidad is dominated by a low plain, but there are three mountain ranges. In the north, there is another mountain range, which is a continuation of the Coastal Cordillera of Venezuela. Its main peak - Mount Aripo (940 m) - is the highest point in the country.

Tobago is dominated by a large mountain range that runs through most of the island (length - 29 km) and reaches a height of 640 meters. To the north and south of the ridge are fertile plains.

State

State structure

Trinidad and Tobago is a parliamentary republic that is part of the British Commonwealth. The head of state is the president. Legislative power is vested in a bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Executive power is exercised by the government headed by the prime minister.

Language

State language: English

The Indo-Aryan language Bhojpuri, which is spoken by many Indo-Trinidadians, is quite widespread. Colloquial speech mainly uses Trinidadian Creole based on English.

Religion

7 religious confessions are widely represented: Catholics (26% of the population consider themselves to be among them); Hindus (22%); Anglicans (8%); Baptists, Pentecostals (7% each); Muslims (6%); Seventh-day Adventists (4%). The rest of the Trinidadians and Tobagos follow other religions or are atheists.

Currency

International name: TTD

The Trinidad and Tobago dollar is subdivided into 100 cents. Banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 100 TTD and coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents are in circulation.

You can also pay with US dollars.

Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants, almost all hotels and many stores (Eurocard, MasterCard, Visa International, American Express, etc.) Travel checks can be cashed almost everywhere - in bank offices, hotels and large stores (in many banks for service of checks is charged a certain percentage, in each institution is different).

Trinidad and Tobago Map

Popular Attractions

Trinidad and Tobago Tourism

Popular hotels

Tips

Tipping is 5-10% of the cost of services, it is better to give them in local currency. In most hotels and guesthouses, the cost of service is included in the bill, otherwise a tip of 10% is common.

Office Hours

From Monday to Thursday, banks are usually open from 08.00-9.30 to 14.00-17.00, on Fridays - from 09.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00. Some major banks operate on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Purchases

Shops are usually open from 8.00 to 16.00, on Saturday from 8.00 to 13.00. Some supermarkets are open from Monday to Thursday from 08.00 to 16.00, on Fridays - from 08.00 to 18.00, on Saturdays - from 08.00 to 13.00.

Medicine

Increased precautions against hepatitis B, dengue fever (especially when visiting the Caroni area or the Nariva Swamp Game Reserve in Trinidad) and rabies are mandatory.

Safety

It is not recommended to carry large amounts of cash with you, instead it is wiser to use traveler's checks, as well as debit or credit cards. You should not demonstrate expensive dresses, jewelry and expensive photo or video equipment outside the respective establishments. "Deals" offered by strangers on the street should be avoided at all costs. It is not recommended to use ATMs at night or exchange money at strangers.

Women traveling alone should expect increased attention from local men. This is usually expressed in various verbal comments and rarely turns into threatening forms, but the usual caution here clearly does not hurt.

Despite the fact that almost undisguised offers to buy marijuana and even "harder" drugs can often be heard on the islands, the sale, purchase or possession of any amount of drug-containing substances is quite strictly prosecuted by local legislation.

Emergency Phones

Unified rescue service (fire department, police, ambulance) - 990.
Police - 999.
Ambulance - 900 (general) or 639-25-52 (Tobago only), 624-43-43 (Port of Spain), 653-43-43 (San Fernando).
Coast Guard - 634-44-40, 634-21-31.

I learned about the Cuban city of Trinidad long before my trip to Liberty Island. In the corner of one of the Moscow cafes hung a screen that showed an amazing, almost toy-like Caribbean city: small houses with tiled roofs stretched along cobbled roads, reminiscent of the scenery of a movie about pirates. It was then that getting to Trinidad became my dream. And several years passed before I managed to see the city with my own eyes.

At the same time, I had the erroneous opinion that after Havana, Trinidad would no longer be able to surprise me. But these cities are by no means comparable. reflects the historical events of the last two centuries - former wealth, American patronage, revolution. Trinidad retains the atmosphere of colonial times. Walking along its streets, willy-nilly, you begin to imagine how the first Cuban governors led their construction.

The city is really very beautiful and is not in vain included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, but by doing so it attracts an unimaginable number of tourists. Walking around Trinidad alone is only possible in two cases: during the rain and before 7 in the morning. Someone has learned to abstract from the crowds of people, on the contrary, this mass frankly annoys someone. But one way or another, this city remains in the memory of everyone. And I think forever.

How to get there

Due to the wild popularity of the city among tourists, you can get to it in a variety of ways. It is located just 300 km from Havana and 260 from Varadero, where everyone arrives international flights.

From the capital, travelers can take a short trip across the land - by bus, old train or rented car. If you want to get to the city exclusively by plane, then everything will be a little more complicated.

By plane

direct flight

There are no direct flights from Russia to Trinidad. The only airport the city is equipped with is the tiny Alberto Delgado. With its compactness, it is more like a cozy grocery store than a departure station. aircraft.

The airport has only one runway and, at the time of my stay, served exclusively private flights. However, everything in Cuba is changing very quickly, and I hope that Alberto Delgado will soon sparkle with new colors and be filled with tourists from all over the world.

Most often, travelers fly from their countries to major Cuban airports (Havana or Varadero), and there they transfer to a bus or a rented car. If you don’t want to spend time on moving around the island at all and are focused solely on flights, I can still offer one way, maybe not the cheapest and fastest, but still quite real - flights from.

Flight with transfer

80 km from Trinidad is the city of Cienfuegos, equipped with an international airport. It began to develop quite recently - after the truce between Cuba and the United States. To date, only American companies such as American Airlines and Copa America fly there, flying from the city of Florida. The flight takes an hour and a half, and the price of tickets starts from 140 USD one way.

You can get to Fort Lauderdale from Moscow and St. Petersburg with the help of various European airlines - Swiss, KLM, Air France and Lufthansa fly there from both Russian capitals. Round-trip ticket prices start from 500 USD, the travel time will be about 15 hours, including a 2-hour transfer in one of the European cities (Zurich, Vienna or Paris).

Total: a flight from Moscow or St. Petersburg to Cienfuegos will take you about 19 hours and require 2 transfers (in one of the European cities and Fort Lauderdale airport), and the cost of all tickets per person will be 650 USD. In terms of price and time, this is quite comparable to the cost of a flight - - and further travel to Trinidad by land.

Arriving in Cienfuegos, you will find several ways to get to Trinidad:

• Taxi at the airport exit. A private car will cost 40 USD, but drivers often find fellow travelers for you - this way you can share this amount with other passengers;
• scheduled bus.Terminal carrier Viazul is located 3 km from the airport. It can be reached by taxi for 3 USD, and then transfer to the bus. The cost of one ticket will be only 6 USD, and the journey will take about 2 hours. Buses depart from Cienfuegos 3 times a day: at 11:40, 14:30 and 16:00.

However, in my opinion, it is much more interesting to travel by land from other Cuban cities, which I will now discuss in more detail.

By train

The Cuban Railway is an amazing, paradoxical attraction that allows you to experience the poverty of local life for a lot of money. The conditions on the trains are simply terrible, it is impossible to sleep on hard seats, some windows do not close, and in some places there is not enough glass at all.

From Havana

Traveling from the capital of Cuba (Central Railway Station) to Trinidad will take you as much as 8 hours, and a seated car ticket will cost about 13 USD one way. However, many tourists deliberately choose this mode of transport, as it is the only way to travel in authentic surroundings with Cubans.

You can buy a train ticket at stations in major cities of the country. Since this transport is a purely local means of transportation, it was previously possible to pay at the box office only with local pesos (“moneda national”). However, now, due to the popularity of this “attraction” among tourists, Cuban cookies (CUC) are also accepted for payment - a special island currency for foreigners. You can read more about this currency in a review article on.

All trains arrive at the railway station, located one kilometer from the city center. There are several ways to get to the main square:

• walking tour to the city center will be an excellent choice if you are not heavily loaded with things - this will help you choose the right accommodation yourself;
• Taxi to the center will cost you 2–3 USD, bicycle taxi will cost even cheaper - 1 USD;
• owners of kas (private houses) those offering accommodation will meet you en masse at the station. They can also take you to your future accommodation if you agree to live with them. However, in this case, it is necessary to negotiate very carefully, without hesitating to ask a lot of questions. Otherwise, you may be taken to a remote area where you do not want to stay, and at the same time they will require you to pay for the services of a taxi driver.

By bus

You can get to Trinidad by bus from almost any tourist city in Cuba, for example, Havana, Varadero, Viñales and Santiago. Upon arrival at bus station, several options appear in front of the tourist at once, which I would divide into 3 groups:

How to get from the station to the center

The bus station where the Viazul and Astro buses arrive, as well as fixed-route taxis, is located in historical center, literally 3 minutes walk from the main square:

From here it is easy to get on foot or by bicycle taxi (for 1–2 USD) to anywhere in Trinidad.

By car

It is impossible to get your own car from Russia to Cuba, but coming to Trinidad by a rented car from neighboring cities will be a great solution, and if you are traveling from Havana or Varadero, you can even visit and explore Trinidad in 1 day.

All roads in Cuba are free of charge and are famous for their good quality, but, unfortunately, it is not so often possible to find signs here, and I have never seen paper maps for sale. Therefore, before the trip, I would advise you to think about an offline navigator.

The cost of car rental in tourist cities starts from 45 USD per day, to conclude a contract you will need to present a passport and international driving license, as well as fill out a whole bunch of documents. Options for offers from rental offices can be viewed, for example,.

Gasoline costs about 1.3 USD per liter, which is slightly higher than the average Latin American prices.

Clue:

Trinidad - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 8

Kazan 8

Samara 9

Yekaterinburg 10

Novosibirsk 12

Vladivostok 15

When is the season. When is the best time to go

In Trinidad, as befits the Caribbean, the heat lasts throughout the year. daytime temperature ranges from +25 to +35 °C, and the water temperature almost never drops below +20 °C. Therefore, the tourist seasons here mainly depend only on the amount of precipitation.

The dry season is from November to March, it is also the most popular among travelers from all over the world. At this time, housing prices and tourist services rise noticeably, and the number of tourists, in my opinion, even interferes with getting to know the tiny city. But in the period from April to October, everything is exactly the opposite: clouds gather over the city, and crowds of people, on the contrary, dissolve, allowing you to enjoy the magical Trinidad almost completely alone.

Trinidad in summer

Summer is considered the "lowest" season for tourists. At this time, the heaviest rains fall over Trinidad, even hurricanes are possible. This is a hot and stuffy season, when the temperature almost never drops below +30 °C. True, in June there is an event that still attracts travelers to the rainy city - the San Juan Carnival, one of the main holidays of the city, which I will definitely tell you about in the corresponding section below.

Trinidad in autumn

Autumn is a good time to see the many sights and get to know the architecture of the city. At this time, the rains gradually stop, and the streets of the city do not have time to fill with tourists.

In the second half of autumn, the weather finally improves, and you can not only walk around Trinidad, but also sunbathe on nearby beaches.

Trinidad in spring

At the beginning of spring, Trinidad is literally overloaded with visitors. This is quite an expensive time to stay in the city. However, in mid-April, the situation changes dramatically: short-term, but quite frequent precipitation falls on the city, and the streets become noticeably empty, revealing their colonial wonders.

Trinidad in winter

Without a doubt, winter is the "highest" tourist season Here. This is the coolest and sunniest time, ideal for both long walks and beach holiday. The thermometer stays at +25°C almost all the time. In addition, it is the winter that accounts for the largest number of holidays.

Districts. Where is the best place to live

There are practically no hotels in Trinidad. 99% of housing is private houses, which local residents rent out partially or completely. They're called "casa particular" - « a private house". Housing prices in Kas start at 20 USD per room and go up to 200 USD for a large colonial house. In my opinion, this type of accommodation is much more comfortable for the tourist than the massive and unkempt socialist hotels that travelers encounter in Cuba.

There are many ways to find accommodation:

Where is the best place to live

Trinidad - very Small town. Most accommodation options are located on the site between the main square and the railway station.

There is no particular difference in price or conditions between these or those streets - even on the main square, a colonial mansion for 200 USD per day can coexist with a simple cash desk for 20. A tourist will encounter the same situation in the vicinity railway station. I will tell you more about the expenses that await a foreigner in Trinidad below.

What are the prices for holidays

Trinidad is quite an expensive city, even by Cuban standards. And for good reason: more and more expensive restaurants and art galleries are opening in luxurious colonial buildings, and wealthy tourists from have recently become the bulk of "visitors".

However, even here there are ways to save money.

life hacks

To do this, first of all, you need to bargain on all issues related to housing, transport and souvenirs. Especially in the low season, when savings can reach 50%.

Travel agencies offer foreigners fixed prices for services without any discounts, but there is one life hack here. You can order almost any excursion (from horseback riding to a trip to another city) from the owner of your cash desk, who, of course, will offer more low price than an agency. And, if a full-day excursion in a company will cost an average of 25–30 USD, then you can easily negotiate with locals for 15–20. At the same time, in my opinion, such a trip will be much more pleasant, since you will spend the day in the circle of your company, and not a countless group of unfamiliar tourists.

It also makes sense to stock up on local currency. What is needed for this, I described above. Everything is done in the order of one queue in any Cuban bank.

You can use them to pay for transport, as well as buy food in shops and cafes for locals. The benefit from doing so is enormous. For example, lunch in a cafe for Cubans will cost you 1–2 USD, and in a restaurant for tourists it will cost at least 5 USD. At the same time, the menu in almost all Cuban establishments is no different from each other.

Main attractions. What to see

I would say that Trinidad itself is the attraction. Its amazing cobbled streets, heavy doors of houses and tiled roofs give foreigners the feeling of real time travel.

However, when the wave of first impressions passes, you will certainly want to delve deeper into the city. Therefore, below I will list the main attractions that you should not miss for anything - city museums, squares and nearby beaches.

Top 5

Plaza Mayor

Once on the main square of the city, I seemed to have plunged into the heyday of the colonial era. Everything here has been preserved in perfect condition since the 18th century - buildings, a luxurious square with gardens and even statues depicting English greyhounds.

In addition to its stunning beauty, the square is important for its content - several major churches and museums are located here. Therefore, you simply cannot bypass it.

Ancon beach

In my opinion, this is a bit paradoxical, but one of the main tourist destinations in colonial Trinidad is the nearby beach, which, at first glance, is nothing special.

But, in fact, everything is simple - often the heat in the city becomes unbearable, and the wide beach, located just 3 km from the city, is a real salvation.

Church of Santa Ana

Perhaps the Church of Santa Ana has become my favorite attraction in Trinidad. Her beauty is literally breathtaking.

To date, it is not operational and is in a rather deplorable state. But it seems to me that this, like nothing else, reflects its centuries-old history.

Santeria Israel

This church stands out from the colonial decoration of Trinidad. It belongs to the descendants of African slaves who brought their customs and religion to Cuba, later mixed with the Catholic. Yisrael Temple is dedicated to the African goddess of water, Yemaya.

By itself, it is quite simple, but I was interested to see something similar in Cuba, where santeria is officially banned.

Museum of Colonial Architecture

Where else to get acquainted with colonial architecture, if not in stunning Trinidad. If not for groups of loudly talking Americans, I might have completely lost my sense of reality.

Everything is perfect in this museum - from the building itself to the interior decoration of the halls. The entrance to the museum at the time of my trip cost only 1 USD, however, they asked for as much as 5 for a photo.

Beaches. Which is better

I'll be honest - Trinidad's beaches are not the best in Cuba. The water here is not always crystal clear, and the sand is not exceptionally white. However, on a hot day, the proximity to the sea is a real salvation, because in colonial Trinidad, as far as I know, there are still no hotels with pools.

Local beaches, as elsewhere in Cuba, are famous for their gentle slope and shallow waters, making them perfect for families with children. Entrance to the beaches is free, so in hot weather they are packed. So these places are:

How to get to the beaches

The easiest way to get to the beaches is by different types of taxis: a bicycle taxi ride will cost you only 2–3 USD one way, you will have to pay about 5 for a car. public buses for Cubans, but it is very difficult to understand where they are going. More about public transport in Trinidad, I will cover it in the relevant section.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

In addition to the stunning Santa Ana Church, several other temples have survived in Trinidad:

Museums. Which are worth a visit

Tiny Trinidad currently has about a dozen museums. Basically, they are dedicated to colonial architecture and culture, there are also several modern art galleries. Tickets are purchased at the box office, payment is possible only in CUC. name exact time The work of museums is difficult, sometimes it varies slightly depending on the season, but for the most part they all have a standard schedule: from 88:00–09:00 to 17:00–18:00. I will list a few of the most interesting:

parks

Despite the fact that the surroundings of the city store many wonders of nature, in Trinidad itself there was practically no place for parks.

Cespedes Park

In addition to the luxurious square on central square, the only green area is Cespedes Park.

In fact, this is not so much a park as a shady square in Carillo Square, a couple of minutes walk from Plaza Mayor.

Here, both locals and numerous tourists like to relax on the benches.

tourist streets

The popularity of Trinidad has led to the fact that there are practically no non-tourist streets left in the city. Paved roads lead travelers one after another along galleries, souvenir shops and small cafes.

Tourist entertainment, colonial buildings and shops end exactly where the paving stones end - a foreigner can not go further.

On the map, I roughly outlined the most touristic part of the city.

What to see in 1 day

One day is enough to get to know Trinidad. Of course, you will have to give up relaxing on the beach and long trips out of town, but you will have time to see the main sights. This will be especially convenient for travelers coming by car from Havana or Varadero - self-guided tour one day in Old city would be a great addition to measured rest in Cuba:

• 20:00 . If you decide to spend the night in Trinidad, spend this unforgettable evening to the rhythms of the Caribbean. There are several places in the city where you can not only dine, but also listen to the performance of the band, and also dance, if fatigue after long walks and acquaintance with the colonial era allows you to do this.

What to see in the surroundings

If you have already walked around Trinidad to your heart's content, and the cherished Viazul tickets are sold out a few days in advance, do not despair - there are several other great sights in the vicinity of the city.

I offer a list:

Food. What to try

In fact, Trinidadian cuisine is almost indistinguishable from the standard Cuban diet. The main ingredients are rice, beans, meat and vegetables.

In expensive restaurants you will find dishes of European cuisine, but do not flatter yourself - ordinary boiled rice may well be hidden under the romantic name "risotto". There is also a problem with fish in the city: despite the proximity to the sea, I could only find fresh fish in very expensive establishments.

The only delicacy you can try in Trinidad is lobsters. However, they should be chosen with extreme caution. In some establishments, uninformed tourists are deceived by putting ordinary minced fish in lobster shells. But, if you get to a decent establishment, you will be rewarded with a huge portion, which will cost you only 10 USD. These are said to be the cheapest lobster prices in the world.

Also in Trinidad they make an interesting alcoholic cocktail that I have not had to try in other cities. It is called "chanchanchara" and is made from rum, honey, water, lemon and ice. The drink is served in round wooden cups.

This combination seemed very unusual to me, since in our country such a drink would probably be served hot.

Below I will list a few worthy establishments. I divided them according to the following principle: I classified them as budget ones where for a full meal you will fit in 5 USD, meals in a mid-level cafe will cost you 10–15, and in expensive restaurants you will have to pay 20 and more per serving.

Budget

• Cafe Don Pepe;
• La Cecilia;
• Wakey Wakey & Shakey Shakey;
• Bella Piada.

Intermediate level

• La Redacción Cuba;
• EL Dorado;
• Taberna La Botija;
• Paladar Sol Y Son;
• Guitarra Mia.

Expensive

• Restaurante Museo 1514;
• Quince Catorze;
• Sol Ananda;
• Trinidad Jazz Cafe.

Holidays

Apart from national holidays Trinidad has several unique events that draw thousands of tourists to the city every year. I will briefly discuss them below:

• La Candelaria is an important religious holiday celebrated in several Spanish and Latin American cities every year on February 2nd. In Cuba, its “heart” was the non-tourist village of Condado, 20 km from Trinidad. On this day, a solemn procession passes through the streets, which ends closer to the night with mass festivities in Trinidad itself.
• San Juan Carnival- perhaps the most important event in Trinidad. It usually falls in June, but the date always changes. This is a mass celebration in which absolutely everyone takes part - from small children to professional dancers. This celebration of life is not without reason compared to Brazilian carnivals, because Cuban rhythms mercilessly infect anyone who hears them, and the streets instantly turn into one continuous dance floor.

Safety. What to watch out for

In my opinion, Trinidad is a very safe city. In general, Cubans are quite afraid of the police to allow themselves to steal things from tourists, thereby spoiling the country's reputation. Of course, it is still better to follow the standard precautions, for example, do not walk with expensive equipment along unlit streets at night. But I would advise you to pay more attention to not being deceived in communicating with the locals:

• carefully count money in stores and exchange points, check the restaurant bill and change. Unfortunately, many tourists are very casual about money on vacation, and enterprising Cubans have long learned to use it.
• be careful of Cubans who try to make acquaintances with you on the street and in the bar. Typically, their goal is to get you to buy them a drink. They may offer to show you a “great place” or simply start complaining about fate. In order not to succumb to such a provocation, it is better to say right away that you did not take any money with you.
• Another type of extortionists that I often encountered in Trinidad are the so-called “helpers”. As soon as I asked for directions, the man was already running ahead of me, intending to guide me to the very end. Then for their services they certainly ask for a coin. To pay such assistants or not is up to you.

Things to do

When all the sights were examined, and the museum expositions were studied, I paid attention to two popular entertainments that Trinidad offers to foreigners at every turn:

1. salsa lessons.This is a unique activity for everyone. For beginners, it will help in a short time to feel more confident and learn enough moves to shine in local discos. And if you are a professional dancer, then this is the best place in the world to sharpen your skills!
2. Spanish lessons. Knowing the language helped me a lot to solve important issues on the trip and to bargain well. Because many tourists have time to learn Spanish before their trip, they often feel the need to do so already in Cuba. locals and here they offer their help, teaching foreigners from all over the world their native language.

All classes are held in groups. You can either attend a one-time lesson or take the whole course. You can find an instructor in advance on the Internet or ask the owner of your cash desk. The cost of a lesson is on average 5 USD / hour, but prices may rise during the high season.

Shopping and shops

Shopping in our understanding of the word is not very developed in Trinidad. There is no shopping centers and malls, you will not find stores with European clothing brands.

But this does not mean that there is nothing to buy in the city - it is one of the most fertile places for buying souvenirs, which are sold here literally at every step.

Bars. Where to go

The cost of renting a brand new car of a European brand starts from 45 USD per day, a retro car will cost at least 60 USD.

Rental Rules

A tourist must be at least 21 years old to rent a car; to conclude an agreement, you will need a passport and an international driver's license.

When driving a rented car in Cuba, there is one important rule - the driver must be the one for whom the contract is drawn up. The police often check motorists for this item and actively fine them in case someone else is driving.

Trinidad - holidays with children

In my opinion, a trip to Trinidad will be most interesting for families with children of school age and older. Toddlers can become uncomfortable in a stuffy, tourist-packed city. Still, the beauty of Trinidad lies in its history, so you can fall in love with this city and feel all its uniqueness only at a conscious age. In addition, there are no gaming and entertainment centers that will keep your kids busy.

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The small exotic state of Trinidad and Tobago is located between by the caribbean And Atlantic Ocean in a small archipelago. The main part of the country lies on the two most major islands Tobago and Trinidad. The rest of the territory is located on smaller islands: Monos, Chakachakare, Little Tobago, St. Giles. The largest cities are Chaguanas, San Fernando, Scarborough, Port of Spain - the capital of the state.

The ethnic composition of Trinidad and Tobago is quite diverse. About 60% are Indo- and Afro-Trinidadians, who are descendants of slaves working for the colonizers. 20% are Trinidadians of Arab, Chinese and European origin, as well as Creoles.

English rule on the territory of these islands had a huge impact on the culture of the local population, in particular on their mastery of the English language. It is this language that is today considered the official language in Trinidad and Tobago. In some parts of the country, you can also find Creole, Spanish and the Bhojpuri Indian dialect.

Trinidad and Tobago is considered a multi-religious country. Most of the population considers itself to be a Catholic branch of Christianity - approximately 26% of the total number of inhabitants. 22% are Hindus. Muslims, Baptists and Pentecostals make up about 20% of the population. The rest of the country's inhabitants adhere to other beliefs.

Until 1962, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was a British colony. After gaining independence, this country became part of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The basis of the economy of Trinidad and Tobago is the extraction and processing of petroleum products and natural gas. The chemical and metallurgical industries are widely developed. Successful agriculture allows the country to become one of the largest importers of cane sugar, citrus crops and coconuts.

Recently, ecological tourism has become a fairly large branch of the economy of Trinidad and Tobago, which is gaining more and more popularity around the world. After all, the nature of the islands is diverse and unique in its own way. A large number of people prefer to come to Trinidad and Tobago to participate in the famous carnivals and festivals.

In the world of culture, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was talked about thanks to two famous Nobel laureates - Vidiadhar Surayprasad Naipaul (2001) and Derek Walcott (1992), who made a huge contribution to world literature with their works.

Capital	Port of Spain
Population	1,299,953 people (as of 2009)
Population density	215 people/km²
	English
Religion	Christianity, Islam, Hinduism
Form of government	parliamentary republic
	Trinidad and Tobago dollar
Timezone
International dialing code
Domain zone
Electricity	115/230 V, 60 Hertz

Climate and weather

The climate of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is subequatorial in nature with weakly pronounced seasonal differences. The weather in the country is quite hot and very humid. The average air temperature in February (the coldest month) is +23 °С, and in September - about +28 °С.

Northeast winds divide the year into two seasons - dry and rainy. The dry season runs from January to May. At this time, the amount of precipitation is not more than 50 mm. During the rainy season (June to December), the air humidity is about 85%, and the precipitation level exceeds 200 mm.

The islands of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are located south of the tropical cyclone zone, so powerful hurricanes do not reach the shores of the country.

The best time to visit Trinidad and Tobago is considered to be only two months of the year - February and March. This period is characterized by air temperature that is comfortable for human adaptation and the almost complete absence of rain. If you want to spend time in silence, then you can plan a visit to Trinidad and Tobago for the summer or early autumn. At this time, there are few tourists here, and numerous hotels significantly reduce prices for accommodation and meals.

Nature

The nature of Trinidad and Tobago is so unique and diverse that it attracts a large number of fans of eco-tourism to this country. Despite the fact that the country belongs to Lesser Antilles, their origin differs significantly from other islands of this archipelago. For example, the island of Tobago is of volcanic origin, while Trinidad was originally part of the mainland of South America. The mountain ranges on these islands are considered an extension of the Venezuelan mountain ranges. The islands are separated from the continent by small straits and Gulf of Paria.

In Trinidad, the relief is predominantly flat. Several beautiful blue rivers flow between relatively low mountains - Ortoire And Koroni.

Tobago is dominated by a flat terrain with several mountain ranges, the highest point of the island does not exceed 600 m. Almost half of the island is covered with dense tropical forest. Tobago differs from other islands of this archipelago by the presence of numerous rivers and lakes. The magnificence of the nature of this state fascinates many people, and they tend to come here again.

Attractions

The main attractions of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are incomparable beaches with gentle sun and soft sand. The most famous of them are Tairiko Bay And Maracas Bay, which occupy almost the entire northern coast of Trinidad.

For lovers of ecotourism important places are the Asa Wright Nature Center and the Caroni National Park. These are reserves, on the territory of which numerous species of exotic birds, animals and reptiles are protected. It is here that one of the rarest birds on the planet lives - the scarlet ibis, which is a symbol of the country. Many experts call Trinidad the Island of Birds, as more than 157 species of the rarest birds, as well as insects, snakes and fish live in local reserves. A large number of viewing platforms are equipped on swampy soil, which provide a unique opportunity to observe the life of the most beautiful representatives of the avifauna.

The islands of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are famous for their cascades of waterfalls. Sombasson And La Laha, as well as breathtaking gorges. The most famous is Guanapo. A large number of tourists come to Trinidad and Tobago to look at natural objects that boggle the human imagination.

State capital Port of Spain known for its museums that tell visitors the history of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, from the settlement of the Indians to the present. IN art gallery collected a large number of works by famous artists. Near the city of Chaguanasa is the famous Waterloo Temple, which is considered one of the most visited Hindu temples in the territory. Caribbean.

On the island of Tobago, of great interest to foreigners is the mighty fort king george, which rises more than 45 meters above the city scarborough, the administrative center of the island. The fort was built by the British at the end of the 18th century, its stone walls are still equipped with old cannons facing the strait between the islands of Tobago and Trinidad.

The most visited settlement in Tobago is called a small fishing town Charlotteville. Near this settlement are the most popular tourist resorts and beautiful sandy beaches.

Nutrition

In Trinidad and Tobago, you can find many different street restaurants and cafes offering great treats to visitors. Interestingly, each locality in this country specializes in a certain type of cuisine. The peculiarity of such a peculiar organization of nutrition is its simplicity, extraordinary taste, high quality cooking, and most importantly, the availability of products.

The national cuisine of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is based on Indian, Creole, European and Chinese traditions. Creole cuisine is represented by the famous:

• "callalu"- soup with taro, coconut and caviar;
• "pigeon-pi"- Hot soup,
• "palhun"- pancakes with crushed nuts.

A feature of Trinidadian cuisine is the abundance of seafood on the table. The main treat in any local restaurant is the famous baked shark with a spicy curry sauce.

The chefs of Trinidad and Tobago, when preparing meat dishes, prefer recipes that are unusual for tourists, which use meat agouti, armadillo And opossum. Rarely baked rabbit and lizard. Usually, any meat dish is served with a delicious sauce with the addition of coconut milk.

The most popular non-alcoholic drink in Trinidad and Tobago is considered "kuentscher" is fortified coconut or mineral water. Locals prefer a rather unusual drink "maubi". This is the name of the infusion of anise, cloves and the bark of some trees. Hibiscus is also popular among the inhabitants of the island.

Tourists coming to Trinidad and Tobago do not miss the opportunity to try the famous Black Label rum, brewed according to a special recipe available only to residents of this country. The male half of the local population likes to spend evenings with friends over a bottle of excellent fresh beer "Makeson" and "Carib".

It is worth noting that food in Trinidad and Tobago is quite expensive. This is due to the fact that almost all of them are imported into the country from abroad - mainly from Venezuela. Only a few types of fruits and vegetables grow on the island. So, a dinner for two in a middle-class restaurant will cost about $30. In street cafeterias, you can refresh yourself much cheaper - no more than $ 20.

Accommodation

Trinidad and Tobago has a large number of hotels and hotels of various levels. Here you can easily find both expensive apartments and more budget options in small family pensions. Local hotels do not have a strict classification, but almost all of them comply with international requirements. On the territory of most hotels, tourists can enjoy clean swimming pools, playgrounds with various attractions, and tennis courts. Usually, large hotels have their own beaches (however, umbrellas and sun loungers are provided to customers only for an additional fee).

In Trinidad and Tobago, you can find small family hotels, which are a kind of analogues of European hotels. Bed & Breakfast. Typically, these hotels are located quite far from the beaches, so the cost of living in them is much lower than in other hotels.

IN administrative centers On the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, you can find hotels of such hotel brands as Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Hyatt and other global companies.

The average cost of living in the country ranges from $80 to $150 per day. The final price depends on the "star" of the hotel, the services it provides to visitors and the location of the relatively large beaches of the island.

Entertainment and recreation

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago are best known for their great holiday events. Chief among them is the most popular and noisiest Carnival in the Caribbean, which takes place at the end of February. In honor of other religious holidays, local residents also organize numerous festive events.

Tobago's main celebration is the Tobago Heritage Festival, which lasts for two whole weeks. During the Easter week, traditional boat races and fishing tournaments are held on the island, which bring together participants from all over the country.

Trinidad and Tobago offers interesting excursions natural attractions - national parks, which are famous for the numerous species of unique birds and animals living there. And waterfalls and cascades enchant everyone who is in the immediate vicinity.

Many foreign tourists come to the islands of Trinidad and Tobago for new experiences from extreme recreation. Here you can try to do almost all kinds of water sports e.g. water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, snorkelling, paragliding. Magnificent underwater landscapes near the islands attract diving enthusiasts to this country. You will not see such beauty of coral reefs even in the Red Sea. In addition, Trinidad has excellent golf courses, tennis courts, stadiums, which allows you to find something for absolutely all tourists who come to this country.

Tobago is famous for its goat racing. This completely unusual event is one of the most important entertainment during the Easter weekend. For an unprepared spectator, these races can cause a real shock: goat owners run ahead of their animals, urging them on with special cries. Such amazing competitions will not leave anyone indifferent.

But, of course, most tourists come to this exotic country to soak up sandy beaches under the gentle tropical sun. The magnificent beaches of Trinidad are considered the best in the entire Caribbean. The most famous of them are Maracas Bay, Las Cuelvas And Tairiko Bay.

Purchases

Trinidad and Tobago is called the most inexpensive place in the Caribbean. This is facilitated by huge foreign exchange earnings from oil refining.

Various souvenirs for your relatives and friends can be purchased in special shops and shops, which are found at almost every step in major cities of the country.

Various products made from tortoise shell are very popular among foreigners. Usually locals make beads, bracelets, combs, rosaries and brooches from this unusual material. In the Museum of the Indians you can buy amazing pottery with images of a scarlet ibis and the most beautiful waterfall in the country - Sombasson.

Shops in Trinidad and Tobago are open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. On weekends - from 8:00 to 13:00. In major cities, you can find supermarkets open every day from 8:00 to 18:00. In local shops, it is customary to pay in Trinidad and Tobago dollars, but US currency is also freely accepted as a means of payment. In especially large institutions of the country, you can pay for purchases or services by bank transfer.

Transport

Despite the small size of Trinidad and Tobago, there is a well-developed transport infrastructure. Length highways islands is just over 8300 kilometers. Exactly half of them have an asphalt surface. The country's urban transport is represented by buses and fixed-route taxis. To travel around the city, you must purchase a special ticket, which can be found at any stopping point. Bus drivers, unfortunately, are not allowed to accept fares, as is done in many countries around the world. The ticket price for buses is approximately $0.5 per trip. Shuttle taxis, called here "maxis", like buses, go along a certain route.

It is worth noting that all buses of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago have a rather attractive appearance, and the service will pleasantly surprise you: the transport has air conditioning and even TVs.

For implementation individual trip In the cities you can use the services of a private taxi. The trip is paid strictly according to the meter. The cost of one kilometer of the path will cost you about $ 0.6.

The road situation in the country is relatively calm. The locals are considered careful drivers. Road quality throughout most of Trinidad and Tobago is excellent. However, in some mountainous areas, you can also find ordinary dirt roads.

There is a small system in the republic railways near San Fernando. Its main purpose is the implementation of transportation in agriculture. The rest of the rail service in the country was terminated in 1968.

Shipping is well developed in Trinidad and Tobago.

chief seaport The country's capital is Port of Spain. There is a well-established ferry service between the islands. There are two types of ferries - high-speed and regular. The first ferry will cost a little more than usual, about $16 both ways. For a trip on a regular ferry, you need to pay only $ 12. Tickets for this type of transport can be purchased directly at the ferry terminal, travel agency or any post office.

Not far from the capital of the state is located international Airport Piarko, adapted to serve intercontinental airliners. By air Trinidad and Tobago is connected to neighboring island states West Indies. There are only six airports throughout the country. Air travel through the territory of the state will cost a tourist about $ 100.

Connection

Communications in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is provided by a telecommunications corporation that provides the public with wide range services. Practically in all settlements country, there are numerous payphones on the streets, with which you can make calls abroad. Such public machines operate from a coin of 25 cents for long-distance calls, and to make a call to another country, you need to purchase a separate card sold at corporate post offices, large supermarkets, gas stations, and street kiosks. On the island of Tobago, the easiest way to make an international call is from the TSTT Corporation office itself.

The small country of Trinidad and Tobago has several mobile operators that successfully support the roaming of numerous global companies. mobile communications. In this state, cellular communication covers almost the entire territory of the islands, with the exception of some mountainous areas. Interestingly, the phones of most European mobile operators may not work in Trinidad and Tobago without first registering the numbers with the official office of the TSTT Corporation. The easiest way to talk on a cellular connection is to rent from a local operator mobile phone. Renting such a device for a week will be about $ 30. Additionally, you need to pay for the time of the connection itself.

Network technologies in Trinidad and Tobago are developing quite rapidly. Almost all cities and towns have small Internet cafes, most of them have their own websites. Many hotels and hotels also provide their customers with the opportunity to access the Internet. Often they use a wireless connection, which is characterized by high speed and excellent data transfer quality. For one hour of using the Internet, you will have to pay about $ 3.

Safety

Trinidad and Tobago has a good reputation for the safety of foreign tourists. However, when moving around the country, do not forget about elementary precautions. Although serious crimes are extremely rare on the islands of the country, the number of cases of fraud and petty theft is steadily increasing every year. Therefore, you need to be extremely careful when you are in crowded places.

The sanitary situation in the country is relatively good. On the streets major cities you can try all the food sold there without fear. However, it is worth remembering that when buying vegetables or fruits at local markets, they must be thoroughly washed with running water, and only then eaten. Tap water in Trinidad can be drunk without additional treatment, but it is better to boil it to be sure.

Business climate

The main branch of the economy of Trinidad and Tobago is the extraction and processing of petroleum products and natural gas. Many foreign investors invest in this particular business, which is the most profitable in the country. The state authorities are taking various additional measures to attract investment in their economy. Such measures include: simplifying the taxation of foreign enterprises, amending the legislation that controls this area of ​​the economy, and other methods.

Thanks to its unique natural beauties Trinidad and Tobago is becoming increasingly popular among tourists, especially among adherents of the ecological direction. Some businessmen prefer to invest large sums of money in the tourism business, which in this country has one peculiarity - such investments quickly pay off. To attract foreign tourists, the state authorities have significantly simplified the visa regime, which allows more people to visit this stunning exotic country.

Real estate

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago are the southernmost in the entire Caribbean. Proximity to the continent (only 10 kilometers from the coast of Venezuela), mild climate, picturesque landscapes make buying property in this country very, very attractive. In addition, the recent tax reform has had a positive impact on the dynamics of demand for real estate from foreign investment companies.

The cost of apartments and houses in this small state is quite high. So, for an apartment of 100 square meters, you need to pay a little more than $ 130,000. And this apartment will be located in a small settlement. For housing in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, you will have to pay a larger amount. Before buying a private cottage in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, you must, first of all, familiarize yourself with the rules for the formation of taxes, which depend not only on the type of housing being purchased, but also on its location.

If it is impossible to buy a home in this country, you can rent an apartment. For a month of living, the owners will ask about $ 1,100.

Exchange currency only at government exchange offices and avoid all sorts of transactions with strangers on the streets. When buying jewelry, be careful about your choice so as not to pay huge amounts of money for a worthless fake.

Visa Information

If you decide to go to unforgettable journey By beautiful country Trinidad and Tobago, then you should take care of purchasing a special visa in advance, which is issued at the British Embassy representing the interests of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. At the same time, it is worth preparing Required documents: a foreign passport, which is valid for more than six months from the end of the trip; old passports (if any); copies of the passport pages with the personal data of the applicant; one color photograph. You must also submit a certificate of employment with the specified income, a copy of the marriage certificate and birth certificates of children, completed on English language visa application form.

All of the above documents are submitted to the consular section of the British Embassy in Moscow, which is located at: 121099, Moscow, st. Smolenskaya embankment, 10.