Traveling Luck for Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago, North America

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 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 robberies and break-ins in all areas and an increase in attacks, some involving the use of 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 some rare cases, foreign nationals have been shot, including a German national who was shot dead at his home on 18 January 2005, and two British nationals who were shot during robberies at their homes on 21 April 2005 and 23 October 2006.  The build up to Christmas and Carnival often brings an increase in robberies and violent assault.

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.

There was a spate of kidnappings for ransom in Trinidad between 2002 and 2005.  This activity decreased in 2006, but remains of concern.  Although kidnapping does not appear to be targeted at foreign nationals a British national was forced into a car on 14 June 2006 while walking alone in an isolated area after dark before managing to escape.

Crime against tourists in Tobago and the inability of the Tobago authorities to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators is a serious concern.  There have been a number of serious robberies against tourists in recent years.  Some of these incidents were accompanied by violence, including rape.  An elderly British resident in a central village was violently sexually assaulted in February 2006, and a British tourist was stabbed near Lambeau (to the south of Scarborough) in February 2006, after resisting a mugging.  Further attacks have been targeted against privately rented villas in the south west of the island, near the towns of Bethal, Buccoo, Mount Pleasant and Plymouth.  The most recent attack occurred on 26 May 2006, at a villa near the Mount Irvine Golf Course, where nine people were subject to a violent robbery, and where there have been a number of similar incidents in the past.  Another violent robbery took place on 5 May 2006, at a villa near Great Courland Bay (just outside Plymouth) where six people were subject to a violent robbery.  Extreme caution is advised if renting villas in the south west; and at villas throughout the island, you should ensure that adequate security measures are in place, including the provision of external security lighting and 24-hour security officers.  You should also ensure that you have a mobile phone with you that has roaming capability for use in emergencies.

There have been armed robberies and sexual offences against British nationals visiting isolated beaches.  The latest attacks occurred at Englishman’s Bay in December 2005, and King Peter’s Bay in March 2006.  You should exercise extreme caution when visiting remote beach areas without organised tour groups and appropriate security measures being in place.  If in doubt, you should consult your tour operator or hotel staff.  Country areas are best visited in groups.  At tourist attractions, use official guides and agree a price before you set off.

As in Trinidad do not carry large amounts of cash or wear eye-catching jewellery.  Use hotel safety deposit boxes to store valuables, money and passports.  Photocopies of valuables such as passports, tickets, driving licence and travellers cheques should be kept separately.  On your day of departure, ask your hotel to store your belongings until airport check-in time.  Do not resist robbers or muggers.

The standard of driving in Trinidad and Tobago is poor.  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.

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.  Avoid wearing camouflage-style clothing as there have been cases of items being confiscated on arrival at Piarco Airport.

Trinidad and Tobago has a number of laws, which make certain homosexual acts illegal.

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.

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 the activities you want to undertake.  Please see:  Travel Insurance

In some areas, 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 medevac to Miami or elsewhere in cases of serious accident or illness.  You should check that your insurance covers this.

There is a very high prevalence of the HIV/AIDS virus in all the Caribbean islands, including Trinidad and Tobago.  You should take precautions to avoid exposure to it.

Dengue fever has become a problem in recent years particularly in the wet season – May to December.  Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever is on the increase.  You can minimise exposure to mosquito bites by using repellents.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at:  www.dh.gov.uk.

If things go wrong when overseas please see:  What We Can Do To Help

Trinidad and Tobago Country Profile