Trinidad and Tobago

Violent crime

Violent crime is common, including against travellers and expatriates. Incidents include:

• murders
• kidnapping
• shootings
• armed robbery
• sexual assault
• carjacking
• home invasions

Gang and drug-related crime is also common. Hot spots for violent crime include:

• downtown Port of Spain, especially at night
• the docks
• Caranage, Sea Lots, Belmont, Laventille, Morvant and Beetham
• Barataria to the east, Cocorite to the west and everything in between
• inside Queens Park Savannah

Attacks, including with firearms, have also occurred at:

• popular tourist sites, including Englishman's and King Peter's bays, Fort George, La Brea Pitch Lake and waterfalls
• beaches, including Maracas, Las Cuevas and Grafton beaches
• outside hotels
• bars and nightclubs
• supermarket car parks
• shopping malls
• banks

To protect yourself from crime:

• always be alert to your surroundings
• avoid jogging/walking alone in any area, especially at night, and avoid using headphones
• avoid deserted beaches and isolated areas after dark
• stay somewhere safe with good security
• only use ATMs in hotels, shopping centres or other controlled areas during the day
• be mindful of who's around you when using ATMs
• don’t carry large amounts of cash or show signs of affluence
• never leave personal belongings, such as money, credit cards, cell phones and other electronics, unattended, especially on beaches.

If you're attacked or robbed, don't resist. Criminals are often armed, and you can be seriously injured or killed.

If you're the victim of a violent crime, especially rape, get urgent medical help. HIV/AIDS is widespread in Trinidad and Tobago.

Road crime

You're at risk if you ride in a shared route or maxi-taxi. They pick up extra passengers, putting your safety at risk. Private taxis and taxis affiliated with major hotels are safer options.

Robberies, assaults and carjackings targeting travellers are common. Always drive with windows closed and doors locked. If you have car troubles, try to get to a safe location before getting help.

Hot spots include:

• Lady Young Road
• Beetham Highway and Churchill-Roosevelt Highway

Gangs have followed cars leaving Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport to rob travellers at their destination.

To reduce your risk of violent crime:

• arrange transport from the airport in advance
• use hotel vehicles, taxis affiliated with major hotels or private taxis
• don't share taxis or use public transport
• avoid travelling alone, especially at night

Petty crime

Petty crime, including bag snatching, pickpocketing and theft from cars, is common. Take care at all times.

Thefts and robberies rise in the lead-up to Christmas. This trend continues until the end of Carnival, in February or March.

To prevent theft from your vehicle:

• lock doors and close windows, even when moving
• keep valuables out of sight
• park in secure car parks

Kidnapping

Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk. 

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

More information:

• Kidnapping

Scams and fraud

Financial scams are common in Trinidad and Tobago.

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

More information:

• Cyber security when travelling overseas

A terrorist attack could happen. Religious holidays and large crowds could be targeted.

To protect yourself from terrorism:

• be alert to possible threats, especially in public
• be cautious in locations that are potential terrorist targets
• report suspicious activity or items to the police
• monitor the media for emerging threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the affected area immediately as soon as it's safe.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

• monitor the media for planned or possible unrest
• avoid affected areas
• follow advice from local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Trinidad and Tobago can experience hurricanes, severe weather and earthquakes.

In a natural disaster:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• closely monitor local media or the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local officials
• keep in contact with friends and family
• seek local advice before entering affected areas

If you're travelling during hurricane season or after a natural disaster:

• monitor weather reports
• contact your tour operator to check that services at your destination are still operating
• contact your airline for flight updates

More information:

• National Hurricane and Tropical Prediction Center 
• Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency

Hurricanes and severe weather

The Caribbean hurricane season is from June to November. Tropical storms and hurricanes can occur in other months.

The direction and strength of hurricanes can change suddenly.

While hurricanes directly affecting Trinidad and Tobago are rare, severe storms and flooding are common. Landslides, mudslides and disruptions to essential services may occur.

If you're travelling during hurricane season, check if severe weather has affected tourist services.

If there's a hurricane or severe storm:

• you may get stuck in the area
• flights could be delayed or suspended
• available flights may fill quickly
• adequate shelter may not be available

Severe weather may also affect:

• access to ports
• road travel
• essential services, such as water, electricity and communication systems

To protect yourself if a hurricane is approaching:

• know your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans
• identify your local shelter
• monitor local media and alerts from the US National Hurricane Center
• follow the advice of local authorities
  
  • Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management
  • Tobago Emergency Management Agency

More information:

• US National Hurricane Center
• Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency
• Severe weather

Earthquakes

Trinidad and Tobago is in an active earthquake zone.

In 2018, Trinidad and Tobago experienced a 6.7 magnitude earthquake. This earthquake damaged buildings and communication networks.

Get to know the earthquake safety measures for each place you stay and visit.

More information:

• Earthquakes
• Trinidad and Tobago's Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management
• University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you’ll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

More information:

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Trinidad and Tobago. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medication

HIV/AIDS

The rate of HIV/AIDS infection is high in Trinidad and Tobago.

Take appropriate precautions if you take part in activities that put you at risk of infection.

Insect-borne diseases

Trinidad and Tobago has a risk of zika virus transmission.

The Australian Department of Health's zika virus bulletin includes advice on how to minimise zika virus risks.

If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends that you:

• discuss travel plans with your doctor
• consider deferring non-essential travel to affected areas

Dengue fever is on the rise in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Other insect-borne illnesses may be present, especially during the rainy season from June to December. These illnesses include:

• chikungunya
• yellow fever (in densely forested areas of Trinidad)
• oropouche

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Seek medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.

Other health risks

Foodborne, waterborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases, such as hepatitis A, are common.

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads

Seek medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

More information:

• Infectious diseases

Medical facilities

The standard of medical facilities in Trinidad and Tobago varies.

Costs at public hospitals range from free for general problems to expensive for complicated procedures.

Treatment at private hospitals can be expensive. You may have to pay in local currency before doctors treat you.

Tobago has one decompression chamber in Roxborough in the north of the island.

You might be evacuated to Miami or another destination if you're seriously ill or injured. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Drugs

Laws introduced in 2019 decriminalised limited marijuana possession and use under certain conditions.

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They can include lengthy prison sentences in local jails, even for a small quantity of illegal drugs. 

Research the local laws before you travel.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

There are laws prohibiting LGBTQIA+ individuals from entering the country, but in practice these laws are rarely enforced.

Serious crimes, including murder and treason, can attract the death penalty.

Other illegal activities in Trinidad and Tobago include:

• public nudity in non-designated areas
• indecent language, such as swearing
• wearing army or police camouflage clothing as a civilian

Carrying ammunition when arriving, leaving or travelling through Trinidad and Tobago is also illegal. This includes bullets, bullet casings and spent ammunition.

You can sometimes find ammunition in decorative items, including jewellery and key rings. If you have these items on you at an airport, police may detain, charge or fine you.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

You don't need a visa if your visit is for tourism for less than 90 days. However, you'll need to pay a visa waiver fee to Immigration Services when you arrive. You can pay in cash in Trinidad and Tobago dollars or US dollars.

If your visit is for other reasons, check whether you need a visa with the Trinidad and Tobago Immigration Division or the nearest high commission, embassy or consulate of Trinidad and Tobago. Apply for your visa using the E-Visa Online Portal. 

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the high commission, embassy or consulate of Trinidad and Tobago for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules. 

Trinidad and Tobago doesn't have a high commission or consulate in Australia. Its nearest mission is the Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Beijing, China.

More information:

• Embassy or consulate of Trinidad and Tobago

Travel via the United States

If you travel to Trinidad and Tobago through the US, you must meet US entry and transit requirements.

Check your visa requirements with a US embassy or consulate before travelling.

More information:

• Travel advice for the US

Other requirements

You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate for every person over 1 year of age if you've come from or transited a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice.

Validity

Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible.

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

More information:

• LGBTQIA+ travellers

The official currency is the Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD).

You can exchange foreign currency for TTD at commercial banks and official exchange bureaus.

Most international hotels and tourist facilities accept credit and debit cards.

ATMs are widely available across the country. Criminals target ATMs, so take care when using one.

Ask your bank whether your ATM card will work in Trinidad and Tobago.

Driving permit

To drive in Trinidad and Tobago, you need both:

• a valid Australian driver's licence
• a valid International Driving Permit (IDP)

You must get your IDP before leaving Australia.

Road travel

Hazards include:

• poorly maintained roads
• local driving practices
• traffic congestion

High-speed accidents, particularly along the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway, often result in deaths.

Conditions on rural and mountain roads are particularly hazardous.

The road from Port of Spain to the popular Maracas beach area is dangerous. Road users often drive dangerously. The road is also:

• narrow and windy
• poorly maintained
• subject to landslides
• busy

Fatal accidents have been caused by erratic driving to and from Piarco International Airport.

Security risks along several routes increase, especially at night. 

It's against the law to use mobile phones while driving, except in 'hands-free' or Bluetooth mode.

Police conduct random breath tests. They can also stop traffic if they suspect a person is driving under the influence of alcohol.

If you plan to drive:

• check you have adequate insurance
• carry vehicle insurance papers
• check local traffic laws and practices
• don't drive at night unless on major highways

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check whether your travel insurance policy covers you when using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Private taxis are the safest taxi option. They're available at airports and hotels.

Some vehicles have 'P' (private) registration plates. These vehicles illegally offer informal taxi services.

Use the Airport Taxi Drivers' Cooperative services at the airport.

Crimes including rape, assault, robbery and theft have taken place in private cars and maxi taxis.

Public transport

Avoid public transport due to safety concerns.

Sea travel

Cruise vessels stop in Trinidad and Tobago. 

An inter-island ferry operates between Trinidad and Tobago. Cancellations can happen with little or no notice. Check the status of your travel with the Port Authority.

A water taxi operates between Port of Spain and San Fernando.

More information:

• Going on a cruise
• Travelling by boat

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Trinidad and Tobago's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• friends and family
• travel agent
• employer
• airline
• insurance provider

Fire and rescue services

Call 990.

Medical emergencies

Call 811 or 990.

Police

Call 999.

Coast guard

Call +1 868 634 4440.

Kidnapping hotline

Call +1 868 623 6793.

Always get a police report when reporting a crime.

Your travel insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular assistance, contact the Australian High Commission in Port of Spain.

Australian High Commission, Port of Spain

18 Herbert Street, St Clair
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Phone: +1 868 235 7950
Website: trinidadandtobago.highcommission.gov.au
Email: ahc.portofspain@dfat.gov.au
Facebook: AusHighComTT

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia