Maracas Bay

• Trinidad and Tobago consists of two Caribbean islands off the northeastern coast of Venezuela
• It is one of the most prosperous countries in the Caribbean, it is also the most industrialized
• English is the official language, using British spelling
• Trinidad and Tobago is a multi-religious nation, consisting mostly  of Roman Catholic and Hindus
• The islands are 34 km apart, with air service as well as ferry service several times a day; the islands are quite different in appearance and culture, making it like two destinations for the price of one
• Trinidad is lively, full of music and activity and energy.
• Tobago is  more peaceful, with wonderful clear water and white-sand beaches
• Tobago is quite small, ranging only about 48 km by 16 km
• Trinidad is larger, spanning about 105 km by 80 km.  It has a beautiful mountain range along the northern coast, and smaller ranges of hills in the centre and south of the island, with flat or rolling plains between.
• The population is about 1.2 million overall, with only 50,000 on the island of Tobago.
• The islands were first inhabited by Arawak and Carib people, who settled from the South American mainland
• Founded by Christopher Columbus and under Spanish rule, large numbers of French settlers established cocoa plantations in Trinidad and imported slaves to work for them
• The British seized the island in 1798, and abolished slavery
• Trinidad and Tobago were united in the 1880’s.
• In 1962, the islands achieved independence from England and became the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 1976.

FACTS

• Trinidad was named by Christopher Columbus, who discovered this island during his third voyage to the New World in July, 1498
• The people of Tobago are called Tobagonians and those hailing from Trinidad are called Trinidadians or Trinis. Together, the people of Trinidad and Tobago are referred to as “Trinbagonians.”
• Port of Spain is the capital of Trinidad and Scarborough is the capital city of Tobago
• Languages spoken: English and French Patois.
• Popular musical forms are Calypso and Soca
• Renowned for its pompous carnival celebrations and popular dance form, the Limbo.
• The literacy rate of Trinidad & Tobago exceeds 98% as a result of education being free from Kindergarten to University.
• The people of Trinidad & Tobago are very religious and saying grace before every meal is considered proper
• The law of the island states that all children between the ages of 5 and 16 must go to school
• Cricket is the national sport of Trinidad & Tobago. Soccer however is the second most popular sport in the island
• Trinidad and Tobago is a multi-cultural democracy housing African, Indian, Asian, French and Dutch descents.

Cumana Bay

• Shark and Bake – 25 TT
• Cold soft jelly coconut water — available along the roadsides — costs about 3-4 TT

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Steel Drums in Royal Botanical Garden

• It is recommended to stay out of East Dry River, Belmont, and Laventille; as well, in Port of Spain, areas east of Charlotte Street are becoming increasingly unsafe
• Dial 999 from any telephone for the police, however it should be noted that the police do not always respond to calls
• Dial 990 for the fire department
• Dial 811 for an ambulance.

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Tobago

• Trinidad and Tobago, experience a  pleasant maritime tropical climate
• In Trinidad, the annual low temperature is 26°C, with a maximum temperature of 34°C
• They have a high humidity especially during the rainy season, with an average of 85%-87%.
• Trinidad receives an average of 2,110 mm. of rain per year, usually concentrated in the months of June through December
• During the dry season, drought plagues the island’s central interior
• Tobago’s climate resembles Trinidad’s but is slightly cooler.
• In Tobago the rainy season extends from June to December as well; the annual rainfall is 2,500 mm.

Waterfront Port of Spain

Maracas Beach

• Located on the Island of Trinidad, on the north side, about an hour drive from Port of Spain
• Protected by a deep bay
• One of the most well known beaches on the island and considered the most beautiful
• The beach is mostly known for it’s Bake and Shark Huts
• Bake and Shark is a Trinidadian native dish, consisting of deep-fried shark stuffed with deep-fried batter, called “Bake”

Queen’s Park Savannah

• A large open area north of the city center, coined as “the world’s largest roundabout”
• Over 180 years old and occupying 260 acres of land, it’s the oldest recreation ground in the West Indies
• Originally owned by the Peschier Family, part of the Paradise Estate, it was procured and turned into a city park by Governor Sir Ralph Woodford in 1817
• A small central portion of the land remains a burial ground of the members of the Peschier Family
• It’s a venue for big concerts as well as a center of activity for various carnivals
• During the day there are trucks parked on the side of streets selling coconuts, roasted corn, oysters and shark and bake
• The park is home to the renowned Queens Royal College, Hayes Court, Mille Fleurs, Roomer and the Empoeror Valley Zoo and Botanical Gardens
• The zoo opened in 1952 occupying 2.5 acres of land
• Zoo hours: 9:30am to 6pm
• Zoo admission fees: $0.65 for adults and $0.30 for children ages 3 to 12
• The Botanical Gardens were opened in 1812
• Gardens Hours: 6am to 6pm
• Gardens admission: FREE

View Map

Fort George

• Visit Fort George for outstanding views of the city
• Located about 10 minutes from the Western Main Road
• Constructed in 1804
• The dungeon still has many cannon and cannonball exhibits on display
• Fort hours: 10am to 6pm
• Fort Admission: FREE

View Map

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Dates

• 2012: Feb. 20-21
• 2013: Feb. 11-12

Communication Etiquette:
• Greetings in a casual setting men will just nod heads toward one another
– Within a business setting a handshake is common
– Women will greet each other with a hello
– If more familiar they will kiss on the cheek or hug
– Between men and women casual is just a head nod
– In a business setting a handshake is common
• Tend to have a very direct style
– If criticized they will deflect it with a self deprecating joke
• An arms length of personal space is common
– They do not tend be very touchy during conversation

Business Etiquette:
• They are very American influenced
• Make appointments in advance
– Follow up with a confirmation in writing
• During negotiation there is usually no bargaining
– Rude or unacceptable to ask about the possibility of bargaining
– Be courteous and professional at all times
• Titles are commonly used with their surnames until permission is given to use first names
• No specific ritual around the giving of business cards
– Treat it with respect
• Dress etiquette is conservative
– Men – business suit or long sleeve shirt and tie with tailored pants
– Women – conservative suits or dresses