A Week Across Trinidad and Tobago

October 30, 2026

Travel advisory, October 2026: the US State Department asks travellers to reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago because of crime, and the UK FCDO describes violent crime as high. The FCDO names downtown Port of Spain, Carenage, Sea Lots, Belmont, Laventille, Morvant, Beetham, Barataria, Cocorite and the interior of Queen’s Park Savannah as places for particular caution. Keep city visits to daylight, book registered taxis, avoid walking alone at night, and read the UK advice and the US advisory before you commit to dates.

A week in two halves

A single week works best when it is split between the islands: three or four nights in Trinidad, then three or four in Tobago. Prices are in Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$), roughly TT$6.8 to US$1.

Days 1 to 3 in Trinidad

Start with Port of Spain in daylight, then head out of the city. Good anchors are the Caroni Bird Sanctuary boat at sunset, a day at Asa Wright (TT$550 for an adult day pass, or a night in its 29-room lodge) and a morning at Maracas Bay, where you swim only where lifeguards are posted. From March to August, replace one day with a northeast turtle trip, joining Nature Seekers at Matura and then going on to Grande Riviere. The Mt Plaisir Estate Hotel at Grande Riviere lists turtle nesting from its beach, and Galera Point lighthouse lies on the way. Book beds early in turtle season.

Crossing to Tobago

There are two ways to cross.

Ferry. The fast passenger ferry leaves the Port of Spain Ferry Terminal on Wrightson Road for Scarborough and takes 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Economy for an adult costs TT$75 one way, a child aged 3 to 11 pays TT$50 and premium class is TT$150 one way. Sailings start about 06:30 and the last passenger boat is about 16:00. Wednesdays have one passenger vessel only. Check the live timetable at TTIT .
Air. Caribbean Airlines flies Piarco to Crown Point in about 25 minutes and is the only nonstop operator. Fares vary, so check the airline directly.

Days 4 to 7 in Tobago

Use Scarborough or Crown Point as the base for Buccoo Reef (boats run 10:00 to 17:30) and Pigeon Point (TT$20 entry). Add Argyle Falls and the Cocoa Estate on a Roxborough day, then walk the Gilpin Trace in the Main Ridge Forest Reserve with a licensed guide. Spend the last two or three nights at Speyside for Kelleston Drain and Japanese Gardens, or in a hillside cottage at Castara, where Castara Retreats takes bookings through the main travel sites. Visit Castara on a Thursday for the bonfire.

If your dates are Carnival

Carnival 2027 peaks on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 February, following Dimanche Gras on Sunday 7 February, and Ash Wednesday is 10 February. Flights, ferry seats and beds sell out months ahead. The FCDO says opportunistic crime rises at Carnival, so carry little and stay with your group.

Practical notes

A car travelling with its driver on a passenger ferry is TT$146.73 one way on top of the passenger ticket.
The Wednesday schedule and sailing times change often, so confirm on the day you book.
Carry TT$ cash for maxi-taxis, booths and small entry fees.

Beds for a week-long route are listed on Booking.com .