Money

1. Currency Exchange

The official currency of Trinidad and Tobago is the TT Dollar and is denoted as TTD. Trinidad and Tobago coins are issued in denominations of TT $0.01, TT $0.05, TT$0.10, TT $0.25, and TT $0.50. Trinidad and Tobago notes are issued in denominations of TT $1, TT $5, TT $10, TT $20, and TT $100. If you exchange TT $6.00 on an average you will obtain US$1.00. There might be a slight fluctuation but you can check any bank or the daily newspapers for the latest rate.

Currency can be exchanged at all major banks, first-class hotels or with street changers. However, it is not advisable to exchange currency with these street-based currency exchangers as they are not authorized and very often trick the tourists with dubious rates. Money can also be exchanged at bureaux de change offices as well. Banks usually provide you with the best exchange rate. Banks on the island include the First Citizen Bank, Scotiabank, The Republic Bank, and The Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (RBTT). Banks are usually open Monday to Thursday from 8 am to 2 pm and on Fridays from 8 am until noon. Most of these banks reopen after lunch at 3 pm and continue operations till 5 pm. Several banks, located in malls and shopping plazas, work from 10 am to 6 pm, without any lunch breaks.

Exchange currency is possible in the hotels but they may give you a lesser rate as compared to the banks.

Merchants, hotels and some restaurants are commonly seen accepting the U.S. dollars, but tourists are advised to exchange their currency once they arrive on the island. It is necessary that the travelers always carry handy cash to pay small vendors, taxi and bus fares, and tips.

Cambios, Western Union Money Transfer and FX Trader are also a good option to consider for exchanging currency. FX Traders usually exchange at the best rate.

Credit cards are accepted by nearly all the hotels, restaurants and large establishments. The most widely accepted credit cards in Trinidad are Visa and MasterCard. Keep in mind that most credit cards charge a fixed amount of fee for cash advances so the best option is to use the bank debit card for a cash advance at an ATM or bank. You can also get your travelers' checks exchanged at many spots. Nearly all the ATMs accept international credit cards. You will also come across ATMs that accept cards on the Plus/Electron and Cirrus/Maestro networks. You will find ATMs in both the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad and the Crown Point International Airport in Tobago. ATMs are also accessible throughout Port of Spain and Scarborough. However, you might have a hard time locating an ATM outside the two major cities.

2. What A Dollar Will Buy You

One liter of milk: $7.00

Loaf of bread: $5.00

Bottle of water: $6.00

Bottle of Coke: $3.00

Case of Coke: $45.00

Bottle of Beer: $7.00

Case of Beer: $90.00

Bottle of Wine: $100.00

Kg of sugar: $8.00

3. Telecommunications

The international dialing code for Trinidad and Tobago is +1 868. To dial a number outside the islands the prefix is 011. All local phone numbers consist of seven digits. Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) provides the country with a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure. This includes high-tech digital technology and fiber optic systems. The systems outfitted in Trinidad are capable of efficiently supporting an extensive array of services. Trinidad provides its visitors with a reliable network of landline and mobile phones at cost effective rates.

Landline telephones are the best option for international calls. The International Direct Distance Dialing option is accessible throughout the islands. This can either be done by using the hotel phone or a payphone. You will find several public phones located all around the islands and also in the remotest of areas.

Mobile or cellular telephones associated with the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago are simple, fast and reliable. The service is run on the Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and GSM (900/1800 Mhz) network. All the cellular phones that are TDMA compatible work in Trinidad and Tobago. Dual mode, AMPS/Digital AMPS, IS-136 ERF phones are also compatible with the network.

Just incase if your mobile phone is not compatible with the wireless system, you can also choose to rent a unit from Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago corporate rentals by simply calling 800-CELL. This will provide the tourist and travelers with all the necessary information.

Internet connectivity is available at cyber cafes and at most hotels. The cyber cafes offer various software which support internet telephony.

4. Cab Fares

Piarco Airport in Trinidad to Port-of-Spain is $30.

Piarco Airport to the Hilton is $24. Crown Point Airport in Tobago to Scarborough is $8.

Crown Point Airport to Speyside, is $36.

Piarco International Airport to Marval $24

Piarco International Airport to Diego Martin $27

Piarco International Airport to San Fernando $31

Crown Point International Airport to Scarborough $5

Crown Point International Airport to Pigeon Point $6

Crown Point to Grafton or Turtle Beach $11

Crown Point to Mount Irvine $10

Crown Point to Roxborough $30

Crown Point to Speyside $36

Crown Point to Charlottesville $40

5. Currency Exchange Rates

Currency Exchange Rates

TTD 1.00 = USD 0.16 GBP 0.09 CAD 0.18 AUD 0.21 ZAR 0.97 EUR 0.13 NZD 0.25

U.S. Dollar TTD U.S. Dollar TTD

$10 63 $200 1255

$20 125 $300 1882

$50 314 $500 3137

$100 627 $1000 6274

6. Taxes

Departure Tax: A Departure Tax of $16 must be paid by everyone under 60 years of age when leaving the country.

Hotel Tax: A government tax of 10% is standard for all hotels and guesthouses across our islands.

VAT: The Value Added Tax, or VAT as it is commonly called, is a 15% tax added to goods and services.

7. Tipping

Nearly all the hotels as well as the restaurants usually add a service charge to the bill. This amounts to approximately 10% or 15%. If this is not the case, a 10% tip is standard.