Useful Information
Fast Facts malls contain either full service branches or ABMs. The ABM banking system features LINX that enables clients to access accounts from any ABM regardless of agency in the country. LINX can also be used to make purchase at retail outlets throughout the country. ABMs also offer access to advance cash withdrawals for VISA, MasterCard and VISA Plus clients. TRAVELLER’S CHEQUES AND CREDIT CARDS Accepted in most establishments. Customs & Excise Division accepts cash only. Other Government agencies may accept cash or LINX only.
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DUTY FREE SHOPPING Available at the Cruise Ship Complex, Piarco and Crown Point International Airports, Apadoca’s at Crews Inn for boats leaving the country and selected downtown Port of Spain stores. TAXES Departure Tax: TT$100 is now included in the cost of the airline ticket (local currency only). Citizens over the age of 60 years old are exempt. Hotel Tax: 10% service charge and 10% Hotel Room Tax. Value Added Tax (VAT): 15% on goods and services. TELEPHONE 1 (868) + seven digit number. ELECTRICITY 115 volts / 230 volts (+/- 6%) and 60Hz. ROAD SYSTEMS Driving is on the left side of the road. DOMESTIC FERRY SERVICE Domestic fast ferry service: T&T Express, T&T Spirit and conventional, slower ferry – the Warrior Spirit - transport passengers and cargo between the two islands. Ticket can be purchased on the same day or in advance at various Travel Agencies and Internet Cafes in Tobago. • Adult passengers on the Fast Ferry service TT$50 one-way and return $100. • Children: TT$25 one-way and return TT$50. • Minors 3 years and under, senior citizens of T&T 65 years and over travel free. • Ferry passengers with private cars costs TT$150 one way and TT$250 return trip. (Where there is no charge applied, a ticket is still required for every passenger. Senior citizens are still required to present a photo id to verify age and nationality. Personal photo identification is needed when traveling between isles and when purchasing tickets.) The Water Taxi, sails from San Fernando to Port of Spain and back with scheduled sailing times, Monday to Friday. Tickets TT$15 one way, can be purchased at the Water Taxi Terminals located at Flat Rock, Lady Hailes Avenue, San Fernando or the Cruise Ship Complex, Port of Spain. Free parking is available at both ports. There is a PTSC shuttle service which cost TT$3 through the city of Port of Spain. For further information visit: www.nidco.co.tt or call 624-5593
Business Trinidad & Tobago
AIRPORTS Piarco International Airport — 17 miles (27 km) from Port of Spain. Airport code POS. Crown Point International Airport — 7 miles (10km) from Scarborough. Airport code TAB. AIRLINES Piarco International Airport is serviced with scheduled flights from Caribbean Airlines, American Airlines, Amerijet, International, LIAT, Suriname Airways, COPA Airlines, Avior and Insel Air, in addition to several charter operators. Crown Point sees daily scheduled flights from LIAT, two weekly Condor out of Germany, one from Virgin Atlantic out of London, one from Excel Airways out of London. The domestic “airbridge” is operated by Tobago Express based in Trinidad, flying regular daily flights between 6am and 10pm. The domestic fare is TT$150 single and TT$300 return. Internet bookings are now available. EMERGENCY SERVICES Police: 999 Fire and Ambulance: 990 or Ambulance: 811 A Hyperbaric Medical Facility (Dive Chamber) available in Roxborough, Tobago. MEDIA Daily Press includes: Trinidad Express, Trinidad Guardian & Newsday. Bi-weekly: TNT Mirror. Weeklies include: Tobago News, catholic News, Bomb, Blast, Show Time, The Probe, Punch and Newspaper Direct Trinidad and Tobago. Monthly: Trinidad and Tobago Review Local television stations: CCN TV-6 (channels 6 and 18); CNMG (Channel 9), National Carnival Commission NCC (Channel 4), WINTV (Channel 37 & 39). Local programming via cable television: Cable News Channel CNC3 (channel 3), Gayelle Television (Channel 7), Islamic Broadcast Network IBN (Channel 8), IETV (channel 16), Parliament (Channel 11), WINTV (Channel 12) There are about thirty radio stations operating on the Fm band, and two on the AM band (530 AM and 730 AM). HAZARDS OF FLORA AND FAUNA Manchineel is a medium-sized tree that grows at beaches and bears small green “apples” that attack the nervous system if bitten. Leaves exude a substance that blisters. islands have occasional scorpions and centipedes, with seasonal Portuguese Man o’ War posing a hazard on the beach and in shallow water. Mosquitoes and sandflies can be a problem in some locations. WATER Generally potable, but it is safest to boil and/or filter tap water, or simply drink bottled water.