Travel to Trinidad and Tobago: cheap flights to Carnival and Caribbean beaches
Two islands off Venezuela at the southern end of the Lesser Antilles: Trinidad, vibrant and multicultural, home of Carnival, soca and the steelpan, and Tobago, calmer, with palm-fringed beaches and reefs. Here is how to plan the trip, then watch for cheap flights to Trinidad and Tobago.
Trinidad and Tobago at a glance
Capital
Port of Spain
Population
About 1.4 million
Area
About 5,100 km²
Currency
Trinidad and Tobago dollar
Languages
English, local creoles
Highest point
El Cerro del Aripo
Continent
North America
Time zone
UTC-4
Airports covered
1
Why visit Trinidad and Tobago
Carnival, tropical nature, blended cuisine and beaches
Carnival and music
Trinidad is the capital of Caribbean Carnival: soca, calypso, costumes and parades through the streets of Port of Spain. The steelpan, an instrument born here, drives the nightlife all year.
Remarkable nature
About four hundred and seventy bird species, mangroves, the Northern Range and leatherback turtle nesting beaches make the island a playground for nature lovers.
A blended cuisine
Doubles, rotis, pelau, callaloo and grilled fish reflect African, Indian, Creole and Chinese heritage, also seen in the religious festivals.
Tobago, the beach island
Pigeon Point, with its palms and turquoise water, Buccoo Reef and the reefs of Speyside make Tobago ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving.
Highlights
Port of Spain, Maracas Bay, Trinidad's nature and Tobago's beaches
Trinidad and Tobago works in two parts: Trinidad for the city, music, nature and the north-coast beaches; Tobago for calm, bays and reefs. A short flight or a ferry links the two islands.
Port of Spain, a city of music and mixing
The cosmopolitan capital is organised around the great Queen's Park Savannah, ringed by colonial houses, markets and restaurants. This is the heart of Carnival, with parades on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, and where steelpan, soca and calypso fill the evenings.
Maracas Bay and Trinidad's north coast
An hour's drive from the capital on a mountain road, Maracas Bay is Trinidad's big beach: golden sand, palms, forested hills and surf. Try bake and shark, a fried-shark sandwich, before settling in the sun.
Caroni, Asa Wright and Trinidad's nature
In the centre and north, nature is rich: scarlet ibises at dusk in the mangroves of the Caroni Swamp, forest birds at a large birdwatching centre and, in season, leatherback turtles nesting on the coast. The Pitch Lake at La Brea, further south, is a geological curiosity.
Pigeon Point, Tobago's postcard beach
On Tobago, Pigeon Point lines up palms, pale sand and turquoise water, with an iconic jetty and small colourful boats. Nearby, Buccoo Reef and the Nylon Pool are visited by glass-bottom boat for snorkelling in shallow water.
Main Ridge forest, Charlotteville and Speyside
In northeast Tobago, Main Ridge forest, a very old forest reserve, is explored with guides looking for birds. Charlotteville and Speyside, fishing villages, attract divers and snorkellers with rich reefs and clear water.
Before you go
January to May for the dry season, June to December for the rains
| Area | Weather | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Spain and Trinidad | Hot, humid; frequent showers from June to December. | January to May, Carnival in February or March |
| North coast (Maracas Bay) | Breezier, sometimes rough sea; dense vegetation. | January to May |
| Tobago (beaches, reefs) | Calm sea, clear water in the dry season. | January to May |
| Nature reserves | Wet forest, muddy trails in the rainy season. | January to May, leatherback turtles March to August |
Trinidad and Tobago lies outside the main Atlantic hurricane routes, but the wet season runs from June to December with heavy showers. Flights are pricey around Carnival and Christmas, which is why tracking them early pays off.
Getting around
Shared taxis, rental cars and the flight between islands
Traffic drives on the left. On Trinidad, maxi-taxis and buses link towns cheaply; a rental car gives more freedom for the north and nature. In Port of Spain, take care in some neighbourhoods, especially at night: read your government's travel advice.
To go from Trinidad to Tobago, a flight of about twenty minutes is quickest; a ferry also makes the crossing in a few hours. Allow about thirty to forty minutes between Trinidad's airport and the capital.
Culture and food
Carnival, steelpan, doubles and roti
Trinidad's Carnival takes place on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, with weeks of musical build-up. The steelpan, calypso and soca are part of daily life, as are Divali and other traditions inherited from the country's diversity.
At the table, try doubles, a fried bread filled with spiced chickpeas, rotis, pelau, callaloo and grilled fish. Local rum and fresh fruit juices complete the meal.
Travel to Trinidad and Tobago
The Trinidad airport tracked by SniperAir
Piarco International
Trinidad's airport, at Piarco, about twenty-five kilometres from Port of Spain, a thirty- to forty-minute drive. Connections to Tobago also leave from Trinidad.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Trinidad and Tobago
Which airport should I use to travel to Trinidad and Tobago?
Piarco International (POS), near Port of Spain, handles international flights to Trinidad. Tobago is reached afterwards by a short flight or ferry. SniperAir tracks POS for you.
When is the best time to travel to Trinidad and Tobago?
January to May is the pleasant dry season, and Carnival falls in February or March. June to December is wetter, but the country lies outside the main hurricane routes.
Is travelling to Trinidad and Tobago expensive?
It is a mid-range to upmarket destination, especially on Tobago and around Carnival. You can balance with maxi-taxis, street food and free beaches. Tracking flights helps.
Do I need a visa for Trinidad and Tobago?
Rules depend on your nationality. A valid passport is required. Always check the official rules before you travel.
How long should I spend in Trinidad and Tobago?
A week covers both islands: three to four days for the city, nature and north of Trinidad, and as many for Tobago's beaches.
What currency is used in Trinidad and Tobago?
The Trinidad and Tobago dollar, the national currency. Cards work in hotels and restaurants; keep cash for taxis, markets and street food.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Trinidad and Tobago drops below my budget?
Create a SniperAir alert with your departure airport and POS, set your maximum price, and we notify you as soon as a fare falls below it. SniperAir monitors prices and sends alerts. See how it works.
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