Trinidad and Tobago is a vibrant twin-island nation in the southern Caribbean, famous for its spectacular Carnival, diverse culture blending African, Indian, European, and indigenous influences, and stunning natural beauty from tropical rainforests to pristine beaches. Trinidad offers bustling Port of Spain and the world-renowned Caroni Bird Sanctuary, while Tobago delivers idyllic beaches and world-class diving.
Local currency: Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD). 1 USD = approximately 6.8 TTD (rate stable for decades due to petroleum revenues).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Trinidad And Tobago.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $25 USD
- Budget
- $55 USD
- Midrange
- $130 USD
- Luxury
- $350+ USD
Food
- Street
- $2-3 USD (doubles, aloo pie)
- Local
- $8-15 USD (roti, curry, pelau)
- Midrange
- $20-40 USD (restaurant meal)
- Fine
- $50-80+ USD (fine dining)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.60-1.50 USD (PTSC bus)
- Taxi
- $8-15 USD (city taxi)
- Airport
- $50-65 USD (taxi to Port of Spain)
- Daytrip
- $15-25 USD (maxi-taxi day pass)
Activities
- Museum
- $3-5 USD
- Sites
- $5-15 USD (Fort King George, Pitch Lake)
- Tour
- $40-80 USD (half-day)
- Excursion
- $60-120 USD (boat tour, dive)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Trinidad And Tobago costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$400-560/week
Midrange traveller
$1050-1750/week
Luxury traveller
$2450-4200+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat doubles and roti from local vendors instead of restaurants — $2-5 USD meals that are better than most restaurant food
Use maxi-taxis and route taxis instead of private taxis — fares are 90% cheaper and the experience is authentically local
Buy local Carib or Stag beer from rum shops and supermarkets rather than hotel bars — up to 70% cheaper
Book Tobago accommodation in Crown Point near the beach rather than resort all-inclusive packages to control spending
Visit public beaches (Maracas Bay, Las Cuevas, Store Bay) which are free or near-free rather than paying resort beach fees
Shop for souvenirs at Charlotte Street Market and Chaguanas rather than tourist boutiques for authentic local pricing
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Queen's Park Savannah Walk
Stroll around Port of Spain's iconic 3.7km park, the largest roundabout in the world, lined with the Magnificent Seven mansions and local food vendors. Popular with joggers and families especially on weekends.
Fort George
Historic hilltop fort with panoramic views over Port of Spain and the Gulf of Paria. Free entry, accessible by car or taxi for the stunning vantage point.
Maracas Bay Beach
Trinidad's most famous beach is free to enter (small parking fee). Combine with bake and shark tasting for the quintessential Trinidadian beach day.
Store Bay Beach, Tobago
Free public beach in Crown Point near the airport with calm water, changing facilities, and the famous Store Bay food court serving affordable local food.
Caroni Bird Sanctuary (Self-Visit)
While the sunset boat tour has a fee, the road through Caroni wetlands is accessible by car for free birdwatching including scarlet ibis sightings.
Botanical Gardens, Port of Spain
Beautiful colonial-era botanical gardens adjacent to the President's House offer free peaceful walking among tropical plants and trees. Founded in 1818.
Watching Steelband Rehearsals (Pan Yards)
From October through February, steel orchestras rehearse for Panorama. Visiting a pan yard to watch rehearsal is free and offers extraordinary music and cultural insight.
Buccoo Sunday School, Tobago
Free weekly street party in Buccoo Village every Sunday evening — soca and calypso music, dancing, and local lime culture at its most authentic.
Englishman's Bay Beach, Tobago
One of the most beautiful and secluded beaches in the Caribbean, free to access, with pristine sand and rainforest-backed scenery.
Emperor Valley Zoo
Free entry on certain days (check schedule). Trinidad's only zoo features native and exotic animals in a garden setting near Queen's Park Savannah.