Essentials
- City
- Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
- Population
- Approximately 37,000 (City Proper), 540,000 (Metropolitan Area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 85-100 Mbps (Digicel and Flow offer fiber optic)
- Currency & Banking
- Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD). 1 USD ≈ 6.75 TTD, 1 EUR ≈ 7.35 TTD
- Tap Water
- Generally safe but chlorinated; locals prefer boiled or bottled water (Blue Waters, $7 TTD)
- Power
- 115V/230V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and Type B sockets (US Standard)
- SIM Card
- Digicel or Bmobile. Digicel Prime Ultra Bundle: ~$300 TTD for 30 days/100GB
- Banking for Expats
- Republic Bank, First Citizens Bank. Wise and Revolut cards work at most ATMs.
- Accommodation
- The BRIX Autograph Collection (High-end), Gingerbread House (Boutique), Airbnb ($60-120 USD/night)
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes in major malls and restaurants; cash is essential for street food and maxis.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local real estate agents like Terra Caribbean
- Budget Accommodation
- Monique's Guest House (Maraval) - approx. $450 TTD per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Woodbrook or St. Clair (Near Ariapita Avenue and the Savannah)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Cascade or Maraval (Quiet, safe, reliable utilities, and scenic views)
Culture and Attractions
- Religious Sites
- Holy Trinity Cathedral; Abbey of Our Lady of Exile (Mount St. Benedict)
- Annual Events
- Trinidad Carnival (Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday)
- Cultural Districts
- St. James (The city that never sleeps/diverse cultural mix)
- Theater Venues
- Queen's Hall; National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA)
- Local Markets
- Namdevco Farmers Market (Macoya, nearby) on Sundays
- Music Scene
- Steelpan Panyards (e.g., BP Renegades or Desperadoes) – especially during Carnival season
- Street Art
- Murals along Wrightson Road and the Woodbrook community walls
- Cooking Classes
- Fanatic Kitchen Studio (Port of Spain)
- Art Galleries
- Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago (Federation Park)
- Historic Buildings
- Red House (Seat of Parliament); Stollmeyer's Castle
- Local Heritage
- Hummingbird and Scarlet Ibis (National birds depicted in local art)
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Magnificent Seven (Colonial mansions around the Savannah)
- Museums & Art Venues
- National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago
- Historical Sites
- Fort George (St. James) – Historical fort with panoramic city views
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Chaguaramas Boardwalk and Bamboo Cathedral trail
- National Parks Nearby
- Caroni Bird Sanctuary (Home to the Scarlet Ibis - 20 mins from city)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Queen's Park Savannah (The largest 'roundabout' in the world/popular for jogging)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Lady Chancellor Hill – Popular hike with views of the Gulf of Paria
- Birdwatching Locations
- Yerette (Home of the Hummingbird) in Maracas Valley
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Certain zones in Blanchisseuse (requires permits from local regional corporation)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (Maraval Road); TTPost (National postal service)
- Tech Repair Services
- The Computer Hospital (Woodbrook); iWorld (Authorized Apple service)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Central Regional Indoor Sport Arena (Chaguanas - short commute)
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française (French); CLL at UWI (Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- National Library (NALIS) - Corner of Hart and Abercromby St
- Community Centers
- Woodbrook Community Centre
- Gaming Lounges
- Game Over (Port of Spain/San Juan)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Island Club Casino (West Shore Mall)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $22,000 TTD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $880,000 TTD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $15,000 TTD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $600,000 TTD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $20,000 TTD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $1,200,000 TTD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $13,500 TTD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $810,000 TTD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $18,000 TTD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $1,440,000 TTD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $12,000 TTD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $960,000 TTD)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard rate; small companies may qualify for 25% on first $100k profit)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% (Reduced to 0-10% under various tax treaties)
- Tax System
- Source-based for non-residents; world-wide for residents (staying >183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% (on income exceeding $1,000,000 TTD per year; 25% otherwise)
- VAT
- 12.5%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC legislation, but general anti-avoidance rules apply.
- Property Tax
- Re-introduced recently, based on 3% of the Annual Rental Value (ARV)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp Duty ranges from 3% to 7.5% depending on property value (Threshold starts at $850k TTD)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; visitors usually taxed only on income derived from Trinidad.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Levo World (The Falls at West Mall) - approx. $200 TTD/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Rituals Coffee House (Maraval or Woodbrook locations) - Reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce events; Tech Beach Retreat mixers
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Port of Spain Group; Hash House Harriers weekly runs
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- TT RideShare (Most popular local alternative to Uber)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not widely available for city transit due to traffic/terrain; private rentals via Mike's Bikes
- Best Beach Nearby
- Maracas Bay (45 min drive) – Famous for Bake and Shark
- Top Regional Airline
- Caribbean Airlines (HQs in Piarco)
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, United, British Airways
- Highway Access
- Churchill-Roosevelt Highway (East-West) and Uriah Butler Highway (North-South)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- City Gate (PTSC Bus Terminal and Maxi-Taxi Hub)
- Public Transport Passes
- PTSC Bus Strips (Tickets sold in blocks of 10 at terminals, approx. $5 TTD per ride)
- Regional Travel
- Inter-island Ferry to Tobago (Fast ferry takes 3.5 hours, $150 TTD roundtrip)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- West Shore Medical Private Hospital or Port of Spain General
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Sangha Trinidad (Woodbrook) - Yoga and mindfulness sessions
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Long Circular Wellness ($500 TTD/month); Raw Fitness Center
- Laundry Services
- Valpark Laundry & Dry Cleaners (Approx. $10 TTD per lb for wash/dry)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- FoodDrop or 7-8-4 (Local delivery services)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Doubles (Chickpeas on flatbread) - Find a vendor on Tragarete Road ($6 TTD)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Veggie Bar (Woodbrook); Govinda's (St. James/Mahatma Gandhi Village)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Briosca (Woodbrook) - Artisan pastries and cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Central Market (Beetham Hwy) for fresh produce; PriceSmart (Membership club)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Courts.com.tt (Electronics); Skybox services like Aeropost are used for Amazon orders
- Grocery Delivery
- Massy Stores Online (MassyCard app)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Ariapita Avenue (Known as 'The Avenue') - Bars, clubs, and street food
- Local Brewery
- Carib Brewery (Champ Fleurs) – Famous for Carib and Stag beers
- Wine Bars
- Uncorked (St. Clair) – Excellent selection and pairings
- Street Food Stalls
- Queen's Park Savannah North Side – Corn soup and coconut water vendors
- Popular International Cuisine
- Texas de Brazil (Steakhouse); Hakka (Indian-Chinese fusion)