Port of Spain Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ 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) |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 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) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ 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 |
| 🕍 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) |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING PORT OF SPAIN