English is the official language, although you'll hear it spoken with many different accents, especially British. Chinese, French, Spanish, Hindi, and Trinibagianese (a local dialect ).The Climate - Trinidad has a tropical climate all year, with constant trade winds maintaining mean temperatures of 84°F (29°C) during the day and 74°F (23°C) at night. It rarely gets above 90°F (32°C) or below 70°F (21°C). The rainy season runs from May to November, but it shouldn't deter you from visiting; the rain usually lasts no more than 2 hours before the sun comes out again.

Trinidad is more of a business destination than a magnet for tourists, so hotel rates, particularly in Port of Spain, are much more stable year-round; nevertheless, you can usually get a price break during the traditional Caribbean low season, from May to December. 

Carnival, in January or February, brings the highest rates.

Tobago is much more of a tourist destination, but busy periods on Tobago, which is more popular with Europeans than Americans, can sometimes differ from the typical vacation periods in the U.S.

Trinidad's Carnival is the biggest and best celebration in the Caribbean. The Tobago Heritage Festival is usually held in late July. Divali, held in October or November and called the festival of lights, is one of the more popular Hindu festivals in Trinidad.

Holidays

Public holidays are: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day (Mar. 30), Indian Arrival Day (May 30), Corpus Christi (June 10), Labour Day (June 19), Emancipation Day (Aug. 1), Independence Day (Aug. 31), Republic Day (Sept. 24), Divali (date is announced by the government a few months before, but it's usually in October or November), Eid (a Muslim festival whose actual date varies), Christmas, and Boxing Day (Dec. 26). Carnival Monday and Tuesday are not official holidays, but don't expect anything to be open. 

Passport and Visas: A valid passport is preferred from U.S., British, and Canadian nationals. An original birth certificate accompanied by a photo ID that's issued by a government agency is also acceptable, but we recommend that you carry a passport when visiting a foreign country. All arriving visitors must have a departing ticket.

Currency - The official currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$), which has an exchange rate of about US$1 = TT$6.24 (TT$1 = US16¢). Ask what currency is being referred to when rates are quoted. We've used both in this chapter, depending on the establishment. U.S. and Canadian dollars are often accepted, particularly in Port-of-Spain. However, you'll usually do better by converting your Canadian or U.S. dollars into local currency. British pounds should be converted into the local currency.