The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes the feast day of Eid ul Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes interruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and drinking alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be expected that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as respecting Islamic traditions.
Some disruptions may also occur during Eid ul Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Note: However, since Trinidad & Tobago is not a predominantly Muslim country, it is unlikely that the restrictions travelers might experience in other countries will cause problems.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into Trinidad and Tobago (persons aged 17 and over): 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco; 1.5L of wine or spirits (opened bottles only); perfume for personal use; Gifts and personal effects up to a maximum value of T$3000. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
(with visa issue)
(Also responsible for Austria.)
37-39 Rue de Vermont
Geneva
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 918 03 80.
http://www.ttperm-mission.ch
http://www.ttperm-mission.ch
Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00. Consular Dept.: 09.30-12.30 and 14.30-16.30.
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
(with visa issue)
Further honorary consulates in Bonn and Unterhaching near Munich.
Raboisen 3
Hamburg
Germany
+49 (0)40 220 03 96.
Mon-Thu 09.00-13.00.
High Commission of Trinidad and Tobago
(with visa issue)
(Also responsible for Germany.)
42 Belgrave Square
London
United Kingdom
+44 (0)20 72 45 93 51 or +44 (0)20 72 01 96 50.
http://foreign.gov.tt/missions-consuls/tt-missions-abroad/diplomatic- missions/high-commission-london-united-kingdom/
http://foreign.gov.tt/missions-consuls/tt-missions-abroad/diplomatic-missions/high-commission-london-united-kingdom/
Avenue de la Faisanderie 14
Brussels
Belgium
+32 (0)2 762 94 00 or +32 (0)2 762 94 15.
Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00.
Business
Business etiquette
Light suit or costume is appropriate. The best time for business travel is from December to April (excluding the Christmas period). Business hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm.
Business contacts
Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc. PO Box 499, Port of SpainTel: 637 69 66.Internet: www.chamber.org.tt
Communication
Phone
Autodial Long Distance Service.
Mobile phone
Digital and analogue network, not compatible with GSM phones. A dual-band cell phone is required to make calls on the islands. Although all European providers have a roaming contract with TSTT (Telecommunications Services of T&T) (Internet: www.tstt.net.tt), this does not apply to every type of contract. Network operator is TSTT Cellnet (Tel: 800 CELL or 653 23 55; Fax: 625 5807). Mobile phones can be bought on site. They cost around €90-100 (TT$800-1000), including a prepaid card for €20-25. Mobile phones can also be rented from TSTT Cellnet. The transmission/reception range for mobile communications covers the whole of Trinidad, while mobile communications are only available to a limited extent in Tobago.
Internet
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, Internet provider is TSTT Internet Services (Internet: www.tstt.net.tt). There are numerous internet cafes on both islands.
Post office
The main post office is on Wrightson Road, Port of Spain. In Tobago the main post office is in Market Square, Scarborough. The main post offices are open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In smaller towns, post offices are often closed at midday and otherwise the opening hours are not so precise. Airmail to Europe takes about a week to arrive.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
Trinidad and Tobago Shopping, Embassy and Communication
