Trinidad & Tobago

• June 2011
  • Trip Report
• December 2014
  • Trip Report
• February 2015
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• March 2015
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• March 2017 (Trinidad Only)
  • Species List
• January 2018
  • Species List
• December 2018
  • Trip Report
• January 2020
  • Trip Report
• March 2020
  • Trip Report
• December 2022
  • Trip Report
• March 2023
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• April 2023
  • Trip Report
• June 2023
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• November 2023 (Thanksgiving Trip)
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• December 2023 (Christmas Tour)
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• January 2024
  • Species List
• February 2024
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• April 2024
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• June 2024
  • Species List

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of your Tour

• Make sure your passport will be valid at least six months AFTER the date of your scheduled return to the U.S.
• No Visas are required for U.S. citizens for the length of this stay in Trinidad & Tobago. If you are from another country, please visit the Embassy of Trinidad & Tobago website for guidelines.
• Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to Trinidad and Tobago and consult with your doctor about general travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section below.
• Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
• Plan your international flight reservations to arrive into Piarco International Airport (POS) and depart from A. N. R. Robinson International Airport (TAB). Send a copy of your itinerary to the Naturalist Journeys office please.
• Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay. 

Arrival into Piarco International Airport (POS), in Port of Spain, Trinidad

Please note. If you are delayed in travel, please FIRST call the number of our Trinidad operator. As a backup, contact our office or the Naturalist Journeys staff cell (both numbers are on your emergency contact list).

Please plan to arrive into Port of Spain’s Piarco International Airport (POS) at your convenience. We book your flight TO TOBAGO so that the group stays together. The airport is welcoming and it should not be difficult to pass through immigration, collect your luggage and pass-through customs before exiting to the public areas. There is a duty-free section of stores, and several booths to exchange money. ATM’s are present but out in the main airport area. You exit to a large hall with a “great room” atmosphere. There are food stores here if you are hungry. 

We will coordinate your pick-ups close to your arrival, and once we have all travelers completed travel information. Please make sure we have both your ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE information, so they can plan this. It is imperative that we have your correct TRAVEL information; we appreciate if you email us a copy of your flight reservation. Staff will check online for your updated flight information.

A driver will be sent for you and they may come inside to meet you, holding a sign, or they may be just outside the main doors at the curb looking for you. We have asked them to wear binoculars to help identify themselves and you can help them by doing so also. If for any reason you do not find them, there is a tourist office that can help you phone them, or if you can get on the Wi-Fi or cell to check for messages that is great.

Please check the Travel Details section of this tour for additional information and updates.

Departures from A. N. R. Robinson International Airport (TAB) in Crown Point, Tobago

YOU need to book your flight home from Tobago. You may depart on a flight from Tobago to Port of Spain at your leisure. There is typically a 7:00 AM flight with subsequent flights every hour. You need to book your international flight from Port of Spain after 10:00 AM. The 10:00 AM rule is firm.

Please check the Travel Details section of this tour for additional information and updates.

Passports, Visas & Documents

Guidelines and regulations can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s documentation requirements 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Information for U.S. citizens can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html. If you are from another country, please contact the tour destination’s embassy website for guidelines.

Passport: You must have a passport that is in good condition and is valid for six months AFTER your scheduled return to the U.S. You should have at least one blank page per stamp. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. 

Visa: At the time of writing, a tourist visa is not required for stays of this tour's duration, but you will need proof of a return ticket. The necessary documents will be distributed by your airline while in flight or provided for you upon arrival. We advise that you bring your eContact list of hotels for use at immigration as well.

As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include, but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.  

General Health & Inoculations Information - Be Prepared!

Health requirements for entry to any country can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s health requirements and recommendations 60-90 days ahead of traveling. A helpful website for planning is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (https://www.cdc.gov) or by phone (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636.

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of medical emergency. 

Mosquito-born illness: Travelers can reduce their risk of mosquito-born diseases by protecting themselves from mosquito bites using protective clothing, insect repellant (containing DEET, Picaridin, OLE, etc.) and prophylactics where applicable. Check to see if anti-malarial medication is right for you.

Vaccinations: Bring copies of all of your up-to-date vaccination records with you. The CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date with routine vaccinations and basic travel vaccines (such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid, etc.) Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to Trinidad and Tobago and consult with your doctor about vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel at least 4-6 weeks before departing on your trip (in case there are any that require followup inoculations or time to become effective). You may also contact the CDC by phone 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).

Yellow fever: The CDC recommends the yellow fever vaccination for "all travelers ≥9 months old going to densely forested areas of Trinidad." Many travelers already have had this vaccination and it is valid for 10 years. Be sure to include a copy of your YF vaccination certificate with your other vaccination records.

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. You’ll want to keep medications in their original, labeled containers. 

Allergies: To be prepared for environmental triggers to allergies or breathing difficulties, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication(s).  If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for prevention or treatment of common ailments (such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, cough, congestion, head or body aches, insect bites and sunburn); as well as ointments, moisturizer, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, band-aids, moleskin for blisters, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and tweezers, etc.

Altitude sickness: If high altitude will be encountered on your trip, it can affect some and, if there is a concern, be prepared. The most general symptoms are headache and occasionally fatigue and dizziness. You’ll want to take it easy, particularly at first. The likelihood of these symptoms can be reduced by resting, drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and taking aspirin. If you have worries about the altitude, ask your physician about medications (such as Diamox) that may be right for you. For more information, see https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/environmental-hazards-risks/high-elevation-travel-and-altitude-illness.

Motion sickness: Some of the roads traveled on our day trips are very winding. We recommend you be prepared with motion sickness meds in your day bag just in case!

Weather & Climate

The climate of Trinidad and Tobago is tropical, hot all year round, with little seasonal variation. The maximum temperatures hover between 88 and 91 degrees year-round in the lowlands, with cooler temperatures found in the mountains. September and October are the warmest months, and January and February the least hot with temperatures dropping at times into the 70s if large, regional storms are present. Luckily, the northeast trade winds blow all year round, tempering the heat.

Annoyances & Hazards

Mosquitoes can occur in the forests; therefore, a supply of insect repellent containing DEET is essential. At grassland or farm locations you may encounter chiggers, if so, spray your shoes with repellent, and tuck your pants into your socks, this helps a lot. When back, be sure to shower and air out your clothing. Chiggers are a part of lowland and mid-elevation habitats throughout Central and South America. Your guide should have a good read on if it has been wet enough that they are active. There can also be poisonous snakes and insects, though encountering them is rare. Do listen carefully to any advice given by your local guide. And remember the sun is strong and be prepared with proper protection.

Food & Drinks

Menus at lodges and restaurants are varied, sustainably based on the wonderful local ingredients available, and delightfully prepared in a sanitary environment. As with any case when traveling we urge you to consider what your body is used to before you eat something. Trust your common sense when consuming food and beverages. This is the best way to avoid any unwanted problems. Ask for referrals from your hotel or a guidebook such as Frommers.

Bottled water will be available for field trips and drinking water is provided for you to refill a bottle. One of the many ways we strive to do our part for the environment is by trying to reduce our consumption of plastics; we appreciate if you can bring reusable water bottles.

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Dress is very informal and laundry services are available for a fee at our lodges. While some people will change for dinner, it is usually just to a drier or cleaner version of what they wore during the day. Again, the climate is warm to hot, so you will be comfortable in lightweight clothing.

Please, pack light. We are serious about this – we move around a lot; you just do not need much to cope with tropical life! Please do not bring anything more than you must. Lay out your hopeful things to take and then do a serious paring down, please! 

TRAVEL TIP: Imagine NOT getting your suitcase. Wear your most important shoes for the field and carry on one day’s clothing change (including a change of underwear!). And please, pack any essential medications and your vital optics in your carry-on, NOT in your checked luggage!

Spending Money

The official currency in Trinidad & Tobago is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar. We advise you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as cash, an ATM card, and a credit card. For the current exchange rate, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com, or your bank. U.S. dollars in good condition (no rips or tears) are taken as a form of payment but shopping for smaller handicrafts may necessitate using local currency. Bring large U.S. bills ($50 or $100) that will give you the better rate when exchanging to local currency.

When using the ATM to withdrawal cash, keep in mind it might only accept cards from local banks or not allow cash advances on credit cards. Many U.S. banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure. You must become familiar with how to use your ATM card and PIN number ahead of the journey.

We suggest you have more than one card available, if possible. You may want to bring more than one brand of card (VISA and Mastercard are commonly accepted; American Express is less common). You can use credit cards at lodges to pay your bar and gift tabs. Not every shop will accept every card. Some smaller shops and restaurants, or taxis require cash, so it is always a good idea to ask before making a purchase. Also, we recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company that you will be traveling abroad to avoid questions, card freezes, or charges. If you have a choice of cards, bring one with no foreign exchange fees.

Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted. They can be difficult to exchange. We do not advise you use them.

Gratuities

Tipping is optional and completely at your discretion. If you would like to show our appreciation to your guides, lodge and hotel staff or anyone associated with this tour, it is entirely appropriate. Know that they appreciate anything you care to give and of course you can do more if you wish! Lodges normally have a box for tips that the staff share, and hotels you would just tip the maids as you do at home. We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services.

Here is a standard suggestion for tipping on birding trips:

• Birding tour guide: US $10.00 - $15.00 per day per guest
  Note: If there is more than one guide, this can be split among them, so that is a total, per person, per day
• Tour driver if different from guide: US $5.00 - $7.00 per person/day
• Lodge staff: US $6.00 - $10.00 per day per guest
• Transfer (airport shuttle) driver: US $2.00 - $3.00 per person
• Hotel & international airport bellmen: US $1.00 per suitcase

You may wish to bring small gifts for local people that you meet and enjoy (this is totally optional!). T-shirts, school supplies like pens and small notebooks, inexpensive watches and baseball caps are always popular. Your guides can pass along school supplies to a local school if you bring them. They also love any nature books/coloring books.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Your guide is well connected and can help if any urgent communication need arises. However, it is highly recommended that you travel with a CELL PHONE, if only as a precaution for the unfortunate occurrence of a medical emergency during an outing and needing swift accessibility to critical personal or medical contacts. 

Please check with your wireless provider to see if your phone and service will work in your destination country and ask for “international roaming” service for your phone. If you still have a cell phone that accepts a SIM card, you can buy a local SIM card at the airport to insert in your mobile phone.

If your phone can connect to Wi-Fi, you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Please contact your cell phone provider for further details. Another option if you have access to Wi-Fi, is to use smartphone apps like Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber to send text messages, and make voice calls, or video calls. Many smartphones, tablets, or laptops come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download for free. If bringing a laptop or tablet, get a good dustcover to protect it at all times.

Make sure if you do NOT want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data. You could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi. Putting your phone in airplane mode if you mainly use it for photos will save the battery as well.

Your hotels and most local restaurants provide Wi-Fi at least in their common areas. Although it is generally a reliable service, it can be affected by adverse weather conditions due to the remote location.

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers, unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests, plan on cell phone call use on your own time.

Electricity

The standard in Trinidad & Tobago is the same as in the United States and Canada: 110 volts AC (60 cycles). Plugs are set up in the same style. However, three-pronged outlets can be scarce and existing three-prong outlets may feature even-sized flat blade plugs, so it's helpful to bring along adapters for both two- and three-prong outlets. For more information: https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/trinidad-and-tobago/

Time

Trinidad and Tobago are on Atlantic Standard Time, with no daylight savings time. Check www.timeanddate.com before leaving home for your conversion.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys or telephone at our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

Please pack light!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard-sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage. Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. It is our hope that you can pack in one checked suitcase that does not exceed 45 pounds. This is the tropics, you do not need that much!

Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, passport, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. You will want a day pack for field trips, so this is an ideal carry-on. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

Trinidad and Tobago has “perfect weather” — warm with tropical breezes, though it may feel hot by U.S. standards. Average temperatures are in the 80s-90°F in the lowlands, and perhaps 10°F cooler near the coast and at higher elevations. Winter storm events to the north may drive temperatures into lows of 70°F, and night temperatures can dip to the 50°Fs. Trinidad and Tobago’s rainy season is usually from June to December. At any time of year, we can encounter heavy rainstorms that last for several hours, but most rains are for shorter duration and intermittent, they also cool everything down so are often welcomed. Wildlife often stays active (they are used to it!) so we stay out too. Bring an umbrella – you can continue to use your binoculars and enjoy an outing regardless.

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable. Lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing as they are more protective from sun and vegetation. Choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are comfortable and easy to launder.

Note on clothing colors and insect repellent: We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green (NOT camouflage), as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors. NOTE: Camouflage clothing is illegal to wear or possess in many tropical birding destinations. Such clothing may be confiscated, and, at worst, you may be subject to arrest. Best not to bring those patterns!

It is possible to purchase field clothing permeated with insect repellent such as the Craghoppers Insect Shield collection. Another approach is to purchase Permethrin spray (online or from REI) to treat your field clothing and socks before your departure.

Clothing & Gear

• Lightweight long pants (2-3 pair)
• Shorts (optional)
• Lightweight long sleeve shirts (2-3)
• T-shirts or equivalent (1 per day – remember you may be buying some there anyway!)
• Comfortable clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field clothes or a skirt, sundress, etc.)
• Personal underclothing and pajamas
• Socks – lightweight and easy to wash and dry (long enough to tuck your pants into)
• Comfortable walking shoes (such as tennis shoes)
• Lightweight hiking boots. Please note that forest trails will be on uneven terrain and may be muddy – good tread and support are essential
• Sandals for evenings, travel days, and to wear on boats (optional, Teva style are great)
• Lightweight jacket; fleece fabric is ideal
• Lightweight raincoat or poncho
• Bathing suit
• Hat with broad brim
• Bandana (gel bandanas work well to keep you cool)
• Field vest (optional), a great source is Big Pockets

Equipment & Miscellaneous

• E-ticket verification
• Passport, visa (if required), travel insurance info, money & credit cards.
• A secure pouch to carry the items above on your person (such as a secure, under-clothing document pouch)
• As a backup: copies of all the above (phone and/or paper) packed in a separate location than on your person, plus a set given to your emergency contact at home as a backup. For passport, copy of the  ID and entry stamp pages.
• Binoculars
• Cell Phone and charger
• Camera and extra batteries/battery chargers, memory cards, lens cleaning supplies and your instruction manual (optional-an online version can be downloaded to your phone)
• Umbrella – compact and not brightly colored (a great option for occasional rain as you can keep using your binoculars)
• Small daypack or fanny pack for carrying your field gear
• Walking stick – we find many travelers appreciate a walking stick on trails; recommend collapsible models that will fit in your suitcase (optional)
• Small flashlight with fresh batteries. Please note that if you like to read at night, lighting in other countries is often poor in the rooms and you may want to bring a book light, headlamp or flashlight for this purpose.
• April to July: Red light or plastic covering for your light, for seeing turtles on the beach at night
• Alarm clock, or use your cell phone
• Sunscreen/lip balm with SPF
• Sunglasses with neck strap
• Insect repellent (something containing DEET; for chiggers, sulphur powder if available)
• Toilet articles
• Spotting scope and tripod (optional)
• Tablet or laptop for personal use and/or transferring photos, USB cord and charger (optional)
• Electrical converter and adapter plugs
• Water bottle (or plan to refill one purchased on location)
• Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
• Field guides (optional)
• Sink plug (often not available, a flat universal one is easiest to use)
• Washcloth (may not always be available)
• Earplugs (if hotel noise or roommates snoring may bother you; these are optional
• Laundry soap if you plan to hand wash articles of clothing (consider laundry soap "sheets" that pack flat, and are lightweight and environmentally friendly)
• Rechargeable power bank (optional)

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing - your mind will be at ease!

Medical & First Aid

• Personal medications
• Personal first aid kit and medications for general ailments (Imodium or Lomotil, Antihistamine cream or tablets, Eye drops, etc.)
• Motion sickness preventatives, if likely to be needed on bus, van drives, etc.
• Copy of eyeglass prescription, copy of medical prescriptions, and any medical alerts
• Heath insurance and vaccination information (kept in personal pouch with other travel documents)
• Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts
• Band-Aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
• Antibacterial hand gel, small vial

There are many titles of interest for Trinidad & Tobago; the following are a few that we have enjoyed that can get you started.

Top Picks

Birds of Trinidad and Tobago

Merlin App – Trinidad and Tobago Pack. A phone-based birding app from Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Before departing the U.S., download the app for free, then from within the app, download the “pack” for Trinidad and Tobago.

General Reading

Trinidad & Tobago - Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

The Caribbean: Ports of Call and Beyond

Field Guides

A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad & Tobago by Richard French

Site Guide: A Birdwatcher’s Guide to Trinidad and Tobago

Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: A Field Guide

The Snakes of Trinidad and Tobago

Amphibians and Reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago

Collins Guide to Tropical Plants

A Guide to the Wild Flowers of Trinidad and Tobago

A Guide to the Coral Reefs of the Caribbean

Wildlife & Nature

The Biological Diversity of Trinidad and Tobago

The Web of Adaptation

A Naturalist in Trinidad

Birds of Tropical America

The New Neotropical Companion

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Tropics

Neotropical Rainforest Mammals

Anolis Lizards of the Caribbean: Ecology, Evolution and Plate Tectonics

Army Ants: A Study in Social Organization

Voyage of the Turtle: In Pursuit of the Earth's Last Dinosaur

History & Culture

History of the People of Trinidad and Tobago. Eric Williams. Creative Media Partners, LLC. 2018. 302 pp.

The Book of Trinidad

The Portuguese of Trinidad and Tobago, Portrait of an Ethnic Minority

Sweet Hands: Island Cooking from Trinidad & Tobago

Chiles to Chocolate: Foods the Americas Gave the World

There is a good selection of books available for sale at visitors’ centers, and your guide will also have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share. As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

General

Overview of Trinidad and Tobago

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinidad_and_Tobago

Nariva Swamp

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nariva_Swamp

Caroni Swamp

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroni_Swamp

Temple in the Sea

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_in_the_Sea

Grande Riviere

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grande_Riviere

Dunston Cave

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunston_Cave

Tobago’s Cuffie River Nature Retreat

• https://www.cuffie-river.com/

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

General birding information

• https://fatbirder.com/world-birding/central-america/republic-of-trinidad-and-tobago/

Oilbirds

• https://ebird.org/species/oilbir1/

The Oilbird Cave Dwellers – Article

• https://www.insandoutstt.com/articles/the-oilbird-cave-dwellers

Scarlet Ibis and Caroni Marsh

• https://www.10000birds.com/the-caroni-swamp-scarlet-ibis-show.htm

Endemic Piping Guan

• https://ebird.org/species/trpgua1

Hummingbirds of Yerette

• https://exceptionalcaribbean.com/2021/10/26/yerette/

Endemic species

• https://lntreasures.com/trinidad.html

Nat Geo Article – “Trinidad and Tobago: A Wildlife and Nature Lover's Paradise”

• https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel/2012/09/trinidad-and-tobago-a-wildlife-and-nature-lovers-paradise

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday Article - “Omardeens Revive Estate In Brasso Seco: For the Love of Cocoa”

• https://newsday.co.tt/2021/03/28/omardeens-revive-estate-in-brasso-seco-for-the-love-of-cocoa/

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

Asa Wright Nature Centre

• https://asawright.org/

Little Tobago Island Bird Sanctuary

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Tobago

Tobago’s Main Ridge Forest Reserve

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Ridge,_Tobago
• https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5646/

Ramsar.org – Wetlands Conservation

• https://www.ramsar.org/country-profile/trinidad-and-tobago

Geology & Geography

Geology of Trinidad and Tobago

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago
• https://thegstt.org/geoattract/formations

Geography of Trinidad and Tobago

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago
• https://www.countryreports.org/country/TrinidadandTobago/geography.htm

Abstract of a 1948 Article by John C. Maxwell

• https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-abstract/59/8/801/4224/GEOLOGY-OF-TOBAGO-BRITISH-WEST-INDIES?redirectedFrom=fulltext

History & Culture

Trinidad and Tobago: As Members of The Commonwealth

• https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/trinidad-and-tobago

Trinidad and Tobago - History and Heritage

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/trinidad-and-tobago-history-and-heritage-17893991/

Cuisine of Trinidad & Tobago

• https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-dishes-in-trinidad-and-tobago

Trinidad and Tobago profile - Timeline

• https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-20073186

Helpful Travel Websites

Arrival - Piarco International Airport (POS) – Port of Spain

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piarco_International_Airport

Departure - A.N.R. Robinson International Airport - Crown Point (Island of Tobago)

• https://acukwik.com/Airport-Info/TTCP

National Passport Information Center

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

Homeland Security Real ID Act

• https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• https://www.cbp.gov/travel

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• https://www.tsa.gov

Foreign Exchange Rates

• https://www.xe.com/

ATM Locator

• https://www.visa.com/atmlocator/
• https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/find-nearest-atm.html

U.S. Department of State International Travel Information – Trinidad & Tobago

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/TrinidadandTobago.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Trinidad & Tobago

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/trinidad-and-tobago?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001

Canada Travel Advice and Advisories – Trinidad & Tobago

• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/trinidad-and-tobago

Travel Health Pro (UK) – Trinidad & Tobago

• https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/225/trinidad-and-tobago

Electricity and Plugs – Trinidad & Tobago

• https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/trinidad-and-tobago/

Date, Time, and Holidays – Trinidad & Tobago

• https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/trinidad-and-tobago
• https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/trinidad/