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Entry/Exit Requirements:
Everyone, including children of any age entering
Trinidad and Tobago must have a valid passport and a return
or ongoing ticket. The Passport must be valid for at
least three months after the end of your proposed visit.
No visas are required for US or Canadian citizens. For other
nationalities, it is your responsibility to ensure your own
visa requirements, and no refunds will be awarded for
customers denied access for lack of a proper visa. |
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There is a departure tax of
TT$100 (US$16) per person, payable at the airport in Tobago
for all passengers' under 60 years. Vacationers who have
attained the age of 60 are exempt from the tax.
The tax is
paid at the Tobago airport if you are departing directly for
North America, or at the airport in Trinidad if you have a
connecting flight. Departure tax price subject to change
without notice. |
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Vaccinations: There are currently
no compulsory vaccination requirements for entry to Trinidad
& Tobago. however, in common with travel to all Caribbean
countries, you may want to consider a vaccination against
Hepatitis A and Yellow Fever, especially if you plan to
spend time in the rainforest.
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Packing Considerations:
Casual attire is the norm; evening clothes
are casual to casual nice. Comfortable, light cotton
clothing is recommended to protect you from hot daytime
temperatures, but pack a light sweater as it can get quite
cool in the evening. Please note, it is illegal in Trinidad
and Tobago for civilians to wear camouflage clothing and
these items will be seized if found in your possession.
For trips into the rainforest, you may
want to consider bringing lightweight, long trousers and
long sleeved top and by all means sturdy, preferably
waterproof shoes for hiking. During rainy season the renting
of a pair of “Wellies” for rain forest trips is a must. Your
guide will stop by a small stand where you can rent these
classic waterproof British Wellington boots, but please be
sure to bring your sport socks with you! |
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Also be sure to pack your binoculars.
Even if your only plan is to view the birds and butterflies
at the Lodge and surrounding areas, you will be glad you
packed them! (Please inquire if you would like more
information on our bird and nature tours!) You will be near to the equator in Tobago
and need to ensure you protect your skin from the strong
rays, so be sure to pack plenty of high factor sun screen
and a hat or visor.
Lithium Batteries:
Effective January 1, 2008, spare lithium batteries not
installed in devices will no longer be allowed in checked
baggage. Spare lithium batteries may be packed in
carry-on baggage and lithium batteries installed in a device
may be packed in either checked or carry-on, as long as the
battery is installed in the device.
Mosquito repellent (& bite cream if
you are prone to being bothered if bit) is advised, as
there is a small risk of dengue fever, as there is in all
Caribbean destinations. Apply the repellent regularly to all
exposed parts of your body and clothing, and avoid wearing
perfume, after shave or black or dark colours in the
evening as these attract mosquitoes. |
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Dive Safety Gear Considerations:
Diving in Tobago often involves drift diving, so to ensure
your safe return from your dive, Tobago Dive Experience
requires all divers to wear a safety sausage. Sausages are
available for rent at the dive shop for those who do not
have their own.
Arriving in
Trinidad: If you flight to Tobago
is via Trinidad, you will need to clear customs in Trinidad.
Once you have cleared, you will pass a number of duty free
shops on your way to the Caribbean Airlines check in
counter. Duty free purchases can be made, despite the fact
you will be traveling in transit. But please remember you
will need to pack all liquids purchased in your checked
baggage. |
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Arriving at the
Tobago Airport: If you have
purchased a package, and have notified us in advance of your
flight plans, you will be met by a Manta Lodge
representative just outside the airport terminal. After
receiving your baggage, simply depart the building and look
for a Tour Guide holding a sign bearing your parties name.
In the event you do not see your designated driver, please
go to the Information Desk in the airport terminal and ask
for assistance calling Manta Lodge.
Getting to Manta
Lodge: The drive to the lodge
takes approximately 1 ˝ hours via roads that wind their way
through the mountainous terrain, so make sure you have used
the rest rooms before leaving the airport, and if you need
to stop for water or snacks, ask your guide to do so while
you are still "in town." Your driver is not just a taxi
service, but one of the carefully selected tour guides Manta
partners with. Should you be planning on taking any tours of
the island or nature hikes, it is likely to be arranged with
one of our transfer drivers. So enjoy your time with him as
you head to the lodge as you will have a great resource
available to you during this time! |
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Weather:
Located just 11° north of the equator,
safely outside the main hurricane belt, Tobago enjoys a
tropical climate and is sunny all year round. The average
daytime temperature is 83°F (29°C). Trade Winds blow
consistently, cooling the island so effectively that
air-conditioning is the exception rather than the rule.
Tobago has two seasons: the Dry Season between December and
May, and the Wet Season between June and November. Although
rain fall is at its heaviest during the Rainy Season, it is
quite possible to get it at any other time as well, and
generally in short, sharp bursts that thankfully often fall
around dawn. |
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Time:
Tobago is 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard
Time (EST).
Currency:
The local currency is the Trinidad and
Tobago Dollar, which is the most commonly accepted form of
currency. Most Hotels, Restaurants and Shops will accept
foreign currency as a form of payment, but usually this is
at a poor rate of conversion. It is highly recommended that
you change your money to the official currency, the TT
dollar, on arrival. You can reconvert any currency before
your departure. Most ATMs will give advances on credit cards
in TT dollars and banks will convert your cash.
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Language:
The official language of Trinidad and
Tobago is English, but Spanish and to a lesser extent French
patois, Hindi and Chinese is spoken by some segments of the
population through culture and heritage.
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Electricity:
Voltage in our rooms is 110
volts, with the rectangular two
pin socket similar to those found in the United States.
European guests should bring adapters as they are not
readily available on the island.
Security & Safety:
Tobago is a safe island; however visitors should exercise
common sense and not keep large amounts of cash in their
rooms or valuables unattended. There are no safes in the
rooms; however there is a safe available at the Front Office
where you can secure valuables you will not need during your
daily activities. One of the beauties of Tobago is the fact
that you are still able to wander off the ‘main’ routes and
down any lane or street anywhere on the island, without ever
feeling at risk. So feel free to explore the area around the
lodge on foot on your own at any time. |
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