Welcome to the Trinidad & Tobago cruise port guide. In the most southern part of the Caribbean, 7 miles in front of the coast of Venezuela we find the islands of Trinidad & Tobago. The islands got their independence from Britain in 1962. Today they form one nation. Trinidad & Tobago has over 1,3 million inhabitants. Trinidad is the largest and most populated island of the two and this is also where we find Port of Spain. This is the capital and commercial centre of the nation. Port of Spain is a large city although it only has about 45.000 inhabitants. You will find this is the economic and industrial hub for the islands. There are many things within walking distance. Go a littler further afield and you will soon be amazed by everything Trinidad has to offer you. Find green mountains, white beaches and abundant wildlife all within reach.
Cruise Port Guide Port of Spain – Trinidad & Tobago: docked
Cruise ships dock at the Trinidad’s Port of Spain Cruise Ship Complex. At this cruise dock you will find a welcome centre and usually the visitors centre goes all out by providing a steel drum band and dancers for arriving cruise ships. At the dock you will also find the cruise terminal. The cruise terminal offers tourist information and duty free shopping opportunities. On the other side of the terminal you will find a craft market, car rental facilities and a taxi stand.
The terminal building is about a 15 minute walk from the city centre. You simply follow the promenade.
Taxi
There will be lots of taxis waiting at the cruise terminal. Taxis in Port of Spain are unmetered and rates are not set by the government. Be sure to make a price agreement before you step into the taxi and please mention if the amount is in Trinidad dollars or US dollars. Often taxi drivers are trained tour guides and are very suitable to give a tour of their island.
Maxitaxis
Maxitaxis are minivans that operate regular routes driving in specific zones. Recognise them by the coloured stripe on the side of their white van. They are lower priced than taxis. Maxitaxis are shared taxis that have a fixed route. Pay 2 to 4 dollars and get dropped off at any spot along the way.
The colour of the stripe indicates the fixed route of the van.
• Yellow Band or Route 1 Maxi Taxis cover the western end of the island including Chaguaramas, Petit Valley and Diego Martin. The hub for this service is based in a fenced compound at the corner of St Vincent Street and South Quay, Port of Spain. Fares range from TT$3 to TT$10
• Red Band or Route 2 Maxi Taxis travel the eastern route from Port of Spain to as far east as Sangre Grande. The hub is based at City Gate, South Quay, Port of Spain and fares range from TT$3 to TT$8
• Green Band Maxi Taxis ply the Port of Spain to Chaguanas route including Curepe to Chaguanas in Central Trinidad and as far as San Fernando in twelve seater Maxi Taxi
Public transportation
We don’t think public transportation is the best way to get around. If you would like to know more about the bus lines visit: http://www.gotrinidadandtobago.com/system/creatives/700/original/1PTSC_Schedules.pdf or on http://www.ptsc.co.tt/ptsc-downloads.html See the PTSC bus station marked on the map above.
Beach
Trinidad does not have a lot of beaches. If you would like to spend a day on the beach we could recommend Maracas Bay. This is about a 40 minute drive from port.
Where’s the wifi?
There is wi-fi available in the terminal.
If you would like to know what to visit out of Port of Spain? Click on the icons in the map underneath.
