Trinidad and Tobago
Profiled in Port of Spain · the Caribbean
Port of Spain runs on soca, doubles and oil money, a warm and rowdy English-speaking city that peaks each Carnival and never quite calms down.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Oil-and-gas wealth makes Trinidad pricier than most Caribbean neighbours. Imported goods and cars cost a lot, but street food like doubles stays cheap.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Port of Spain
- Queen's Park SavannahHuge open green ring at the city's heart for joggers, kite flyers and Carnival crowds.
- The Magnificent SevenRow of flamboyant colonial mansions lining the Savannah's western edge.
- Royal Botanic GardensOne of the oldest botanic gardens in the region, laid out in 1818.
- Emperor Valley ZooSmall national zoo beside the gardens, good for younger kids.
- National Museum and Art GalleryLocal history, art and old Carnival costumes downtown.
- Fort GeorgeHilltop signal station with sweeping views over the Gulf of Paria.
- Woodford SquareLeafy civic square nicknamed the University of Woodford Square for its soapbox debates.
- Cathedral of the Immaculate ConceptionGothic Roman Catholic cathedral on Independence Square.
- Holy Trinity CathedralAnglican cathedral with a timber roof modelled on Westminster Hall.
- Brian Lara PromenadeDowntown pedestrian strip named for the cricket legend.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- Maracas BayNorth-coast beach 40 minutes over the hills, home of the bake and shark.
- TobagoSister island a short flight or ferry away, with calmer beaches and Buccoo Reef.
- Caroni Bird SanctuaryMangrove boat trip at dusk to watch scarlet ibis flock in to roost.
- ChaguaramasGreen peninsula west of town with a boardwalk, kayaking and the down-the-islands boats.
- Asa Wright Nature CentreRainforest lodge in the Northern Range with hummingbirds off the veranda.
Coffee
Best cafes
- Rituals Coffee HouseHome-grown Trinidadian coffee chain with branches all over town.
- Linda's BakeryLocal bakery cafe for pastries, pies and a quick sit-down coffee.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- Buzo Osteria ItalianaWell-regarded Italian kitchen with fresh pasta on Warner Street.
- ChaudFine dining by chef Khalid Mohammed, one of the city's smartest tables.
- Veni MangéIconic Creole lunch spot in Woodbrook serving proper Trini home cooking.
- ApsaraLong-running Indian fine dining on Queen's Park East.
- Tamnak ThaiEstablished Thai restaurant next door on Queen's Park East.
- Jaffa at the OvalMiddle Eastern and international plates at the Queen's Park Oval cricket ground.
- More Vino More SushiBusy Woodbrook wine bar and sushi spot popular after work.
Morning
Best breakfast
- The Breakfast ShedWaterfront canteen run by the Femmes du Chalet, serving traditional Trini breakfast and lunch.
- Rituals Coffee HouseQuick breakfast sandwiches, bakes and coffee before the office.
- Linda's BakeryFresh pastries, hops bread and coffee to start the day.
Residency
Trinidad and Tobago has no investment-migration or golden-visa route. Foreigners normally need an employer-sponsored work permit, and permanent residence usually follows several years of legal stay.
Tax
Residents pay income tax at 25% on chargeable income up to TTD 1 million and 30% above it. Long-held assets escape capital gains tax, but this is an oil economy rather than a tax haven.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Trinidad and Tobago tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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