A carnival in Port of Spain. Soca music in the streets, a woman dances and twirls and the pearls of her bikini almost seem to stand out. You are here in Trinidad and Tobago.

A couple serves curry sandwiches at a blistering speed in a corner of the street, fishermen place their catch on the docks when the new morning awakens over the blue ocean, a businessman from the oil industry goes to an air-conditioned building, a young man with a crazy hairdo plays the steeldrum or "steel drum" and reaches the seventh level of ecstasy ; they're all from Trinidad and Tobago. It is the national pride, this story of love for music that unites a wide range of colours, ethnicities and cultures. The country has a cosmopolitan society composed of many different peoples and cultures living together in harmony. The two islands have distinct personalities. Trinity is the larger of the two, and is the place where most cities are settled. It is also a major industrial centre of the country, famous for its oil and natural gas production, making Trinidad and Tobago one of the most prosperous countries in the Caribbean. Tobago is known for tourism, its main source of income. Take a trip to Trinidad and Tobago and explore beaches so fascinating that you'll forget your first name, dive into the wonderful coral reefs, participate in the carnival and stroll through the rainforests that offer plenty of choice for bird watching, hiking and mountain biking. Geographically, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is a state in the southern Caribbean archipelago, located near the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada. It shares its maritime borders with other nations, including Barbados, Guyana and Venezuela. The country also consists of many other, smaller islands. Trinidad is the largest and most populous of the two main islands, representing more than 90% of the country's area and total population. The capital of the country is Port of Spain which is located on the northwest coast of Trinidad. A lively and friendly city, Port of Spain is an ideal place to spend a few days, especially during the famous Trinidad Carnival. It has been the state capital since 1757 and is the main administrative centre, although it is not the largest city in the country. Thanks to its southern position, temperatures in Trinidad are similar throughout the year. The only real seasons in Trinidad and Tobago are the rainy season (June to November) and the dry season (December to May). The high season lasts from January to March, with peaks in February when the carnival attracts hordes of visitors and hotel room costs skyrocket. Reservations during this period are therefore essential. It may be better to travel to Trinidad and Tobago between October and December and between April and June, when accommodation is cheapest and tourists almost non-existent. English is the official language. English Creole (although not so called by the inhabitants) is very frequently used for informal communication between inhabitants. There are also Hindi, French (especially Creole or Patois), Spanish and Chinese.

"The official currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT $). Banks will exchange a large number of foreign currencies, but you will usually get better rates for US dollars or euros. When the sun goes down, it is better to be accompanied. This is more important in Trinidad than in Tobago.

Art and Culture in Trinidad and Tobago
Each culture is unique, but the culture of Trinidad and Tobago is truly unique because of its many cultural traditions that have been preserved and mixed by generations of migrants from around the world. This has transformed the country into a constant effervescence. It is the cradle of calypso music and the steeldrum, which is widely claimed by the inhabitants as the only acoustic music instrument invented in the twentieth century. The diverse cultural and religious background gave rise to numerous festivities and ceremonies throughout the year.

What to visit in Trinidad and Tobago
The beaches! The most popular in Trinidad are Maracas, Tyrico, Las Cuevas, Toco, Mayaro, Chagville, Los Iros and Quinam. Most of the beaches on the north coast are beautiful, with fine sand and crystal clear waters. Popular beaches in Tobago, also wonderful, include Pigeon Point, Store Bay, MT Irvine, Bucco, Grange, Englishman's Bay, Canoe Bay. The annual Carnival Festival is one of the most famous events in Trinidad and Tobago. It includes many beautiful dances and celebrations everywhere. Every year, thousands of costumed people march in the streets during this annual festival called "The Greatest Show on Earth".

Gastronomic Specialties in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago offers excellent and varied specialities thanks to its diverse history. In particular Indian traditions have contributed to its delicious cuisine. Don't forget to try tasty roasts, stuffed Channa Indian breads (curry chickpeas), tender meat, green beans, squash and mangoes. But the most popular quick snack is a double. These are curry chickpeas between two pieces of fried bread with spices of your choice, available everywhere in the streets. Another mandatory dish to try is the famous Shark'n' Bake.