Safe Travel Tips

Exercise caution.

In Trinidad and Tobago, we will face about the same level of safety concern as we would while traveling in any non-U.S. destination. For 3 nights, we will base ourselves in Charlotteville, Tobago, a tiny fishing village accessible to some of Tobago's lushest ecosystems.  For 1 night and then, later, for 3 nights, we will use Port of Spain, Trinidad's capital city, as our home base. During our sojourn away from Port of Spain, we will be housed in Grande Riviere, a prime Leatherback Turtle nesting site in the spring. The Grande Riviere excursion takes us through Trinidadian ecosystems where we'll experience wetlands and see howler monkeys at the nature preserve. We'll also see other fascinating topography, flora and fauna, and native animals as we hike in and around Grande Riviere. In all of these locations, we will meet and learn from experienced guides and friendly locals, and we'll share the experiences with each other as well. I hope we will all take these opportunities to learn more about our world and ourselves. Whether in urban or rural settings, and when traveling, we will always practice safety precautions as we would in the U.S.

Additionally, we will avoid selected areas, particularly in the city, Port of Spain, at night and other urban areas altogether. We will not avoid the safe areas of this historically, architecturally, and culturally rich city; however, because we want to understand the heart of Trinidadian culture.

Of course, as much as I and SU are working to insure all of our travelers' safety, trip-goers must also exercise personal caution as we have discussed in our mandatory trip meetings. This means taking personal safety measures like the following suggestions (and others that I hope you'll share!) to enhance our collective comfort and safety:


Bring a Caribbean-accessible cell phone or wi-fi-equipped laptop for staying in contact with home.

Leave flashy jewelry and expensive-looking purses, cameras, etc., at home. Avoid promoting the appearance of being a rich burglary target.

Always, always, always stay with the group. If the group splits up within a contained area (for example, in an open-air market at lunch time), then stay with at least with one other member of the group at all times.

The State of Emergency has been lifted, but we will avoid being out past 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. in certain locations. Likewise, we will use transportation at night.

In this macho culture, men may make a sucking or "Psssst" sound at women. The sound is called "sooting" and is meant to show appreciation for a woman's beauty. Ignore, walk away, or say, "No," to unwanted attention as you would in the United States.

Practice personal responsibility: always be aware of your surroundings and the location of our group.

I very much hope that you will all feel comfortable with our combined precautions.