Senior travel: Port of Spain
An easier pace for an older traveller: how many stops fit in a day, which places are step-free, and what the guide says about getting around, medicines and stairs.
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Pace for a day
About 3 stops a day. 5 h out − 45 min rest, divided by an average visit of 48 min (from this city’s guide) + 30 min to move.
Places, easiest access first
- Stollmeyer's Castle (Killarney) and the Magnificent SevenStep-free: yes · about 20 minYou view from the road: paved pavement, some kerbs and driveways.
- Queen's Park SavannahStep-free: yes · about 60 minFlat paved outer path and wide grass; a few kerbs where the road crosses.
- Royal Botanic GardensStep-free: yes · about 60 minPaved and level paths through most of the gardens; a few slopes and lawns.
- Emperor Valley ZooStep-free: yes · about 90 minMostly level paved paths; some slopes.
- Cathedral of the Immaculate ConceptionStep-free: partial (check before you go) · about 30 minSteps at the main door; ask about a side entrance for wheelchairs.
- Woodford SquareStep-free: partial (check before you go) · about 30 minPaved paths and level lawns; kerbs and vendors on the surrounding pavements.
- Independence SquareStep-free: partial (check before you go) · about 45 minA wide central promenade; kerbs, vendors and broken paving on the sides.
Getting around in Port of Spain
Port of Spain is hard going on wheels. Pavements are narrow, broken and blocked; step-free access is best in hotels, malls and the Botanic Gardens. Plan door-to-door rides and pick a hotel with a lift.
- Pavements:
- Narrow, uneven, often blocked by vendors and parked cars; the Savannah's outer path is the flat exception.
- Getting around:
- Taxis with a wheelchair-friendly boot are few: ask your hotel to book an SUV or van; maxi-taxis have steps.
- Hotels:
- Business hotels downtown have lifts and accessible rooms; guesthouses often have steps: ask for photos.
- Toilets:
- Accessible toilets in malls and large hotels; rare elsewhere.
- Crossings:
- Few signalled crossings; traffic is fast and drivers do not always stop.
Medicines and health on the ground
The Trinidad and Tobago guide lists no medicine paperwork. Check the official customs page for your medicines.
- Heat:
- Shade and AC every 60–90 minutes, water and electrolytes; sunburn and heat exhaustion are the common visitor problems.
- Dengue:
- Mosquito-borne and present all year; repellent by day as well as dusk and long sleeves in the evening.
- Food and water:
- Busy food stalls with fast turnover are usually fine; drink bottled or filtered water.
- Sun:
- High UV all year: hat, sunscreen and shade.
- Vaccinations:
- Check the current travel-health advice for yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A before you fly.
More: how much medicine to pack, medicine times across time zones.
Ask your insurer
Age limits and prices differ by policy and the guides do not hold them, so put these to the insurer before you buy.
- What is the oldest age the policy covers, at purchase and on the last day of the trip?
- Does the price or the cover change after a certain age?
- Are existing conditions covered, and what must be declared?
- Does the cover include medical evacuation and trip interruption?
Not medical advice. This page does not know anyone’s health. Ask a doctor before the trip, and carry a list of medicines and conditions.