Buy Trinidad and Tobago dollar

Spending in the sun

In 1964, the Trinidad and Tobago dollar was reintroduced to the country after years of using pound sterling.

It follows the American system of having 100 cents to every dollar. Coins are not used anywhere near as frequently as notes and, therefore, most tourists tend to round amounts up to the nearest dollar for convenience.

A service charge is commonly added to the bill for you, but if not, you are under no obligation to tip. However, 15% is a common amount if you feel your service was exceptional.

When it comes to taxis, the same rule typically applies, but it’s recommended to always negotiate your fee before setting off.

Frequently used banknotes

Banknotes used include 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 TTD. Coins used often are for 1, 5 and 10 TTD, with coins in cents rare due to their low value.

The most frequently used banknotes in Trinidad and Tobago are for the value of 1 (red), 5 (green), 10 (grey), 20 (purple), 50 (olive) and 100 (blue) dollar bills. The 50 TTD note was reintroduced into circulation in 2012 to commemorate 50 years of independence.