Need cash when I land, best place in Trinidad and Tobago? Airport or places in the city?
I flew into Port of Spain and changed $30 USD at the airport - enough for the taxi and a snack. Then I walked to a Republic Bank ATM on Tragarete Road and used my debit card - no surcharge, and the rate was much better. Didn’t check out city exchange booths, but sticking to ATMs in bank lobbies seemed safest. My move now: just a little at the airport, then bigger withdrawals in the city.
I landed at ANR Robinson Airport (in Tobago) and exchanged $80 USD there, hoping for a good rate. It was okay, but I lost a few percent. Once I was in Scarborough I found a Republic Bank ATM that accepted international cards and gave a better rate without fees. Trinidad and Tobago use twin currencies, but banks downtown offer better exchange value than airport booths - just hit them during working hours.
Used Piarco’s exchange desk for TT$200 when I landed - enough for a few maxi-taxi rides. After that, I went to a First Citizens branch in St. James, and withdrew close to the market rate with no local ATM surcharge. Airport exchange is convenient for small amounts but expensive for bigger conversions, so best to split your cash - small buffer at the airport, rest from city banks.
I swapped $50 USD at Piarco Airport just to cover the taxi fare - rate wasn’t great, and they charged a small fee. Later, I used a Republic Bank ATM in Port of Spain and got a much better deal with my Wise card. My advice: get just enough to cover immediate costs, then hit a bank ATM downtown for the best rate.