No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:49:06Z
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Is Scarborough safe? 🇹🇹
Trinidad and Tobago · Safety report last updated
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Scarborough 🇹🇹
Trinidad and Tobago · Assessed 13 October 2026
64
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime57/100FairHomicide 40.4 / 100k
Sentiment59/100FairCautious
Advisories75Good
Stability71Good
Health83Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Trinidad and Tobago: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-09T13:23:51.9195421-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
45 / 100 (Cautious)
45
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
17k residents
94
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
40.4 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3Trinidad and Tobago40.4South Africa43.7
9
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile Tobago has seen fewer tourist-related serious crimes, the national homicide rate is high, and incidents of robbery have been reported in Scarborough.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in busy areas and markets in Scarborough.
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03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Cautious
59/100
Reported feel45Cautious
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
While some reports suggest efforts to reassure tourists, the high national crime rate and specific incidents create a cautious sentiment among travelers.
Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago requires a high degree of caution due to elevated crime rates and a history of violent incidents.
While the island of Tobago generally reports fewer serious crimes against tourists than Trinidad, the overall homicide rate for Trinidad and Tobago is significantly higher than the global average. Visitors should be aware of the risk of petty crime and exercise vigilance, particularly after dark.
Recent developments
- May 2026Tobago registered its 4th murder of the year, with a suspect apprehended in a Scarborough carpark.— Trinidad Guardian
- Aug 2025Over 100 ganja plants were seized in Scarborough, with a woman taken into custody.— Trinidad Express Newspapers
- Dec 2024Trinidad and Tobago declared a State of Emergency amid a surge in violence.— Travel Noire
- Apr 2021A Scarborough man was granted $50,000 bail on a robbery charge.— Newsday TT
Common scams
- Overcharging by taxi drivers
- Distraction theft in crowded areas
Full briefing
Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago, warrants a high degree of caution for travelers. The nation's homicide rate is considerably higher than the global average, and while Tobago is often cited as having fewer serious incidents affecting tourists, crime remains a significant concern. Recent reports indicate that even in Scarborough, violent crime, including murder, has occurred, with arrests made in public areas.
Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching is a risk in busy tourist spots and markets within Scarborough. Travelers should remain vigilant and avoid displaying wealth. Incidents of robbery have also been noted in the area, underscoring the need for situational awareness, particularly after dark.
Official advisories from Canada and the UK recommend exercising a high degree of caution. While efforts have been made by tourism stakeholders to reinforce destination safety, and some reports suggest no serious crimes against tourists in recent months, the underlying crime statistics and past incidents necessitate a prudent approach. It is advisable to use reputable transportation and to secure accommodations and personal belongings diligently. Travelers should also be mindful of global health notices for dengue and measles.
Was this Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Scarborough districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution. See them plotted on the Scarborough safety map.
Scarborough CentralcautionModerate risk of petty crime and occasional reports of more serious incidents.
Old GrangecautionResidential area with some reports of theft; exercise vigilance.
Mount GracecautionSome reports of crime, including drug-related activity; be aware of surroundings.
CanaancautionAdjacent to Scarborough, shares similar risks of petty crime.
BacoletsaferGenerally considered a safer, more affluent residential area.
LowlandssaferPrimarily a residential and developing area, generally considered safe.
07 · After Dark
Is Scarborough safe at night?
44% of people in Trinidad and Tobago say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2022).
While Tobago has seen fewer tourist-related serious crimes, the national homicide rate is high, and incidents of robbery have been reported in Scarborough.
After dark, be most careful around Scarborough Central, Old Grange, Mount Grace, Canaan. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Scarborough safety FAQ (2026)
Is Scarborough safe right now (2026)?
Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago requires a high degree of caution due to elevated crime rates and a history of violent incidents. While the island of Tobago generally reports fewer serious crimes against tourists than Trinidad, the overall homicide rate for Trinidad and Tobago is significantly higher than the global average. Visitors should be aware of the risk of petty crime and exercise vigilance, particularly after dark. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Scarborough safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Scarborough report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Scarborough should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Scarborough (2026)?
- Overcharging by taxi drivers
- Distraction theft in crowded areas
How does Scarborough compare with other places in Trinidad and Tobago (2026)?
Scarborough ranks #1 of 2 Trinidad and Tobago destinations we've assessed, scoring 64/100. See the Trinidad and Tobago safety overview for the full list.
How is this scarborough safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: scarborough.json (CC BY 4.0).