Tourist Given Old One Dollar Notes in Change Sparks Humour and Debate on Tobago Visit

A vacation video that went viral has sparked a flurry of online reactions after a tourist visiting Tobago claimed she received outdated Trinidad and Tobago currency as change during her trip. The clip, shared by Goodliving Fishing and DDI Trips, captures the woman’s surprise as she holds several old paper notes, jokingly suggesting she had been ‘ripped off’. The woman was given TT$5 in retired currency instead of the newer polymer bills.

The incident has sparked hundreds of comments from social media users across both islands, reigniting conversation about whether old Trinidad and Tobago notes are still quietly circulating among the public. Despite the older cotton-based notes being officially phased out and replaced with polymer currency over the past few years, many people online claimed they still occasionally encounter these outdated bills through change, old wallets, businesses and even ATMs.

The lively discussion saw several commenters sharing personal stories of receiving old notes during transactions, with others pointing out that certain retired bills can still be exchanged at the Central Bank. Some users even suggested the old currency could become valuable collectors’ items in the future.

Trinidadians and Tobagonians engaged in playful banter over who may be to blame for the passing of the outdated money. Some social media users encouraged the tourist to keep the old notes as souvenirs, while others raised questions about how retired currency continues to appear years after the national currency transition. Despite the confusion surrounding the bills, the video has continued gaining traction online, with many viewers enjoying the relatable Caribbean humour and island banter surrounding the incident.

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