We did work in T&C a few years back (as well as visited as a tourist other trips) and I seem to remember that import duty was the only form of tax and since almost everything is imported, every thing is crazy expensive. Add to that a far amount of government officials taking from the pot. I used to follow the news closely and last I heard the top dog was imprisioned for taking funds.

Our last trip was in 2008 or 2009 and I remember crazy high food and drink prices back then as well. I don't mind higher prices, to a point, at vacation destinations but the costs were high enough that it gave me pause.