Trinidad Info

Trinidad is the larger, more populous and more urban of the country's two main islands. It combines Port of Spain, long Atlantic beaches, the forested Northern Range, wetlands, wildlife, religious landmarks, steelpan, Carnival and an unusually varied food culture. It is a very different travel experience from Tobago.

Trinidad at a Glance

Personal Impressions

Trinidad is less immediately postcard-like than Tobago, but it has more contrasts. Traffic and industrial areas can be intense, while a relatively short drive can lead into rainforest, a mountain village, mangrove channels or a long Atlantic beach. For travellers interested in people, culture, food and nature, that variety is one of the island's strengths.

Port of Spain and the Northern Range

Port of Spain is the country's political, business and cultural centre. Queen's Park Savannah, the Magnificent Seven, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the city's panyards are among the most interesting visitor areas. North of the city, roads climb through the Northern Range toward Maracas Bay, Las Cuevas and Blanchisseuse.

Maracas, Manzanilla and Mayaro

Maracas Bay is Trinidad's best-known beach and is closely associated with bake and shark. Manzanilla and Mayaro lie on the Atlantic side and offer much longer, more open stretches of coast. The Atlantic can be rough, so currents and local warnings should be taken seriously.

Nature and Wildlife

Trinidad's closeness to South America gives it exceptional biodiversity for a Caribbean island. Caroni Swamp is famous for scarlet ibis and late-afternoon boat trips. The Northern Range contains rainforest and rich birdlife, while Nariva Swamp is the country's largest freshwater wetland. Leatherback turtles nest seasonally on beaches including Grande Riviere, Matura and Fishing Pond.

Pitch Lake, Waterloo and Central Trinidad

La Brea Pitch Lake is one of the world's largest natural asphalt deposits. At Waterloo, the Temple in the Sea is one of Trinidad's best-known Indo-Caribbean landmarks. Central Trinidad also reflects the island's strong Indian heritage in food, temples, festivals and everyday life.

Lopinot, Caves and Waterfalls

Lopinot lies in a green valley in the foothills of the Northern Range and combines cocoa history, village life and parang traditions. Trinidad also has limestone caves, waterfalls and mud-volcano areas. Gasparee Caves, reached by boat from Chaguaramas, are among the better-known cave systems.

Culture

Steelpan was created in Trinidad and Tobago, and Trinidad remains the centre of most large Panorama and Carnival events. Calypso, soca, chutney, tassa and parang are important parts of island culture. Liming, simply spending time together, is a useful word for understanding Trinidad's social life.

Practical Travel Information

What is covered separately on Info Tobago?

Pigeon Point, Buccoo Reef, Nylon Pool, Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Argyle Falls, Castara, Speyside, Little Tobago and Charlotteville belong to Tobago and are covered on Info Tobago.