Things to do in  Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago’s capital city boasts an immersive blend of history and culture, providing visitors with plenty of music, art, food, and tradition. Highlights of the town include the rolling 260 acres (105 hectares) of greenery and historic buildings found at Queen’s Park Savannah, as well as the city’s many artistic festivals and celebrations, including the world-famous Carnival.

As Tobago's capital city and economic hub, Scarborough is home to just over 17,000 people—around one-third of the island's population. Europeans settled it in the middle of the 17th century, and many colonial relics, including Fort King George, one of the most popular tourist attractions in town, remain in Scarborough to this day.

Located on the north coast of Trinidad, Maracas Bay is an idyllic white sand beach, complete with rolling turquoise waves and swaying palm trees. After a scenic mountain drive through the rain forest, you’ll arrive at these sandy shores, which are protected by a deep bay, perfect for an afternoon lazing on the beach.

This protected marine park is set just off the shores of Buccoo Beach, Pigeon Point, and Shore Bay, and boasts a spectacular display of aquatic life. Though parts of the coral reef are under threat from overuse from touristic activities, the local community still offers glass-bottom boat tours, plus recreational offerings such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and sustainable fishing.

Among the oldest botanic gardens in the West Indies, Port of Spain’s Royal Botanic Gardens showcases trees, shrubs, and colorful flowers from Trinidad and around the world, including African tulip trees and fragrant magnolias. The gardens also attract plenty of birds and are a popular spot for picnicking during the dry season.

Looking out over Scarborough Bay in the southern part of Tobago, Fort King George is the city's most recognizable landmark. Built by the British in the 1770s, it fell into French hands towards the end of the 18th century. The British recaptured it in 1793, using it until the mid-1800s when a hurricane destroyed many of the fort’s 30 buildings. The fort has since been restored, and today offers insight into the island’s military history.

Spread out over 260 acres (110 hectares), Queen's Park Savannah is the largest green space in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Once part of a sugar estate, the park today is a popular spot for picnicking, hogging, and getting a bit of fresh air. Many annual Carnival events—including King and Queen shows—are also staged in the park.

Just south of Port of Spain on the balmy west coast of Trinidad sits one of the island's top spots for birders: the Caroni Swamp. This protected mangrove—the second-largest in the country—is characterized by a labyrinth of channels and lagoons that provide a safe sanctuary for around 100 types of migratory birds.

A short boat ride from Pigeon Point, just off the Buccoo Reef, Nylon Pool is one of the most popular swimming spots in Tobago. The waters at this natural swimming pool are usually clear and warm, and snorkelers can expect to see all sorts of colorful sea creatures ranging from parrotfish to queen angelfish.

On Trinidad's northern shores, flanked by hilly woodlands and rocky outcropping, sits Las Cuevas Beach. This lovely expanse gets its name from its sea-facing caves (Las Cuevas is Spanish for "the caves") and draws in plenty of visitors with its turquoise waters and soft white sands.

The scarlet ibis is the fiery-colored national bird of Trinidad and Tobago, and its daily flight home to roost at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary offers birdwatchers and nature lovers an outdoor experience unlike others in the Caribbean. Tour the mangrove swamps with a guide to learn about the area and see the ibis’s stunning plumage.

Straddling Man-O-War Bay and Pirate’s Bay on the northern end of Tobago, the fishing village of Charlotteville is a great spot for travelers who'd prefer to forego bigger resorts in favor of low-key rest and relaxation. It's also usually a good place for snorkeling, with crystalline waters and an abundance of colorful fish.

An ornithologist and botanist paradise, the Asa Wright Nature Centre was an ecotourism destination before ecotourism was even a thing. Known internationally for its diverse flora and fauna, the conservation and research center is located on the lands of a former cocoa, coffee, and citrus plantation, offering a glimpse into a renewed ecosystem.

Comprising around 9,780 acres (3,958 hectares) of inland rainforest, the Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve acts as the lungs of the island. Along with all sorts of tropical plants, the reserve also provides a home to 24 types of (non-poisonous) snakes, 16 types of lizards, and over 200 species of birds.

The industrial capital of Trinidad, San Fernando is the second-most populated city in Trinidad and Tobago. A good base for exploring the southern part of the island, it has plenty of attractions of its own, from San Fernando Hill and its fantastic city views to downtown's Harris Promenade, a popular spot for open-air concerts.