Things to do in  Trinidad

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Emperor Valley Zoo is Trinidad and Tobago’s largest zoo, located north of the Queen’s Park Savannah on the island of Trinidad. The zoo houses familiar animals, such as lions and giraffes, and also showcases flora and fauna unique to the area, including crab-eating raccoons, boa constrictors, and Trinidad motmots—an endemic bird species.

Located in Port of Spain, the Red House is the seat of Trinidad and Tobago’s parliament. The original building was constructed in the middle of the 19th century, yet later burnt to the ground during the 1903 Water Riots, a response to increased water costs and the use of water meters in private homes. It was rebuilt in the Beaux-Arts style in 1907.

In the center of northern Trinidad is the town of Arima, less than an hour's drive or bus ride from Port of Spain. Nestled in the foothills of the island’s Northern Range, Arima is a good jumping-off point for visiting natural areas in the northeastern part of the island. While you’re in town, visit such destinations as the Asa Wright Nature Centre and the nearby Brasso Seco Community Centre, a popular base for waterfall hikes and birdwatching trips.

Located directly east of Port of Spain, the town of Sangre Grande is the economic hub of northeastern Trinidad and is a good base for visiting nearby attractions in the region by the same name. It is a particularly idyllic destination for nature lovers, as it has ample opportunities to hike, see howler monkeys in the wild, or do a bit of birdwatching.

This village on the north coast of Trinidad is an eco-tourism hot spot, best known for its leatherback sea turtle nesting grounds at Grande Riviere Beach. One of the more remote settlements of Trinidad and Tobago, Grande Riviere takes pride in its sustainability practices and low-impact activities, including kayaking, bird-watching, and hiking to such places as Homard River Waterfall.

In the heart of downtown Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Woodford Square is home to many of the city’s most important buildings, including the Red House and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. It was here that Dr. Eric Williams, the country’s first prime minister, addressed the public at political meetings that led to the nation's eventual independence.