Trinidad and Tobago are on the southernmost island in the Caribbean. Known for the white sand beaches, the wildlife sanctuaries, and the celebration of Carnival, Trinidad and Tobago are popular destinations for people who love to spend time in the sun or out in nature. Here are ten of the top places to visit in Trinidad and Tobago.
1. Maracas Bay, Trinidad
Maracas Bay is one of the most famous beaches in Trinidad. The deep bay features golden sand and is lined with palm trees. Located on the north side of the island, Maracas Bay is less than an hour’s drive through the mountainous rainforest from Port of Spain.
2. Port of Spain, Trinidad
Port of Spain is the capital of Trinidad, and is a hot spot for celebrating Carnival in the days before Ash Wednesday with soca music, colorful costumes, and limbo competitions. The rest of the year, visitors can walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens, tour the art and history exhibits at the National Museum and Art Gallery, or marvel at the extravagant group of mansions named the “Magnificent Seven.”
3. Pigeon Point, Tobago
An entrance fee will give beachgoers access to the white sands of Pigeon Point, where there are sun loungers, thatch-covered seats, cabanas, change rooms, snack bars, and shops – everything needed for a relaxing day at the beach.
From here, visitors can embark on a snorkeling trip to Buccoo Reef or head to the offshore sandbar known as Nylon Pool for a swim.
4. Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad
Nature lovers can get a glimpse of the nesting place for scarlet ibises – one of the national birds of Trinidad and Tobago – at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary. Visitors may also see egrets, cormorants, anteaters, caimans, or tree boas. Boat tours, fishing trips, and photography tours cruise through the waterways in search of animals.
5. Little Tobago Island
This uninhabited island is a bird sanctuary with trails that span several kilometers. Red-billed tropicbirds use this as a breeding site. Glass-bottomed boat tours and snorkeling trips can be done from here, taking tourists to see the beautiful coral reefs around the island.
6. Asa Wright Nature Centre & Lodge, Trinidad
Covering 1,500 acres of dense forest, the Asa Wright Nature Centre & Lodge is a former coffee, citrus, and cocoa plantation that encompasses the Arima and Aripo-Valleys. Visitors can stay in one of the cottages, opt for high tea or lunch on the verandah, or head out on a birding tour to see hummingbirds, pygmy owls, oilbirds, and many others. Over 159 bird species have been recorded here, and this is one of the top spots for birdwatching in all of the Caribbean.
7. Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Tobago
Harboring over half of the bird species on the island, Main Ridge Forest Reserve is the oldest protected forest in all of the Western Hemisphere, covering 3,958 hectares of the island. There are collared trogon, blue-backed manakin, and several different species of hummingbirds. Visitors can also look for frogs, snakes, lizards, and butterflies here. A road runs through the reserve and is a popular way to experience the scenic views, though there are also hiking trails and guides available.
8. Mount St. Benedict Monastery, Trinidad
Established in 1912, the St Benedict Monastery is both the oldest and the largest monastery in the Caribbean and features a beautiful red roof. It is also referred to as the Abbey of Our Lady of Exile. With a farm, a rehabilitation center, and a guesthouse in addition to the religious buildings, the monastery in the mountains was built on the principles of hospitality to strangers and self-sufficiency. St. Benedicts is famous for the yogurt made here, which is shipped to stores all over the country.
9. Fort King George and the Tobago Museum, Tobago
Fort King George was built in the 1780s and is the best-preserved fort on the island. The elevated fort offers ocean views from its vantage point above Rockly Bay. Pieces of the original stone and brick walls can still be seen, as well as remnants of a lighthouse, some cannons, and a prison. Plaques can be found at the site of many of the buildings, giving information about their use. The Tobago Museum is located on the same grounds, offering a display of antique maps, art, weapons, and artifacts.
10. Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, Trinidad
Pointe-a-Pierre is a sanctuary that includes an interpretive center, rehabilitation and breeding programs, and nature trails spanning over the 30-hectare area. Surprisingly, this nature sanctuary is found in the middle of an oil refinery, but the tropical foliage of the area makes it an excellent spot to see black-bellied whistling ducks, white-cheeked pintails, and the scarlet ibis. The wetland here is home to locally endangered birds. Small boats can take visitors out on the ponds, and the boardwalk is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Trinidad Or Tobago?
Although these two islands make up the same country and have some things in common, such as historical buildings and nature sanctuaries, they offer very different experiences otherwise. Trinidad has wetlands, forests, and an exciting nightlife. This is where the steel drum pan was invented, and has since become iconic in Caribbean music. Tobago, on the other hand, is known for its relaxing beaches and snorkeling experiences. Visitors who have the time may want to check out both to compare them.
There’s only one thing you need to decide before your trip – sun and sand, history and culture, or nature trails and bird watching? The beaches, buildings, and birds of Trinidad and Tobago are waiting for you.