| Trinidad
and Tobago are just off the coast of Venezuela. Once connected to the
South American mainland, a channel developed over time separating Trinidad
from the mainland. Trinidad is host to an obvious continuation of the
Andes, These beautiful mountains provide sites for some very interesting
nature preserves. Much of the remainder of the island is given to mangrove
swamps fed by the island's many rivers.
Tobago,
a much smaller island northwest of Trinidad, experiences much less tourism
which allows it to exude a much more relaxed atmosphere. Again, beaches
(they have white and brown sand beaches here) are not the big attraction
but snorkeling and scuba diving are very popular. The waters range from
clear to turquoise and range in the upper 70s (F).
Ecotourists
are attracted to the even smaller islands of Little Tobago, Goat and St
Giles. These are mostly uninhabited gems set with a wide variety of
tropical birds.
Some
Interesting Places
Bays & Beaches
Buccoo Bay
Tobago
While the narrow brown sand beach at Buccoo Bay isn't as attractive or
popular as white sand beaches seem to be, the offshore waters here are
very popular with the divers. Also available are glassbottom boats which provide tours of the reef between Buccoo and Pigeon Point. Great for snorkeling.
Maracas Bay
Trinidad
Maracas Bay is about 2¼ hours from Port of Spain via a beautiful drive through
the rainforest. Maracas Bay is Trinidad's longest and most popular beach.
Swimming in the designated area is observed by lifeguards and a complete
array of facilities is available.
Mayaro Bay
Trinidad
A quiet beach on Trinidad's southeastern coast.
Marine Bay
Trinidad
The quiet bay on the southwestern shore of Chacachacare.
Manzanilla
Beach
Trinidad
Trinidad's wild east coast is dotted with some very nice beaches one of
the largest being the 2½ mile long Manzanilla Beach. The brownish
grey, fine sand strip bordered with a restless Atlantic on the one side
and bowing palms on the other side are a favorite setting for the many sun
bathers and few swimmers (there is a bounded area with lifeguards in
season). Snack bar, picnic tables and even changing facilities with
showers are well maintained. The beach is about 1½ hour drive from Port
of Spain.
Pirate's Bay
Charlotteville, Tobago
Good snorkeling awaits you here. Pirate's Bay derives its name from its history of hiding pirate's ships here some three centuries ago.
Breweries
Carib Brewery
Trinidad
Tour the facilities of this well known Caribbean brewery. Appointment required.
Angostura
Trinidad
Tour the facilities where this famous drink is made. Appointment required.
Festivals
Carnival
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Trinidad's Carnival is the king of all Caribbean Carnivals and many Trinidadians prepare for it with obsessive devotion.
It starts New Years
Day, the preparation for the King of Carnivals. Then on the Monday before
Ash Wednesday a pre-dawn procession
proceeds toward the city center. By dusk, tens of thousands dancing and
drinking revelers are having the time of their lives. Yes, it is The
Carnival of Carnivals and Trinidad's unabashed obsession!
On Carnival Tuesday,
the many bands participate in the competition for Band of the Year.
Everywhere is the steel drum, a Caribbean invention created from empty oil
drums. Yes, it is loud and the pulsating picks you up and makes you one
with the crowd. Carnival is said by many to be the best reason to go to Trinidad.
But, then, this is when you'll pay the highest rates for anything and
everything. Thousands think the party is worth it.
Pan Jazz
Festival
Port of Spain, Trinidad
The Pan Jazz Festival, held for three days in November, is a formal
assemblage of pan drummers and jazz musicians.
Goat Race
Buccoo, Tobago
Held annually in Buccoo Monday and Tuesday following Easter Sunday. These
goats are specially bred for racing and are very swift. The 'jockeys' run
alongside their animals encouraging their steeds with ropes and sticks.
Heritage
Festival
Tobago
Tobago's Heritage Festival runs for two weeks in late July and it arguably
the major event on the island. This is their annual celebration of their
heritage via music, dance and eats.
Gardens
Royal Botanical
Gardens
Port of Spain, Trinidad
70 acres of flowering plants, shrubs and trees plus an orchid house. One
very different tree is the raw beef tree; an incision made in its bark resembles
a bleeding, rare, slab of roast beef. Guides are present to direct and
educate you in your tour.
Geological
Features
Devil's Woodyard
Trinidad
This is one of Trinidad's many mud volcanoes and probably the most
famous. Devil's Woodyard erupts randomly but, if you happen to be there,
it is an awesome sight.
La Brea Pitch
Lake
Trinidad
The largest of the three natural asphalt lakes in the world, the La Brea Pitch
Lake releases asphalt from the depths below. An ancient native American
folk story says it was punishment from the Gods dealt to the Chaima, a
powerful Native American tribe. You can smell it long before you come up
to viewing distance. This 100 acres lake is a natural resource (millions
of dollars worth of pitch are extracted and exported annually) as well as
a tourist attraction.
Piparo Mud
Volcano
Trinidad
Another of Trinidad's several mud volcanoes. Usually dormant, the random
eruptions are spectacular as it blasts tons of hot mud hundreds of feet into the air.
Historic Sites
Fort King
George
Tobago
The fort's prison, barracks and officer's mess are well preserved. The cannon, overlooking the coast as they did 200 years ago, bring up visions of what it may have been like to be stationed here as a 'red coat'. The old hospital building now
houses the Tobago Museum and Art Gallery.
Temple in the Sea
Waterloo, Trinidad
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Museums
National Museum
& Art Gallery
Port of Spain, Trinidad
On display are works by Trinidad artists plus a number of exhibits about the cultural history of
Trinidad.
Nature Preserves
Asa Wright Nature
Centre
Trinidad
Less than two-hours Port of Spain is the oldest, and one of the largest, nature preserves in the Caribbean, the Asa Wright Nature Centre. Formerly a cocoa and coffee plantation, the Centre has attracted naturalists and bird watches from all around the world. About 50 miles long and 37 miles wide, the 197 acres includes part of the Northern Range most of which is covered by tropical rainforest. We're told that some 108 mammals, 400 birds including 10 species of hummingbirds, 55 reptiles and 617 butterflies consider this area home. Just viewing the brightly colored humming birds as they
flit from one bright red blossom to another is worth the trip. You don't have to be a naturalist to appreciate the wonder of it all.
Caroni Bird
Sanctuary
Trinidad
The Caroni Bird Sanctuary is refuge and roosting site the brilliant scarlet
ibis ( national bird of Trinidad and Tobago), herons, egrets and several
other species. At sunset you can view the birds flying to roost in the
tops of the mangrove trees (binoculars recommended) which gives the trees
a fluorescent crimson radiance.
Tour operators provide 2½ excursions in flat-bottomed motorboats through the swamp's channels.
The guides are knowledgeable and informative about the many plants and
animals you can observe, e.g., boa constrictors, mudskipper fish.
Because the boats maintain a good distance from the roosting sites to
avoid disturbing the birds, binoculars are recommended.
Pointe-a-Pierre Wild Fowl
Trust
Trinidad
Wildlife refuge which is home to many species of tropical birds. Two lakes
and some nature trails make it quite easy to observe the wildlife.
Trinity Hills Wildlife
Sanctuary
Trinidad
La Vega Garden Centre
Trinidad
Nariva Swamp
Trinidad
One of the largest wetlands in the Caribbean area, the swamp is home to
many species of tropical birds.
Caroni Lagoon National
Park
Trinidad
A new National Park created to preserve wildlife native to Trinidad.
Parks
Queen's Park
Savannah
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Mansions dating back to the Spanish colonial era: interesting stores and street
vendors round out the flavour.
Performances
Trinidad Dance
Theater
Port of Spain, Trinidad
A dance school for novices interested in learning Trinidadian dance such as
calypso, they also maintain a touring dance group.
Lord Kitchener's Calypso
Revue
Port of Spain, Trinidad
An annual event starring the world famous Lord Kitchener and many other top calypso
performers.
Spektakula
Forum
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Calypso performances.
Trinidad Theatre
Workshop
Port of Spain, Trinidad
A troupe created by Derek Walcott, Nobel Laureate, stages a variety of dramatic performances.
Places of Worship
Mt St Benedict
Monastery
Trinidad
One of the oldest communities of monks in the Caribbean area. They
maintain a guesthouse for visitors (make arrangements in advance, please).
Paschimkashi Hindu
Mandir
Port of Spain, Trinidad
As have the Muslims, the Hindus have established their center of religious
worship here also. While the religions are very different from each other
they manage to maintain a very peaceful relationship in Trinidad. Guess it
prove it is possible!
Mohammed Ali Jinnah Memorial
Mosque
Port of Spain, Trinidad
The story of the conceptualization, fund raising and building of the
Jinnah Memorial Mosque is very relevant in these turbulent times. If you
find this of interest, we encourage you to make a visit and let them
relate to you the history of Muslims their Mosque in Trinidad.
Town Squares/Plazas
Brian Lara
Promenade
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Also called Independence Square, this recently refurbished city center is popular
with locals and tourists alike. Tables and benches are scattered about and
the hawking of street vendors brings a special flavour to the atmosphere.
Concerts of all kinds are held here (FREE). Just a great place to relax
and forget about the latest world news bulletins.
Independence
Square
Port of Spain, Trinidad
see: Brian Lara
Promenade
The Market
Port of Spain, Trinidad
An interesting collection of small shops at the Normandie Hotel: bookstores, clothing stores,
etc., specializing in Caribbean made merchandise.
Waterfalls
Blue Basin
Falls
Trinidad
On the Diego
Martin River, about 9 miles from Port of Spain, is Blue Basin Falls, named
after the large blue pool at its base. Surrounded by the luxuriant rain
forest, this is a spot in which you just may want to loiter for awhile.
Lalaja Falls
Trinidad
A small waterfall located on Trinidad's northeastern coast.
Maracas Falls
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Maracas Falls is only a short 12 miles from Port of Spain (near Maracas
Bay). You've got to walk the last mile to this beautiful 300ft waterfall.
The walk through the cool, green forest is along an easy bridle path.
Paria Falls
Trinidad
It is a good hike up the trail to the Paria River, over the wooden bridge
then along the bank to the falls. You will be well rewarded for this
is one of the island's most impressive waterfalls.
Waterways
Oropuche
Lagoon
Trinidad
This is a mangrove swamp. You will be able to view a wide variety of birds
and butterflies here as well as a significant fish and shrimp population.
Zoos
Emperor Valley
Zoo
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Establish in 1952, the primary objective of the Emperor Valley Zoo was to
expose the residents of Trinidad and Tobago to the native fauna and the
fragility of the ecosystems here. The zoo has grown as have the ambitions.
This is a good place to start if you are interested in understand wildlife
on these islands.
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