Experiences in Trinidad & Tobago

THE 10 MOST BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS AND EXPERIENCES ON TRINIDAD
Picturesque coves and beaches, exotic locales, splendid biodiversity, lively, welcoming people, exciting nightlife and events all year round: Trinidad has all this and much more. For all those who are seeking an unforgettable holiday experience, these activities belong on your list:

1. CARNIVAL – ‘THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH’
You should join the celebrations at Trinidad’s Carnival at least once in your life. Dance to Soca and Calypso music through the streets of Port of Spain together with hundreds of thousands of artistically-costumed people. Described as the ‘greatest show on earth’ Trinidad’s annual Carnival celebrations attract visitors from all over the world.

2. MARACAS BAY – DREAM BEACH WITH TASTY TREATS
One of the best-loved beaches in Trinidad wins visitors over with its pure Caribbean flair: a white-sand beach lined with tall coconut palms and clear blue sea against a backdrop of lush green mountains. No visit to Maracas Beach is complete without visiting one of the booths for to buy the best bake and fish sandwich in the Caribbean.

3. CARONI BIRD SANCTUARY – MANGROVES WITH NATURAL THEATRE
Travel through this spacious marsh area with its mangroves, amphibians and water birds on a boat tour. The flocks of scarlet ibises are a lofty sight, which turn the evenings scarlet as they return to their roosts.

4. GASPAREE CAVES – A WORLD OF CAVES DEEP BELOW
There is an intricate limestone cave system on the island of Gaspar Grande, off Trinidad’s northwestern coast. Magnificent stalagmites and stalactites line the cave and some limestone formations have taken the shape of dinosaurs and other creatures. Sunlight streams through a hole to the top of the cave, making the water in the cave’s deep blue grotto glisten invitingly.

5. STEEL DRUM – THE SOUND OF CARIBBEAN JOY
The only new acoustic instrument to be invented and accepted worldwide in the 20th century originated in Trinidad and Tobago. The steel pan forms an integral part of everyday life in the twin-island paradise. Steelband performances are a celebration of abandon and pure musical joy. During the Carnival season up to a 100-member strong steel drum orchestras face –off against each other during the Panorama Competition.

6. LA BREA ASPHALT SEA– PURE NATURE BUT NOT AS YOU MAY THINK
A truly unusual natural wonder: 40 hectares of liquid bitumen rise to the surface and cool to natural asphalt. It is the largest phenomena of this kind worldwide. You can find out more about the Lake’s history on a guided tour.

7. LAS CUEVAS – SUN BATHING AND DISCOVERING CAVES
This is one of the of the most beautiful beaches in Trinidad. The beach is over 2km long and ideal for sunbathing and swimming in the clear water with gently lapping waves.

8. ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTRE – THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST SHOWS ITS DIVERSITY
Bananaquits, Mot Mots, Toucans and other species of bird rendezvous directly in front of the northern Trinidad nature centre. On excursions with knowledgeable guides you can delve deeper into the exotic animal and plant world of the rainforest. A definite must, not only for fans of nature.

9. YERETTE – VISITING THE ‘FLYING JEWELS’
Whether tufted coquette or blue-chin sapphire hummingbird, in the ‘Yerette’ garden of Theo and Gloria Ferguson, around a dozen types of hummingbird flitter through the air. Visitors are welcome on daily guided tours, although you do need to book in advance. There is hardly any other location where you can get so close to the shimmering birds.

10. TEMPLE IN THE SEA – A PILGRIMAGE SITE WITH HISTORY
As in a painting, the Hindu temple rises above the vast expanse of the sea before sunset. An aura of calm and prayer surrounds this special location which exists thanks to the stamina and devotion of a single man, the Indian worker Seedas Sadhu.

The people of Tobago have turned relaxed living into an art form. The scenery here is plucked from a movie: palm lined beaches around the island with turquoise waters and coral reefs bursting with fish. Hiking paths run through the middle of the country under the green ceiling of the tropical rainforest, which is home to a wide variety of colourful butterflies and birds. These are must have experiences during your next visit to Tobago:

1. PIGEON POINT – DREAM BEACH NUMBER ONE
Of all the island’s dream beaches, Pigeon Point with its white sands and turquoise wter is number one. The image is known worldwide with its iconic wooden jetty, which leads to the warm Caribbean water under a shining blue sky.

2. SPEYSIDE – FASCINATING EXPERIENCES IN THE SEA WORLD
It is the diving mecca of Tobago: off the coast of Speyside are several first-class diving spots. Corals in all shapes and colours, including the largest brain coral in the world, form the backdrop for encounters with turtles, moray eels, sharks and huge manta rays.

3. TURTLE WATCHING
Between March and August a unique spectacle takes place on many beaches on the island. The imposing leatherback turtle lays its eggs in the sand and weeks later these hatchlings make their way to the sea. You can watch these endangered animals on guided tours without disturbing them.

4. BUCCOO REEF AND NYLON POOL – THE MAGIC OF THE CARIBBEAN SEA
An absolute must: a tour in a glass-bottomed boat to the Buccoo Coral Reef with its colourful inhabitants: its warm, turquoise waters are believed to have rejuvenating qualities and bring luck to those in love.

5. ARGYLE WATERFALLS – A WATERY WONDER IN THE RAINFOREST
The Argyle waterfalls are the most impressive on the whole island. A short walk through the deep-green rainforest leads to the three cascades which fall a total of 45 metres. At their foot is a deep, calm pool – ideal for a refreshing dip.

6. LITTLE TOBAGO – THE ISLAND OF THE WATER BIRD
The small island off the north-eastern coast is a bird sanctuary. Marked pathways lead to spectacular view points on the cliff. Black-headed gulls and sea swallows, red-footed boobies, tropical and frigate birds demonstrate their extravagant flight manoeuvres to onlookers.

7. MAIN RIDGE FOREST RESERVE – OVER 200 YEARS OF NATURAL CONSERVATION
The Main Ridge Forest Reserve is the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere and the crowning glory of Tobago due to its amazing history of environmental protection. This gem is home to half of the island’s avian population, making it a favourite destination for bird watchers.

Roaming in the lushness and cool luxuriance of the Main Ridge Forest Reserve is exhilarating, however the use of a tour guide is recommended.

8. ENGLISHMAN’S BAY – THE SECRET TIP AMONG TOBAGO’S BEACHES
This paradise-like strip of sand is wonderfully isolated and nestles against the lush vegetation of the rainforest. Only the call of parrots and the lapping waves can be heard.

9. TOBAGO COCOA ESTATE – THE BEST CHOCOLATE IN THE WORLD
Near Roxborough, Duane Dove, a trained sommelier creates the most elegant types of chocolates: award-winning chocolate with exquisite quality. Visitors can experience a taste of this palate-pleaser for themselves during tours around the cocoa plantations.

10. NO MAN’S LAND
This small beach lies in the idyllic mangrove bordered by the Bon Accord Lagoon in the south-west of the island. It is accessible by boat from Pigeon Point or Store Bay and is a popular place for cosy barbeques.