Trinidad and Tobago · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Trinidad and Tobago
These are the places worth your time in Trinidad and Tobago, from the Savannah, street food and Carnival of Port of Spain to the North Coast bays, the temples and wetlands of central and south Trinidad, and the reefs and rainforest of Tobago. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Port of Spain
Things to Do
- Queen's Park Savannah (Queen's Park West)
The city's great green circle is where Port of Spain strolls at dusk, with coconut water and corn soup vendors along the edge. - Emperor Valley Zoo (St Ann's)
A small, easy zoo beside the Botanic Gardens that is a hit with children and showcases local wildlife. - Brian Lara Promenade (Independence Square)
The pedestrian heart of downtown, busy with limers, chess players and street food by day. - Fort George (St James hills)
An early nineteenth century hilltop fort with cannons and some of the widest views over the Gulf of Paria. - House of Angostura tour (Laventille)
An organised tour of the home of Angostura bitters and rum, booked in advance with the company. - Down the Islands boat trip (Chaguaramas)
Day trips to the islands off the northwest peninsula, where Trinis have weekend houses on the water.
Arts and Culture
- National Museum and Art Gallery (Frederick Street)
A compact museum covering Carnival, the oil industry, Amerindian history and the paintings of Michel Jean Cazabon. - Magnificent Seven (Maraval Road)
Seven grand colonial era mansions in a row on the west side of the Savannah, a favourite photo stop. - Red House (Abercromby Street)
The striking red Beaux Arts home of Parliament, restored and open for guided visits on set days. - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Independence Square)
A cool, quiet stone cathedral at the eastern end of the square, with stained glass from Ireland. - Little Carib Theatre (Woodbrook)
A historic community theatre founded by Beryl McBurnie, still staging dance, drama and storytelling. - Queen's Hall (St Ann's)
The main concert hall for calypso, dance, drama and school shows throughout the year. - Lapeyrouse Cemetery (Woodbrook)
A historic cemetery whose ornate tombs tell the story of the city's many communities.
Nature and Outdoors
- Royal Botanic Gardens (St Ann's)
Among the oldest botanic gardens in the Americas, shady and calm, with huge tropical trees beside the President's House. - Paramin (Maraval hills)
A steep hillside village of herb farmers, famous for its views and for parang music at Christmas. - Chaguaramas Boardwalk (Chaguaramas)
A breezy seaside walkway west of the city with food stalls and sunset views over the yachts. - Gasparee Caves (Gaspar Grande island)
A boat ride and short walk lead to a limestone cave with a clear tidal pool, reached from Chaguaramas. - Macqueripe Bay (Chaguaramas)
A small, sheltered bay at the end of a forest road, popular with families for a calm swim.
Shopping and Markets
- Port of Spain Central Market (Beetham Highway)
The biggest fresh market in the country, loud and colourful, best on an early Saturday morning with a local friend. - Charlotte Street (Downtown)
A crowded downtown street of fruit, vegetable and dry goods vendors that shows everyday city life. - The Falls at West Mall (Westmoorings)
A modern, air conditioned mall in the west with shops, a food court and banks, handy for a calm afternoon. - Long Circular Mall (St James)
A long running mall close to Maraval and St Clair with shops, pharmacies and places to eat.
Bars and Nightlife
- Ariapita Avenue (Woodbrook)
The city's main lime, lined with bars, lounges and restaurants that get lively from Thursday onward. - Smokey and Bunty (Western Main Road, St James)
A legendary St James rum shop and street corner bar, open late in the city that never sleeps. - More Vino (O'Connor Street, Woodbrook)
A relaxed wine bar with sushi and outdoor tables, good for a quieter evening off the Avenue. - Trotters (Maraval Road, St Clair)
A big, friendly sports bar and restaurant where locals gather to watch cricket and football.
Restaurants
- Hott Shoppe (Mucurapo Road)
A favourite for big, well filled rotis, a fast introduction to Trinidad's Indian food. - Patraj Roti Shop (San Juan)
A long standing roti shop many Trinis swear by for buss up shut and curried goat. - Western Main Road street food (St James)
After dark this road fills with stalls selling corn soup, souse, pholourie and grilled meat. - Curepe doubles vendors (Curepe junction)
The junction east of the city is a classic doubles stop, with vendors serving from early morning.
Cafés
- Rituals Coffee House (Westmoorings)
The local coffee chain, good for iced coffee, wraps and a cool break from the heat.
Events
- Panorama finals (Queen's Park Savannah)
The national steelband competition, where full orchestras of pan play ten minute arrangements before Carnival. - J'Ouvert (Downtown and Woodbrook)
Carnival opens before dawn on Monday with mud, paint, chocolate and old mas characters in the streets. - Carnival Monday and Tuesday (Downtown and the Savannah)
Masquerade bands in feathers and sequins parade to soca across the city on the two big days. - Hosay in St James (St James)
A solemn, drum led Muslim commemoration where decorated tadjahs are carried through the streets.
Stays
- Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre (Lady Young Road)
An upside down hotel built into the hillside, with views across the Savannah and the gulf. - Hyatt Regency Trinidad (Wrightson Road)
A waterfront business hotel with a rooftop pool, close to the ferry terminal and downtown. - The Normandie Hotel (St Ann's)
A quiet hotel set around gardens near the Savannah, with a craft market on site. - Kapok Hotel (Cotton Hill, St Clair)
A long running hotel near the Savannah with a rooftop restaurant and easy access to the city.
Places to Visit in North Coast
Nature and Outdoors
- Maracas Bay (North Coast Road)
Trinidad's best known beach, a wide curve of sand backed by forested hills. - Las Cuevas Bay (North Coast Road)
A calmer, cleaner alternative to Maracas with lifeguards and facilities. - Tyrico Bay (North Coast Road)
A quiet little bay next to Maracas, often almost empty on weekdays. - Blanchisseuse (End of North Coast Road)
A sleepy village at the end of the coast road, with a suspension bridge and wild beaches. - Marianne River (Blanchisseuse)
Locals kayak and swim up this river from the beach to a cool pool in the forest. - Paria Bay and Paria Waterfall hike (Blanchisseuse)
A long forest trail to a remote beach and a waterfall, best done with a registered guide. - Asa Wright Nature Centre (Arima Valley)
A world famous birding lodge in the rainforest, with oilbirds, hummingbirds and a verandah of feeders. - Yerette (Maracas Valley)
A private home turned hummingbird sanctuary where dozens of tiny birds feed around you. - Grande Riviere turtle nesting beach (Grande Riviere)
One of the world's densest nesting sites for leatherback turtles, watched with licensed guides from March to August. - Rio Seco Waterfall (Salybia)
A shaded forest walk ends at a deep, green pool beneath a waterfall in the Matura forest. - Brasso Seco (Northern Range)
A cocoa village deep in the mountains, with community guides, chocolate and forest trails.
Restaurants
- Richard's Bake and Shark (Maracas Bay)
The most famous bake and shark stand, with a long table of sauces and toppings to build your own. - Uncle Sam and Family (Maracas Bay)
Another long running bake and shark stall at Maracas, often with a shorter queue.
Things to Do
- Maracas Lookout (North Coast Road)
A roadside viewpoint over the bay where vendors sell tamarind balls, chow and cold drinks. - Galera Point Lighthouse (Toco)
The northeastern tip of Trinidad, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean in a swirl of waves.
Arts and Culture
- Mount St Benedict Abbey (Tunapuna hills)
A hilltop Benedictine monastery with sweeping views over the central plains.
Stays
- Pax Guest House (Mount St Benedict)
A peaceful guest house beside the monastery, loved by birders and walkers. - Mt Plaisir Estate Hotel (Grande Riviere)
A simple, beachfront hotel right on the turtle beach in a remote village.
Places to Visit in Chaguanas
Nature and Outdoors
- Caroni Bird Sanctuary (Caroni Swamp)
Boat trips through the mangroves at dusk, when flocks of scarlet ibis, the national bird, fly in to roost. - Nariva Swamp (Manzanilla)
The country's largest freshwater wetland, home to manatees, red howler monkeys and parrots. - Manzanilla Beach (Manzanilla)
A long, palm lined Atlantic beach on the east coast, rough for swimming but beautiful for walks.
Things to Do
- Nanan's Caroni Bird Sanctuary Tours (Caroni Swamp)
A family run boat tour operator that has guided visitors to the scarlet ibis for decades.
Arts and Culture
- Dattatreya Yoga Centre and Hanuman statue (Carapichaima)
A towering statue of Hanuman beside a South Indian style temple, one of the most striking sights in Trinidad. - Temple in the Sea (Waterloo)
A small white temple built out over the water, honouring one labourer's decades of devotion. - Indian Caribbean Museum of Trinidad and Tobago (Waterloo)
A small museum near the Temple in the Sea that tells the story of Indian indentured arrivals. - The Lion House (Main Road, Chaguanas)
The family home that inspired V. S. Naipaul's A House for Mr Biswas, viewed from the street.
Events
- Divali Nagar (Endeavour, Chaguanas)
A festival ground that comes alive in the days before Divali with music, food, dance and lights.
Shopping and Markets
- Chaguanas Main Market (Chaguanas)
A busy market for fresh produce, spices and pepper sauces in the country's fastest growing town. - Price Plaza (Endeavour, Chaguanas)
A large shopping plaza with a food court, supermarket and cinema in central Trinidad.
Restaurants
- Chaguanas roti and doubles stalls (Main Road, Chaguanas)
The town centre is lined with roti shops and doubles vendors, ideal for a cheap, filling lunch.
Places to Visit in San Fernando
Nature and Outdoors
- Pitch Lake (La Brea)
The largest natural asphalt lake in the world, walked with a local guide from the visitor centre. - Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust (Pointe-a-Pierre)
A surprising bird reserve inside an oil refinery compound, with ponds, waterfowl and a learning centre; book ahead. - Devil's Woodyard mud volcano (Princes Town)
A small field of bubbling mud volcanoes, a curious stop in the southern countryside. - Piparo mud volcano (Piparo)
A wide grey mud dome that last erupted in the late 1990s, eerie and quiet. - Mayaro Beach (Mayaro)
A very long east coast beach where southern families spend long weekends.
Things to Do
- San Fernando Hill (San Fernando)
A hill park in the middle of the city with views across the south and the Gulf of Paria. - Harris Promenade (San Fernando)
The old heart of the city, lined with churches and a statue of Gandhi.
Arts and Culture
- La Divina Pastora Church (Siparia)
A church honoured by both Catholics and Hindus, with a special pilgrimage around Good Friday. - Naparima Bowl (San Fernando)
The south's main performing arts venue for concerts, plays and Carnival shows.
Shopping and Markets
- Gulf City Mall (La Romaine)
The main mall in the south, with shops, a cinema and a food court.
Restaurants
- Soong's Great Wall (Circular Road)
A long running Trini Chinese restaurant, a south institution for family meals. - Debe food stalls (Debe)
A strip of vendors famous for saheena, pholourie, aloo pie and doubles.
Stays
- Cara Suites Hotel (Claxton Bay)
A hotel above the Gulf of Paria with sea views, convenient for the south.
Places to Visit in Crown Point
Nature and Outdoors
- Pigeon Point Heritage Park (Pigeon Point)
Tobago's postcard beach, with a thatched jetty, calm water and soft sand. - Store Bay Beach (Crown Point)
A small, lively beach steps from the airport, with vendors and boat operators. - Mt Irvine Bay (Mount Irvine)
A curving bay with good snorkelling, surf in winter and beautiful sunsets. - Grafton Beach (Black Rock)
A wide, calm west coast beach also known as Stonehaven Bay. - Grafton Caledonia Wildlife Sanctuary (Black Rock)
A former estate turned sanctuary where wild birds come to be fed in the afternoon. - Turtle Beach (Great Courland Bay)
A beach where leatherbacks nest in season, seen with authorised guides. - Bon Accord Lagoon (Bon Accord)
A mangrove lagoon close to Buccoo Reef, best seen by kayak.
Restaurants
- Store Bay food huts (Store Bay)
A row of local cooks serving curried crab and dumpling, roti and fish.
Things to Do
- Buccoo Reef and Nylon Pool (Buccoo)
Glass bottom boat trips over the reef to a shallow sandbar pool in the middle of the sea.
Bars and Nightlife
- Sunday School (Buccoo)
A weekly Sunday night street party in Buccoo with steelband early and DJs later.
Events
- Buccoo Goat and Crab Race (Buccoo)
Easter Tuesday races of goats and crabs, cheered on by the whole island. - Tobago Heritage Festival (Villages across Tobago)
A summer festival of traditional weddings, music and old time village customs.
Stays
- Mt Irvine Bay Resort (Mount Irvine)
A long established resort across from the beach with a golf course and gardens. - Coco Reef Resort (Crown Point)
A resort on its own small beach, close to the airport and Store Bay. - Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort (Lowlands)
A large resort with pools and golf on the quieter Atlantic side. - Kariwak Village (Crown Point)
A garden hotel with a holistic feel and one of the best restaurants in the area.
Cafés
- Shore Things Café and Craft (Lambeau)
A seaside café and craft shop for juices, light lunches and local gifts.
Arts and Culture
- Mystery Tombstone (Plymouth)
A puzzling eighteenth century inscription that locals love to debate. - Fort James (Plymouth)
The ruins of an old fort on a headland with views over Great Courland Bay.
Places to Visit in Scarborough
Arts and Culture
- Fort King George (Scarborough)
A hilltop fort with cannons, the Tobago Museum and views over the harbour.
Shopping and Markets
- Scarborough Market (Scarborough)
Tobago's main market, busiest on Fridays and Saturdays, for fruit, fish and spices.
Nature and Outdoors
- Botanic Gardens Scarborough (Scarborough)
Quiet, shady gardens just above town, good for a short walk.
Places to Visit in Northeast Tobago
Nature and Outdoors
- Little Tobago (Speyside)
An island bird sanctuary reached by boat over coral reefs, home to red billed tropicbirds. - Charlotteville and Man O War Bay (Charlotteville)
A fishing village around a deep bay at the end of the road. - Pirate's Bay (Charlotteville)
A steep path leads to a hidden bay with clear water and good snorkelling. - Englishman's Bay (Northside Road)
A sheltered, forest backed bay often called one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean. - Castara Bay (Castara)
A fishing village beach where nets come in on the sand. - Argyle Waterfall (Roxborough)
A short walk to a tiered waterfall with pools to swim in. - Main Ridge Forest Reserve (Gilpin Trace)
The oldest legally protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere, walked with local guides. - Parlatuvier Bay (Parlatuvier)
A tiny horseshoe bay and jetty in a quiet village. - Bloody Bay (Northside)
A wild bay at the end of the forest road. - King's Bay Waterfall (Delaford)
A short walk to a waterfall above a calm bay.
Things to Do
- Speyside reef diving (Speyside)
Some of the Caribbean's best diving, with manta rays and huge brain corals. - Flagstaff Hill (Charlotteville)
A lookout over Charlotteville, the Sisters rocks and St Giles islands.
Restaurants
- Jemma's Seaview Kitchen (Speyside)
A family restaurant built into a big tree above the sea.
Stays
- Blue Waters Inn (Batteaux Bay)
A secluded hotel on its own bay near Speyside, with diving on the doorstep. - Castara Retreats (Castara)
Wooden lodges in the hillside above the bay.
Arts and Culture
- Gang Gang Sarah's grave (Golden Lane)
The resting place of a legendary African witch said to have tried to fly home.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Veni Mangé (Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, Port of Spain)
A colourful lunch spot serving creole home cooking in a brightly painted old house. - Chaud (Woodbrook, Port of Spain)
A chef led restaurant known for refined Caribbean cooking and a good wine list. - Buzo Osteria Italiana (Woodbrook, Port of Spain)
Wood fired pizza and Italian plates in a stylish space close to the Avenue. - Le Grande Almandier (Grande Riviere, North Coast)
A small hotel and restaurant overlooking the bay at Grande Riviere. - Avocat Waterfall (Blanchisseuse Road, North Coast)
A forest hike to one of the prettiest waterfalls in the Northern Range. - Moruga coast (Moruga, San Fernando)
A remote south coast where a local festival marks Columbus's landing and the sea is wild. - La Tartaruga (Buccoo, Crown Point)
An Italian restaurant in Buccoo known for its relaxed garden dining. - Cuffie River Nature Retreat (Runnemede, Northeast Tobago)
An eco lodge set in the forest, loved by birders. - Tobago Cocoa Estate (Roxborough, Northeast Tobago)
A cocoa estate producing fine chocolate, with tours by appointment.