Consider a honeymoon in Trinidad – one of the most culturally distinctive islands in the Caribbean.
Famous as the birthplace of the steel band, calypso music and the limbo dance, Trinidad is rich in artistic tradition and offers lively year-round nightlife, good duty-free shopping and excellent accommodation options.
Away from the city, discover wild scenic beaches for sunbathing, swimming and surfing, as well as natural wonders and wildlife sanctuaries overflowing with more exotic flora and fauna than any other island in the Caribbean.
Founded by the Spanish in 1592 then captured by the British in 1797, Trinidad (and its sister island of Tobago) became a British Crown Colony until the two-island nation declared its independence in 1962.
Rich in natural resources (mainly oil and natural gas), Trinidad is the most industrialised island in the Caribbean.
Hire a car and driver to tour the scenic North Coast Road to stunning Maracas Beach. Along the way, stop at the spectacular Asa Wright Nature Centre, home to more than 200 species of birds.
Or visit the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, just a half-hour drive from the capital, where caimans, anacondas and flocks of scarlet ibis – Trinidad's national bird – inhabit a maze of waterways and mangrove swamps.
At the easternmost point of Trinidad, visit the Point Galera Lighthouse, built in 1897 on a dramatic cliff-top outcrop above the churning waters where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet.
On the southwest coast, at La Brea, walk on the naturally forming bitumen of Pitch Lake – the world’s largest natural deposit of asphalt.
In Port-of-Spain, stroll the flagstone walkways around Independence Square, home to a tree-lined park, duty free shops and the impressive neo-Gothic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, built using blue limestone in 1815 on what was then the seafront.
Then stroll amid colourful market stalls overflowing with tropical fruit and spices at the nearby Central Market.
Ponder the series of extravagant turn-of-the-20th century mansions, built in a range of flamboyant 19th century styles along the western side of Queen’s Park Savannah. Examine historical exhibits at the nearby National Museum, stroll through manicured lawns in the Botanical Gardens and see much of the island’s indigenous wildlife at the Emperor Valley Zoo.
Discover scenic views overlooking Port-of-Spain from Fort George, built in 1804 atop a 330m-high cliff top and easily reached by car or on a challenging but worthwhile hike.
Marvel at the towering 25m-high statue of the god Hanuman at the Dattatreya Yoga Centre, an impressive Temple at Carapichaima, or examine Amerindian and World War II artefacts at the Chaguaramas Military History & Aerospace Museum.
Don’t miss Trinidad's Carnival – rated as the Caribbean's best and biggest party – held throughout the island on the Monday and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday.
For must-see attractions, Trinidad offers some of the finest wildlife and bird watching experiences in the Caribbean, including…
In this 74ha nature preserve, discover rare orchids, multihued flowers, butterflies and more than 200 species of birds.
Spot wildlife such as agoutis and golden tegu lizards on a guided hike through the unspoiled forest and acreage of the Arima Valley, as rare (nocturnal) oilbirds, blue-crowned motmots and tanagers flitter through the branches overhead.
Come for a day or stay longer at the rustic Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge, which sits on an elevated position overlooking the nature reserve. Asa Wright Nature Centre is located near Blanchisseuse, a 90-minute drive north of Port-of-Spain.
Just a half-hour drive from the Port-of-Spain, this bird sanctuary boasts a maze of waterways dotted with islets and bordered by mangrove trees.
Watch caimans sunning on mud banks, large pythons and anacondas hanging from branches and see huge flocks of scarlet ibis, Trinidad's national bird.
Trust This 10ha bird sanctuary offers the chance to spot wild fowl such as yellow-billed jacana, Muscovies, toucans and purple gallinules as they roam through lush vegetation. The sanctuary is just a 2-hour drive south of Port-of-Spain in an unlikely setting near the state-owned Petrotrin oil refinery.
Walk on the naturally forming bitumen of Pitch Lake – one of the natural wonders of the world. The 40ha lake is around 75m deep and its mix of underground gases, asphaltic oil and mud produces the world’s largest natural deposit of asphalt.
Sir Walter Raleigh allegedly discovered the lake in 1595 and used the asphalt to caulk his ships. Today the asphalt mined here is exported to pave highways throughout the world. Pitch Lake is located on the southwest coast at La Brea, about a 2-hour drive from Port-of-Spain.
As well as spotting wildlife and birds in several wildlife reserves and visiting natural wonders, Trinidad offers several other activities of interest to visitors.
Hop on a ferry or puddle jumper and visit Trinidad’s sister island Tobago. Famous for its impressive selection of white-sand beaches, Tobago is the perfect place to play Robinson Crusoe, snorkel and scuba dive coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, hike through lush forests and then unwind in comfort at an array of elegant hotels that cater to your every need.
Read more about Tobago…
Hook up a charter and head to the deep waters off the northwest coast of Trinidad to chase blue marlin, wahoo, mahi mahi, kingfish and barracuda.
Tee-of from 18-hole St Andrew's Course at Maraval, the oldest golf club on the island, about 3km from Port-of-Spain.
Choose from six courts for day or night play at the Trinidad Country Club at Maraval.
Port-of-Spain offers some of the best shopping in the Caribbean. Browse for luxury duty free items including Asian brassware, Japanese cameras, English china, French perfumes, Swiss watches, Scandinavian crystal and Irish linens.
Some of the best local handicrafts on the island include calypso shirts, sisal goods, woodwork, cascadura bracelets, silver jewellery, saris and back figurines of limbo dancers.
Trinidad’s most popular beaches indent picture-perfect coves and bays along the north coast. The northeast-facing beaches offer prime surfing between November and April.
Note: Lifeguards are generally on duty daily and red flags indicate unsafe swimming areas. Topless bathing and public nudity is illegal on the island.
The best beaches in Trinidad, include…
(North Coast) – Pick your own spot to sunbathe on the pale golden sands of this 1.8km-long beach, framed between verdant mountain slopes and a long and sheltered bay that offers perfect conditions for swimming.
Gentle waves lend themselves to occasional surfing in the beach’s crystal clear waters.
Facilities on this wide palm-fringed beach include restrooms, several snack bars and the services of lifeguards. A fishing village sits on the beach.
Maracas Beach is easily accessible on the North Coast Road from Port-of-Spain, which is around 29km away.
(North Coast) – Unwind on the pristine white sands of this palm-fringed, 1.5km-long beach that shelves into the calm waters of a picturesque bay framed by steep tree-covered hillsides.
Las Cuevas Bay Beach is a good alternative to the very popular Maracas Beach, which can get crowded with locals during weekends.
Sunbathe on the soft sands, take a siesta beneath shady palm trees then explore the series of partially submerged caves that ring the beach.
Facilities include changing rooms with showers and toilets, a snack bar, picnic tables and lifeguards. Vendors often sell fresh fruit and tropical juices.
Las Cuevas Bay Beach is 11km east of Maracas Beach.
(North Coast) – Enjoy a swim and picnic on this narrow but very scenic palm-fringed beach. Follow a hiking trail through the rainforest to a nearby waterfall and enjoy sea vistas along the route.
Cool off with a dip in the ocean or paddle a kayak along the Marianna River, which flows into a beachside lagoon. There are no facilities here.
Blanchisseuse Bay Beach is around 23km east of Maracas Bay.
(North Coast) – Pick your own spot to relax on this 900m-long golden sand beach that lies beneath a tree-covered hillside on the northeast coast.
Cool off with a dip in the ocean or river, which is also good for kayaking, and enjoy guided hikes through the rainforest.
Leatherback turtles come ashore to lay their eggs here between March and August – the beach is second largest leatherback turtle nesting ground in the world. Several beachside guesthouses offer refreshments.
(East Coast) – Pick your own spot to unwind on this 27km-long brown-sand beach that stretches along the east coast of Trinidad near the town of Sangre Gande.
Although the beach is not ideal for swimming, there are good picnic facilities and great Atlantic Ocean views.
Lifeguards are on duty in designated areas. Sunbathe or stroll the beach, looking out for water buffalo, herons and egrets. The beach is easily accessed along the palm-fringed Cocal Road, which runs its length.
Trinidad offers an excellent choice of accommodation options to suit all honeymoon budgets, including the exclusive Hyatt Regency Trinidad located in the heart of Port-of-Spain and the Hilton Trinidad, which offers mountain and sea views from its location above Queen's Park Savannah.
The best time to visit Trinidad is from January to April, during the cooler, winter dry season, when the average temperature sits around 27°C (80°F).
Trinidad is considered a year-round holiday destination and sits just outside the hurricane belt.
Trinidad and Tobago experience a hot and humid year-round tropical climate with a slightly cooler season from December to February; a dry season from February to April; and a hot and wet season from June to December.
The trade winds blow year-round, reducing the sensation of heat, usually from the north-east, although in the hot period they can blow from the east or the south-east.
For more climate info: Trinidad Weather Guide…
Trinidad is located 11km off the coast of Venezuela and 34km southwest of its sister island, Tobago.
By air, Trinidad receives daily non-stop flights from several US cities including Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and New York, as well as connecting flights from Europe's capital cities.
More about how to get to Trinidad…
Latest update: Trinidad: 4 January, 2023
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