Trinidad

Trinidad, the larger island of Trinidad and Tobago, sits just 11 km off Venezuela's coast. Walk through mangrove channels at Caroni Bird Sanctuary to see scarlet ibis paint the evening sky red, join thousands of revelers covered in mud and paint during J'ouvert celebrations, or trek to the 250-foot Saut d'Eau waterfall in the Northern Range mountains. In Port of Spain, start your morning with a hot doubles from street vendors, or watch leatherback turtles lay their eggs under moonlight at Matura Beach.

Getting to Trinidad

Piarco International Airport connects Trinidad with direct flights from major cities in North America and Europe. Take a taxi or drive your rental car 27 km to Port of Spain - the journey takes about 30 minutes.

Weather and When to Visit

Trinidad has two distinct seasons - a dry period from January to May and a rainy season from June to December. Temperatures remain consistent year-round, averaging 30-34°C during the day and 23-27°C at night. Plan your visit around specific events: Carnival fills the streets in February/March, while leatherback turtles nest from March through August.

Mountains and Beaches

The Northern Range mountains stretch across Trinidad's north, reaching heights of 940 meters. The 2-kilometer Covigne Gorge trail takes you to three cascading pools, while the 4-kilometer Saut d'Eau trail leads to a 250-foot waterfall. At Maracas Bay, swim in gentle 1-2 foot waves or try local shark and bake sandwiches from beachside vendors. Las Cuevas Beach, 2 km east of Maracas, has flat waters and typically only a handful of visitors.

Wildlife and Bird Watching

Take an afternoon boat tour through the 6,000-acre Caroni Bird Sanctuary's mangrove channels. At sunset, watch hundreds of scarlet ibis return to their roosting trees, turning the green mangroves bright red. From March to August, join guided night walks at Matura Beach to see leatherback turtles nesting. These massive creatures can lay up to 100 eggs per nest, and on peak nights you might spot up to 500 turtles.

Trinidad Carnival

The pre-Lenten celebration kicks off with J'ouvert at 4 AM, when participants dance through streets while covering themselves in mud, paint, and powder. During the next two days, masquerade bands - some with over 1,000 members - parade through Port of Spain in elaborate costumes. Steel pan orchestras perform throughout the city, from Queen's Park Savannah to Victoria Square.

Local Food Scene

Start your day with doubles from street vendors in Port of Spain - two bara (flatbreads) filled with curried chickpeas and topped with cucumber chutney. Browse Charlotte Street's Central Market (closed Sundays) for fresh produce, spices, and local snacks. Try roti filled with curry goat or pumpkin at local restaurants, or taste callaloo soup, made by slow-cooking dasheen leaves with coconut milk, okra, and local seasonings.