Welcome to Port of Spain
Spreading back from the Gulf of Paria and cradled by the Northern Range foothills, Port of Spain is a mishmash of the pretty and the gritty, with the green expanse of the central Queen's Park Savannah and a host of gorgeous fretworked buildings alongside a frenetic, gridlocked downtown area, its waterfront mostly hidden behind grimy industrial sprawl. But the city's explosive development has created a savvy, metropolitan verve that sets it apart from the average Caribbean capital. This isn’t a place that kowtows to the tourist dollar, and it’s all the richer for it. There may not be many designated ‘sights’, but there’s plenty of atmosphere downtown, with its market stalls and shady squares, while outlying Woodbrook harbors a host of eternally busy restaurants, bars and clubs. And during Carnival season, huge outdoor 'fetes' rock all corners, steel-pan music fills the air and the atmosphere is electric.
Top experiences in Port of Spain
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Port of Spain activities
Island Circle Tour
This tour gives all passengers the opportunity to truly understand the lifestyle in Trinidad and Tobago while visiting many of the famous landmarks. A great and educational way to view the best the island has to offer, including the agricultural belt, rapid industry and stunning nature. Heading south out of Port of Spain and down the west coast, your circle island journey begins. You'll see the spectacular scenery of places such as the Gulf of Paris, Mayaro Beach, and Manzanilla. You will also visit the town of San Fernando, the second largest city of Trinidad. The journey then takes you eastward, into areas overlooking the lush coconut palms which fringe the 14 mile (22.5 km) Mayaro Beach. On the return, travel through Manzanilla, cocoa plantations and Virgin Forest all on the East Coast of the island. Leaving Manzanilla, you will pass through the picturesque towns of Sangre Grande and Arima before traveling through the east-west corridor and back to the Port of Spain.
Asa Wright Nature Center Guided Tour from Port of Spain
Visit the world-famous Asa Wright Nature Centre, a 200-acre (800,000 sq.meter) bird sanctuary and conservation center located deep in the hills of the Northern Range. Following the 1.5 hours drive to the nature center, you will be met by your knowledgeable guide for an informative nature walk through the lush tropical forest with its exotic trees and colourful flowers. While actual sightings are not guaranteed, you'll want to keep a watchful eye out for exotic birds such as toucans, manikins and hummingbirds as well as graceful butterflies that live in this unique environment. Following your 1.5 hour nature walk, allow us to return you to your Port of Spain hotel.
Trinidad Nighttime Food Tour
Your tour begins with a complimentary pickup from your hotel following which you will be on your way to a 3 to 3.5-hour enjoyable tummy filling and history learning experience. Your experienced and fun guide will then take you out of Port of Spain on your whirlwind food and history experience. At the first stop you will experience corn soup (a Trinidadian favourite), followed by geera pork sandwiches. Your street culinary journey proceeds on to doubles (a Trinidadian must have!), following which you will head back to Port of Spain to enjoy a delicious beef roti. As your tummy begins to grin with happiness you will be taken to have some homemade ice cream, which comes in flavors of various local fruits, for dessert to round off the evening. Don't worry if you don't understand some of the food item's names, you will learn along the way. After a few hours of fun local foods, tour and laughs, and a full and happy stomach, your guide will take you back to your hotel.
Port of Spain City Tour
Begin your tour on the Wrightson road waterfront and continue to the old and new Port of Spain where you'll explore roads of historical value. Included is a visit to Abercromby Street where Red House is situated. This famous landmark is also known as the House of Parliament, built in 1906. You'll then visit sights such as the Hall of Justice, Trinity Cathedral, Woodford Square and the Queen's Park Savannah which is a 230 acre (900,000 sq. meter) park surrounded by beautiful trees and old gingerbread mansions. Some of these mansions include the Stollmeyer Castle which built in 1904, was reminiscent of the German Romantic style. Also included it the Queen's Royal College which now serves as a secondary school for over 1200 students, the "White Hall" and the Archbishop Palace. Learn just why these monuments have such historical interest! Other sites include the Emperor Valley Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Your tour concludes with a visit to some local art galleries.
Trinidad Down South:Pitch Lake, Sadhu Temple, Hanuman Murti
The tour will depart Port of Spain at 9am for a 1.5 hour drive to the Pitch Lake in the village of La Brea in the deep South. Your drive takes you along highways, passing many small villages and the second largest town, San Fernando. At the lake, the knowledgeable guide will take you on a walk to the middle, which is called 'the Mother of the Lake.' You will also have an opportunity to bathe in the sulfur pool which has healing properties for your skin and joints, according to the locals.Departing the lake, you will have a stop for lunch (at own expense) and then the tour continues to Central Trinidad. Here you'll visit the Sadhu Temple in the sea and the largest Hanuman Murti outside of India. Your last stop will be a family-owned pottery shop where you will see the simple production of the pottery items.
Trinidad Rainforest Hike to Waterfall
After a short drive through the city of Port of Spain and suburbs we reach the scenic North Coast Road in the Northern Range. Here, admire a stunning view of the Paramin hills and lush rainforest. Upon reaching the Caribbean Sea we take a 10 minute stop at the Maracas Lookout which offers a spectacular view of the ocean. Delicious local snacks are on sale here (not inclyded in cost). A short drive brings us to t the most popular beach in Trinidad, Maracas Bay, surrounded by lush green rainforest-covered mountains and lined with coconut trees. Totally undisturbed by high rise hotels this beach has remained in it's natural, beautiful state. Continuing past the even more peaceful Las Cuevas Bay, we drive through Blanchisseuse, a long picturesque village, before reaching our final destination: a tiny village in the rainforest (approx. 2 hours drive total). We walk through the rainforest to a small river where we cross. We then hike along a flat riverbed, admiring the natural beauty surrounding us. We then reach the amazing 65 feet waterfall with a big bathing pool. The cool atmosphere is ideal for relaxing and taking a bath in the plunge pool. Let the waterfall-spray massage your shoulders! This seems to be the picture-book waterfall that you may have already seen it in your dreams! Upon return to base there is a basic changing facility at the car park. Our next stop is either at Las Cuevas or Maracas Bay for some more views - or even another bath if time allows. You should definitely sample the famous "Bake & Fish" in Maracas, a hot crispy fish sandwich with homemade bread. There are many different sauces from which you can choose, just beware of the very hot pepper!After this experience we return to your hotel via the same route. Please note that this hike is considered soft to moderate, and persons with normal walking ability would be able to do it. Some stones and large rocks in the riverbed can be slippery, however, and participants must wear shoes and be in reasonable physical condition.