Trinidad sightseeing: our top 20

 

1.  Queen’s Park Savannah: Trinidad’s Central or Hyde Park, this is the green heart of the city, and supposedly the largest roundabout in the world. Popular with joggers and sports enthusiasts. Coconuts, corn soup, pholourie and sno-cones are sold along its perimeter. Off the northern end are the Emperor Valley Zoo and Botanical Gardens, with an extraordinary collection of flora. Along the southern end, the new Academy for the Performing Arts looms large. Along its western side, see the Magnificent Seven, a series of beautiful colonial-era buildings (from south to north): Queen’s Royal College; Hayes Court; Milles Fleurs; Roomor; Roman Catholic Archbishop’s House; Whitehall; and Killarney or Stollmeyer’s Castle.

2.  President’s and Prime Minister’s residences: adjacent to the Gardens is the President’s House (1873). Next door is the new residence of the Prime Minister, which doubles as a diplomatic centre.
 

3. Port of Spain: the Brian Lara Promenade is the heart of Port of Spain and borders the new waterfront, which includes the Hyatt Regency and the location for the proposed international financial centre (IFC). Nearby are Nicholas Tower and Twin Towers, which house the Central Bank; and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (where T&T’s many ethnicities are depicted in the stained glass). Further north is Woodford Square, often transformed into a platform for political rallies, and bordered by the Red House, Hall of Justice, National Library (NALIS) and the Anglican Cathedral.
 

4.  Fort George: among cannons and a small museum, enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the entire west coast from 335m (1,100ft) above Port of Spain.
 

5.  Chaguaramas National Heritage Park: paradise for all nature-lovers and eco adventurers! Hiking trails, historical exhibits and landmarks, a golf course, restaurants, marinas, beaches, and breathtaking waterfalls. There are great opportunities for land sports (cycling, hashing, mountain biking and more) and watersports (kayaking, sailing, yachting, powerboating, and dragon-boat racing). You can catch boats to the offshore islands to explore natural wonders like the Gasparee Caves and offshore reefs

 

6.  Maracas: perhaps Trinidad’s most famous beach, and the best place to eat a shark-n-bake! Amenities available, and hiking trails lead into the Northern Range.

7.  Mount St Benedict Church & Monastery: perched 240m (800ft) up, the oldest Benedictine monastery (1912) in the Caribbean offers astounding views of the Caroni plains and beyond. Its 600 acres offer nature trails, an art gallery and studio, gift shop, guesthouse and café.
 

8.  Lopinot: nestled in the Northern Range, a small museum has been made of the estate house, slave quarters and prison on the cocoa estate developed by the Compte de Lopinot, who fled Haiti after the 1791 revolution. Popular for sports, river bathing, cave exploration (make sure to hire a guide), and parang around Christmas time. But beware: the Compte is said to appear at full moon, astride a white horse!
 

9.  Cleaver Woods: west of Arima, home to a small Amerindian museum, with a picnic area and nature trails.
 

10. Asa Wright Nature Centre: formerly a cocoa and coffee plantation, its 193 acres are now Trinidad’s most renowned bird sanctuary and eco centre. Guided tours, nature trails, restaurant, accommodation, gift shop, and freshwater pool all on site. Reservations recommended.
 

11. Galera Point: magnificent headland beyond the Toco Lighthouse at the northeastern tip of the island, where the navy blue Atlantic Ocean and electric blue Caribbean Sea meet

 

12. Caroni Swamp: nesting site of the national bird, the scarlet ibis. Boat trips depart 4pm through mangrove and marshland, where you can see a variety of birds, flora and fauna.
 

13. Hanuman Temple & Dattatreya Yoga Centre: the distinctive 26m (85ft) statue of the Hindu god Hanuman?is the tallest of its kind outside of India, and towers over the Yoga Centre and mandir.
 

14. Waterloo Temple: its story is as magical as its views across the Gulf of Paria. Indian indentured labourer Siewdass Sadhu toiled for decades to build a temple in the sea, as it was forbidden to build on colonial land. It is now a sacred spot for Hindu worship.
 

15. Point Lisas: Trinidad’s major industrial complex sprawls along the west coast, and houses plants producing steel and petrochemicals. Guided tours available.
 

16. La Vega Garden Centre: this estate in Gran Couva is home to a range of plants and trees, and is popular for picnics, kayaking, and other outdoor activities

17. Pointe-à-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust: a magnificent 25-hectare sanctuary and breeding centre for endangered waterfowl, with learning centre and eco lodge. Reservations required. 628-4145, www.triniwetlands.org.
 

18. San Fernando Hill: the city’s foremost landmark – scarred by quarrying but since declared a national park – offers amazing vistas of the city, Gulf of Paria, Caroni Plains, and Northern Range, with picnic huts and a children’s play area.
 

19. Devil’s Woodyard Mud Volcano: much less terrifying than its name (given by European settlers trying to explain the bubbling and rumbling), it is one of many mud volcanos in the southland. Though usually harmless, large eruptions can occur. Playground and picnic tables onsite.
 

20. Pitch Lake: one of the only lakes of its kind, producing natural asphalt that’s been mined since 1859. Guided tours available; museum on site.

 

Tips & tricks

• A valid international permit, or one issued by the UK, US, Canada, or EU is required and valid for 90 days
• Driving is on the left!
• Gas (petrol) stations are concentrated around cities, towns and commuter routes, so when taking longer road trips into rural areas, make sure to fill your tank first