The Best Trinidad Travel Guide -Trinidad, along with Tobago, are economic powerhouses of the Caribbean. They have vast oil and gas reserves, which has led to a high standard of living, so tourism is not the mainstay of the economy.
, but beach lovers accustomed to the electric blue water and dazzling white sand of coral islands may be disappointed by the beaches on Trinidad. The best beaches are on the north coast, with peach sand, clean blue-green water, and the forest-covered Northern Range as a backdrop. Beaches are almost completely free of hotel development.
Trinidad does have a party-hard ethic, with an electrifying music scene that rivals even Jamaica. Trinidad (along with Tobago) is the birthplace of calypso, soca, and the steel pan. You’ll hear plenty of all three year round, especially during the annual Carnival. To learn more about all the beautiful beaches on Trinidad, visit here, or visit us on Pinterest.
Trinidad Weather – When to Visit
The best time to visit Trinidad and Tobago is from January to May when the skies stay clear. Although the islands aren’t on the hurricane belt, afternoon rain showers are daily occurrences from June to December. Hotels lower their rates to account for rainy weather during this wet season. At least the weather stays pleasant year-round: There’s little humidity and average temps hover in the low 80s.
Best Trinidad Beaches
Maracas Bay Beach
Maracas Bay BeachMaracas Bay Beach is a half-moon-shaped , well-maintained beach protected by palm trees. This is a popular spot for getaways from Port of Spain, and many head here just for the local tradition available from the local beach shacks. The Bake and Shark, which is a Trinidadian dish of deep-fried shark stuffed in a pocket of deep-fried bread.
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Las Cuevas Bay Beach
Las Cuevas Bay BeachLas Cuevas (The Caves) has a gentle surf, a snack bar, picnic tables, changing rooms, and showers, as well as lifeguards on duty. There are also a number of small caves great for exploring.
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Blanchisseuse Beach
Blanchisseuse BeachBlanchisseuse Beach is a favorite place with pristine waters, amazing hiking trails through the rain forest, and prime wildlife-watching for leatherback sea-turtles, this beach offers far more than a tan and quick dip.
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Mayaro Beach
Mayaro BeachMayaro Beach is the longest stretch of beach on the island. Locals love this area, and fishermen often come to shore with the fresh catch of the day. This beach can get a bit dirtier than others, so make sure to check the beach conditions before you make your way over.
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Tyrico Bay
Tyrico BayTyrico Beach is great for the beach goers who want to be in close to the food and amenities of Maracas Beach, but away from the crowds. The angle of this beach makes it great for families with smaller waves and less hectic waves.r There are no vendors here, so bring your own food or pick up a bake and shark and drink on your way past Maracas Beach.
Best Trinidad Restaurants
Town Restaurant & Bar $11 – 30
Though the menu is skewed toward Chinese cuisine, this extremely popular eatery on Cipriani Boulevard offers everything from ravioli to lobster thermidor. Young professionals flock here on evenings to enjoy the lively atmosphere, attentive but laid-back service, and consistently good (and reasonably priced) food. Parking is always an issue in the area, but don’t be fooled by the men on the roadside offering to find you a parking spot and “look after your car” for a price. It’s also a great place to enjoy a cocktail or two. Telephone: 868-627-8696 Web: Town Restaurant & Bar.
Dining areas branch off from the bar area, and though some are more isolated than others, it is virtually impossible to escape the cheers of the throng of sports enthusiasts. The food includes excellent burgers, hearty salads, and Italian favorites and steaks. The standard is consistently excellent, and the servers, bedecked in pins and wearing safari hats, are efficient and attentive. Telephone: 868-627-8768 Web: Trotters.
More Vino $11 – 30
This popular after-work drinking and dining spot serves consistently excellent sushi. This was the first sushi establishment on the popular dining strip known to locals as “the avenue.” Choose to dine on the wooden outdoor deck and take in the sights (and traffic sounds) of Ariapita Avenue, or sit indoors for a cooler, quieter, and more intimate experience with a view of the sushi masters at work. The “Maracas” sushi roll with tuna, cucumber, tobiko, onion, and dynamite sauce is a crowd pleaser. Telephone: 868-627-8466 Web: More Vino.
Veni Mangé $11 – 30
The best lunches in town are served in this traditional West Indian house filled to the brim with Caribbean art. The creative creole menu changes regularly, but there’s always an unusual and delicious vegetarian entrée. Veni’s version of Trinidad’s national dish, callaloo, is considered one of the best on the island. The chip chip (a small local clam) cocktail is deliciously piquant and is a restaurant rarity. The restaurant’s signature dish, stewed oxtail with dumplings, is not served every day but is worth ordering if it’s available. The bar area is a popular hangout for local artists and sports celebrities. If you can visit only one restaurant and want to get a truly Trinidadian experience, this is the place. Telephone: 868-627-4597 Web: Veni Mangé.
Aioli $31 – 60
Deep earth tones and subtle lighting make the interior of the restaurant seem miles away from its location in an upscale suburban mall. The Mediterranean-inspired menu features beautifully presented dishes ranging from reasonable risottos to extravagant favorites like roasted rack of lamb. While Caribbean spiny lobster is the norm in most restaurants in T&T, fans of Maine lobster will find their beloved crustacean on offer here. The three-course lunch, offered from Tuesday through Friday, is a prix-fixe menu. Telephone: 858-222-4564 Web: Aioli.
Best Trinidad Bars & Nightlife
Frankie’s on the Avenue
First opened as an inexpensive lunch spot, Frankie’s has morphed into one of Ariapita Ave’s best-loved liming locations. You can still get local lunches, but it’s best after dark, when the friendly crowd spills out onto the pavement and the drinks flow. Telephone: 868-622-6609 Web: Frankie’s.
Paprika
Often the busiest nightspot on buzzing Rust St, this is a bohemian bazaar of Middle Eastern baroque, where an upscale crowd grooves to soca, dancehall and club anthems amid the dry ice inside, or take in the breeze on the outside deck. Telephone: 868-622-5930 Web: Paprika.
Shakers on the Avenue
This great little bar, with an icy indoor section and a convivial garden, is an excellent liming spot, with good cocktails, a friendly mixed-age crowd and bar snacks. Look out for the regular live-music performances, usually on Wednesday, as well as drinks promotions; DJs play at weekends. Telephone: 868-624-6612 Web: Shakers.
Stumblin’ on the Avenue
Laid-back bar/club, with dancing at the weekends in the air-con interior as well as the terrace out front. The playlist of soca and dancehall draws a relaxed but party-hard Trini crowd, and the drinks are inexpensive, with regular promotions on offer. Telephone: 868-223-5017 Web: Stumblin’ on the Avenue.
Fifty One Degrees
This stalwart of the Port of Spain nightlife scene continues its reign as one of the best places to party the night away, with things heating up from 11pm onwards. Dress to impress, and don’t turn up wearing sneakers, flip-flops or a hat. Telephone: 868-627-0051 Web: Fifty One Degrees.
Best Trinidad Hotels
Absolutely love your page and website! Love travelling and beaches, and am now looking forward to checking out Trinidad as a destination for next year’s travels! 🙂 You have a really comprehensive and easy-to-follow page, from transportation (which is so important!!) to weather to things to do to accommodation; the pictures and video make me feel excited about booking my next holiday already. 😉 I’ve just bookmarked your website; will definitely be back again to check out the other recommended destinations!
I am so glad you enjoyed visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com and reading our Trinidad Travel Guide Grace! You would find vacationing to Trinidad (and Tobago of course) to be absolutely amazing! Please come back when you are ready to plan!
Wow, it looks so beautiful there! I was considering Bora Bora, but Trinidad and Tobago look like a much more economical trip. I mean, as long as it is sunny and warm right?
Are there packages that allow for trips around the island, to see all the fun sights or even to move hotels? After reading your article, I would like to see everything as well as participate in the water activities.
Oh yes, it is way more economical than Bora Bora for sure, and just as beautiful. Yes, you can get tours in abundance. I would stick with Island Experiences, TrinTours, or Tours by Locals.. I don’t know of any packages that include changing hotels. The best for that is to reserve a room at more than one hotel if you want to stay in different locations 🙂 I would be more than glad to help, just shoot me a message. Thanks for visiting the Trinidad Travel Guide!
Such a great guide to Trinidad! You cover everything a traveler would need to know. I am planning a trip to Tobago and Trinidad for this coming winter. So this travel guide is awesome. I am going to bookmark your site, so I can reference all the information! Thank you!
Hi Sandra, and thank you for reading the Trinidad Travel Guide. I am glad you will be able to use the guide to plan your trip to Tobago and Trinidad. You are going to have an amazing time. Please let me know if I can help in any way. Thank you so much for visiting!
Trinidad sounds like a great place to visit as long as I time it right. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about hurricanes on this trip like I would on many other islands. The beaches might not be as ideal as some, but they look very inviting nonetheless.
I like to go on hikes and I see they have a hiking service. Very cool. How much does that cost though?
Hiking in Trinidad is ideal. If you go thru Nature Trek TnT (they have a huge selection of hikes), then most hikes are around $90. Some are higher. I think that if you enjoy hiking, then this would be the way to go for sure. Thank you for reading the Trinidad Travel Guide, and please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Hi, Leahrae. My sister’s partner is from Trinidad, (as well as this gal’s nephew). I am positive that she could attest to everything that you provided as a source of information to people reading this article. My sister has of course been to Trinidad, (the last trip several years ago). Although I have never been to any part of the Caribbean at all, from what I hear and read in your excellent article, the country is absolutely beautiful.
The prices are very reasonable, as well as the fact that the country’s accommodations and sight-seeing trips/tours/attractions appear to be fabulous. From what I understand, Trinidad was not hit nearly as hard a few months ago by the series of hurricanes as was the case with other island countries – Puerto Rico being one such example.
The video that you embedded in your article shows the beauty, cultural/historical sights that can be found and the overall friendliness exhibited by natives towards tourists who visit the island country.
As was stated in the video, and in a way backed up through all of the info that you provided in your review Leahrae, indeed Trinidad, (and Tobago) are on the rise!
Jeff
HI Jeff, thank you for your wonderful comments regarding the Trinidad Travel Guide! I agree that Trinidad and Tobago are on the rise, and you are correct that they did not get the damage from the hurricanes this past hurricane season that some of the other unfortunate Caribbean islands received. I think you will find that these two islands are a bargain, beautiful, and well worth a visit for sure. Thanks for visiting!
That’s the thing most people don’t understand about travel. You have to time your travels not only for cheaper tickets, but also so you don’t get caught in a time when the weather is not so great. I see the dry season runs from December thru May. What kind of temperatures can I expect during this time? This is going to be the ideal time for me to travel to Trinidad and Tobago. I am also curious how much rates change during this time? I see that they do raise their rates in December. Thanks!
Hi Dan, the temperatures in December are going to be around 80 degrees, which is a wonderful temperature. I am not really sure how much they raise the rates, but if you go towards the beginning of December, thru the middle of the month, you will find that they have not been raised yet. I am glad you enjoyed reading the Trinidad Travel Guide. Thanks for visiting!
Hi there, Tobago I think of a fine cigar. The music and beach life seems to be inviting too though. They have a well-going economy, that sounds great. How much do I have to calculate for a stay of two weeks for two adults? Not posh but comfortable.
Thanks Stefan
If you were to go during off season (January to May), you could be spending as little as $500 for a two week stay at a 4 star rated hotel, with great reviews. You could also go in between, or posh to $7000 for the two weeks. So, there is lots of room for a GREAT rate at just $500 for 2 weeks! Please let me know when you are ready to plan, as I know I can get you the best deals. Thanks for visiting the Trinidad Travel Guide!
Wonderful guide and they do have quite a party culture. I’ve never been to Trinidad but years ago I had some friends from their and they taught me all about soca.
I was surprised that they had so many places related to birds. With that and all of the hiking, it seems like a great place to truly enjoy nature.
Yes, Trinidad doesn’t have the beaches that Tobago has, but they have great wildlife and hiking. So if you want something more than just the beach and sunshine, Trinidad is definitely the place. Thanks for visiting!
As always, this is a great in-depth look at what Trinidad is all about. I do have one question though. I’m not sure about Trinidad’s situation, but I know safety can sometime be an issue on some Caribbean Islands. Is that a concern in Trinidad or is it on the safer side?
It is on the safer side, but there are a possibility of threats to visitors right now. I would wait until these threats are no longer a possibility, that is for sure. I am sure that Trinidad is doing all they can to neutralize this situation. Thanks for vising the Trinidad Travel Guide.
Thank you for a great review of Trinidad & Tobago and I was all set to consider taking my other half there for a surprise holiday however now reading the comments on the possible terror attacks I am reconsidering.
Have there actually been any Islamic State-orchestrated attacks on the isalnds Or is this just a warning of possible attacks?
Hi Moni, Thanks for reading the Trinidad Travel Guide. No terror attacks have taken place, just a warning that there is a possibility of it. I know, it is probably better to wait until this is all in the past. I don’t think I am ready to visit until this threat is no longer a possibility. Thanks for visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com
One day I am going to jump on one of these nice places that you always bring to us. You do an excellent job of giving us detailed information on each destination. Planning a trip will be a breeze because of you. Thanks..
You are very welcome Ronnie! Let me know when you are ready plan a trip, you will have an amazing time!
Hi Leahrae,
Your posts are so thorough! You cover everything. Thanks for another great review of a place I long to visit. Trinidad is a name I always associate with cricket and the great West Indian cricketers who come from there. It sounds amazing and I love that many of the beach areas are not over run with high rise apartment blocks. Sounds like the perfect place for a holiday 🙂 I am looking forward to planning a Caribbean Cruise, maybe I should just take the time and spend all the time here on the wonderful island of Trinidad! You have surely provided me with a great visual, and I feel like I am already there when reading you article!
Kev
Thanks Kev! I am glad you have enjoyed reading and, yes going to stay on an island as opposed to a cruise is more appealing to me as well. Instead of just getting a small sampling of each port you stop in, you will get to immerse yourself in the Caribbean life and truly will have a great time! Glad you enjoyed reading the Trinidad Travel Guide!
Trinidad & Tobago has always been a dream destination for me to visit with a significant other, because I love Calypso Music and walking on empty beaches at Sunset. Two things that will concern me. The devastation after the Hurricane(s) and the terrorism threat currently. Most of the tourists there are Europeans and they have been warned off the island for now. As an American, I’m not sure how safe we would be in this political environment, so I will stay away for now. As always, though, a great review of what the island has to offer. Thank you !
Oh boy I did not know about the terrorism going on there. I had to do some research, and yes, Trinidad and Tobago is at risk of Islamic State-orchestrated attacks, as well as lone wolves inspired by al Qaeda. Now, Trinidad was not impacted by the latest onslaught of hurricanes. They were actually not affected at all. I think because they are outside of the hurricane belt, and don’t even usually get severe thunder storms. But the threat of terrorism, is a good reason to wait until this has been resolved for sure. Thanks for alerting me Rico! Thanks for visiting the Trinidad Travel Guide!