TRINIDAD
The modern, cosmopolitan, and naturally beautiful island of Trinidad is the most southerly in the Caribbean Sea.
In fact, just seven miles separate Trinidad from the northeastern coastline of Venezuela, positioning it even closer to the South American mainland than its twin island of Tobago, which lies 20 miles to the north.
One of the things that makes the island distinctly Trinidadian is the friendliness and warmth of its people, who embody the country’s tropical average daily temperatures exceeding 31 degrees Celsius (°C).
Trinidadians also take nightlife and entertainment seriously, with bars, clubs, and lounges offering ample opportunity to ‘lime’ the night away and sip on sizzling cocktails.
A multitude of food and drink vendors, meanwhile, serve up eclectic street food full of character, whilst world-class fine dining experiences invite you to indulge in Trinidad’s incredible cuisine.
Eat to your heart’s content and shop until you drop in Trinidad’s bustling coastal capital city, Port of Spain, a vibrant entertainment hub that serves up several
TRINIDAD
Far from ordinary, the twin island of Trinidad is anything but identical to its Caribbean siblings and neighbours, with unique culture, experiences, natural wonders, and attractions not found anywhere else in the region
WRITER: JACK SALTER | PROJECT MANAGER:
TRINIDAD
impressive shopping and dining destinations.
Away from the island’s large shopping centres, which can also be found in San Fernando and Chaguanas, a visit to the rustic inner-city markets provides an ambience of lively trade, including abundant fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, and other locally produced items.
After lining your stomach and carrier bags, explore Trinidad’s numerous historical landmarks and cultural attractions. The former includes Fort George, a series of complex 18th century military fortifications overlooking the stunning Gulf of Paria, whilst the latter is headlined by
the colourful Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.
Known as the “Greatest Show on Earth”, expect high-energy parties and premier cultural competitions at this exuberant festival, which showcases the island’s heritage.
Trinidad’s biodiversity and natural beauty should also be celebrated in equal measure. Encounter the island’s intriguing flora, fauna, and geological wonders, and discover beautiful beaches such as the popular Maracas Bay, where you can enjoy panoramic vistas of palmfringed sands and energetic waves.
DEANE ANDERTON
TOURISM TRINIDAD LIMITED
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL AND sustainability are crucial to the future of tourism in Trinidad according to the CEO of Tourism Trinidad Limited, Cornell Buckradee, who is optimistic about the development of the sector in 2025.
Outlook Travel (OT): Can you talk us through the origins of Tourism Trinidad Limited and its initial vision?
Cornell Buckradee, CEO (CB): Tourism Trinidad Limited was established in June 2017 as a state enterprise under the then Ministry of Tourism. The mandate of the organisation is to develop and market Trinidad’s tourism offerings and promote Destination Trinidad. We are in the business of attracting tourism investment into Trinidad. We do all of this while promoting education, awareness, and co-operation in advancing the expansion of our economy through tourism.
OT: What are the current travel and tourism trends in Trinidad, and how are you utilising them?
CB: Our natural beauty has already received high commendation from National Geographic as a family destination, inspiring journeys for all ages.
Our foodie culture has also been reviewed gastronomically by popular food blogger Mark Weins, and the videos from his trip have each received over one million views. Our strategy is to showcase, reach out, and welcome, so we have a very active social media presence and have been on very successful trips to sell the brand overseas. Our first trip for 2023 was to the Netherlands, at Vakantiebeurs, where we took the message of visit Trinidad to the
We ensured that tour operators got a chance to see that our tagline of Trinidad, Always in Season, was not a myth and that we are accessible and aware of where the new markets are. This, coupled with KLM increasing its airlift to Trinidad, has been received positively.
OT: How do you market Trinidad’s tourism experiences and continue to position the island as a premier tourism destination?
CB: We have taken a number of steps in this regard.
We constantly highlight our unique experiences and showcase Trinidad’s unique cultural, natural and adventure experiences to attract travellers. We also build partnerships with travel agencies, hotels and airlines to promote Trinidad as a destination. In this era, we utilise a lot of digital marketing platforms like social media, travel websites, and influencer marketing to reach a wider audience and drive bookings. We also do a lot of destination
branding to create a strong and consistent brand image for Trinidad to increase recognition and attract repeat visitors.
On the back end through our Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts and other government ministries and agencies, we look at improving infrastructure such as transportation, accommodations, and attractions to enhance the overall experience for visitors.
Finally, we host events, cultural and sporting, to attract visitors and generate media coverage. This also lends to our sustainable tourism practices to preserve our unique natural and cultural heritage.
OT: What differentiates Trinidad as a tourist destination from other Caribbean islands?
CB: Trinidad offers much more than sun, sand, and sea. Our appeal covers a wider range of activities that can appease any feeling of wanderlust. We have festivals of food and grog, tours of some of the world most unique eco-sites, and a wider range of nightlife and other entertainment opportunities
than most Caribbean islands. Our island overflows with culture.
OT: What is it that makes Trinidad the hub for entertainment, environment, business and other tourism activities?
CB: As the inventor of the steel pan and limbo, we are culturally connected to and responsible for some of the newest forms of
entertainment in this century. We are the home of calypso and soca, making us a musical and rhythmic people who cannot get enough of creativity.
OT: Why, in your opinion, should someone visit Trinidad?
CB: We are world renowned when it comes to our rich culture, history, and beautiful landscapes. I would tell any would-be visitor to experience our:
Maracas Bay
Carnival – one of the largest and most vibrant street festivals in the world.
Beaches – well known not just for clear waters and amazing views but also for their food offerings.
Food – a diverse array of cuisine, influenced by our history as a melting pot of African, Indian, Chinese, and European cultures.
Wildlife – we are home to unique species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, as well as lush forests and
wetlands. Trinidad is also one of the largest natural hatcheries for the Leatherback Turtle.
History – rich in colonial architecture, forts, and cultural heritage sites, including a UNESCO World Heritage site at Port of Spain’s Botanic Gardens.
Overall, we offer a unique blend of cultural, natural, and historical experiences, making it a must-visit destination for those looking for an exotic and memorable vacation.
OT: What are some of the country’s most overlooked or underrated attractions?
CB: Trinidad has many underrated attractions that are often overlooked by tourists. These are some of Trinidad’s hidden gems that offer unique experiences and a glimpse into the country’s rich culture and natural beauty:
• Tamana Bat Caves
• Turtle watching
• The Pitch Lake – the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world, located in La Brea.
• Asa Wright Nature Centre – a former coffee and cocoa plantation, now a bird-watching paradise, located in the Northern Range.
• Fort George and St. James Barracks – a former military facility in Port of Spain, now a museum and cultural centre.
• The Guanapo Cave and the Aripo Caves – a series of caves and sinkholes with unique rock formations and crystal-clear waters.
• The Caroni Bird Sanctuary – a mangrove swamp where thousands of scarlet ibis return to roost every night.
• The Temple in the Sea – a Hindu temple located in Waterloo, built entirely on stilts in the Gulf of Paria.
• The Chagaramas Bay – a serene and peaceful bay with several small islands and an area popular for water sports.
• The Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust – a wildlife sanctuary and botanical garden dedicated to the conservation of wetland birds and other wildlife.
OT: Tell us why responsible travel and sustainability are the future of tourism in Trinidad?
CB: There are several reasons why this is crucial to the future of tourism in Trinidad:
Mayaro Beach
PHOTO BY
Yerettê – Home of the Hummingbird
Environmental protection – We are known for our rich biodiversity, including its rainforests, mangroves, and a wide range of unique animals. By encouraging and training our stakeholders in responsible travel practices we help reduce the impact of tourism on the environment and preserve these unique ecosystems for future generations.
Economic benefits – Sustainable tourism also provides long-term benefits for local communities by creating jobs and promoting the development of local businesses. Our Paramin area is a great example of this, where we have developed its already rich heritage into a viable and sustainable tourist product. This can help reduce poverty and improve the standard of living for residents.
Cultural preservation –Responsible travel also helps preserve the unique cultural heritage of Trinidad, including our music, food, and traditions. Our cultural identity is important to us and while we have adopted the callaloo concept of all the cultures coalescing into a melting pot of uniqueness we value the individual flavours that add to this product. Through our Ministry
of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts, we strive to maintain the cultural identity of Trinidadians and provide an authentic travel experience for visitors.
Responsible resource use –Sustainable tourism will help to conserve the natural resources of our country, including water, energy, and wildlife. This ensures that these resources will be available for future generations and reduces the impact of tourism on the environment. So, our tour guides ensure that they create a small footprint while giving visitors the benefit of our various sites.
Social benefits – Responsible travel helps promote cultural understanding and respect between visitors and local communities. We always encourage tourists to interact with locals and really experience Trinidad outside of the glass box. We encourage immersion and this can help foster positive relationships. Responsible travel and sustainability are crucial for the long-term health and success of tourism in Trinidad. They help preserve the environment, support local communities, and provide an authentic travel experience for visitors.
OT: Are you optimistic about the development of Trinidad’s tourism sector in 2025?
CB: Very optimistic. The development of the sector in 2025 will depend on a variety of factors, the major ones being consumer confidence and interest in what we have to offer. We are building our brand outside and beyond Carnival and religious festivals, both of which are big ticket items. However, there exists a slow period in between, where we are now putting in place festivals of food, music and other activities to generate interest and visits.
Added to this, our country is known for its rich culture, diverse landscapes, and vibrant Carnival, which attracts thousands of tourists every year. With continued efforts to develop new attractions and improve tourism infrastructure, Trinidad is expected to continue to be a popular destination for tourists in 2025.
Trinidad is the new kid on the block so there is a lot of curiosity surrounding what we have to offer. Curiosity creates awareness and we are using that heightened awareness to tell people to visit Trinidad.
San Fernando Hill
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival
The “Greatest Show on Earth” is renowned for its vibrancy as the world’s most authentic carnival celebration.
exuberant festival showcases Trinidad’s rich cultural heritage, with the grand street parade on Carnival Monday and Tuesday being a particular
Carnival Monday kicks off with J’ouvert, as participants covered in paint, mud, and oil dance through the streets to the pulsating rhythm of calypso, soca, and steel pan music.
Translating from French as “break of day”, J’ouvert symbolises the official start of the Carnival festivities and stands as a reminder of Trinidadians’ resilience and creativity, with communities coming together to celebrate their
heritage and revel in the joy of life.
After J’ouvert and throughout the two-day parade, the streets are a cacophony of colour and noise, flooded with the exhilarating sound of soca music and thousands of dancing masqueraders whose elaborate costumes are embellished with feathers, beads, and sequins, often depicting various themes.
With mas bands competing for prizes and bragging rights, this is the apex of the Carnival experience and the only place to experience the festival in its purest, most vibrant form.
Numerous other cultural events precede the parade, including fêtes, stick fighting, a variety of competitions, and even a reenactment of the Canboulay riots, a series of 19th century disturbances that took place on the island in response to efforts by colonial police to restrict aspects of the annual festival.
Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Transport Service Association (TTTTSA) is a fullservice transportation company founded in 1981. Its main focus and objective is to provide an excellent, efficient, reliable, and professional service. We also provide quality adventure and sightseeing tour packages to recreational and business travellers. Our services and products include transportation for pre-arranged tours, custom packages, airport transfers, and shopping tours. TTTTSA only use knowledgeable driver guides and tour guides who are trained and certified. The value added to TTTTSA’s offer is our knowledge and expertise, competitive rates, and a special focus on adventures and sightseeing tours, which translates into increased customer satisfaction.
We are a membership association comprising sedan taxis, minivans, small coaches (10-14 seats), and large coaches (1524 seats). All TTTTSA vehicles are equipped with air conditioning.
All our drivers are trained in customer service and guest relations, self-awareness and self-esteem, delivering service quality excellence, effective communication skills and history, geography, culture, tour guiding, flora and fauna, environmental awareness, and defensive driving.
For TTTTSA, Trinidad can be described as the most dynamic and lively Caribbean Island, with lots of sightseeing and energetic activities available to international travellers. Tobago can be described as romantic,
Office: (868) 717-4419 | (868) 623-4419
serene, peaceful, untouched, and relaxing, with clear water and white sandy beaches. Our culture is as diverse as the many ethnic groups that make up Trinidad and Tobago’s colourful society. It manifests in many ways, including festivals, religions, theatre, dance, music, food, sports, and much more.
Our flagship festival – Carnival – is by far the greatest show on earth. This is an explosion of energy, creativity, and sensuality with steel band music, calypso music, parties, and ornate costumes that invoke the carnival spirit of fantasy, freedom, and fun.
Trinidad and Tobago is also a bird watcher’s paradise. In fact, Trinidad and Tobago has more birds per capita than anywhere else, whether in the Caribbean or South America.
An added incentive to TTTTSA is that our drivers are safe, punctual, and courteous.
We invite you to visit our destination and use our services where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a most memorable experience in any of our vehicles, be it four, seven, 10, 14, 20, or 25-seaters.
Luggage vehicles can be provided where needed. We also offer 24/7 airport transfers, group transfers for special functions, events, weddings, funerals, meetings and conferences,customised requests and turtle-watching trips, and visits to Tobago (by request).
TTTTSA has proudly been providing reliable and efficient transport services for over 30 years.
Email: ttttsa@gmail.com | touristtransport1@flowtrinidad.com
After 3pm: (868) 683-7934 | Email: juwinhon@gmail.com www.ttttsa.com | www.trinidad-tobago-tourist-transport-service-association.com
RECOMMENDS
Eat:
FOR A TRADITIONAL TRINIDADIAN DISH…
No visit to Maracas Bay is complete without a trip to a bake and shark vendor. A traditional street food dish, bake and shark is prepared using fried flatbread and shark meat. Enjoy this flavoursome Trinidadian delicacy at Richard’s Bake & Shark, which is situated on one of the country’s most popular beaches.
Do:
FOR TRANSPORT SERVICES…
The Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Transport Services Association (TTTTSA) provides transfers throughout the island from Piarco International Airport (POS) and Port of Spain, ensuring you reach your destination. Transport options include taxis and minibuses, all of which are air conditioned, whilst group transfers can be arranged for large gatherings such as weddings.
FOR PASSENGER HANDLING… Carvalho’s Agencies
FOR NUMISMATIC HISTORY… Central Bank Museum
Sleep:
FOR A CONTEMPORARY WATERFRONT STAY…
Experience lively downtown Port of Spain when you check into Hyatt Regency Trinidad, located just 40 minutes from POS. With sophisticated open-air dining, an infinity pool, and sweeping views of the Gulf of Paria, this is where waterfront leisure meets authentic Caribbean hospitality.
The Central Bank Auditorium and the Central Bank Museum are your gateways to the arts in the capital city of Port of Spain.
Located in the Central Bank tower on Independence Square, these two cultural hubs are a major part of the Bank’s outreach initiatives, and demonstrate a longstanding commitment to local culture.
The Auditorium, with its state-of-the-art facilities, is a top choice for performing
artists to showcase local content in an intimate setting. The modern design of the Museum enhances the interactive displays of the history of money and our currency. The Museum also hosts exhibitions featuring local artists, including those in the Bank’s outstanding fine art collection.
Tel: 1 868 621-2288 | Email: museum@central-bank.org.tt (Museum) | www.centralbankarts.org.tt 1 868 235 2288 | jkerr@central-bank.org.tt (Auditorium)
Landmark Attractions
Fort George
This 19th century fortification was originally built to protect Port of Spain from any perceived military threats. An intricate wooden signal station sharply contrasts with the formidable characteristics of the fort, which continues to offer visitors spectacular panoramas of the Trinidadian capital as well as views of its original cannons, dungeons, and artefacts.
Gasparee Caves
An intricate limestone cave system, the Gasparee Caves are located on Gaspar Grande, an island off the northwest coast of Trinidad. The caves are lined with magnificent stalagmites and stalactites, whilst some limestone formations have taken the shape of dinosaurs and other creatures. Its deep blue grotto waters glisten invitingly courtesy of a hole at the top of the cave, through which the Trinidadian sunshine streams.
Hanuman Statue
An impressive 85-foot statue of the half-human, half-monkey Hindu god, Hanuman, towers over the village of Carapichaima. Consecrated in 2003 and built according to the Dravidian style of architecture, it is the largest Hanuman murti outside of India and a reminder to all devotees that they should grow in height spiritually.
Getting There and Around
Despite being the only airport on the island of Trinidad, POS is one of the busiest in the region.
THE AIRPORT DIRECTLY serves North America, South America, and Europe, and is an important transit hub for the Southern Caribbean and the primary connection point for many passengers travelling from Guyana. POS is the main operating base for Caribbean Airlines, who also offer daily flights between Trinidad and Tobago in just 24 minutes, whilst other major carriers such as American Airlines, British Airways, JetBlue, KLM, United Airlines, and more are also available.
before visiting, especially during the busy Christmas and Carnival seasons.
For vacationers travelling between Trinidad and Tobago, inter-island ferry services are a popular choice, with the 20-mile journey taking around three hours to complete.
Cruise ships, meanwhile, call at Port of Spain, with a variety of onshore activities and tours to be enjoyed in the capital and beyond. Passengers are advised to book with registered tour operators and guides for the best cruise experience.
Once you have arrived at the airport, authorised taxis can take you to your destination, as well as mini and large buses provided by TTTTSA.
For getting around the island, we recommend reserving a rental vehicle
Between the cities of Port of Spain and San Fernando, a daily water taxi service along Trinidad’s west coast provides an alternative mode of transportation for getting from one end of the island to the other.
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