:: SITE-SEEING IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ::
Here's an extensive list of great nature, historic sites to visit while in TnT. Brief descriptions and some websites are available.

PORT OF SPAIN

Brian Lara Promenade: Named after Trinidad and Tobago’s cricket star Brian Lara and also called Independence Square, the recently refurbished center of Port of Spain is popular place to relax, with benches, street vendors and free concerts.

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception: Trinidad and Tobago’s Roman Catholic cathedral, known for its 19th century stained glass windows depicting the country’s multi-ethnic population.

Breakfast Shed: Located on Wrightson Road, the breakfast shed offers creole dishes and mouth watering fresh fruit juices.

Cruise Ship Complex: A variety of souvenir shops can be found on the southern end of the Brian Lara Promenade.

Emperor Valley Zoo: The place to see many species of local wildlife. Open daily, including public holidays, from 9:30am to 5:30pm.

Fort San Andres: Located at South Quay (opposite City Gate) and houses a permanent exhibit called "Story of the City of Port of Spain" specialising in the history of the nations capital.

Memorial Park: Located just south of the Savannah, this park serves as a memorial to Trinidad’s fallen soldiers of World Wars I and II.

National Museum and Art Gallery: The museum also displays Amerindian artifacts and relics of life in Trinidad and Tobago from early colonialism to post-independence. The art gallery features the work of local artists like Michel Jean Cazabon, Carlyle Chang and Peter Minshall. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 6pm, Sundays from 2pm to 6pm.

President’s House: The home of the president of Trinidad and Tobago was built in 1873 as the British governor’s residence.

Queen’s Park Savannah: “The world’s largest roundabout”,is surrounded by mansions from the Spanish colonial era, interesting stores and street vendors. The park comes alive during the Carnival season, when the Grand Stand is the stage for “the greatest show on earth”.

Royal Botanical Gardens: The nearly 200-year-old gardens contains a large collection of local and exotic plants. Open from 6am to 6:30pm daily.

The Magnificent Seven: A string of 20th-century European style structures along the Savannah’s western side. From North to South, they are: Queen’s Royal College (boys’ secondary school), Hayes Court (Anglican bishop’s residence), Mille Fleurs (former private residence, now the Law Association headquarters), Roomor (eccentric, ornate private residence), the Roman Catholic Archbishop’s House, Whitehall (now the prime minister’s office), and Killarney, better known as Stollmeyer’s Castle.

The Red House: This building houses the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinity Cathedral: Large cathedral housing a statue of Governer Woodford

Twin Towers: The Eric Williams Financial Complex houses both the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank. Located at the western end of Independence Square, the towers are the tallest buildings in the city.

Woodford Square: Woodford Square has played a major role in the political history of the country – over the decades countless political rallies have been staged here. Named for a reformist British governor, Woodford Square is surrounded by the Red House (seat of parliament) to the West, the Hall of Justice (seat of the Supreme Court) and City Hall to the North, the Anglican Trinity Cathedral to the South, and the National Library complex to the South-East.

NORTH-WEST TRINIDAD

Blue Basin Falls: Located on the Diego Martin River, about 9 miles from Port of Spain, is Blue Basin Falls, named after the large blue pool at its base.

Caroni Bird Sanctuary: This is the home of Trinidad's national bird, the Scarlet Ibis - a beautiful sight as they flock to Caroni's mangrove trees to roost at sunset. The swamp houses a wide variety of wildlife including 186 species of birds: osprey, herons, white flamingoes, ployers and egrets.

Caroni Lagoon National Park: This new national park was recently commissioned to help preserve Trinidad's wildlife.

Chacachacare Island: This mysterious, uninhabited island, once the site of a colony of lepers run by a group of nuns, is only five miles off the northwest coast of Trinidad. You can hike to the Salt Pond that has the unusual campecho tree, also called the bread and cheese tree. A 20 minute boat ride from Chaguaramas Bay, this 900 acre island comprises of eight beaches, a light house, a saltwater pond and dramatic cliffs.

Chaguaramas National Park: Located on the northwestern-most point of Trinidad offers everything from mountain climbing to caving to snorkeling. The park encompasses the entire Chaguaramas Peninsula, named by the Amerindians for the royal palms that flourished here.

El Tucuche: Trinidad's second highest peak. Accessible from Port-of-Spain along the Maracas Royal Road. The turnoff onto Acona Road is on the right, before the turn to Maracas Falls. During your climb, you'll pass through a forest reserve that is also an animal sanctuary, so you may be able to spot deer, armadillos and agoutis as well as numerous birds. The El Naranjo Tropical Gardens on the side of El Tucuche is particularly beautiful: streams, flowers of many kinds, silk cotton trees and primary forest are well worth the effort to see.

Chaguaramas Military Base & Aviation Museum: A fascinating place to visit to view historical artifacts from World War II.

Fort Abercromby: Just east of Maracas Bay, this fort's lookout is known for a tree that grows horizontally rather than vertically.

Gasparee Caves: A subterranean system about 90 feet deep and a 1/2 acre in size, comprosing of geological formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, flow stones, fringed curtains and a pool 30 feet in diameter.

Maracas Lookout: Overlooking La Vache Bay, this is the last stop before Maracas Bay on the scenic north coast drive. You can sample local foods from the vendors and take in the incredible view.

Maracas Waterfalls: A beautiful 300ft waterfall just a short hike away from Maracas Bay.

North Post Marine Radio Station: On a ridge of the Northern Range above Diego Martin, this spot offers extraordinary ocean and north coast views.

River Estate: A waterwheel and small plantation museum, located in northern Diego Martin.

NORTH-EAST TRINIDAD

Angostura Distillery: Tour the rum factory and home of world-famous Angostura Bitters. The estate also features a museum devoted to the history of the Angostura and Fernandes distilling operations and an art gallery displaying the works of Caribbean artists. Open Tues, Wed and Fri from 10am to 6pm; Thurs 10am to 8pm. T: 625-1889

Aripo Caves: Located about four miles east of Arima, a steep road follows the Aripo River to Dandrade Trace, a distance of about 10 miles. Trinidad 's highest peak is El Cerreo del Aripo (3,083 feet), a noteworthy climb of nine miles that also leads to the Aripo Caves, Trinidad's largest cave system which also contains oilbirds (often seen from the entrance). You pass through Aripo village on the way, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to arrange a guide for the ascent trail, which is sometimes difficult to discern. The undulating path crosses streams, goes up and down limestone cliffs and through upper montane rain forest. All in all, it's an excellent variety

Arima: Trinidad’s third-largest city is home to the last remaining organised group of Amerindians on the island, the Santa Rosa Caribs.

Asa Wright Nature Centre: Nowhere else in the Caribbean compares to Asa Wright for observing such a huge diversity of bird, animal and plant life, all of it concentrated in just 200 acres of rain forest. Founded in 1967, it is a coffee-cocoa-citrus plantation partly reclaimed by secondary forest. Asa Wright is located in the Northern Range on Spring Hill Estate, 10 miles north of the town of Arima on the Blanchisseuse Road. Info:
www.asawright.org

Cleaver Woods: This park is located just off the Eastern Main Road and Cleaver Road in the Eastern Royal Borough of Arima. The park is well known for its nature trails and a thatched hut containing a display outlining the existence of the first descendents in Trinidad and Tobago, the Amerindians. The display includes cooking and fishing utensils, drawings and furniture. The park is equipped with benches where visitors can sit and take the sights of the park. This destination is popular with primary school groups and extended families.

Caurita Plantation: Set 1,200 feet above sea level in the Northern Range, this 400-acre estate is a special nature centre rich in tropical flora and fauna.

Lalaja Falls: A small waterfall located on Trinidad's northeastern coast.

Lopinot: Once a coca estate owned by the French Comte de Lopinot; the site is now a museum and consists of what was once a tapia estate house, a prison and slave quarters.

Mount St. Benedict: Established in 1912, Mount St. Benedict is the oldest Benedictine monastery in the Caribbean. Located 800 feet above the plains, the building can be seen clearly from the Eastern Main Road, The Priority Bus Route and the Churchill Roosevelt Highway. The grounds of the monastary are picturesque and offer visitors a serene atmosphere with some good nature trails. Enjoy the view of exotic tropical flora and fauna or go on a guided bird watching tour. The monastery is reached through Tunapuna via the Eastern Main Road with a turnoff at St. John's Road.

Paramin Village: Paramin is a quaint village nestled in the winding hills of Maraval. While it is a small community, its reputation is phenomenal. Paramin is famous island-wide and in several Caribbean islands as the village where the very best seasonings are grown. So much so that one local fast food chain boasts of using nothing but "Paramin seasoning" to complete their "local recipe." The hills of Paramin are also home to the country's authentic folk traditions and the very best in parang music

Paria Bay-Turtle Hike: Paria Beach is a reliable spot viewing huge leatherback trurtles that can weigh up to 1,300 pounds. Besides, it's one of Trinidad 's most popular day hikes.

Paria Falls: One of the island's most impressive waterfalls accessible by hiking up the trail to the Paria River, over the wooden bridge then along the bank to the falls.

Toco: Located at Trinidad’s north-eastern corner, the lighthouse at Point Galera offers a magnificent view of Toco's rocky coastline.

SOUTH TRINIDAD

Devil's Woodyards: Located in Princess Town it is one of Trinidad's most well-known mud volcanoes, Devil's Woodyard contains an active mud volcano emitting through surface cracks warm, bubbling mud that forms into a cone as it cools. Some local Hindus hold this to be a sacred spot and worship here. The Devil's Woodyard first erupted in 1852 and until the discovery of another mud volcano in 1964 at Moruga, it was thought to be the only one on the island.

Oropuche Lagoon: This is a mangrove swamp. You will be able to view a wide variety of birds and butterflies here as well as a significant fish and shrimp population

Piparo Mud Volcano: Located in South Trinidad, just East of Gasparillo, it is one of Trinidad's several mud volcanoes which usually sits dormant, but occasionally spew mud hundreds of feet into the air.

Pitch Lake: The Pitch Lake, located in La Brea in South Trinidad, is often referred to as one of the natural wonders of the world. Among the many legends attached to it, one relates the tale of an indigenous tribe that was engulfed as punishment for eating hummingbirds, in which the souls of their ancestors were believed to repose. It is estimated to be more than 5,000 years old and has produced close to 20 million tons of asphalt in the past 100 years. The asphalt from the lake is used in the paving of roads and for roofing. There is a small museum at the site. Open 10am-6pm daily. Southern Main Road, La Brea / Info: 868.648.7697

San Fernando Hill: The San Fernando Hill is the most popular of South Trinidad's landmarks. It boasts perhaps the best view of Southern and Central Trinidad and on clear days, one can even catch a glimpse of the Northern Range and an outline of neighbouring Venezuela. The hill is utilised by tourists, as well as exercise enthusiasts and tour excursions. It is even used by the Roman Catholic Church for its annual Good Friday re-enactment walk of the Stations of the Cross and it is the spot chosen by many newlyweds for wedding photos. Open 9am-6pm daily

Trinity Hills Wildlife Sanctuary: This 16,000 acre sanctuary dates from 1934. It is one of the oldest preserves, giving sanctuary to monkeys, deer, opossums, bellbirds, parrots, toucans and pigeons. Located in the Southern Range, West of Guayaguayare

CENTRAL TRINIDAD

Point-A-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust: Just outside San Fernando, on the grounds of the Petrotrin Oil Refinery, lies an oasis of tranquillity and beauty, with landscaped grounds, trails and two lakes, many rare species of bird. The Trust lies on twenty-five hectares of land, protects endangered waterfowl and introduces other birds back to the wild. There is a resource and learning centre as it is entrusted with the breeding of and education about waterfowl and wetlands. Tours are conducted daily for schoolchildren and the general public. Admission: TT$5, teens $3, children $2 Open 10am-5pm Mon-Fri; noon-4pm Sat; 10:30am-6pm Sun. Info: 868.662.4040 / 868.637.5145

Hanuman Murti: A magnificent 85-foot-high monument built according to Hindu architecture located on Orange Field Road, Carapichaima. The temple is part of a divine gift from Swami Ganapati to Trinidad and Tobago to boost the psyche of the Hindus and non-Hindus and bring spiritual elevation to all.

Nariva Swamp: Several different species of birds inhabit this swamp, one of the largest wetlands in the Caribbean

Temple in the Sea at Waterloo: Originally constructed in 1947 by by a Indian labourer, Seedas Sadhu, on the seashore. After which is was bulldozered and Sadhu sent to prison, because built on the lands of Caroni, the state sugar cane monopolist. That's when Sadhu decided to built the temple in the sea, and it took him 25 years to build the temple, all by himself and his bicycle with which he transported the building materials. In 1994, the temple was finished and a pier built, connecting the temple to the shore. Waterloo is located on the West coast on the Gulf of Paria, just West of Carapichaima.

The Lion House: The ancestral home of the Capildeo family is one of the architectural wonders which contributes to the heritage of the small Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Built between 1924 and 1926 the Lion House still stands majestically on the Main Road in Chaguanas. It is the only building of its kind in the Western Hemisphere conceived, designed and constructed by the late Pundit Capildeo. It is the standing symbol and memorial to the indentured Indian immigrants who came to Trinidad from 1845.
Info: www.thelionhouse.com

TOBAGO

Fort King George: The fort's prison, barracks and officer's mess are well preserved. The cannon, overlooking the coast as they did 200 years ago, bring up visions of what it may have been like to be stationed here as a 'red coat'. The old hospital building now houses the Tobago Museum and Art Gallery.

Tobago Rain Forest Reserve: The oldest forest reserve in the western hemisphere is located in the central ranges of Tobago.

MORE STILL TO COME!