Located not too far from Venezuela, the dual-island Caribbean nation is filled with seriously gorgeous scenery. Trinidad is home to a combination of more built-up areas, rainforest, beaches, and mangrove swamps and Tobago is everyone’s idea of a laid-back island paradise with glistening beaches, palm trees, and sparkling waters.
Both offer excellent diving, waterfalls, bird watching, lively music, and divine cuisine. Here are my best and most beautiful places to visit in Trinidad and Tobago…
1. Pigeon Point Beach – one of the most stunning places to explore in Tobago
Also called Pigeon Point Heritage Park, this beach is located on the island of Tobago. The aqua-colored ocean surrounds the coral-sand rims.
Pigeon Point Beach is home to a variety of water activities, including snorkeling, paddleboarding (standup style), kayaking, and more.
Pigeon Point is busier than other beaches on the island as it has more to offer in terms of amenities. Visitors find it an excellent spot to hang out for an entire day without running out of things to do.
From snack bars to shops and changing rooms to covered seating, this place does offer it all.
2. Parlatuvier Bay – a natural beauty spot in Tobago
Make sure you explore Parlatuvier Bay, which is a working fishing village in Tobago. While exploring everything the island of Tobago has to offer, stop at the Glasgow Bar, a local restaurant.
It is located on a hill, so it sits above the town and provides you with a spectacular view of the bay.
As this is a working village, water activities are not as common, but almost everybody enjoys jumping off of the jetty, which is located at the end of the bay, away from all the fishing boats.
3. Manzanilla Beach – an attractive beach on the East Coast of Trinidad
What makes Manzanilla Beach one of the best places to visit in Trinidad and Tobago is its unique location, away from the more populated areas.
Being so far out of the way, the beach is ideal for those who want a less commercial beach experience and just want a quiet and relaxing one.
Manzanilla is also known for being a leatherback sea turtle hatching site. With the built-in boardwalk, you can walk along the shores without getting your feet wet.
4. Nylon Pool – a must-see attraction near Tobago
Definitely, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Trinidad and Tobago this place is located only a few minutes away from Pigeon Point Beach on Tobago is the Nylon Pool.
Rumor has it that the waters of Nylon Pool offer healing and aphrodisiac powers.
Whether it has these powers or not, this small beach offers soft sand and clear waters right in the middle of the colorful reefs. The unique thing with Nylon Pool is that it allows people to enjoy the water without worrying about boats and other watercraft.
5. Mount Irvine – an under-the-radar beach on Tobago
Some of the lesser-known beaches include Mount Irvine, Castara, Store Bay, and Pirates Bay. Mount Irvine, Pirates Bay, and Castara are smaller beaches.
Castara is a working beach, while Mount Irvine is known for its snorkeling and water sports choices.
For those looking for a more touristy beach or one that provides a variety of amenities, consider Store Bay in Crown Point.
6. Maracas Beach – one of the best places to visit in Trinidad
Located on the island of Trinidad, Maracas Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. The crescent-shaped beach is made up of golden-colored sand that looks striking against the deep blue color of the bay.
Along the edges of the beach are lush hillsides.
Beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented to help you relax while enjoying the beach. Showers are also available.
Maracas Beach is a great place to go if you want to enjoy a local vibe, as various vendors and food trucks offer local snacks and treats. The locals’ favorite is Richard’s Bake & Shark.
7. Paria Waterfall – a stunning natural attraction
Visiting the Parai Waterfall should be a part of your two-and-a-half-hour hike to Paria Bay. The start of the hike is located in Blanchisseuse at the very end of North Coast Road.
While the hike to Paria Bay is a tough one, each uphill portion is followed by a nice downhill section.
To see the beautiful Paria Waterfall, you need to head inland once you reach the beach.
8. Tobago Forest Reserve – a beautiful protected area
The Tobago Forest Reserve is the oldest preserve located in the western hemisphere. It has been a protected preserve since 1776 and covers about two-thirds of the island of Tobago.
Inside the 9,780 acres of this tropical rainforest, visitors will enjoy the scenery created by numerous fauna and flora.
The preserve is home to over 210 species of birds. To increase your chances of seeing the wildlife and rare plants, schedule a tour with a guide. If exploring on your own, Gilpin Trace is a great starting point and provides you with the best access to numerous trails.
9. Asa Wright Nature Center – a nature resort and scientific research station
If you are a bird lover or a nature lover, the Asa Wright Nature Center in Trinidad is a must. This nature center covers 1,500 acres of forest in the Aripo and Arima Valleys.
The area used to be a citrus, cocoa, and coffee plantation, but it is now home to several birds, including the nocturnal oilbird, woodcreepers, pygmy owls, and more.
At the Asa Wright Nature Reserve, guests can book a stay in one of the cottages, enjoy the verandah for high tea or lunch, or sign up for a birding tour.
The center uses all money spent by guests at the nature center to purchase additional land, converse the current forest, and fund educational programs.
10. Argyle Waterfalls – a beautiful place to explore
The Argyle Waterfalls are located in the hills near Roxborough, which is located in Tobago. The waterfalls come through the forest and hills and are one of the country’s most beautiful and popular natural attractions.
The water travels through a three-tiered rock formation lined by forestry, where it dumps into a shallow pool below.
It is necessary to pay a small entrance fee when accessing the waterfalls, but this gives you beautiful bathing spots surrounded by tropical vegetation and plenty of butterflies.
11. Port of Spain – the capital city of Trinidad and Tobago
Port of Spain is located on Trinidad, which is the southernmost island in the West Indian area. As the capital city, it is busier than other locations on the island but has a lot to offer.
Port of Spain features three mountain ranges along with numerous beaches that add to the area’s unique landscape.
This busy city is known for several tourist attractions, as well as its colonial-style architecture. Many people enjoy visiting Queen’s Park Savannah to see the beautifully built mansions.
The Royal Botanic Gardens and the National Museum and Art Gallery are popular destinations. If you are visiting the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the Carnival is a must.
12. Cumana Bay – a tranquil beauty spot
If you are looking for places to visit in Trinidad and Tobago that are not overly crowded, check out Cumana Bay. Accessing Cumana Bay is done from Cumana Depot Road, which is located near the Catholic Church in Cumana.
Visitors can stay in the village on the beach in beach houses and vacation cottages, or they can try their hand at camping.
Supplies can be found in the toco area, and freshwater is available at the Fishing Depot on the northern part of the beach.
Kayaking along the Tompire River is a favorite activity for those visiting Cumana Bay. The river mouth is also a well-known nesting site for leatherback sea turtles.
13. Englishman’s Bay – a pretty secluded beach on the coast of Tobago
If you are looking for a great way to spend the day, pack your lunch and check out the secluded Englishman’s Bay.
This beach lies at the end of a twisty and narrow road about a mile from Castara.
The jade-green sea with golden sand is almost picture perfect and makes for some excellent snorkeling and swimming. The car park is home to a little café where you can grab a quick bite to eat or rent some umbrellas and chairs.
14. Fort King George – an elevated fort built in 1781
Originally built in the 1780s on the island of Tobago, Fort George overlooks Scarborough Bay and is one of the most popular destinations on the island.
This well-preserved fort provides breathtaking views of the coast and the surrounding town.
Inside the walls of the fort, visitors will find stone wall remnants, the early prison, a lighthouse, and more. To learn more about the history of Fort King George, pay a visit to The Tobago Museum on its grounds.
15. Chacachacare – a mysterious, uninhabited but scenic island
Located about five miles off the northwestern coast of Trinidad, you will find Chacachacare Island. With only 900 acres, it is a smaller island, but it’s rich in history.
At various times throughout its past, the island was home to whaling stations, cotton plantations, and more. What it is most known for is being the home to a colony of lepers.
Today the island is uninhabited, but visitors come to swim, hike, relax, and even camp.
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Michael Cowley – writer and photographer
Ever since he was knee-high to a grasshopper Michael has always had an affinity for adventure. Growing up he was lucky enough to live in a handful of exotic far flung locations including Hong Kong, Pakistan, Kenya and Tanzania and since then he’s continued seeking out new places and cultures. In his spare time he explores everywhere from the sizzling street markets in Bangkok to random back alleys in Sri Lanka and everything in between! He also has a special fondness for Cohibas, trying all kinds of street food, playing carrom with random strangers, and fine wine – he knows his clarets from his chiantis. He counts Cuba, Amsterdam, Indonesia, Goa, Cambodia and Italy as his favourite destinations. Find Michael on Instagram or Twitter.
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