Trinidad is an amazing island. Unlike its Caribbean counterparts, it is not your typical “touristy” location. Here are some ideas for what to do in Trinidad during your first visit.

Trinidad is located in the southern Caribbean, northeast of Venezuela, between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. You can tell by the island’s tropical rainforest vegetation and wildlife that it was once a part of South America. This makes Trinidad very unique to the Caribbean.

Trinidad is indeed rich in diversity and culture. You only need to look around and you will see what I mean. I always considered Trinidad to be the “real melting pot,” where you see African, Indian, Spanish, French, Chinese and Carib cultures blending together. The influences and contributions of these ethnic groups are evident in the fiber of Trinidadian culture – it is in the food … the roti & curry, the pelau, the stew chicken and callaloo; it is in the music …  calypso, soca, tassa, steel pan, parang; it is in the festivals … carnival, j’ouvert, Hoosay, Diwali, Eid, Christmas; and it is most definitely in the people.

I have been visiting Trinidad since I was a child … mostly for family visits and for carnival. I had not visited in a while though, so I was happy to be back in one of my favorite Caribbean islands! In between the family liming, we managed to squeeze in a few must-dos in Trinidad. If you are ever on this vibrant island, make sure you take in some of the following spots:

Maracas Beach

When I visit Trinidad, Maracas Beach is at the top of my list of places to go. I have fond memories of riding the massive waves on a boogie board as a child. Maracas is my favorite beach in Trinidad. No trip to Trinidad is complete without it.

Richard’s Bake & Shark

If you go to Maracas, you HAVE to eat bake & shark, and when you eat bake & shark, you have to eat at Richard’s. Just look for the stall with the long line. I could waste time and try to describe it … but that would not do it justice. Do yourself a favor and try it! Don’t forget all the sauces and condiments – tamarind sauce, garlic sauce, chadon beni (pronounced “shadow” beni – similar to cilantro), pepper, pineapples, cole slaw. Trust me, it’s heaven!

The Avenue

Liming – that’s one word you will hear a lot in Trinidad. It means hanging out or chilling with friends. What can I say, it is a way of life and if anyone knows how to lime it’s Trinis. The Avenue is a major liming area in Trinidad. It is a lively strip of exhilarating nightlife consisting of pubs, restaurants, lounges and clubs on Ariapita avenue. You can simply walk from liming spot to liming spot. The closer to the weekend the more action there is – so a Friday and Saturday night will be pumping. We stopped by Shakers, Russ Street, and Paprika just to name a few.

Trini Food

The food in Trinidad is amazing! There is a wide variety to choose from, which is a reflection of the many cultural influences. Too much to go through in detail, so here is a list of Trini food you need to try (at least once):

1. Bake & Shark (see above)

2. Doubles – Bara filled with Channa (curried chick peas).

3. Roti and curry – D Hot Shoppe (and pretty much anywhere in St. James around the Savannah)

4. Corn Soup

5. Burgers from the Burger Joint on Ariapita Avenue – Seriously! These burgers are out of this world! The fries are pretty amazing too. Don’t forget the garlic sauce!

6. Pelau – rice dish with meat (chicken, beef, or lamb), cooked with vegetables and flavored with a variety of herbs, spices, and coconut milk.

7. Creole food – e.g. stewed chicken; macaroni pie, callaloo, yam, cassava etc.

8. Curried crab and dumplings

9. Pasteles – cornmeal pies filled with meat, vegetables, and raisins, flavored with herbs and spices, and wrapped and steamed in a banana leaf. Traditionally served during the Christmas season.

Where to Stay

I usually stay with family, but here are a few suggestions:

Hotels: Kapok; Hyatt; Hilton; Marriott – view more hotel options and book your hotel here.

Guest houses: Par May La’s Inn; Sun Deck Suites (great locations for Carnival) – view more guesthouse options and book your guest house here

Getting Around

There is always the option of renting a car. However, if you don’t want to drive in Trinidad, you can always take a maxi taxi (medium-sized van). I highly recommend Arnold’s Tours and Transport Services.

This was a quick trip so there are a few things we did not get to do. We will be back so I will provide updates.

Trinidad has something for everyone. Take a boat and journey over the ocean waves to “Down the Islands” to spend a day or a weekend. Travel to the west coast to view the beautiful Temple in the Sea. Stroll around the Savannah while sipping coconut water … straight from the coconut.

If you are into nature and love the outdoors, you will definitely want to experience leatherback sea turtle watching; visit the Caroni Bird Sanctuary and Wetlands; and tour the Pitch Lake.

If you want to take in the island’s cultural festivities you may want to visit during the vibrant season of Carnival.  You could also check out panorama for the intoxicating tunes of steel pan. Maybe you could visit during Diwali to see the beautiful display of the “festival of lights” or during Hoosay to hear the rhythmic beats of the tassa drums. Then there is Christmas, when you will hear the sweet melody of parang. There is always something to celebrate in Trinidad! This sweet country is definitely a cultural experience in and of itself.

Trinidad – visited May 2015