If you’re in the process of planning a trip to Trinidad and Tobago, the most southerly Caribbean island (well, dual island) just off Venezuela, first things first; lucky you! It’s a gorgeous place of lush vegetation, golden sands, incredible music, a unique, exciting cuisine and a world famous carnival. You’re going to have a blast.
Secondly, it’s almost certain that the capital city Port of Spain will be your first port of call. Rather than pass through this city quickly and make for the tropical paradise of Maracas Bay or Blanchisseuse Beach, we’d instead recommend taking some time here; there’s so much to see and do, and the heart and soul of Trini culture to explore. With that in mind and with time on our hands to take it all in, here are 5 of the best places to visit in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
QUEEN’S PARK SAVANNAH: IDEAL FOR STREET FOOD
Trinidad and Tobago has a long history of immigration, and this, coupled with the country’s unique geography as a Caribbean state in close proximity to Latin America, means it’s a hugely multicultural place. There is particular influence from people of African and South Indian heritage, as well as a significant Lebanese and Syrian population, who arrived a century ago. All of this adds up to a rich, diverse cuisine.
In Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain’s largest open space and the city’s focal point, the country’s immensely popular annual carnival reaches its nadir. Taking place every February or March and coinciding with Mardi Gras and Rio Carnival, it’s a huge event, full of colour and costume, and is not to be missed. But for the rest of the year, Queen’s Park Savvanah is a vast, beautifully manicured green space, with runners and walkers populating the park.
What’s more, it hosts the city’s main night market, the Open Air Food Court, from 6pm to 10pm each day. Here, you’ll be able to sample a wide range of Trini snacks and street food staples. First on your list should be the ubiquitous, delicious doubles; an intricately spiced, dangerously sloppy channa (chickpea curry) sandwiched between two bara (fried flatbreads), folded and consumed as tidily as is conceivable. Perhaps don’t wear white, is all we can say. Wash your doubles down with a refreshing, freshly cracked coconut water for the quintessential Trini experience.
If you’re into refreshments of a boozy nature, it’s obligatory that you enjoy some cutters to accompany your beer. These are drinking snacks comprised of spicy finger food which just go so well with something hoppy and iced (that’s how they do things here and trust us, it works). Our favourite cutter is most definitely souse; boiled pig or chicken’s feet which are then pickled in a spicy, limy sauce. Ideal for gnawing, for sure. The country’s fruit is also some of the freshest we’ve tried; finish up with some just sliced mango and luxuriate in some liming around the park; that’s Trini for hanging out.
Doubles – a popular Trinidad street food. Photo by Edmund Gall
THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS: IDEAL FOR SEEING THE COUNTRY’S UNIQUE FLORA AND FAUNA
Port of Spain’s Royal Botanic Gardens is just north of the Savannah, a short stroll, and is definitely worth taking in whilst you’re in this part of Trinidad and Tobago’s capital city. Established in 1818, here you’ll appreciate some of the island’s unique flora and fauna, with the park containing 100 trees indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago.
It’s a beautifully manicured site, and the shade offered by its total of nearly 1000 different trees provides the perfect respite from the unrelenting heat (and perhaps a downpour!) of this part of the world. Christmas here is a fantastic spectacle, with a gorgeous, somewhat opulent display of fairy lights illuminating the park each festive season.
Running adjacent to the gardens is the National Zoo, containing rare white Bengali tigers amongst other animals and attractions; certainly worth a visit while you’re here, we think.
The park is open daily from 6am to 6pm.
ARIAPITA AVENUE: IDEAL FOR LIMING
Yep, we already mentioned the uniquely Trini concept of ‘liming’, but we need to dedicate a whole paragraph to it. This is one of the most popular national pastimes; to walk, talk, and hang out with friends and family in public. What could be better, hey?
Ariapita Avenue is where the locals go to lime; a long strip in the Woodbrook district of Port of Spain, close to Invader’s Bay, which boasts street food shacks, restaurants, bars and clubs by the bucketload. Referred to colloquially as ‘de avenue’, it’s a laid back yet lively affair, and a Saturday evening spent here is a quintessential part of the Trini experience.
The local Creole food on the strip is particularly excellent, with several popular restaurants slinging jerk chicken, pelau and callaloo to the liming masses. Though there are plenty of roadside joints dishing up the goods, if you’re keen on a sit down meal, Creole restaurant Veni Mange is the toast of the town. Bliss!
INDEPENDENCE SQUARE (BRIAN LARA PROMENADE): IDEAL FOR A GAME OF CHESS WITH THE LOCALS
In the south of the city and running parallel to the sea is Brian Lara Promenade, named after the famous cricketer, which ends in Independence Square (formerly Marine Square). Here, locals come to grab a beer, eat some cutters, play chess or cards, recline on a bench and people watch; a perfect afternoon past time, we think!
More recently, a permanent art exhibition displaying pieces by local artists has been installed in the square, which is well worth a look. But most of all, people come here to lime, and there’s a lovely laid back pace to proceedings here. There are street food vendors and fresh fruit sellers aplenty lining the promenade and square, so you won’t go hungry or parched.
INTERNATIONAL WATERFRONT CENTRE: IDEAL FOR SEEING THE FUTURE OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Trinidad and Tobago is an affluent country, and recognised as a high income country by the world bank. Though tourism is certainly big business here, the country’s economy is more focused on its vast natural reserves of oil and gas.
If you’re looking to experience the thriving, thrusting, modern Trinidad and Tobago first hand, then head down to the International Waterfront Centre, which is the focal point of the revitalised downtown urban centre of Port of Spain. It’s also the city’s main access point to the Gulf of Paria and onwards to Venezuela which is just 7 miles away by sea, though this is largely reserved for trade rather than passenger trips. Nonetheless, it’s interesting to experience a different side of Trinidad and Tobago at the Waterfront Centre, and well worth a look if you’re in the south of the city.
If you’re in Port of Spain as part of a cruise, check out our 10 IDEAL ports of call on your next Caribbean cruise, and really make an adventure of it!