17 Bucket List Things to Do in Trinidad and Tobago (in 2024)

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There are so many things to do in Trinidad and Tobago, you could spend a month and still not experience everything this dual-island Caribbean nation has to offer!

But even if you have just one or two days it’s still possible to soak up some of its unique vibe.

From hiking a waterfall trail in an old-growth rainforest to dining in a contemporary restaurant, its islands offer a magical mix of still-wild natural beauty and big city sophistication.

During my trips to Trinidad and Tobago, I’ve experienced the thrill of Carnival and floated in clear waters watching the stars come out.

Even though the country has a population of 1.5 million people, in many ways it feels untouched and pristine.

A visit to Trinidad and Tobago feels very tropical.

Its gorgeous lush landscape is similar to nearby Grenada rather than arid Aruba.

Unlike many other Caribbean countries, the country’s economy is driven by the petroleum industry rather than mass tourism.

The most southerly of the islands in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago’s culture reflects South American, Indian-South Asian, Latin, European, Amerindian, African and many other influences.

Here’s a look at the top things to see, do and experience during a visit to Trinidad and Tobago:

1. Soak Up Some Tranquility on Tobago’s Beaches

If you’re craving some untamed nature — the way the Caribbean was before mega resort developments hit– begin your explorations as I did, on the island of Tobago.

Just a quick 20-minute flight from Trinidad, Tobago is small in size but rich in natural resources. It features pristine beaches, old-growth tropical rainforest and coral reefs that seem custom made for snorkelling.

One of the first things to do in Tobago is take a swim in the warm waters of Pigeon Point Heritage Park, the island’s best-known beach.

When I visited Pigeon Point Heritage Park, the white sand beaches were free of crowds.

It was the perfect place for toes-in-the-sand relaxation as well as a hearty lunch of Trinidadian dishes such as stewed pigeon peas, macaroni pie and pelau, a savory one-pot rice dish made with caramelized chicken.

2. Take a Glass-Bottom Boat Tour to Snorkel at Nylon Pool

One of the top things to do in Trinidad and Tobago is to take a glass-bottom boat tour to Nylon Pool an offshore sandbar that creates a shallow pool of warm, turquoise water off Pigeon Point Park in Tobago.

Seabirds soar overhead, drawn to the rich sea life in Buccoo Reef, a protected habitat and nature preserve where star coral, elkhorn coral and brain coral thrive.

Somewhat similar to Josephine’s Bath in Martinique, its idyllic clear waters — set in the middle of the sea — are said to have rejuvenating powers.  You can wade, snorkel or just float blissfully in the calm waters.

For a more in-depth experience, opt for a Buccoo Boat Tour that includes stops at Buccoo Reef, Nylon Pool and No-Man’s Land.

A bucket -list experience to see, No-Man’s Land is a spit of beach that looks as though it was plucked from a castaway island poster. It’s actually part of the Bon Accord Lagoon so you can expect to see rays, sea turtles as well as tropical fish.

🌟 Pro Tip: If you decide to go snorkelling in this pristine marine environment, it’s worth packing some eco-friendly travel products such as organic suncream so you don’t damage the eco-system.

Check rates and Availability of a Glass Bottom Boat Tour at Buccoo Reef on Viator.com. 

3. Go Liming Trinidadian-Style

In Trinidadian culture to “lime” means to hang out and socialize with friends and family.  This usually involves sampling one ( or more) of the local beers.

Both Carib and Stag beer are brewed by Carib Brewery Ltd located in Trinidad, St Kitts & Nevis and Grenada. It wasn’t always that way.

Stag Lager was first brewed by the National Brewing Company who launched  it in 1973. It languished in sales until purchased by Carib Brewery who, in a move of marketing genius, decided to rebrand the beer capitalizing on its slightly bitter taste to proclaim it a “manly” beer.

Early advertisements showed  a bare-chested man astride a motorcycle with a Stag Beer.

The theme of stamina, tenacity and confidence hit a chord with Caribbean men and sales rocketed. One of their tag lines is  “It’s a Man’s World – Rule it responsibly.”

Carib on the other hand is light, citrusy and slightly floral with a brand image that evokes  youthfulness and fashion.

And although there’s nothing stopping a man from drinking a Carib beer, it’s become best known as a woman’s beer.

4. Go Birdwatching at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary

A fun thing to do in Trinidad and Tobago is to head to the Caroni Wetlands, the protected nature preserve that’s home to scarlet ibis, large-billed tern, snowy egrets and other spectacular birds.

Not only will you learn about the importance of the mangrove ecosystem and its role in supporting a wide range of bird species and marine life but you’ll have the opportunity to see the National Bird of Trinidad, the bright red Scarlet Ibis.

The best way to increase your chances of seeing this spectacular bird is to take sunset boat tour from Port of Spain at sunset when the ibis return to roost in the mangroves of the Caroni swamp.

Along with seeing Barbuda’s magnificent frigatebird colony, a tour of the Caroni Wetlands is a must on any Caribbean birdwatching itinerary.

5. Take a Hike at Argyle Falls, Tobago

For outdoor adventurers, another of the most popular things to do in Trinidad and Tobago is go hiking. Not only will you get your heart rate pumping but you can also do some birdwatching along the way.

You can expect to see a wide variety of bird species on Tobago especially during a hike to Argyle Falls, Tobago’s highest waterfall.

Located in the heart of the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, a hilly backbone covering 60% of the island, it’s the oldest protected rainforest in the western hemisphere and provides habitat for 250 species of birds.

I hiked along an empty trail flanked by graceful bamboo, splashed in a cool pool at the base of the misty waterfall and listened to the raucous call of the cocrico, Tobago’s national bird.

6. Relax at a Beach Resort in Tobago

Set amid virgin mangroves and tropical gardens, the  Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort offers a breezy take on plantation design with shutters, intricate wooden lacework and vaulted ceilings.

The best rooms overlook the wild Atlantic coast where giant leatherback turtles come to nest on a long expanse of empty beach.

Another great option if you’re looking to experience island life like a local is to stay in one of the comfortable guest houses in Tobago.

They range in cost from affordable to luxury. So you’re sure to find something to fit your budget!

7. Watch a Goat Race in Tobago

One of the more unusual and unique things to do in Tobago is to watch a goat race.

Although Easter Tuesday is the official day for watching the sport of goat racing, it’s possible to see it at special events such as the Tobago Heritage Festival, which takes place from mid-July to August.

Although I didn’t have a chance to see an actual race, I did have the opportunity to meet some of the goat racing athletes and their fleet-of-foot goat partners.

In this unique sport,  jockeys and their goats race on a 100-yard grass field. Unlike horse racing, in the sport of goat racing, the jockey doesn’t ride the goat.

Instead the jockey runs barefoot beside the racing goat holding on to a long rope.

Both the jockey, trainers and their steeds have to train extensively in order to win prize money in this highly competitive racing event.

8. Experience Big-City Sophistication in Port of Spain

Although it might be tempting to spend your whole vacation exploring natural attractions, it’s well worth adding some city time in the more developed island of Trinidad to your itinerary of things to do in Trinidad and Tobago.

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad in Port of Spain. Overlooking the racing yachts and cargo ships in the Bay of Patria, this sleek hotel bustles with dignitaries, fashion models and executives working in the country’s booming oil sector.

The buzzing Woodbrook district is a hot spot for Port of Spain’s style-makers. Its restaurants and clubs are a sophisticated urban scene pulsating with nightlife.

With one foot in the Caribbean and another in South America (Venezuela is just 11 kilometres away), the city is a hub of commerce and activity.

9. Be Awed by Architecture at Queen’s Park Savannah

Any sightseeing tour of Port of Spain will include a stop at Queen’s Park Savannah. A major attraction in Trinidad, this expansive park is the venue for various events, including kite flying competitions and outdoor concerts.

It’s also home to the Magnificent Seven, a row of stately mansions built in the 17th and 18th century in a variety of architectural styles. The design influences include German Renaissance, Scottish castles, Indian Empire, Greek-Roman and Moorish and French Empire styles.

You can also gawk at the impressive soaring architecture of the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA). 

Check rates and availability of a Sightseeing Tour of Port of Spain and Fort George on Viator.com.

10. Seek Serenity at Dattatreya Yoga Centre in Carapichaima

Tranquility is never far away in Trinidad. After check-in, one of my first stops was the Dattatreya Yoga Centre in the nearby town of Carapichaima.

Here, inner peace is the mantra.

Surrounded by abandoned sugar fields, a gigantic 26 metre tall statue of the monkey-faced Hindu god Hanuman, the tallest outside India, welcomes people of all faiths to enjoy the centre’s peaceful meditative spaces, take a yoga class or request a blessing.

11. Meditate at the Temple of the Sea in Trinidad

Also offering peaceful meditation is the nearby Temple of the Sea, the world’s only temple built in the ocean.

A domed structure with windows open to the sea, its prayer flags and offerings of pottery, flowers and fruit serve as symbols of Trinidad’s religious tolerance.

Siewdass Sadhu, an ex-indentured labourer from India, chose the site because the clear, blue waters reminded him of the holy Ganges.

12. Eat Roti and Other Delicious Trinidadian Cuisine

For foodies, one of the top things to do in Trinidad is sample the local wrap roti, a delicious roll of dough filled with a fragrant curry stew.

It’s one of the country’s favourite street foods but we enjoyed ours at Alpine Roti, a restaurant and bar in Preysal.

There are several Trinidadian specialties on the menu at Alpine Roti including pelau, stewed chicken, breadfruit oil down, macaroni pie, ox-tail, goat and many other delicious local dishes.

You’ll want to try them all!

13. Go Zip-lining in Maqueripe Bay

Our delicious stop for curry and roti at Alpine Roti fuelled me for my next adventure at Zipitt, a zip line  in Maqueripe Bay.

The one-hour adventure offers seven zip lines with a total length of 600 metres, the highest soaring above ancient rainforest and offering panoramic water views.

I opted for ground-based adventure and wandered along hiking trails amid yellow butterflies, hummingbirds and peeping frogs.

14. Hang Out at Famous Maracas Beach (Trinidad)

One of the top things to do on a visit to the capital city of Port of Spain, Trinidad is to take road trip through the lush, green-clad mountainside to the northern coast of the island. Here you’ll find Maracas Bay, a large crescent shaped bay lined with tall palm trees.

On Maracas Beach, there are beach loungers for rent, washrooms and changing facilities as well as several concession stands selling the local specialty called “Shark and Bake.”

This popular Trinidadian sandwich is found at beach shacks and street food stands throughout the country. But the best place to try it is at Maracas beach.

Shark and Bake traditionally features a fillet of black tip shark tucked inside a warm, crispy bread pocket  topped with condiments such as mango chutney, tamarind sauce, mayonnaise, hot pepper sauce, sliced onions and more.

Think of a hot dog stand gone wild and you’ve got the fixin’s for Shark and Bake.

However, you might want to reconsider ordering Shark and Bake. The local Papa Bois Conservation group is advocating for a ban on this food, citing pushing for a ban on the catch and trade of these sharks to help protect a fast-dwindling population.

The day we visited Maracas Bay, the waves were too high to safely swim but the  beach area was nice for relaxing. The sand is a dark golden colour at Maracas Beach rather than white.

15. Cruise the Sea Caves of Northwest Shore

A highlight of my own nature experiences was a yacht cruise through the sea caves known as the Bocas Islands. They’re located off the northwest shore and coast of Venazuela.

Although developers, including Trump, have been eyeing this stunning island archipelago, for now it remains uninhabited.

The mysterious limestone caves are places of legend from ghosts to fairies. The translucent waters, stalagmites and crystal pillars of the Gasparee Caves are a major attraction in Trinidad and Tobago.

I swam in a sheltered bay and then watched dolphins frolic in the waves and a grey heron dive for its evening meal.

16. Soak Up the Views (and History) at Fort George

One of the best things to do in Trinidad is to take a tour to the Fort George historical site located on a hilltop above Port of Spain.

It’s a great place to soak up some history and enjoy panoramic views of the city, Gulf of Paria, and the Northern Range.

Built in 1804, Fort George played an important role in Trinidad’s defense. While it’s mostly in ruins, there are a few cannons on display.

Check rates and availability of a Sightseeing Tour of Port of Spain and Fort George on Viator.com.

17.  Get Inspired at the Royal Botanic Gardens

One of the best places to go for nature enthusiasts is Trinidad’s Royal Botanical Gardens.

Located in Port of Spain near Queen’s Park Savannah (Google Map), this vast swathe of 61 acres of green is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world.

Plan on spending at least a half-day here walking its footpaths and soaking up the tapestry of scents and colours. The Botanic Gardens’ arboretum is especially memorable as it features trees from every continent in the world.

The Emperor Valley Zoo (EVZ) is one of the most popular attractions in Trinidad for families. It hosts special events and is home to several unique species of animals such as the alligator gar, a giant megafish.

Operated by the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago, this verdant park is one of the best places to visit if you’re on a budget as admission to the park is free!

There’s a cost to enter the zoo.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Trinidad and Tobago

For more ideas on secluded beaches and under-the-radar islands in the Caribbean, check out:

• Montserrat: A Tribute to Sir George Martin
• Mexico’s most beautiful undiscovered beaches: Xpu-Ha beach
• Top Caribbean Beaches Without Sargassum Seaweed

This article was originally written in 2016. It’s been updated regularly with new information following repeat visits.

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