Trinidad and Tobago Guide

Trinidad

Trinidad is ideal for the traveler with more than just fun-in-the-sun on their agenda. Although its largely unpublicized beaches are considered one of the islands’ best kept secrets, Trinidad’s identity is sophisticated, exciting and very cosmopolitan.

Trinidad owes its rich, diverse flavor to the various nations who have settled there since Columbus himself discovered it. The French, Dutch, British, African and Indian influences form an eclectic mixture that’s obvious in Trinidad’s ample food, nightlife and music. The island’s national sound however, is unmistakably calypso and features the island’s most famous musical gem: the steel drum - invented and perfected on Trinidad.

Near the end of the Caribbean chain in the south, Trinidad’s terrain is equally as diverse, ranging from lush mountains, healthy rainforests, rolling plains and deserted swampland. Its cities are among the most chic metropolises in the Caribbean. Its reputation as a center for trade and commerce has kept tourism at an arm’s length until recently, a definite plus for the traveler weary of crowded beaches. The island plays host to constant festivals and events, featuring music, more music, and of course, food.

The island’s main attraction is the Carnival of Trinidad, the Caribbean’s largest music, dance and food celebration. The people of this English-speaking island spend the better part of the year preparing lavish costumes and floats for Carnival which happens every February.

Its close proximity to the equator keeps Trinidad fairly warm all year long. If scuba diving is a priority for you, however, check out Trinidad’s sister island of Tobago. Trinidad is strictly for those looking for the serenity of empty beaches, the food and shopping of the Riviera and the nightlife of New Orleans all in one picturesque locale.

Tobago

A quiet chunk of tropical paradise, where the sun caresses and the green hills tumble to turquoise seas. A peace-seeker’s idyll. Call it Tobago. Pronounced “to-bay-go” and a different world from her lively sister island Trinidad, this English-speaking island at the southern tip of the Caribbean chain (next stop Venezuela), lures travelers from all over the world with her simple, unpretentious charm.

Thought to be Daniel Defoe’s inspiration for his famous novel Robinson Crusoe, Tobago surprises visitors with unspoiled beaches, roaring waterfalls, an ancient rainforest full of chattering birds, and some of the best drift diving in the world. Still quiet and relaxing, Tobago offers a range of accommodations from five star hotels to small guesthouses set in the jungle. You can find fabulous continental cuisine at many restaurants or pick up a quick roti to go near the beach.

Activities can keep you as busy as you want to be. Boating, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, birdwatching, fishing, hiking, tennis, golf, horseback riding, swimming, and relaxing on the beach are just a few ways to spend your days. Rent a car and do some sightseeing around the 26-mile long island over bumpy roads winding past palm groves, tiny hamlets and deserted beaches. The journey is the adventure, not the destination, and no where is this truer than on Tobago. A constant feast for the eyes; even the interior roads are only 15 minutes from glimpses of the sea, and a route through the mountainous rainforest passes stands of towering, creaking bamboo and dense jungly growth before suddenly giving way to vistas of a sparkling palm-fringed beach, or open pastures grazed by cattle and scruffy goats. Any point on the island is reachable in a few hours’ drive at most, and well worth the winding narrow roads you’ll encounter once leaving the more populated and developed West End near Scarborough.

Travelers come to Tobago to get away from it all and to languish in the warm Caribbean Sea. Scuba divers come to Tobago to get some high voltage drift dives at the East End near Speyside and hopefully dive with a friendly manta ray. The Orinoco River pours rich nutrients into Tobago’s waters creating an underwater landscape that’s healthy and vibrant. Plankton feeders such as the giant manta ray cruise these waters feasting on this smorgasbord. Depending on the season, visibility can vary from 30 feet to 100 feet, with algae in the water and manta rays around several months of the year. Eco-tourists come to Tobago to see leatherback turtles nest on the beaches between March and August. You can join an overnight camping tour and enjoy the thrill of seeing the baby turtles emerge from the sand and make a mad dash for the sea.

Trinidad is known as the Caribbean Carnival capital, and Tobago has their festivities too. Enjoy the steel band music performed by local entertainers, dance the calypso and soca, and taste some of that famous Caribbean rum. Nightlife is found at many clubs and restaurants near Scarborough and at the larger hotels. Sample the local favorites like curried crab and dumplings, callaloo soup, pelau, and roti. Exotic lobster, grilled fresh fish, chicken fixed a hundred different ways, and of course, hamburgers are available all around the island.

Close proximity to the equator keeps Tobago hot and humid all year long with average temperatures around 85°F degrees. Gentle sea breezes cool you and brief rain showers drift overhead almost daily, keeping this lush island green. The dryer, flatter West End receives less rain and usually is warmer than the hilly East End. The water temperature averages 80°F degrees, so everyone spends lots of time in the water, swimming, diving, snorkeling, or just floating on a mat - you’ll love it.

Trinidad and Tobago are two islands located in the southern Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Venezuela. The islands have a rich and diverse history, shaped by colonization, slavery, and cultural influences from various countries.

The earliest inhabitants of Trinidad and Tobago were the indigenous Amerindian tribes, such as the Arawaks and Caribs. They lived on the islands for thousands of years, until the arrival of European explorers in the late 15th century.

The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive in Trinidad in 1498, led by Christopher Columbus during his third voyage. The island was named “La Isla de la Trinidad” (The Island of the Trinity) by Columbus, in reference to the Holy Trinity. However, the Spanish did not establish a permanent settlement on the island and it was largely untouched for the next 300 years.

In the early 17th century, the Dutch and British began to show interest in the islands due to their strategic location for trade and shipping. The Dutch were the first to establish a settlement on Tobago in 1628, followed by the British who took control of Trinidad in 1797.

The islands’ history took a drastic turn in the 18th century when the British introduced sugarcane cultivation and the use of enslaved Africans to work on the plantations. Trinidad and Tobago became a hub for the transatlantic slave trade, with thousands of Africans being brought to the islands to work in brutal conditions.

In 1802, Trinidad and Tobago were officially ceded to the British by the Spanish, and the islands became a British colony. The British continued to import indentured laborers from India, China, and Portugal to work on the sugar plantations, leading to a diverse population with a blend of African, Indian, Chinese, and European cultures.

In the 20th century, Trinidad and Tobago experienced significant political and social changes. In 1958, the islands became part of the short-lived Federation of the West Indies, which aimed to unite all British Caribbean colonies. However, this federation dissolved in 1962, and Trinidad and Tobago gained independence as a single nation.

Since gaining independence, Trinidad and Tobago have developed into a thriving nation with a strong economy based on oil, natural gas, and tourism. The country has also made significant strides in cultural development, with the annual Carnival celebration becoming world-renowned for its vibrant colors, music, and festive atmosphere.

Today, Trinidad and Tobago continue to embrace their diverse heritage while also facing social and economic challenges. However, the islands’ history has shaped a unique culture and identity that is celebrated and cherished by its people.