Car Hire Trinidad - Mini guide to Trinidad

The biggest of the Caribbean’s Windward Islands is a lively destinations and busy commercial center for the region. Mountainous and lush, with fantastic beaches on the island of Tobago, Trinidad is a Caribbean destination with a distinctive character.

Port of Spain is a busy city of 300,000 people and one of the largest in the Caribbean. It’s hardly a tourist magnet but has a well-developed commercial infrastructure and can cater for all needs. Maracas Bay, 40 minutes drive away, was formerly a fishing hamlet, and it has a broad sandy beaches, a lively atmosphere and charming character.

The Island’s interior is mountainous and lush and begs to be explored, with several arteries penetrating the forest and revealing some delightful villages with typical West Indian charm. San Frenando, south of Port of Spain, is another busy center. Manzanilla Beach on the rugged east coasts is also worth visiting if you wish to escape the crowds.

The Asa Wright Nature Center is a popular and insightful former cocoa and coffee plantation located amid the rainforest in the Northern Range. Bird lovers can spot hundreds of magnificent and colourful varieties at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, where boat trips take you through the mangrove. Another interesting and unique site is the Pitch Lake, the world’s single largest supply of bitumen.

If you’ve come for sea, sun and sand only, you’ll be most satisfied on Trinidad’s smaller ‘sister’ island of Tobago, with its stunning white sandy beaches, clear water and excellent resorts. Crown point is the hub of action, with good swimming and snorkelling, yet not crowded. But it’s worthwhile exploring the island by driving the windy coastal roads. The attractive fishing villages of Speyside and Charlotteville are interesting out-of-the-way destinations. Buccoo reef is excellent for diving and Fort King George is an interesting diversion from the beach.

‘Trinnies’ (as they are sometimes called) are among the liveliest people in the Caribbean as shown by their enormous and colourful (pre Lent) Carnival. All across the island the sound of reggae and flow of rum punch is ever present at the many well-established resorts.

Trinidad is the base for the two Caribbean airlines, LIAT and BWIA, and the Piarco International Airport (23kms east of Port of Spain), receives daily flights from London and weekly flights from limited European cities, with much more regular services to main North American cities. Connections to other Caribbean islands as well as Guyana are frequent.