Open left menu Tobago. Sights of Tobago Island - what to see
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In the capital of the republic Port of Spain, which is located on the island of Trinidad, it is worth looking at the Royal College, the Ginderbrad House residence, Whiteball, taking a walk in Magnificent Seven Park, visiting the National Museum and Art Gallery, the Museum of the History of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. In the main cities (Port of Spain, San Fernando) low wooden houses predominate, along the second floor of each of them there is a gallery decorated with carvings. Public buildings, mansions, churches were built mainly at the beginning of the 19th century in the classicist style and in the 2nd half of the 19th-20th centuries. Buildings in a modern style are few in number.
It seems interesting for tourists carnival, the noisiest and craziest in everything Caribbean region, usually taking place before Lent from February 26 to March 7. Local residents have been preparing for the holiday since the New Year, sewing costumes and choosing drums. The most colorful actions take place in Royal Park in the center of Port of Spain. Unlike the Sambodrome in Rio and most carnival venues around the world, here the boundary between spectators and participants in the processions is erased in the very first minutes - no one will allow you to stay on the sidelines. Mulatto women dressed as mermaids drag tourists onto their chariots, bottles of rum are passed around. And everyone is dancing!
The island of Tobago, in addition to local festivals, is primarily famous for goat racing, which is one of the indispensable events of Easter week. Tourists are amazed by the shocking sight: the owners run ahead of the animals, urging them on with shouts and small sticks.
Nature Center Asa Wright- a coconut plantation turned into a nature reserve in the north of Trinidad will be of interest to lovers of exotic birds.
Caroni- a marshy reserve a few kilometers south of Port of Spain. Here you can see the ibis, a bird of the ibis family, one of the symbols of Trinidad and Tobago.
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Tobago, located north of Trinidad, has traditional fishing villages, picturesque coral reefs and excellent beaches.
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Attract the attention of tourists Caribbean island Tobago began just a few years ago, today it is one of the most actively developing and progressive beach resorts. The main attractive features of the island remain luxurious tropical forests, an abundance of beaches with pristine beauty and a unique underwater world. From the second half of the 18th century administrative center The island is the town of Scarborough. The miniature town is ideal for hiking, at every step here you can find interesting monuments stories, attractive restaurants and souvenir shops.
The main symbol of Scarborough is the ancient Fort King George, which is visible from literally any area of the city. The height of the fort is 47 meters, it was built in 1779 and for a long time remained the main defensive structure on the island. The ancient fort has survived to this day almost in a recreated form; it was completely restored and restored; today, a variety of tourist establishments are located in historical buildings.
Thus, in the building of the old hospital today there is a Crafts Center - one of the most interesting cultural institutions of the island. Its visitors can not only appreciate the diversity of the culture and traditions of the indigenous population, but also purchase a lot of interesting handmade souvenirs as a souvenir of the trip. Nearby is the Tobago Museum, whose collection is also very interesting. A significant part of the exhibition displays artifacts from colonial times; the museum also contains finds from an earlier period. Copyright www.site
After viewing the collections, travelers will enjoy strolling through the nearby landscape garden, immediately behind which is one of the main architectural attractions of Tobago - the Whim estate. Once upon a time, large-scale plantations were located on this site; today, only a preserved building built of red brick reminds of the old days.
Outside the fort there are also many interesting sights to explore. In the capital, the building of an ancient mill has been preserved, which today houses one of the popular hotels. It is noteworthy that it was decided to preserve the huge mill wheels in the building, which were made in the mid-19th century. Among the outstanding architectural attractions, the Court House is also worth noting; it was built in 1825 and is currently home to the Tobago Congregational House.
The town of Charlotteville, located in its northeastern part, is considered a kind of “fishing capital” of the island. This city is ideal for getting to know the culture and life of the indigenous population. In the vicinity of the city there is a huge number of interesting natural attractions, including Manowar Bay, the most high point islands - Pigeon Pike Mountain, as well as Flagstaff Hill - one of best places on the island to admire the surroundings.
Official name : Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (English) Island state in the southern Caribbean Sea (West Indies), located near the northeastern coast of Venezuela, opposite the Orinoco Delta. Includes 23 islands that are part of the Lesser Antilles group: the island of Trinidad is separated from the mainland by the Gulf of Paria and two straits - the Dragon's Mouth (northern, 19 km) and the Snake's Mouth (southern, 14 km) Venezuela is a neighbor of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the south and west , to the north are Grenada, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, to the east is the open Atlantic Ocean.
Capital- Port of Spain
Square: 5128 km², of which Trinidad 4828 km², Tobago 300 km²
Population- 1 million 343 thousand people. (2008 estimate), 12.9% - urban residents
Major peoples: African Americans 56.2%, Indians 37.5%, mulattoes and mestizos 18.4%, whites 0.6%
Official language : English (de facto) (Patois Creole, Spanish, Hindi, Chinese are common)
Political system - parliamentary republic
Head of State - president, elected by an electoral college from among the members of the Senate and House of Representatives for a 5-year term
Head of the government - prime minister, appointed by the president, usually the leader of the majority party in parliament
The parliament is bicameral , convened for a period of 5 years. Consists of the Senate (31 deputies: 16 appointed by the ruling party, 9 by the president and 6 by the opposition party) and the House of Representatives (36 deputies elected by direct universal suffrage, with 2 deputies from Tobago required)
Telephone code 8-10-1-868
Time difference with Moscow : -8 hours during summer time in Russia, -7 hours during winter time
Currency unit : Trinidad and Tobago dollar (symbol: $ or TT$, ISO code TTD), in 1 dollar there are 100 cents.
Trinidad Islandwas discovered in 1498 by Columbus, who christened it La Isla de La Trinidad in honor of the Holy Trinity. The Spaniards, following in the footsteps of Columbus, enslaved the Arawak Indians who inhabited the islands at that time or resettled them to other South American colonies. But the complete absence of mineral resources and relatively poor soils led to the fact that the conquistadors quickly lost all interest in this land. As a result, the first European settlement on the island (José de Oruna, modern Saint Joseph) appeared only in 1592. Over the next two centuries, the colonialists made two unsuccessful attempts to develop the island, but the tobacco and cocoa they planted categorically did not want to grow on the local soil. As a result, the Spaniards almost abandoned all attempts to develop this colony, and in 1797 the island came under the jurisdiction of the British crown. After the abolition of slavery in 1830, thousands of workers from India began to arrive on the islands, as well as people from poor areas of Spain, Portugal, England, France and China, who were the main consolidators of the people known today as Trinbagonians (Trinidadians).
Surrounded by the lush green hills of the North Range city of Port of Spain Since 1757, it has been the capital and main business center of oil-rich Trinidad. Quite unusual in its architecture and general layout, stretching along the Gulf of Paria, the city is literally saturated with buildings of all styles and eras - typically Caribbean bazaars coexist here with modern skyscrapers, and mosque minarets with domes and cathedral spiers. The vibrant mixture of architectural styles may seem rather unsightly at first glance, especially given the abundance of docks, warehouse complexes and cranes in the very center of the city. Overall, however, Port of Spain is quite colorful, and among its modern skyscrapers and office complexes you can easily find many beautiful structures of the nineteenth century and the region's characteristic "lush" buildings, which get their name because of their ornately carved facades and balconies.
The heart of the city is Independence Square (Brien Lara Promenade), located north of the docks. There is a whole network of small streets around, pierced by the bustling Frederick Street, which together forms the famous shopping area of the city, which is more often called simply the Center. Halfway between it and Independence Square lies a nice local analogue of London's Hyde Park - Woodford Square, which is a pleasant green area, supported from the south by the same cathedral, from the north - by the Town Hall Library complex, and from the west - by the majestic colonial Houses of Parliament Red House. Southeast of the central quarters rises the Cathedral of Immaculate Concepción (beginning XVIII c) and the whole heart transport system islands - City Gate on South Quay.
On the outskirts of the city is the main fortress of the island - Fort George(1804-1826), from the walls of which there is an excellent view of Port of Spain and the mountains of northern Venezuela, easily distinguishable from here. In the valley Diego Mountains, 16 km north of Port of Spain, is one of the most beautiful water wheels on the island.
And just an hour’s drive to the south lies the country’s main conservation zone - Caroni and a bird sanctuary of the same name. This is the only habitat scarlet ibis- the island's national symbol, and is also home to 157 other species of birds, caimans, snakes and silky anteaters.
The third largest city in Trinidad, Arima was founded by Capuchin monks in 1757, making it one of the oldest settlements on the island. Nestled in the idyllic foothills North Range, the city has long been the religious center of the country, which has survived many of the upheavals of local history, so it retains many old buildings and historical traditions from the colonial era. After laying the first railway on the island, the economy of Arima reoriented from the processing of agricultural products to industrial sectors, gradually acquiring factories and residential areas. But its main “trump card” is the large Indian community, which has preserved almost all the traditions of its distant ancestors, but easily fits into the rhythm modern life. That's why the Santa Rosa Festival (last week of August), along with its host Museum of the Indian at Cleaver Woods Recreation Center in the west of the city, is the largest celebration of the cultures of pre-Columbian America in the Caribbean islands.
From Arima, the Guanapo Road begins - a fantastically beautiful route through the surrounding mountains and valleys to the breathtaking Guanapo Gorge and the cascades of the La Laja (20 m) and Sombasson (50 m) waterfalls. This is where the Arima-Blanchisso highway begins, passing through the North Range ridges, rising to the misty peaks of the low local highlands and descending to green tunnels of overhanging mahogany, teak or cedar branches. 13 km north of Arima lies a natural Asa-Wright Center(80 hectares) is the most popular bird sanctuary in Trinidad. About 40 species of exotic tropical birds live here, and Dunston Cave is home to the most accessible colony of Guajaro ( Steatorniscaripensis) on the planet.
In the northwestern part of the Trinidad coast, just 40 minutes from the capital, lies the island's most popular beach area - Maracas Bay. An almost 1850 meter arc of beautiful creamy sand is framed by palm groves and various tourist sites, bounded on the west by the village of Maracas Bay Village and on the east by the fishing village of Uncle Sam. The recreation infrastructure here is excellently developed (not surprising, given the popularity of the bay among residents of the capital), so sometimes it can get quite crowded. However, a little to the east begins the quieter Tairiko Bay, more suitable for families with children, and even further stretch good shores Las Cuevas (only 8 km to the east).
The island's second largest city and the main commercial center of southern Trinidad, San Fernando located in the most northwestern part of the region, in the southern part of the Gulf of Paria. The first mention of San Fernando dates back to 1595, when Sir Walter Raleigh, who landed in the Gulf of Paria in search of El Dorado, noticed the favorable location of a small mountain, which the Indians called Anaparima ("separately standing mountain"). In 1687, Capuchin monks founded a mission in these parts, called Purissima Concepción de Naparima; in 1784, Governor Jose Maria Chacon granted these lands to the first settlers from Europe, and in 1792 he named the rapidly growing site of the mission and the first farms, a town named San Fernando in honor of the son of the Spanish king Carlos III . Like most Spanish colonies, the city developed according to a strict pattern with a central square near the coastline and a scattering of administrative buildings around it. By 1818, San Fernando's population was close to that of Port of Spain, and the two cities were connected by a coastal shipping line.
One of the amazing natural phenomena of Trinidad is Pitch Lake- located near the town of La Bri, 25 km southwest of San Fernando. The uniqueness of this place lies in the fact that here, under the influence of tectonic factors, oil-bearing layers communicate through several underground faults with the mouth of an ancient volcano, and their “contents” are transformed under the influence of temperature and pressure into first-class asphalt (there are only two such objects in the world - Rancho La Bree in Los Angeles (USA) and the Venezuelan asphalt basin of Guanaco). Asphalt extracted from the lake is used for construction best roads planet, he also paved the Pall Mall Alley leading to Buckingham Palace in London.
Tobago
Lying between Trinidad and the open ocean, the island of Tobago measures only 41 by 14 kilometers. For a long time practically unknown to tourists, recently it has been developing at an amazing speed, showing an almost double increase in the number of guests every year. And this is not surprising - the luxurious underwater world, untouched nature, deserted shores and lush tropical forests are the main “trump cards” of this island. Tobago, like its southern neighbor, was also discovered by Columbus and captured by the Spaniards. However, unlike most other islands in the Caribbean, there has never been a serious attempt at colonization, although XVIIFor centuries, the British, French, Dutch and even Latvians fought for the right to own the island! The island was declared neutral territory in 1704, but after pirates established a base there, the British established their colonial administration in 1763. In 1888, Tobago united with Trinidad, in 1889 it received its own independent legislature, and in 1946 it became a self-governing territory within the Federation of the British West Indies. In the early 60s, Tobago, along with Trinidad, sought the right of internal self-government, and in 1962 both islands received full independence.
The administrative center of the island and its main port, a thriving city Scarborough(population of only 18 thousand people - a third of the population of the entire island) is almost completely devoid of tourist pretensions. Rising up the slopes to the top of a lighthouse-crowned hill, the city became the capital of Tobago in 1769 (then called Port Louis), replacing Georgetown as the capital. Even these days, Scarborough is very small; there is not even regular public transport, since almost all of it can be covered on foot in literally an hour and a half. And its main landmark is the mighty Fort King George, towering 47 meters above the city, built by the British in 1779. The fort's old stone walls are topped by equally old cannons that still overlook the strait between Trinidad and Tobago, and the fort's many structures have been carefully restored and now house most of the capital's tourist establishments. It houses the local Crafts Center with a small landscaped park, the Tobago Museum with a small but very informative collection of artifacts of Indian cultures and objects from the colonial period, as well as Tourist office and the beautiful red brick old Weem Plantation building.
(Trinidad) is the largest of the two islands in the Caribbean that make up the state of Trinidad and Tobago.
Districts
- North of Trinidad - mostly lively and consisting of large cities, but also includes places with a more laid-back and leisurely lifestyle such as beaches north coast and tropical forest.
- East Trinidad is a more provincial region. The University of the West Indies is located here.
- The center of Trinidad is an area of agriculture and heavy industry, in the center there is a strip of mountains covered with tropical forest.
- South Trinidad is the center of oil production and the labor movement.
- South-east Trinidad is a rural and largely backward region, but there are many business centers involved in offshore oil drilling.
Cities
- Port of Spain - capital
- Arima
- Pointe-a-Pierre
- Point Fortin
- Point Lisas
- San Fernando
How to get there
By plane
The nearest airport is Piarco International, located near the cities of Trincity, Arouca and St Helena.
You can also arrive first on the neighboring island of Tobago at Crown Point International Airport, and from there fly to Piarco (Scarbrough), which will take you only 15 minutes, or take a ferry from Scarborough to Port of Spain.
On a ferryboat
Until 2014, the C/Prowler ferry operated on Wednesdays from Pier 1 to Chaguaramas in Guiria in Venezuela. In June 2014, the ferry service was discontinued (with the possibility of resuming in the future).
For more accurate status information ferry service on the date of your planned trip, you can contact the ferry service office by calling 868 634 4472.
Cost of transporting passengers (data as of May, 2014)
Cost in Trinidad and Tobago dollars
Ticket price for children under 12 years old
Welcome back (in advance) booked ticket)
Welcome back
One way
On a cruise ship
Cruise ships arrive irregularly, landing very close to the business district of Port of Spain.
Facilities at the pier site include a small indoor sales area in a converted warehouse, adjacent kiosks selling mostly locally produced goods, and a transport area offering travelers tourist buses and taxi.
Despite the fact that markets and department stores can be easily reached on foot, locals still do not recommend doing this, since, firstly, the port area is a rough terrain that is inconvenient for walking, and secondly, there are wide streets behind it with intense high-speed traffic, which are quite difficult for an unprepared person to cross.
Public transport
The bulk of the population lives along the East-West Corridor. And accordingly, the bulk of shops, eateries and entertainment places are concentrated here.
The East-West Corridor is a chain of cities and towns located along main transport routes. It originates in the west in the capital city of Port of Spain and ends in Arima. Transport following this route is freely accessible.
Taxi
The main advantage of a taxi is that you make fewer stops along the way (that is, you get to your destination faster), and you can ask the driver to load bulky bags into the trunk.
Taxis can be taken at special “taxi ranks”, which are available in all largest cities and at popular tourist attractions. Legal taxi driving licenses always begin with the letter "H", which stands for "Hire".
Taxis, in most cases, travel along a specific fixed route. The exception is for taxis that deliver passengers to neighboring areas, but in this case you must inform the driver of your destination. You may have to wait until there are enough passengers to fill all the seats in the taxi (usually 4) before departure, which can last for hours.
If you don’t want to wait or need to go on a different route, discuss with the driver whether it is possible to rent a taxi just for you and how much it will cost.
Always ask the driver where exactly the route goes and whether you are at the right parking lot. Many taxi stands that take passengers to various destinations are located very close to each other. Fares are fixed (usually between $3 and $5 TT, but can be as high as $20 TT for longer journeys), please inquire with the driver before departure.
Warning: Not all taxi cars are equipped with air conditioning.
Private taxis
These taxis differ from regular taxis (which the passenger hires himself and specifies his own destination) in that they are owned by a specific transportation company and driven by hired drivers.
You can call them from anywhere in the city, and they will definitely come for you. Traveling in these cars is much more pleasant than in regular taxis: they have better service, they are newer, and they have air conditioning.
Their disadvantage is the very high fare (expect at least $100 TT)
Maxi
Maxis are personal minibuses that operate on major routes, picking up and delivering passengers to any point within those routes. They accommodate 10-30 passengers.
Maxies are always painted white with horizontal lines (red, green, yellow, brown and black) on the sides. The color of the line indicates that it belongs to a particular route, but not necessarily. Typically, maxis traveling along the East-West Corridor from Arima to Port of Spain have a red line on their side, while from Port of Spain to Chaguanas there is a green line.
You can take a minibus on any of the main roads (that is, on all roads whose names contain the word “Main” - main: Eastern Main Road, Western Main Road, etc.). An example would be the Priority Bus route (going from Arima to Port of Spain).
Maxi's on main streets are usually crowded and slow, but they are cheaper. The fee depends on the distance traveled, but be prepared to pay at least $3 TT regardless of distance (this system is also known as Short Drop).
To board a maxi, give the driver a sign by holding his arm up and indicating with his fingers how many passengers want to board. Ask the driver if he is taking the exact route you want.
In order to disembark from the maxi (before reaching the final stop), you need to press a special device that emits a sound signal and is located under the passenger seat.
If you do not know the area, then you can ask the driver about where you need to get off. Some maxis (mostly the larger ones) have a conductor. He collects fares and directs incoming people to where they can sit. He can be easily recognized by the wad of money in one hand and his hasty shouts to potential passengers.
Air conditioning is usually not available in maxis.
Main attractions
- The Asa Wright Nature Center is the largest bird watching center in the world. You can stay in small houses here, but you don't need to stay overnight to visit the center. Knowledgeable guides will take you around the plantation where cocoa beans were once grown and tell you about all the birds, lizards and other animals you will meet along the way. The center's staff places fresh fruit on the plantations every day to attract birds, meaning that even sitting on the spacious, cozy veranda, the guest can enjoy watching the local fauna. The entrance fee here is $60TT (10 US) for foreigners and $30TT (5 US) for locals. This payment allows you to be in the park all day.
- Carnivals. Steel drum, soca music, calypso and all other traditions originating in Trinidad and Tobago are celebrated at the Carnival, which takes place two days before the start of Lent. Arrive early if you want to take part in the local fun events leading up to Carnival itself, some of which are completely free. Ask local residents, is it possible to attend rehearsals of groups practicing their steel drumming before a performance.
- Caroni Bird Sanctuary. The afternoon tour of the reserve begins at approximately 4 pm. Contact any of the operators to book your place on the boat that takes passengers across the Caroni Swamp. You will be able to see a breathtaking sight of local birds soaring in the sky colored by the sunset. Don't forget to bring a good camera, as well as insect repellent and suntan lotion.
- Diwali holiday. Ask locals about celebrating this festival of light. They will be able to tell you a lot of interesting things.
- Maracas/Tyrico/Las Cuevas – magnificent views of the landscapes of land and sea open from the northern shore. And, driving along it, you will definitely come across the village of Blanchisseuse and meet many more interesting things on your way. Rent a car and spend the whole day here. Just be especially careful when driving - the road here is very winding.
- Mount Saint Benedict is a Catholic monastery located on the top of one of the mountains of the Northern Range, near the village of Arima. Visitors are very welcome here. For them, there is also a charming hotel - Pax Guest House - where on Sunday afternoon everyone is served incredibly delicious tea. (Food is also available for guests staying overnight). Bakery and confectionery products are baked by Benetictine monks themselves, which confirms their exceptional freshness and taste. The payment for tea is purely symbolic. The atmosphere of the entire complex is imbued with calm and tranquility, and due to its location on the top of the mountain, it is also cool here (you may even need a sweater in the evening). For visitors in good physical shape, the complex has Stations of the Cross - stations starting at the foot of the mountain and ending at the church itself. They are located along the road, which extends along a rather steep slope, which requires considerable physical and mental strength to climb.
- Hiking trails – allow you to go hiking along footpaths with people you meet along the way small waterfalls and streams in which you can swim.
- Pitch Lake in La Brea made of liquid asphalt, in the south of Trinidad. Not far from the lake is located sea beach, so you can combine walking tour with swimming in the sea.
- Toco/Matelot/Grand Riviere. Here you can enjoy stunning scenery, visit several beaches, and even see leatherback turtles that crawl ashore every night during egg-laying season.
- Tobago's beaches are a great choice if you're looking for a camping spot. A coral reef Buccoo, Nylon Pool, and Fort King George are all worth a visit.
Food. What to try?
- National cuisine Trinidad has been influenced by the traditions of many cultures, mainly Indian and African (also called Creole cuisine). It was also influenced by Chinese cuisine (the number of Chinese eateries exceeds only the number of bars), and in some ways, English and French. More recently, American eateries have become widespread here: Subway, KFC and Pizza Hut. Now you can find them on every corner.
- Most Trinidadians prefer meat dishes of all kinds, but due to the large Hindu population, there is also a considerable range of vegetarian dishes available.
- Among the local fast food, the most popular is Doubles, a snack that can be purchased at a street stall. Cheap and tasty - which is why many people prefer to snack on them - it consists of curried channa (also known as chickpeas or chickpeas) sandwiched between two baras (fluffy soft unleavened buns). It is served like a sandwich wrapped in wax paper. You can order extras in the form of mango or other chutneys such as pepper sauce.
- Locals name the varieties of doubles by the amount of pepper added to it: “without”, which means that there will be no pepper at all, “slight” - lightly seasoned with pepper, or “blaze” - with the addition of a whole spoonful of pepper.
- On the counters of doubles sellers you can usually see fried pies with potatoes, called “aloo pies”, to which you can also order any additive. Prices range from $3 to $4 TT, but if you happen to visit Penal in the south of Trinidad, the orange hut opposite gas station NP, then you can buy them there for only $2. Apart from doubles, they also sell kachourie and saheena (made from green vegetables) which also taste amazing. They are served with a sweet sauce without a hint of hot pepper unless you ask for it. Not all places that serve doubles can offer pepper-free options.
- Doubles are eaten by first unrolling the paper and then separating the top bar. Break off a piece from the separated bar (and if you have ordered extra pepper or chutney, now is the time to spread it over the surface of the lower bar) and scoop out some channa before drinking. Once the top bar is finished, move on to the bottom bar until all the channa is finished. You can get really dirty in the process, so before drinking doubles it’s better to find some place where you can wash your hands. Warning: At least one channa pea is bound to slide off the wax paper and onto your shirt or shoe.
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, located on the border between the Atlantic and the Caribbean, next to Venezuela, unites two large islands of the same name and many small ones.
About this amazing country, her geographical location This article will tell you about the amazing nature, climate and attractions.
Trinidad Island: Geography
As part of the Antilles archipelago, Trinadate and Tobago occupy part of the continental shelf of South America and are separated from the mainland only by straits that have traditionally exotic names - Boca del Serpiente and Boca del Dragon. The area of Trinidad - very substantial and the largest in the archipelago (80 km long and 59 km wide) - is 4768 km 2. The island, a neighbor of Trinidad, located 30 kilometers away, Tobago is significantly smaller in size. It occupies about 300 km 2, its length is 41 km and its width is 12 km.
The predominant terrain of Trinidad is plain. There are three mountain range, two of which are located in clear parallel to each other, and the third is a continuation of the Venezuelan Cordillera. Two rivers crossing the island of Trinidad flow into the Atlantic Ocean.
Tobago crosses a 30-kilometer ridge, on both sides of which there are fertile lowlands and forests. Many small rivers and streams on the island contribute to the lush development of vegetation.
Climate
The climatic conditions on the islands are typical for these humid subequatorial latitudes and have a clear distinction between dry and rainy seasons. The dry season, lasting from January to May, is quite mild because it is not characterized by sweltering heat - it is largely neutralized by tropical trade winds.
The rainy season lasts from June to August. This is the period when the islands are visited by tropical showers, heavy and prolonged. The optimal time for a tourist trip to Trinidad is February and March, months that are bright, warm and full of unforgettable events and entertainment. Trinidad and Tobago, whose resorts await tourists, are most attractive at this time.
Nature of the islands
Amazing with a riot of colors, evergreen forests are very carefully protected by the state - on such a small territory on a planetary scale there are many nature reserves. Tobago - unique island, famous for its superb coastal views, long narrow beaches with white sand and mighty palm trees. Back in the eighteenth century, the Tobago authorities declared the island's tropical forests a protected area - the first precedent of its kind. Buccoo Reef, with its picturesque harbors, amazing fish and coral, has been protected by the government since 1973.
The islands of Trinidad and Tobago have an amazing diversity of flora, including not only South American species, but also found exclusively in the archipelago. In the northern part of Trinidad, rain forests have been preserved where up to fifty species of valuable tree species grow. The center and western regions are occupied by evergreen forests. Sandalwood, fustic and cypress are typical representatives of island forests. In the lowlands and foothills of these areas there are savannas and cultivated plantations where coconut and oilseeds are grown for export. Along the coast at the mouths of rivers there are thickets with intricately intertwined trunks and roots.
The fauna is also extremely diverse: there are howler monkeys and capuchins, representatives of marsupials (opossums), rodents (agouti), predators (ocelots), bats and reptiles - turtles, alligators, lizards, snakes. There are numerous colonies of birds with bright, multi-colored southern plumage.
There are more than 40 species of hummingbirds alone. The waters of the islands are abundant with fish.
Bosom
The island of Trinidad is rich in mineral resources: oil deposits and reserves of accompanying gas have been found in the southern part and shelf; natural asphalt is mined a little to the west; sulfur and diorites are mined in the north; the Sangre Grande region is famous for deposits of lignite and brown coal. In the north of the island, iron ore, gypsum and limestone are mined.
Tourism
Today the island of Trinidad is a popular center for eco-tourism. Vacationers have at their disposal a set of all types beach holiday, opportunity to do water sports, diving, horse riding, yachting, etc. The Calypso music festival is held here annually, traditionally attracting a huge audience of fans. The island of Trinidad, Brazil is the birthplace of this interesting show.
Markets on the islands are overflowing with handicrafts. Bamboo crafts and paintings by island artists are in demand here. Trade is thriving both in huge supermarkets and on street stalls, where, however, unlike boutiques, you can bargain successfully.
Kitchen
In addition, tourists are always interested local kitchen, which is a mixture of Oriental, Caribbean, Spanish and Chinese. The diversity of ethnic types of cooking gives rise to unlimited possibilities- you can taste any, even the most exotic dish. The recent "New Caribbean" trend of adding local flavors to haute cuisine offers an opportunity to fully experience culinary specialties. Visiting small home restaurants specializing in catering for foreign tourists will help complete the picture. Reviews from vacationers on the islands particularly highlight these small catering outlets, safe, comfortable, and with unforgettable cuisine. A signature dish in Trinidad is charcoal-grilled sugar balls rolled in sesame seeds.
Entertainment industry
Trinidad and Tobago is not only the intersection of culinary traditions of many countries, but also a whole universe of attractions that gives tourists an indescribable experience that remains in the memory for a long time: picturesque nature, walks in the hills, sea travel, pristine beaches, amazing colors and calypso rhythms of the annual carnival!
To participate in it, the islanders make unique drums from empty iron barrels. Calypso musical compositions, played from drums with rhythmic beats, have long been recognized as a symbol of the carnival and the island itself. This type of local folklore consists of small, witty musical opuses performed in African style, full of local dialectical expressions. An approximate analogy is observed in many countries of the world - ditties in Russia or couplets from the times of the French Fronde.
The carnival - unrestrained and noisy - is held shortly before the onset of Lent. This is the most incredible procession that Trinidad and Tobago is famous for. The islands, Brazil and others organize such holidays every year.
The islanders begin preparations for the carnival with the onset of the New Year - they come up with costumes and create drums. The most amazing actions take place in the Royal Park of the capital. In contrast to the vast majority of the world's carnival processions, on the islands from the first moments the border between spectators and participants ceases to exist. No one is left on the sidelines, mulatto mermaids draw tourists into their ranks and everyone dances to the rhythms of “steel” music.
Holidays on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago
Resorts on the islands are famous for their clean, stunning beaches, such as Maracas Bay, Tairico Bay or Las Cuelvas. The most inhabited and the most famous Russian tourists is the western part of the coast facing the Gulf of Paria. The capital and main ports are located here.
There is a lot to admire in the capital of the republic, Port of Spain: the Ginderbrad House residence, Magnificent Seven Park, National Museum, Art Gallery, historical Museum Trinidad and Tobago, Holy Trinity Cathedral. The architecture is noteworthy, dominated by wooden houses with a unique carved gallery running along the second floor of the buildings. Most of the buildings, public and private, were built at the beginning of the 19th century in the classicist style that prevailed at that time.
The Asa Wright natural complex, a former coconut plantation, now turned into a nature reserve, gives lovers of tropical birds a real pleasure. And in the Karoni nature reserve, located not far from the capital, you can observe the life of the ibis - a representative of the ibis family, which is one of the symbols of the republic. The island of Trinidad is famous for many other attractions. Visit this amazing place will leave a lot of unforgettable impressions.
