Measuring just 55 by 40 miles, the southern Caribbean island of Trinidad has been compared to ecotourism hot spot Costa Rica for its abundant wildlife and unspoiled forest interior. The island is divided into three mountainous areas covered in rainforest and elfin wood: the Northern and Central ranges, and the Southern Hills, rising to just over 3,000 feet at El Cerro del Aripo. Trinidad’s montane forest, savannah, wetlands and river valleys nurture 430 species of avifauna, 620 butterfly species and 2,500 kinds of flowering shrub. A lack of infrastructure holds Trinidad back as a top-ranked ecotourism destination, however – travel to the interior and some coastal areas remained challenging in 2013.
Bird Watching
- At the vanguard of Trinidad’s ecotourism effort, the Asa Wright Nature Centre, which opened in 1967 in the Arima Valley, has one of the most diverse concentrations of species in the Western Hemisphere. High in the Northern Range and a world away from the industrialized Trinidad of Port of Spain and Chaguaramas, the center is primarily a bird watcher’s paradise, showcasing hummingbirds, toucans, parrots and the rare nocturnal Oilbird. It is also the departure point for guided tours and nature trails, with short hikes leading to nearby waterfalls and the coastal village of Blanchisseuse, a turtle nesting beach. Overnight accommodation is available in the center’s cottages.
Turtle Tours
- An estimated 20 percent of the world’s giant leatherback turtle population has Trinidadian ancestry, and Grande Riviere is one of the world’s most important nesting grounds of this protected species. More than 5,000 turtles hit the mile-long beach during the season, with up to 15,000 tourists in hot pursuit. The Grande Riviere Nature Tour Guide Association conducts tours that do not impinge on the turtle’s well-being. On the beach is Le Grand Almanier guest house, a partner in the Paria Springs Eco Community, which aims to promote ecotourism in Trinidad by organizing rainforest walks, mountain biking and hiking in the Northern Range. Paria Springs won a National Geographic 2009 Best New Tour Award.
Wetlands
- Near Trinidad’s capital, Port of Spain, the Caroni Swamp and Bird Sanctuary is a saltwater wetland of mangroves and swamp. Guided tours leave the jetty at 4 p.m. in flat-bottom boats to catch the daily roost of the red ibis, Trinidad’s national bird. Visitors are also likely to spot the occasional boa in the branches and should bring plenty of insect repellent to fend off mosquitoes. In the east, the Nariva Swamp and Wildlife Sanctuary blends rainforest and freshwater mangrove, which can be visited by guided kayak tour. The swamp shelters around 30 protected manatees, as well as anaconda and caimans, and is the last habitat of the protected blue and yellow macaw.
Forest Reserves
- The Matura Forest Reserve in the island's northeast, one of more than 30 protected forest areas in Trinidad, combines nature trails, waterfalls and protected bird species, such as the Pipin Guan, of which only 200 or so remain. The forest also abuts Matura beach, an important turtle nesting spot. In the Southern Range, the Trinity Hills Sanctuary is a 16,000-acre haven of evergreen seasonal forest with monkeys, parrots and deer. As well as bathing around the waterfalls, visitors can see the Lagoon Bouffe, Trinidad’s largest mud volcano.
Practical Information
- Some attractions involve cross-country travel, where public transport links are almost non-existent. The best bet is to take an organized tour with companies such as Caribbean Discovery Tours (which hosted a BBC TV crew), as they take care of travel arrangements and any necessary permits. The Trinidad government has worked hard to guarantee local partnerships that promote sustainability and low-impact tourism. Accordingly, use only guides from the Trinidad and Tobago Incoming Tour Operators Association, which coordinates 17 eco-destination companies on Trinidad and sister island Tobago.
