Ecotourism in Trinidad

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.

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Things to Do in San Fernando, Trinidad

The Caribbean island of Trinidad is located just off the north coast of Venezuela. It is the main island in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, measuring about 50 miles by 40 miles. According to "Frommer's," it is "completely different from the other Caribbean islands." San Fernando, the second largest city in the country, sits on Trinidad's west coast facing the Bay of Paria. The year-round average temperature of almost 80 F, the plethora of chic shopping boutiques and its reputation as one of the best places to experience the sights and sounds of Carnival make San Fernando an excellent choice for those who want a genuine Trinidad experience.

Shop Till You Drop

• San Fernando offers visitors the chance to explore both modern shopping arcades as well as street markets where local crafts and souvenirs are sold alongside fresh produce. The city is considered southern Trinidad's main shopping district. Most of the established shops, malls and cafes are clustered around High and Coffee streets. Both can be reached from downtown via Penitence Street. A few internationally recognized fashion houses are based on the relatively small island. These include names like Claudia Pegus, Heather Jones, Meiling, Millhouse, Radical Designs and The Cloth. Most shops take major credit cards, so you will not need to carry large amounts of cash.

Stroll Through Harris Promenade

• A visit to downtown San Fernando would not be complete without a visit to the Harris Promenade. The area is arguably the city's most notable landmark. The original promenade was built in the late 1800s to honor Lord Harris, who served as governor from 1846 to 1854. Though some of the original elements have been preserved, new additions have been added over the years. The open-air amphitheater, which features live music and stage performances, is one example. The "Wall of Honour," a tribute to notable locals, and a statue of Mahatma Gandhi are other recent additions. The cheerful ambiance and ample greenery also make it the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the rest of San Fernando.

Climb San Fernando Hill

• Climb to the top of the San Fernando hill, a 600-foot hill in the center of a large park at the heart of the city. This 100-acre limestone outcrop is perfect for taking pictures of the surrounding areas of southern and central Trinidad. In fact, you can even see the mountains of Venezuela if you look west over the bay. While most people call it San Fernando Hill, the official name is Naparima Hill because of its location on the Naparima plains. Covered picnic areas, strategically placed benches, children's playgrounds and barbecue grills make it an excellent spot for a day of recreation and relaxation. If the steps to the summit prove a bit challenging, you can also access the top of the hill by car.

Experience Carnival

• Trinidad is world-renowned for vibrantly colored costumes, intoxicating music and round-the-clock parties during the annual Carnival celebration. This lively event takes place every year in February or March, depending on the date of Ash Wednesday. It officially kicks off on the Monday before the holiday at 4 a.m. during the J'Ouvert, or "Day Open" celebration, with a parade of devils and demons bathed in everything from mud to chocolate. On Fat Tuesday the celebration reaches its peak, with thousands of carefree, costumed attendees flooding the streets just before Lent. While the dates for the official party days through 2020 can be found on the Go Trinidad and Tobago website, rumblings of the party begin the day after Christmas, with calypso tents and cultural shows that include limbo contests, live music concerts and a general air of festival fever.

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Carnivals of Trinidad

Imagine an island festival that seems messier than La Tomatina, noisier than Rock in Rio and more flamboyant than '70s-era Elton John. Carnival in Trinidad is a rich pot of island music, native traditions, elaborate costumes and artistic competitions that take place throughout the island on the Monday and Tuesday before Lent. Scheduled activities occur in nearly 60 places on the island, but the main party takes place on the streets of the capital city, Port of Spain. The U.K. "Guardian" estimates that 300,000 people, including 40,000 tourists, take part in the Port of Spain festivities around the national stadium and Queens Park.

Did Someone Say Pre-Party?

• Anyone who thinks Carnival only lasts for two days is sorely mistaken. The celebrations really begin the day after Christmas with soca and calypso concerts, preliminary music competitions, local celebrity parties and various elaborate events known as fetes. In the weekend before Carnival, the main music competitions take place for Panorama steelband, calypso and soca, among others. Dimanche Gras is the big kickoff party on Sunday and includes the crowning of the King and Queen of Carnival (based largely on costumes that would put Cher to shame) and the naming of the Calypso Monarch. As Sunday rolls into Monday, Carnival officially begins at 4 a.m. with J'Ouvert.

Make the Most of Carnival

• A full moon is not needed for lunacy to erupt at J'Ouvert in the early hours of Monday morning. Like an episode of "Walking Dead" come to life, the "mas" (masquerade festival) epitomizes the island's dark history with revelers dressed as devils, demons, zombies, monsters or simply covered in paint, mud or chocolate. Come daybreak, the bands and parades take to the streets with spectators watching from the stands at Queen's Park and other locations. The competition for Band of the Year occurs during the Tuesday parade, and the Las' Lap is the final stages of the Carnival parade that night. On Wednesday morning, though, everyone heads to the beaches for more parties, bands and DJs.

Learn the Carnival Jukebox

• Music rivals masquerade as the cornerstones of Carnival, and knowing the island's musical heritage is a good way to make the most of the celebration. Trinidad and Tobago is home to calypso music, which many Americans know from songs like "Banana Boat Song" and "Jump in the Line." While the first singing contest took place in 1911, Carnival has named a Calypso Monarch (originally Calypso King) since 1939. In 1993, Carnival added the Soca Monarch competition in 1993 for soca music, a newer Trinidadian sound that blends calypso, American soul and dance music. Famous soca songs in the United States include Arrow's "Hot Hot Hot" and the Baha Men's "Who Let the Dogs Out," but the more traditional artists include SuperBlue, Bunji Garlin and Machel Montano. A contest for mellower songs, the Groovy Soca Monarch, was introduced in 2004. Other local sounds include steel pan, extempo, brass, chutney and chutney brass.

Remember the Revolution

• Trinidad's Carnival has its roots in revolution. The island was under Spanish rule in 1789 when the French Revolution struck fear into many of France's Caribbean territories. Planters on Martinique and other nearby French islands moved to Trinidad, nearly tripling Port of Spain's population, and introduced their Carnival traditions to the upper class. The plantation slaves could not participate in Carnival, but they staged a concurrent Canboulay festival where many of the island's musical traditions were born. In the early 19th century, a new revolution was brewing to free the slaves, and when emancipation took effect in 1838, the freed slaves took their festival to the street. Blending African, Caribbean, Asian, European and other cultural traditions, the festival evolved into the diverse Carnival celebration the island enjoys today.

Experience Carnival at Home

• Trinidad-style Carnivals can also be experienced in several cities around the world. In the Caribbean, celebrations include the Bacchanal Jamaica in Kingston, the Crop Over Festival in Barbados and the Lucian Carnival in St. Lucia, among others. In the United States, Trinidadian Carnivals can be found in New York, Miami, Baltimore, Atlanta, Houston, Palm Beach and a more family-friendly affair in Orlando. International events take place in Rotterdam and several Canadian cities, while the trendy London neighborhood Notting Hill hosts a summertime Carnival that has been called the largest street festival in Europe.

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