Island Adventure in Trinidad & Tobago

Arrive in the beautiful dual island of Trinidad and Tobago. You’ll be spending the main part of the journey on the larger island of Trinidad and a day on the smaller Tobago. Spend some time getting to know your guide and checking out the beautiful coastline. Enjoy dinner at a waterfront restaurant with local live music.

On your first West Indies island adventure, you’ll visit the Asa Wright Nature Center. This 80-acre nature reserve is located on a former cocoa and coffee plantation, and has a wide variety of rare and tropical birds that include blue-headed parrots, 14 species of hummingbirds and the rarely seen guacharo, or “oilbird.” You’ll learn about the diverse landscape and biology of this rainforest environment.

This evening, enjoy a sunset sailing excursion to the Bocas Islands. You’ll cruise past Centipede Island, Gaspar Grande and Monos Islands as you watch the sun dip below the sea.

You’ll be hiking to the Rio Seco Waterfall in Matura National Park on day three. The waterfall is located in the middle of a rainforest, so wear your walking shoes. 

Next up is the National Museum and Art Gallery in Port of Spain. You’ll see exhibits on Amerindian settlers, African slaves and indentured Indians, as well as geologic and natural history displays. You’ll also learn more about the history of the island and view an excellent collection of artwork. Then, visit the Botanical Gardens in Port of Spain. Enjoy a stroll around this circa 1818 garden and 1875 mansion, and the exotic trees and native plants along its winding pathways.

This morning, you’ll board a boat and head over to the smaller of the dual islands, Tobago. Visit the circa 1781 Fort King George where you can check out the cannons, antique maps and other artifacts. There are stunning views over Rockly Bay from atop this elevated fort.

Then, you’ll hike to Argyle Falls. This beautiful waterfall crashes and flows down from three levels amid a background of lush jungle foliage. Spend some time walking around the Port of Scarborough before your next Tobago adventure.

For a unique evening experience, you’ll set out to see leatherback turtles along Turtle Bay. The turtles lay their eggs at night as expert guides tag, measure and record each turtle. This experience ends around midnight, so you’ll spend the night in Tobago and head back to Trinidad in the morning.

Back in Trinidad, today is a museum and architecture day. You’ll visit the National Museum and Art Gallery in Port of Spain. Established in 1892, it features the art, natural history and social history of the islands. You’ll also visit Stollmeyer’s Castle, an early 20th-century Scottish Baronial-style castle that pays a striking resemblance to Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Next up is the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, which was completed in 1851. Today, it’s the seat of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain. 

Next, you’ll head a bit south to Waterloo and the Indian Caribbean Museum of Trinidad and Tobago. This specialized museum preserves the island’s Indo-Caribbean culture and East Indian history. It’s located in the 1919 Waterloo Carnegie Library. You’ll also visit the peace and reverence of the Hindu Temple in the Sea. The designer, Seedas Sadhu was an indentured laborer who built the temple in the sea — carrying rocks and dirt by hand to fill in the foundation — so that it wouldn’t conflict with government regulations at the time.

Today is all about the water. You’ll board a boat and head out into the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean. Spend the day swimming, snorkeling and discovering tropical fish and other marine animals.

On your last morning in Trinidad, you can relax with a leisurely breakfast overlooking the stunning seascape of this West Indies island nation. Get in a bit of last-minute shopping before packing up and heading out.