Trinidad and Tobago’s capital city boasts an immersive blend of history and culture, providing visitors with plenty of music, art, food, and tradition. Highlights of the town include the rolling 260 acres (105 hectares) of greenery and historic buildings found at Queen’s Park Savannah, as well as the city’s many artistic festivals and celebrations, including the world-famous Carnival.
With a wide array of influences—including Indigenous, Spanish, English, French, African, Indian, and Portuguese—found throughout the country, Port of Spain celebrates its eclectic cultural identity in a variety of ways. Nature lovers will enjoy a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, while architecture fans should check out the Magnificent Seven—a collection of Victorian-era homes from when Trinidadian cacao was king. There’s plenty of food to savor, with cooking leaning toward the country’s African and Indian influences, and music too—you can rock out to soca at any of the bars and clubs year-round.
- Port of Spain is a financial hub for the country, and the rest of the Caribbean, and its financial district is considered to be the city’s downtown.
- Independence Square is a great jumping-off point for visitors, packed with plenty of local food and flavor.
- “Liming,” the Trinidadian tradition of hanging out, is best practiced on Port of Spain’s Ariapita Avenue, which is packed with restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
On the northwest coast of the island, Port of Spain is roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Piarco International Airport.
Trinidad and Tobago’s dry season stretches from January to May. During this time, to experience the spectacle of Carnival, consider planning your visit to Port of Spain to include the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. For even more festive fun, the NGC Bocas Lit Festival is a 5-day literary event that happens at the end of April; the international Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival takes place every September; and Port of Spain’s Pan African Festival, celebrating Emancipation Day, kicks off at the end of May and runs through August 1.
Known for its beautiful white sand beach, natural setting, and proximity to Port of Spain, Maracas Bay provides ample space for beach goers to sit back, relax, and unwind in the idyllic turquoise waters.
