The industrial capital of Trinidad, San Fernando is the second-most populated city in Trinidad and Tobago. A good base for exploring the southern part of the island, it has plenty of attractions of its own, from San Fernando Hill and its fantastic city views to downtown’s Harris Promenade, a popular spot for open-air concerts.
The island of Trinidad is small enough that you can easily visit San Fernando on a day trip from Port of Spain, but some travelers prefer to base themselves in the city as they explore “the deep south,” with trips to destinations such as Oropuche Lagoon and Icacos Point. Tours that circle the island or are devoted to southern Trinidad often include stops in San Fernando. Most of these also take you to La Brea Pitch Lake, the world’s largest natural asphalt deposit, about a 40-minute drive along the coast from the city.
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San Fernando is a must-visit for travelers who want to experience everyday life in a Trinidadian city.
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Make sure to wear sun protection, even on cloudy days.
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Parts of San Fernando are difficult to access by wheelchair, so it’s good to check with your guide if you have accessibility questions.
Getting from Port of Spain to San Fernando takes about 50 minutes without traffic. The best way to get between the two points is by joining a guided tour or driving yourself. Taxis are also an option, but they can be expensive. Buses connect the two cities and usually run every two hours from morning to night. Government water taxis between the two cities usually depart four times a day from both directions.
The best time to visit San Fernando is during the dry season, which runs from January until May. If you don’t mind crowds and want to immerse yourself in local culture, it’s worth coming for the annual Carnival celebrations, which take place in February or early March during the days leading up to Ash Wednesday.
Among the most popular tourist attractions in the region, La Brea Pitch Lake encompasses nearly 100 acres (40 hectares) and is a major hub of asphalt mining. There’s a modest visitor center with exhibits on the lake’s geology, and if you time it right, you can bathe in one of the warm sulfur pools that appear here during the rainy season.
