If you’ve got the opportunity to travel for a few days… Trinidad is an option you should consider.
The island of Trinidad is known for having 2 cultures that are ruling, the Creol and the Indians. Even though you’ve got both their cuisine isn’t only Creole or Indian, but it’s simply called Trinidadian Cuisine.
A little about Trinidad:
Trinidad and Tobago (/ˈtrɪnɪdæd … təˈbeɪɡoʊ/, /- toʊ-/), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean and is known for its fossil-fuel wealth. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated 130 kilometers (81 miles) south of Grenada and 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) off the coast of northeastern Venezuela.[16] It shares maritime boundaries with Barbados to the northeast, Grenada to the northwest, Guyana to the southeast, and Venezuela to the south and west.
The island of Trinidad was inhabited for centuries by native Amerindian peoples before becoming a colony in the Spanish Empire, following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1498. Spanish governor Don José María Chacón surrendered the island to a British fleet under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby in 1797. During the same period, the island of Tobago changed hands among Spanish, British, French, Dutch, and Courlander colonizers more times than any other island in the Caribbean. Trinidad and Tobago were ceded to Britain in 1802 under the Treaty of Amiens as separate states and unified in 1889. It obtained its independence in 1962, becoming a republic in 1976.
Trinidad and Tobago have the third-highest GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) in the Americas after the United States and Canada. It is recognized by the World Bank as a high-income economy. Unlike most Caribbean nations and territories, which rely heavily on tourism, the Trinidadian economy is primarily industrial with an emphasis on petroleum and petrochemicals; much of the nation’s wealth is derived from its large reserves of oil and natural gas.
Trinidad and Tobago are well known for its African and Indian cultures, reflected in its large and famous Carnival, Diwali, and Hosay celebrations, as well being the birthplace of steelpan, the limbo, and music styles such as calypso, soca, rapso, parang, chutney, and chutney soca.
Things to do:
- Cultural Tours:
Paria Waterfall: It is a one-stop destination for many different attractions. Travelers will hike a full 8 miles through Blanchisseuse Forest. Along the way, they will have the opportunity to take a lot of pictures. A 5m to 10m at Turtlehead rock. View the magnificent cathedral at Paria Bay.
Live Steel Drums & Street Food Experience! Hear the music of Trinidad live on this 2.5-hour tour that takes you the steelpan yards of the area. Locations of the steelpan yards vary but include areas of Port of Spain and Woodbrook. This tour also includes round-trip transport from your hotel and can be adjusted accordingly if families with children would like to take it. After hearing the steelpan performers play music, you can choose to go back to your hotel, or you can journey down to an area that’s extremely popular for its nightlife scene.
Saturday Markets & Brunch Tour: Experience Trinidad’s beloved markets with a delicious guided tour. After a convenient hotel pickup, taste local specialties like salted fish, sautéed vegetables, doubles, aloo pies, arepas, and natural ice cream made from the island’s exotic tropical fruits. Stop by a sustainable, organic farmer’s market and savor a meal and tastings included in the tour price. - Nature & Wildlife Areas
La Vega Estate – an excellent location for a very relaxing day outdoors. The environment is beautiful, from the well-kept surroundings to the peaceful lake. There are several activities that can keep your interest, including two sizeable swimming pools. There are lots of trees and plants, and great options for taking a nice walk.
Asa Wright Nature Centre – This small resort, buried among mountains deep in the Trinidad rain forest, is famous for its amazing diversity in animal and plant species. - Beaches
Maracas Bay Beach – This popular beach spot fulfills the fantasy of the ideal Caribbean beach but is just as famous for the scenic rainforest drive that must be made to reach it.
Macqueripe Beach – Macqueripe Beach feels like a secluded natural oasis that you stumbled upon while hiking or boating. This is especially true during the week–weekends are typically overcrowded but a great place to meet locals and understand the local culture. It’s located by the military base and was originally used for docking submarines, so it is ideal for those looking to explore the deep waters and nearby caves along the coves.
Mayaro Beach – On the southeast coast of the island, Mayaro Beach is the longest stretch of beach on the island. Locals love this area, and fishermen often come to shore with the fresh catch of the day. However, this beach can get a bit dirtier than others, so make sure to check the beach conditions before you make your way over.
Where to eat:
- More Vino More Sushi – More Vino opened up its Ariapita doors on February 14th, 2005. Initially a retail store, the concept was redirected to a wine bar. In 2009, “More Sushi” was created and it is now known as More Vino More Sushi showcasing a wide array of sushi, wine, spirits, and cocktails.
- BUZO Osteria Italiana – Buzo Osteria Italiana brings the essence of Italian cuisine to Trinidad. The food is complemented by an eclectic wine list, we cook creative, delicious dishes that are prepared with the finest ingredients from scratch. We’ve tried to build Buzo to reflect our passions and values: a love of honest cooking, an appreciation for the arts. It’s an evening well spent in a cozy Italian charmer here at Buzo. There is hardly a restaurant so ingrained in the life of its neighborhood or its customers at Buzo, a place that seems as if it has been here for all civilized history despite being only 6 years.
- Texas de Brazil – Brazilian Steakhouse, is carving a new experience in dining. This continuous dining restaurant embraces a time-honored tradition of churrasco-style cooking, which was adopted from the gauchos, or Brazilian cowboys of Rio Grande do Sul, a region in Southern Brazil. The menu features various cuts of perfectly seasoned beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and sausage all slow-roasted over an open flame and carved at the table by the restaurant’s experienced gauchos.
- Samurai Restaurant (#1 on TripAdvisor) – Samurai is Trinidad’s first Japanese restaurant. Tucked safely in One Woodbrook Place, Port of Spain, Samurai offers an experience that is second to none. Our cuisine blends traditional Japanese flavors as well as a fusion of local Caribbean flavors to please any palate.
