Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago holidays are for bird lovers eager to spot some rare species. A Trinidad and Tobago holiday is also for the culture seeker, the history buff, the art lover, and the music maniac. The land of the Calypso, steel drum, soca rhythms, and limbo, Trinidad and Tobago is a place where music connects hearts and makes friends out of strangers. It is a place where the past co-exists harmoniously with the present.  It is one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the world, and in a planet where “being different” is an invitation to be persecuted or killed, Trinidad and Tobago teaches visitors how imbibing nuances from other cultures enriches one’s own identity and expression.

Nature lovers, sun worshippers, solitude seekers, and wilderness explorers go on holidays to Trinidad and Tobago to charge their batteries with a dose of high-vibration frequencies that Mother Nature exudes. Palm-lined golden beaches, sparkling turquoise waters that stretch for as far as the eyes travel, forest-draped lush hillsides echoing with the calls of birds, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic rocky mountainous faces make up the beautiful landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. Diving, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, birdwatching, or just lounging on the beach doing nothing—you can choose how you want to enjoy your interlude.

Go on a holiday to Trinidad and Tobago if you are one of those people who look forward to perching atop a tree or hanging from a branch for hours on end, cramped legs and sore back notwithstanding, to get just a fleeting glimpse of an exotic bird. This place is home to more than 400 species of birds who inhabit the lush rainforests, dense mangrove swamps, and sanctuaries, some of which located in the unlikeliest of places. (The wildfowl thrives at the Pointe-à-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, near an oil refinery!) Birdwatching holidays in Trinidad and Tobago provide lessons in wildlife conservation. But you also realize that the islanders have a thing or two to teach the world about honoring different life forms and co-existing harmoniously.

A Trinidad and Tobago tour is a curious journey to the past that you undertake with your feet firmly planted in the present. The bustling urban center of Port of Spain with its swanky entertainment and recreation joints, numerous business establishments, and glittering lights not only reflect the prosperity of the region but also shed light on where the nation as a whole wants to move to in future. But underneath the present that is so palpable is a lovingly-preserved past that the locals refuse to let go. Relics from the region’s turbulent history and eclectic culture that has morphed through the ages find place of honor at the Fort King George and the Tobago Museum. The skyline of Port of Spain is dotted with grand colonial buildings and Renaissance-style architecture. The past is evident even in the way the locals lead their lives and connect with the world around them. The Mount St. Benedict Monastery holds on to and diligently practices the values of self-sustenance and hospitality that it was founded on in the early 20th century.

Trinidad is the most ethnically diverse and cosmopolitan destination in the Caribbean region. Over the ages, the island has seen a sea of humanity wash over its shores from all corners of the world, seep into the seams of the society, and create an intriguing mosaic of cultures, customs, and beliefs. On your holiday in Trinidad and Tobago, peer closer to discern the imprints Creole, African, East Indian, American-Indian, and East Indian people have left on the cuisine, music, arts, architecture, and festivals of the region. Drawn by the bracing climate of the region, the myriad trade and commerce opportunities afforded by its strategic geographic location, and the warmth and hospitality of the locals, Chinese, Lebanese, Middle-Eastern, French, and Spanish people too have arrived here in droves and made Trinidad and Tobago their home.A tour in Trinidad and Tobago is a cultural journey that you undertake to discover the uniqueness of a welcoming and inclusive people whose psyche has been shaped by currents and influences from all over the world that they have imbibed willingly and enthusiastically.

Trinidad and Tobago is a multi-cultural society, and the festivals of all ethnic groups are celebrated here with equal pomp and splendor. This means there will always be a party on here whenever you come.

Lights. Music. Dance. Food. Drinks. Happy vibes. Joyous hearts. The festivals of Trinidad and Tobago are occasions for the locals to celebrate their unique lineage, one that is built on sharing, caring, and being there for one another. A tour to Trinidad and Tobago during these festivals is an opportunity for you to witness how the locals celebrate life.

Spring: A Riot of Colors and a Medley of Tunes

Spring is CARNIVAL time in Trinidad and Tobago. The locals believe that this is the greatest show on Earth, and after a spring holiday to Trinidad and Tobago planned around the Carnival, you won’t dispute their claims. The Carnival is a visual extravaganza of glittering costumes, bewitching make-up, elaborate headgear that can resemble anything from abstract geometric shapes to a whole tropical jungle, flickering lights, and thousands of swaying and shaking bodies moving to the beats of Calypso and limbo. The Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is a wild and unrestrained celebration of life that embodies the spirit of a people who live engaged and connected lives.

Summer: Honouring Roots

Trinidad and Tobago is a land where the people are strongly connected to their past and rich cultural heritage. They honor where they have come from and believe that what has gone on before them greatly influences what is going on in their lives now. This pride in their heritage is evident in the Tobago Heritage Festival where the music reflects African, American-Indian, and European strains while the offerings at the food stalls taste of flavors from far-off lands. But the melodies and the flavors are not just reflections of a multi-cultural heritage; the fusion of tastes and tunes embody the tolerant, inclusive nature of a people who have embraced newness with vim and passion.

Autumn: Music is a Way of Life

It is not surprising that in the land of calypso, limbo, and soca, music is a religion. The locals are not content to just play music at the festivals; they have whole festivals dedicated to particular genres of music. The Steel Band Festival is a rare opportunity for musicphiles to explore the beats of the steel pan, the only musical invention of the 20th century. The Festival sees groups competing for the top honors, and you get to listen to the musicians baring their souls and revealing their deepest hopes and passions. Hosay, a festival celebrated by the Shiite Muslim community, and Diwali and Ramleela, both Hindu celebrations, are the other major autumnal festivals of Trinidad and Tobago.

Winter: Xmas Spirit Touches All

It is the season of warmth, cheer, and kindness. And the locals of Trinidad and Tobago definitely know how to honor the spirit of the season. Christmas here is celebrated by people of all faith and creed, which has given rise to a unique set of traditions and practices that you won’t find anywhere else in the Christian world. Christmas time in Trinidad and Tobago is yet another instance of when distances were bridged, hearts met, and an entirely new culture was born.