Port of Spain in 5 days

Home of Carnival, steelpan and calypso, with rainforest, bird sanctuaries and the best street food in the Caribbean. Best time to visit: January-May (dry season, Carnival in Feb/Mar). Average daily budget: $70 to $150 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Woodbrook, Bars, restaurants, panyards, and the heart of Carnival-season nightlife.

Morning: Trinidad Carnival. The Caribbean's biggest street festival, with mas bands, soca and J'ouvert.

Afternoon: Explore Woodbrook, Bars, restaurants, panyards, and the heart of Carnival-season nightlife.

Evening: Caroni Bird Sanctuary. A sunset boat trip as thousands of scarlet ibis roost in the mangroves.

Eat: Doubles (curried chickpeas in fried bara bread)

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: St. Clair / Queen's Park Savannah, Leafy streets, the Magnificent Seven mansions, and the city's green lung.

Morning: Maracas Bay bake and shark. A scenic mountain drive to the island's most famous beach and sandwich.

Afternoon: Explore St. Clair / Queen's Park Savannah, Leafy streets, the Magnificent Seven mansions, and the city's green lung.

Evening: Panyard rehearsal in Woodbrook. Watch a steelpan orchestra practise for Panorama, free and electrifying.

Eat: Bake and shark at Maracas Bay

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Downtown Port of Spain, Independence Square, markets, and the waterfront cruise terminal.

Morning: Doubles from a street cart for breakfast, the national obsession, best before 9am.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown Port of Spain, Independence Square, markets, and the waterfront cruise terminal.

Evening: The Queen's Park Savannah loop at dusk when the whole city comes out to walk.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Roti with curry goat, duck or channa

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Maraval, A quieter uptown residential base on the road towards Maracas Bay.

Morning: Asa Wright Nature Centre in the Northern Range for hummingbirds and rainforest.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Maraval, A quieter uptown residential base on the road towards Maracas Bay.

Evening: Sunday lunch of curry duck and roti in the countryside outside the city.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Pholourie, corn soup and Angostura-based cocktails

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Chaguaramas, The peninsula west of the city: boating, hiking, and waterfront restaurants.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Chaguaramas, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Chaguaramas, The peninsula west of the city: boating, hiking, and waterfront restaurants.

Evening: Dinner at Doubles (curried chickpeas in fried bara bread), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Chaguaramas.

Eat: Doubles (curried chickpeas in fried bara bread)

Hidden gems

Doubles from a street cart for breakfast, the national obsession, best before 9am.
The Queen's Park Savannah loop at dusk when the whole city comes out to walk.
Asa Wright Nature Centre in the Northern Range for hummingbirds and rainforest.
Sunday lunch of curry duck and roti in the countryside outside the city.

Getting around

Piarco International is about 30 minutes east of the city. Maxi taxis, the shared minibuses colour-coded by route, are cheap and efficient in daylight, and route taxis run fixed corridors for a few dollars. Licensed taxis with H registration plates are the safe evening option and fares should be agreed first. A rental car helps for Maracas Bay, Caroni and the Northern Range; driving is on the left and city traffic is heavy.

Safety

Port of Spain has significant crime, though it is concentrated in specific areas well away from where visitors spend time. Stay in Woodbrook, St. Clair or Maraval, use H-plate taxis after dark rather than walking, avoid downtown and eastern districts at night, and keep phones and jewellery out of sight. Carnival is generally good-natured but crowded, so travel in groups and watch for pickpockets. Check current advisories before travelling.

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