Are there some places in Trinidad and Tobago that sound far to you but people keep saying that you should visit? Are you unsure whether it would be worth your time, effort and gas money? We all know gasoline ain’t cheap!
Well, here is a list of 5 places in T&T that sound far, but are worth the drive!
Note: Of course, this is subject to where you actually live, but the places on this list are places that generally sound far.
1. Charlotteville
The people who say “nowhere in Tobago is far” probably have never driven to Charlotteville. Since most Tobago visitors stay in Crown Point and Scarborough, it would be a quite a journey to get to this village on the north-eastern tip of Tobago.
But if there was ever a journey worth a long drive, this would be it. Charlotteville offers the best of Tobago’s incredible natural environment. It’s surrounded by lush rainforest mountains which give amazing views of the beachscapes beneath. There are a few guesthouses but the peace and quiet of the village persists. Charlotteville boasts of the freshest seafood, which is not surprising since fishing is a main part of the village’s economy. It also has a rich history which is strongly linked to sugar farming.
It’s very similar to Castara village, which is also a “far” (but also worth it) drive.
2. Grand Riviere
Grand Riviere is one of the more remote villages in our country on the north coast of Trinidad. It’s said to be 60km from Sangre Grande and 100km from Port of Spain. As the name suggests, it’s known for the large river that runs through it. It started off as a settlement for Venezuelans and Tobagonians in the 1860s. These immigrants planted cacao and other crops during the cocoa boom that lasted until 1920.
Today, Grand Riviere is frequented due to its natural flora and fauna. It is great for birdwatchers to spot species like the endangered Blue-throated Pawi and Crimson-crested Woodpecker. The beach is wide and over 1km in length, and has a steep slope into the Caribbean Sea. It is also one of the largest nesting grounds for the leatherback turtle. You are sure to have a grand old time!
3. Moruga
I’ll never forget my first reaction when my co-worker showed me her hometown, Moruga, on a map of T&T. I exclaimed, “It’s the END of Trinidad!” Looking back, that was overly dramatic but if you look at a map, the village of Moruga is on the south shoreline of Trinidad. It is small village with lots to offer.
Moruga has a relaxed countryside ambience. The beaches are quite beautiful and the caves, hills and rock formations are a geologist’s dream! In 2018, the National Cocoa and Chocolate Museum and Heritage Complex was officially opened there. The museum depicts and preserves the rich cocoa and coffee history of the Ancient Historic Cocoa House of Moruga. Located on Rock River Hill, the site also includes pitch pools, a sulphur spring and an earthen oven.
In fact, residents claimed that they found a “fountain of youth” on the San Antonio Estate behind the museum. The estate’s co-owner, Eric Lewis, installed a tub near the well for visitors to bathe in the healing water. He believes it’s good for skin elasticity because of the sulphur content.
So it’s a long drive but I can go to the beach, get some chocolate and look ten years’ younger? Count me in!
4. Paramin
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that this serene hillside beauty rises from the hustle and bustle of Maraval. Paramin is located on one of the highest points of the western area of the Northern range. No wonder it sounds far! It should be called Faramin!
But jokes aside, this village is unlike any other. You can see picturesque views from the hillsides while breathing in clean, crisp air. It gets the nickname of the “herb basket” of Trinidad since there are many farmers who cultivate crops like chives, mint and celery. Residents speak a lot of Patois. Paramin is known for parang, hosting its parang festival just before Christmas. If it’s a place you would like to visit, then you should join us on one of our Paramin jeep tours this Christmas!
5. Tabaquite
The town of Tabaquite is located in central Trinidad, north of Rio Claro. During the drive, you might be saying “Taba-quite-dey?” but it’s a very interesting place to visit.
It’s the home of Knolly’s Tunnel, an old railroad tunnel off the Tabaquite Main Road. Knolly’s tunnel is one of the longest tunnels in the Caribbean. It was constructed to transport cocoa, coffee and other produce from the Brasso-Caparo Valley to Port of Spain, and it was named after the Acting Governor of T&T, Sir Clement C. Knolly, who opened it on 13th August 1898.
If you’re not much of a history buff and are looking for some adventure, then you can stop off at Harry’s Water Park. There you can use the water slides or go kayaking or paddleboating. There are lots of others activities for those who want an adrenaline rush or you can chill out in the sheds, bar or guest rooms.
The point is Tabaquite can provide the best of both worlds! But you gotta take the trip to experience them.
So have you added any of these places to your T&T bucket list? Is there any other place you would add? Let us know in the comments!
