36 Best Sights in Trinidad and Tobago

Nearly 200 acres are covered with plants, trees, and colorful flowers, and the surroundings are atwitter with more than 200 bird species—including the gorgeous blue-crowned motmot and the rare (and protected) nocturnal oilbird. Take one of the guided hikes to the oilbirds' breeding grounds in Dunston Cave. Those who don't want to hike can relax on the inn's veranda and watch birds swoop about the porch feeders. You are also more than likely to see a variety of other animal species, including agoutis (similar to large guinea pigs) and alarmingly large golden tegu lizards. This stunning plantation house looks out onto the lush, untouched Arima Valley. Visits must be booked in advance and include lunch and afternoon tea on the verandah.

This mile-long crescent of sand looks like a frame ripped from a classic pirate movie. The somewhat steep sandy beach almost always has calm waters and backs onto unspoiled tropical rain forest. The beach is usually deserted, but there are a few shacks offering food, drink, and souvenirs. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; walking.

On Mount St. George, a short drive up the hill from Scarborough, Tobago's best-preserved historic monument clings to a cliff high above the ocean. Ft. King George was built in the 1770s and operated until 1854. It's hard to imagine that this lovely, tranquil spot commanding sweeping views of the bay and landscaped with lush tropical foliage was ever the site of any military action, but the prison, officers' mess, and several stabilized cannons attest otherwise. Just to the left of the tall wooden figures dancing a traditional Tobagonian jig is the former barracks guardhouse, now housing the small Tobago Museum. Exhibits include weapons and other pre-Columbian artifacts found in the area; the fertility figures are especially interesting. Upstairs are maps and photographs of Tobago's past. Be sure to check out the gift display cases for the perversely fascinating jewelry made from embalmed and painted lizards and sea creatures; you might find it hard to resist a pair of bright-yellow shrimp earrings. The Fine Arts Centre at the foot of the Ft. King George complex shows the work of local artists.

This stretch of peach-color sand has a cove and a fishing village at one end. It's the local favorite, so it can get crowded on weekends. The government is constantly trying to upgrade the facilities (with limited success), so the areas around the beach are less than pristine. Lifeguards will guide you away from strong currents. Parking sites are ample, and there are snack bars selling the famous bake and shark, a must-try. Take the winding North Coast Road from Maraval (it intersects with Long Circular Road right next to KFC Maraval) over the Northern Range; the beach is about 7 miles (11 km) from Maraval. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; toilets. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking.

This stunning locale is often displayed on Tobago travel brochures. The white-sand beach is lined with swaying coconut trees, and there are changing facilities and food stalls nearby. The beach is public, but there is an admission fee. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; swimming; tanning.

This large swamp with mazelike waterways is bordered by mangrove trees, some plumed with huge termite nests. If you're lucky, you may see lazy caimans idling in the water and large snakes hanging from branches on the banks, taking in the sun. In the middle of the sanctuary are several islets that are home to Trinidad's national bird, the scarlet ibis. Just before sunset the ibis arrive by the thousands, their richly colored feathers brilliant in the gathering dusk, and as more flocks alight, they turn the mangrove foliage a brilliant scarlet. Bring a sweater and insect repellent. The sanctuary was renamed in 2015 following the death of its founder, Winston Nanan. He was also the owner of the only official tour operator, and his family continues to operate tours.

This dark-sand beach was the setting for the films Swiss Family Robinson and Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison. If you are not a guest at the Blue Haven Hotel, access is down a track next door to the hotel. The bathroom and changing facilities are for hotel guests only. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; walking.

On the northeast coast, this beige-sand beach—popular with locals on weekends—is sheltered by a rocky outcropping and is a favorite of bodysurfers. Much of the beach is suitable for swimming. It can be rather noisy on the weekends. Take the Toco Main Road from the Valencia Road, and turn off at the signs indicating Balandra (just after Salybia). Amenities: lifeguards. Best for: surfing; swimming.

The facilities are nonexistent at this narrow, palm-fringed beach, but it's an ideal spot for a romantic picnic. A lagoon and river at the east end of the beach allow you to swim in fresh water, but beware of floating logs in the river, as they sometimes contain mites that can cause a body rash (called bete rouge locally). You can haggle with local fishermen to take you out in their boats to explore the coast. This beach is about 14 miles (23 km) after Maracas; just keep driving along the road until you pass the Arima turnoff. The coastal and rain-forest views here are spectacular. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming; walking.

Although this museum covers everything from Amerindian history to the Cold War, the emphasis is on the two World Wars, and it's a must-see for history buffs. The exhibits, housed on a former U.S. military base, are in a large hangarlike shed without air-conditioning, so dress appropriately. There's a decidedly charming and homemade feel to the place; in fact, most exhibits were made by the curator and founder, the late Commander Gaylord Kelshall of the Trinidad & Tobago Coast Guard. The museum is set a bit off the main road but is easily spotted by the weathered British West Indian Airways (BWIA) L-1011 jet parked out front (from Trinidad & Tobago's former national airline).

This delightful fishing village in the northeast is within a series of steep hills. Fishermen here announce the day's catch by sounding their conch shells. A view of Man O' War Bay with Pigeon Peak (Tobago's highest mountain) behind it at sunset is an amazing sight.

The cultivated expanse of parkland north of the Savannah is the site of the president's and prime minister's official residences and also the Emperor Valley Zoo & Botanical Gardens. A meticulous lattice of walkways and local flora, the parkland was first laid out in 1820 for Governor Ralph Woodford. In the midst of the serene wonderland is the 8-acre zoo, which exhibits mostly birds and animals of the region—including the brilliantly plumed scarlet ibis as well as slithering anacondas and pythons; you can also see (and hear) the wild parrots that breed in the surrounding foliage. Two African giraffes and several big cats were added to the collection in 2013 and have proven to be hugely attractive with locals. The zoo, which is undergoing a major renovation to make it more of a naturalistic setting, draws a quarter of a million visitors a year. Tours are free.

The cultivated expanse of parkland north of the Savannah is the site of the president's and prime minister's official residences and also the Emperor Valley Zoo & Botanical Gardens. A meticulous lattice of walkways and local flora, the parkland was first laid out in 1820 for Governor Ralph Woodford. In the midst of the serene wonderland is the 8-acre zoo, which exhibits mostly birds and animals of the region—including the brilliantly plumed scarlet ibis as well as slithering anacondas and pythons; you can also see (and hear) the wild parrots that breed in the surrounding foliage. Two African giraffes and several big cats were added to the collection in 2013 and have proven to be a huge draw for locals. The zoo, which underwent a major renovation and expansion to make it more of a naturalistic setting, draws a quarter of a million visitors a year. Tours are free.

One of the highest points on the island sits at the northern tip of Tobago. Surrounded by ocean on three sides and with a view of other hills, Charlotteville, and St. Giles Island, this was the site of an American military lookout and radio tower during World War II. It's an ideal spot for a sunset picnic. The turnoff to the hill is at the major bend on the road from Speyside to Charlotteville. It's largely unpaved, so the going may be a bit rough.

On Mt. St. George, a short drive up the hill from Scarborough, Tobago's best-preserved historic monument clings to a cliff high above the ocean. Ft. King George was built in the 1770s and operated until 1854. It's hard to imagine that this lovely, tranquil spot commanding sweeping views of the bay and landscaped with lush tropical foliage was ever the site of any military action, but the prison, officers' mess, and several stabilized cannons attest otherwise. Just to the left of the tall wooden figures dancing a traditional Tobagonian jig is the former barrack guardhouse, now housing the small Tobago Museum. Exhibits include weapons and other pre-Columbian artifacts found in the area; the fertility figures are especially interesting. Upstairs are maps and photographs of Tobago's past. Be sure to check out the gift display cases for the perversely fascinating jewelry made from embalmed and painted lizards and sea creatures; you might find it hard to resist a pair of bright-yellow shrimp earrings. The Fine Arts Centre at the foot of the Ft. King George complex shows the work of local artists.

This essential stop when touring the northeast was constructed in 1897 on a stunning cliff. It's still used to warn ships about the rough waters below, the point where the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea meet. You can walk out onto a nearby rocky outcropping that marks Trinidad's easternmost point. On most days Tobago is clearly visible from here. A local legend (unprovable) tells that a group of indigenous people jumped off this point to their deaths rather than be captured by the Spanish. You'll pass several beautiful beaches on the drive from Toco to the lighthouse. The journey from Port of Spain takes about two hours; take Churchill Roosevelt Highway east to Valencia Road; follow the road east to Toco Main Road sign; take this road all the way to Toco; from the Toco intersection, follow the sign to Galera Point.

On Trinidad's rugged northeast coast, Grande Riviere is well worth the drive. Swimming is good, and there are several guesthouses nearby for refreshments, but the main attractions here are turtles. Every year up to 500 giant leatherback turtles a night come onto the beach to lay their eggs. If you're here at night, run your hand through the sand to make it glow—a phenomenon caused by bioluminescent plankton. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; walking.

This bay near Ft. Bennett has clear, tranquil waters. Along the sandy beach—one of Tobago's longest—you can find several hotels. A marina attracts the yachting crowd. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming; walking.

The diminutive and eccentric German-born sculptress Luise Kimme fell in love with the form of Tobagonians and devoted her life to capturing them in her sculptures. Her pieces can exceed 12 feet in height and are often wonderfully whimsical. Much of her work is done in wood (none of it local), but there are many bronze pieces as well. Ms. Kimme passed away in 2013, but her work remains on permanent display at her former home. The museum itself is a turreted structure with a commanding view of the countryside. Most locals refer to it as "the Castle." There are numerous signs in Mt. Irvine directing visitors to the museum.

Surrounded by steep green hills, this is the prettiest swimming site off the road from Scarborough to Speyside. The crescent beach is marked by a sign about halfway between the two towns. Just before you reach the bay, there's a bridge with an unmarked turnoff that leads to a parking lot; beyond that, a landscaped path leads to a waterfall with a rocky pool. Locals will likely offer to guide you to the top of the falls; however, you may find the climb not worth the effort. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers. Best for: swimming; walking.

This narrow, picturesque strip on North Coast Road is named for the series of partially submerged and explorable caves that ring the beach. A food stand offers tasty snacks, and vendors hawk fresh fruit across the road. You can also buy fresh fish and lobster from the fishing depot near the beach. You have to park your car in the small parking lot and walk down a few steps to get to the beach, so be sure to take everything from the car (it will be out of sight once you are on the beach). There are basic changing and toilet facilities. It's less crowded here than at nearby Maracas Bay and seemingly serene, although, as at Maracas, the current can be treacherous. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

It's said that the ghost of the French count Charles Joseph de Lopinot prowls his former home on stormy nights. Lopinot came to Trinidad in 1800 and chose this magnificent site to plant cocoa. His restored estate house has been turned into a museum—a guide is available from 10 to 6—and a center for parang, the Venezuelan-derived folk music. Although worthwhile for those interested in the finer points of Trinidad history, this may not be worth the long and winding drive for most visitors.

You have to hire a local to bring you to this tiny isolated retreat of pink sand sheltered by steep cliffs. Ask one of the fishermen in Charlotteville to arrange a ride for you, but be sure to haggle. It should cost no more than TT$150 per person, round-trip. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; solitude.

You can find picnic facilities and a pretty view of the Atlantic here, though the water is occasionally muddied by the outflow of Venezuela's Orinoco River. The Cocal Road running the length of this beautiful beach is lined with stately palms. This is where many well-heeled Trinis have vacation houses. The Nariva River, which enters the sea just south of this beach and the surrounding Nariva Swamp, is home to the manatee and other rare species, including the much-maligned anaconda. To get here take the Mayaro turnoff at the town of Sangre Grande. Manzanilla is where this road first meets the coast. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards. Best for: sunrise; walking.

The beach across the street from the Mt. Irvine Bay Hotel has great surfing in July and August, and the snorkeling is excellent, too. It's also ideal for windsurfing in January and April. There are picnic tables surrounded by painted concrete pagodas and a snack bar. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; surfing; swimming; windsurfing.

Head over to the southeast corner of the Savannah, which is dominated by the shiny National Academy for the Performing Arts. It opened in 2009 in time to host the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The Lord Kitchener Auditorium in the building hosts concerts, shows, and other events. The Chinese-built structure looks something like a rounded glass-and-metal version of Sydney's famous opera house.

Be sure to see the National Museum & Art Gallery, especially its Carnival exhibitions, the Amerindian collection and historical re-creations, and the fine 19th-century paintings of Trinidadian artist Michel-Jean Cazabon. Tours are free.

On the north side of the island, the beach is best approached via the road from Roxborough. It's a classic Caribbean crescent, a scene peopled by villagers and fishermen. Local food and souvenir shops are literally steps from the sand, as the village fronts the beach. The local fishermen bringing in their catch is a photo opportunity not to be missed. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming.

This gentle beach has shallows and plenty of shade—perfect for swimming. Snack vendors abound in the vicinity. Like many of the beaches on the northeast coast, this one is packed with people and music trucks blaring soca and reggae on weekends. It's off the Toco Main Road, just after the town of Matura. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking.

Around Rockley Bay on the island's leeward hilly side, this town is both the capital of Tobago and a popular cruise-ship port, but it feels as if not much has changed since the area was settled two centuries ago. It may not be one of the delightful pastel-color cities of the Caribbean, but Scarborough does have its charms, including several interesting little shops. Whatever you do, be sure to check out the busy Scarborough Market, an indoor and outdoor affair with fresh vegetables, live chickens, and clothing. Note the red-and-yellow Methodist church on the hill, one of Tobago's oldest churches.